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Would love some opinions on 2nd set of wheels: 20" or 21"
I plan to run All Season or Winter tires on the 2nd set. I currently run 22s with summer tires.
I'm torn because I like the look of the staggered 21s vs the more tucked in, square look of the 20s. But as we know, tire options for 20s are great and much cheaper. I'd just be running these for winter trips into the mountains. Price for used set of 20s is $1800 with tires, price for 21s is $1700 with tires. Both sets are OEM AMGs (see pics of how each look below) and come with All Seasons and so I'd probably run them year round after my summer 22s run out of tread, and then eventually switch to winter treads on the 2nd set.
What are some advantages and disadvantages of the two options?
20" tire size: 275-40-20 for all 4
21" tire sizes: 275-45-21 front and 315-40-21 rear
Edit: I would only run the 2nd winter set on occasional weekend trips to the mountains and not the whole winter season as I'm based in coastal CA.
You pretty much nailed the differences (cost, stance). There might be a handling improvement on the 21”. Ride quality is pretty much manageable with tire pressure, as you already know on the 22” you have. I certainly like the 21” in your photos much better. Availability doesn’t seem to be an issue, as it has been for me on the 22” (took 4 weeks to get winters in Jan 2021, and the Pirelli Scorpion Zero All Season NCS are made from unobtainium at the moment)
EDIT: Greg’s post below on traction is very valid! I should have commented on the contact patch. I suspect the difference between 20 and 21 is smaller than 21 to 22 though.
Last edited by Charcharius; Mar 14, 2023 at 10:37 AM.
I plan to run All Season or Winter tires on the 2nd set. I currently run 22s with summer tires.
I'm torn because I like the look of the staggered 21s vs the more tucked in, square look of the 20s. But as we know, tire options for 20s are great and much cheaper. I'd just be running these for winter trips into the mountains. Price for used set of 20s is $1800 with tires, price for 21s is $1700 with tires. Both sets are OEM AMGs (see pics of how each look below) and come with All Seasons and so I'd probably run them year round after my summer 22s run out of tread, and then eventually switch to winter treads on the 2nd set.
What are some advantages and disadvantages of the two options?
20" tire size: 275-40-20 for all 4
21" tire sizes: 275-45-21 front and 315-40-21 rear
20s are far preferred for Winters. However, 275/50s are what you want to be running; 275/40s are far too small. Wide tires (eg 315 rears) so not work well in snow, and selection is limited and expensive. If you see much snow(which I assume you do where you live), best to run true Winter tires on the 20s and Summers or *** on the 22s and switch with the seasons.
I decided to run 22” winters and swap on the tires each season. Yeah, at $C 180 per swap, it adds a bit of cost, but I was too cheap to buy another set of Mercedes alloys. Money no object choice would have been the 22” AMG’s in the brushed finish for summers and the use the black mattes in winter.
20s are far preferred for Winters. However, 275/50s are what you want to be running; 275/40s are far too small. Wide tires (eg 315 rears) so not work well in snow, and selection is limited and expensive. If you see much snow(which I assume you do where you live), best to run true Winter tires on the 20s and Summers or *** on the 22s and switch with the seasons.
I decided to run 22” winters and swap on the tires each season. Yeah, at $C 180 per swap, it adds a bit of cost, but I was too cheap to buy another set of Mercedes alloys. Money no object choice would have been the 22” AMG’s in the brushed finish for summers and the use the black mattes in winter.
What 22" winter tires are you running? Do you know how many miles they typically last? I've never owned winter tires before.
yeah I agree. If you have significant snow, it's best to get designated snow tires. All seasons don't do well when exposed to too much snow. If they both work for you, I personally will go with the 21. IMO this is the best most classic design on GLE with AMG line esp if it's in Diamond white. I don't know about performance and handling because I obviously don't expect this to be a sports car. But comfort is the best. Ours came withPIRELLI SCORPION ZERO ALL SEASON. They are supper comfortable, even more comfortable than my Lexus SUVs that run 18 and 19. These tires are not too pricey either. Not bad for 1,539.18.
What 22" winter tires are you running? Do you know how many miles they typically last? I've never owned winter tires before.
Mine are the Pirelli Scorpion Winter, in the same staggered setup/size as your summers. As others have noted on here, if you’re in the snow, there is no substitute. Much greater safety through markedly improved braking distance, and acceleration/steering will be better than all seasons for sure. Noise isn’t too bad, and not too big of a compromise on handling.
Given that you’re wearing one set of tires at a time, I don’t see much cost savings v running all seasons straight through. Sure, you’re not dismounting, etc. but the increased risk of a pricy collision offsets it for me. I have about 16,000 mi on my winters, and while my fronts have 4 mm left, I have 2 mm on the rears. I blame the rear-bias on the drivetrain…
The 21's look much better, but as others have suggested they won't be good in the winter. If you're determined to wear the same setup year-round, 20's are the safe choice. You don't have to go with OE wheels, of course, although you'll likely have to buy brand new to get a proper aftermarket fitment. It's what I did for my winter setup, and for me it was worth the additional expense.
@wildta what car do you have? Your profile shows G580, and this is a V167 forum.
Recommendations would be different if you have an AMG53 or a GLE350.
What's your location, so people familiar with the area can make better recommendations.
For instance, I change to winter tires, using my OE 21" wheels on my 53. The performance I lose during Winter months is a lot. I can't wait to get them off.
Pirelli Winters, MO-1 certified, are pretty good for a Winter tire. But I wish I had my Summers on, 90% of the time. I'm on the Front Range of Colorado.
I'd really hate the 53 with 20s. Even the 21s aren't enough tire for a 5,200 lb car, IMO. But my '20 GLE450 seemed fine. Different strokes.
@wildta what car do you have? Your profile shows G580, and this is a V167 forum.
Recommendations would be different if you have an AMG53 or a GLE350.
What's your location, so people familiar with the area can make better recommendations.
For instance, I change to winter tires, using my OE 21" wheels on my 53. The performance I lose during Winter months is a lot. I can't wait to get them off.
Pirelli Winters, MO-1 certified, are pretty good for a Winter tire. But I wish I had my Summers on, 90% of the time. I'm on the Front Range of Colorado.
I'd really hate the 53 with 20s. Even the 21s aren't enough tire for a 5,200 lb car, IMO. But my '20 GLE450 seemed fine. Different strokes.
This would be SoCal on a GLE 580. The reasons you stated are exactly why I would prefer a second set of wheels with my OEM 22" set running summers 95% of the time in SoCal and then for the 2nd set, run either 20" or 21" with winter tires for several long weekends each winter.
This would be SoCal on a GLE 580. The reasons you stated are exactly why I would prefer a second set of wheels with my OEM 22" set running summers 95% of the time in SoCal and then for the 2nd set, run either 20" or 21" with winter tires for several long weekends each winter.
Then the question becomes whether you encounter uncleared roads, with a few inches of snow. If so, the 20s will do better.better.
But if it's mostly packed snow or black ice, IMO the 21s would be the choice. I'd focus on best winter traction and just put up with it in the dry. (Just drove 150 miles on one of my favorite twisty scenic drives, and had to keep reminding myself....)
It looks like there are new tires that have leapfrogged my old favorites, according to my favorite YouTube tire channel, Tyre Reviews. YouTube video on 17" winters -
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
I don't know about performance and handling because I obviously don't expect this to be a sports car. But comfort is the best. Ours came withPIRELLI SCORPION ZERO ALL SEASON. They are supper comfortable, even more comfortable than my Lexus SUVs that run 18 and 19. These tires are not too pricey either. Not bad for 1,539.18.
