Will 18/19 inch Rims Fit GLE350d With Airmatic?
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2016 M-B GLE350d with Airmatic Suspension.
Will 18/19 inch Rims Fit GLE350d With Airmatic?
I'm new to the forum and new to M-B. I have recently purchased a GLE350d with Airmatic suspension for touring as well as towing a 6.5 metre caravan on some outback country trips in Australia. The GLE is currently fitted with 21 inch AMG rims and the specified low profile tyres. My question is, will 19 or 20 inch ML or GLE rims fit our GLE with Airmatic suspension? Because it has the Airmatic suspension, I have been told it it not possible to fit smaller wheels. Yet the spare wheel is 19 inch diameter. Maybe the shape of the space-saver is different to a full size alloy and accommodates the disc brake set-up or maybe the associated Airmatic components. Also any advice on the most durable tyres for 19/20/21 inch rims on dirt roads (no serious 4WD tracks anticipated) would be appreciated.
Best regards,
Robb4343.
Best regards,
Robb4343.
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robb4343 (08-16-2017)
#3
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I'm new to the forum and new to M-B. I have recently purchased a GLE350d with Airmatic suspension for touring as well as towing a 6.5 metre caravan on some outback country trips in Australia. The GLE is currently fitted with 21 inch AMG rims and the specified low profile tyres. My question is, will 19 or 20 inch ML or GLE rims fit our GLE with Airmatic suspension? Because it has the Airmatic suspension, I have been told it it not possible to fit smaller wheels. Yet the spare wheel is 19 inch diameter. Maybe the shape of the space-saver is different to a full size alloy and accommodates the disc brake set-up or maybe the associated Airmatic components. Also any advice on the most durable tyres for 19/20/21 inch rims on dirt roads (no serious 4WD tracks anticipated) would be appreciated.
Best regards,
Robb4343.
Best regards,
Robb4343.
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robb4343 (08-16-2017)
#4
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Now this is a "true" low-profile tire.
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robb4343 (08-16-2017)
#5
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If I'm correct, on the GLE SUV 20" wheels are standard and AMG upgraded wheels are 21". This would mean the 20" or 21" in any variation will work fine. If they already told you 19" wouldn't work properly, I wouldn't challenge that. The fact that the spare is 19" means little in the way of what would function for a permanent installation wheel size. Remember, spare tires aren't designed to drive for months. They're only intended to get you to a tire repair center. The same concept applies to run-flats. It's just a "temporary" emergency fix.
Last edited by Strafzettel; 08-14-2017 at 05:24 PM.
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robb4343 (08-16-2017)
#6
The Rim size is specified in the COC
Though this is an interesting subject for me too. I bought a 2017 GLE SUV EU specs and on top is fitted with AMG EXTERIOR PACK Airmatic and Offroad plus pack. When I configured the car the standard rims are 20" five spoke. Suddenly, in my first 500km, I've seen that's not the appropriate size and I am looking to change to 18" with All Season tyres. When I asked the MB shop, they've told me that I should look in the COC (Certificate of Conformity) which is specifiying the legally approved rims and tyres that fits the car. The specified sizes for 18" are 8J18 H2 ET56 5x112 with 255/55 R18 105W tyres. Digging a little bit the Internet on this subject there is a very small amount of info but I was able to relate the size with the size of the brake disks and not with the Airmatic suspension. Front disk size for this car is 350 mm and the rim size should be in direct relation with this item. In the beginning of Sept I will try to fit some old R class 18" rims and I will let you know how this is working on my car.
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robb4343 (08-16-2017)
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2016 M-B GLE350d with Airmatic Suspension.
If I'm correct, on the GLE SUV 20" wheels are standard and AMG upgraded wheels are 21". This would mean the 20" or 21" in any variation will work fine. If they already told you 19" wouldn't work properly, I wouldn't challenge that. The fact that the spare is 19" means little in the way of what would function for a permanent installation wheel size. Remember, spare tires aren't designed to drive for months. They're only intended to get you to a tire repair center. The same concept applies to run-flats. It's just a "temporary" emergency fix.
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2016 M-B GLE350d with Airmatic Suspension.
I never liked them either, mainly because of the hard ride. Less of an air cushion to ride on. However, if you look at the larger wheel options for the GLE SUV (20" to 21") and Coupe (21" to 22") and the tires that match them, they're not really what I would consider true "low-profile". An inch difference in wheel size translates into only 1/2 inch difference between the ground and the rim. That difference is negligible and barely noticeable visually. Ride wise, I don't feel any difference at all.
Now this is a "true" low-profile tire.
Now this is a "true" low-profile tire.
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2016 M-B GLE350d with Airmatic Suspension.
My 2014 ML350 Bluetec has air suspension and 19 inch wheels. I didn't want to compromise on comfort, so I was happy 19 inch wheels. When I put the suspension in sport mode I'm still able to go pretty fast around corners. We get a lot of snow in winter and I've been fine with 19 inch all season tires. If I had 20 or 21 inch wheels it might not be so great in winter. When I go to the Mercedes website and spec out a new GLE350 or GLE550e, the 19 inch wheels are still showing as the standard size.
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2016 M-B GLE350d with Airmatic Suspension.
Though this is an interesting subject for me too. I bought a 2017 GLE SUV EU specs and on top is fitted with AMG EXTERIOR PACK Airmatic and Offroad plus pack. When I configured the car the standard rims are 20" five spoke. Suddenly, in my first 500km, I've seen that's not the appropriate size and I am looking to change to 18" with All Season tyres. When I asked the MB shop, they've told me that I should look in the COC (Certificate of Conformity) which is specifiying the legally approved rims and tyres that fits the car. The specified sizes for 18" are 8J18 H2 ET56 5x112 with 255/55 R18 105W tyres. Digging a little bit the Internet on this subject there is a very small amount of info but I was able to relate the size with the size of the brake disks and not with the Airmatic suspension. Front disk size for this car is 350 mm and the rim size should be in direct relation with this item. In the beginning of Sept I will try to fit some old R class 18" rims and I will let you know how this is working on my car.
#11
Robb4343, I am having the same issue with my gle350 with airmatic. Did you find a wheel and tyre option that worked?
currently doing a tyre per month on our dirt road with the 21s
regards
currently doing a tyre per month on our dirt road with the 21s
regards
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2016 M-B GLE350d with Airmatic Suspension.
No good news. Could not increase rim diameter because of the increased diameter of the AMG discs. My solution was to trade the GLE in on a Landcruiser 200 with 17 inch rims and plenty of sidewall depth. Miss the Merc but have no worries with off-road travel now Have just completed 11,000 kms through outback Australia towing a 22 foot, 2.5 tonne caravan without incident. The rims were not our only problem with the GLE. Towing our van, the GLE would violently buck at 70-80 kph. Was informed by M-B dealer that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle, it must be a problem with the van. However, our previous Landcruiser 100 towed the van beautifully and the current Landcruiser has done the same over some 15,000 kms in the last six months. M-B dealers in Australia (maybe not all dealers) seem to deny responsibility for some faults stating that there isn't a problem or it is normal. My son-in-law has a GLC AMG which had a scrubbing problem with the front wheels on full lock. Dealer said it was normal for that model, despite the fact that there was a well-publicised fix for the problem in America. He pushed the point and low and behold, the dealer fixed the problem but it was obviously a costly exercise. I loved our GLE350, magnificent vehicle with better power-to-weight than the Landcruiser and 1/3 less fuel consumption without the van and 50% less with van in tow. If I could afford to go back to when we purchased the GLE, I would have opted for the off-road pack and left the AMG gear off. However, it may still not have been happy with the van in tow and bucked it off too. Sorry this will not be of much help to you but that's how we solved the problem. Cost us a lot of money as the GLE was less than 12 months old, but we now travel with the utmost confidence, irrespective of road or off-road conditions, with or without van.
#13
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Similar but not exactly the same.
I had this issue when I bought a winter set for our 2010 gl450 with airmatic.
I had bought a 18 rim set for an earlier gl for the winter tyres ; but when I mounted the suspension would bottom out and it rode noticeably lower even though these were oem rims on 06-09 gl450; just not the 10-12.
I fixed the problem by buying a whole new oem 19 set that perfectly ended up matching the car in form and function.
I would stick with the oem rim sizes and check if the airmatic suspension has a different software for the amg body kit. Otherwise there are definitely nice 19" oem options available!
I had this issue when I bought a winter set for our 2010 gl450 with airmatic.
I had bought a 18 rim set for an earlier gl for the winter tyres ; but when I mounted the suspension would bottom out and it rode noticeably lower even though these were oem rims on 06-09 gl450; just not the 10-12.
I fixed the problem by buying a whole new oem 19 set that perfectly ended up matching the car in form and function.
I would stick with the oem rim sizes and check if the airmatic suspension has a different software for the amg body kit. Otherwise there are definitely nice 19" oem options available!
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robb4343 (07-09-2018)
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2016 M-B GLE350d with Airmatic Suspension.
Similar but not exactly the same.
I had this issue when I bought a winter set for our 2010 gl450 with airmatic.
I had bought a 18 rim set for an earlier gl for the winter tyres ; but when I mounted the suspension would bottom out and it rode noticeably lower even though these were oem rims on 06-09 gl450; just not the 10-12.
I fixed the problem by buying a whole new oem 19 set that perfectly ended up matching the car in form and function.
I would stick with the oem rim sizes and check if the airmatic suspension has a different software for the amg body kit. Otherwise there are definitely nice 19" oem options available!
I had this issue when I bought a winter set for our 2010 gl450 with airmatic.
I had bought a 18 rim set for an earlier gl for the winter tyres ; but when I mounted the suspension would bottom out and it rode noticeably lower even though these were oem rims on 06-09 gl450; just not the 10-12.
I fixed the problem by buying a whole new oem 19 set that perfectly ended up matching the car in form and function.
I would stick with the oem rim sizes and check if the airmatic suspension has a different software for the amg body kit. Otherwise there are definitely nice 19" oem options available!
Best regards,
Rob.
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2016 M-B GLE350d with Airmatic Suspension.
Not sure that you have followed this thread but I have had a reply from kombifan which may provide a solution to the rim problem. A copy is attached below:-
"Similar but not exactly the same.
I had this issue when I bought a winter set for our 2010 gl450 with airmatic.
I had bought a 18 rim set for an earlier gl for the winter tyres ; but when I mounted the suspension would bottom out and it rode noticeably lower even though these were oem rims on 06-09 gl450; just not the 10-12.
I fixed the problem by buying a whole new oem 19 set that perfectly ended up matching the car in form and function.
I would stick with the oem rim sizes and check if the airmatic suspension has a different software for the amg body kit. Otherwise there are definitely nice 19" oem options available!"
Best regards,
Rob.