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I am looking into prepping the GLK for snow season and was wondering what other on here are doing for wheels and roof mounted cargo. Hopefully I can get to paint protection prior to heading up to the mountains and post a little about that.
Im looking at a 17" set of wheels/tires like the EU winter package for our cars, but buying the actual MB winter wheels is very expensive. Is anyone else running a 17" winter wheel package?
Already bought whispbars on sale over the summer, but looking for a quiet cargo solution to mount on them. My ML with factory bars and ski rack was really noisy and annoying on long drives up the mountain. Anybody have quiet suggestions?
I have been looking at MB wheels in the 17" size. Possibly an E class or the C class will work in a square set-up. Rim width on the E class will be 8" & the C class will be 7.5". I believe either set will work. Offset needs to be 35 or greater & the lug pattern is the same. There may be other options.
I just finished this exact process. I ordered Rial Comos in 17 x 7.5 with Michelin Lattidude X-ice. With sensors and shipping it was about $1,400 US from Tire Rack. I think they're overkill for winter but couldn't find plain steel wheels that fit GLK. No spare, so just going to risk it with a can of fix-a-flat. For a box went with whispbars and the Thule Force Alpine, which is long enough for skis and can sit far enough back to be relatively quiet up to about 70mph. I've tried longer or bigger boxes and this is the sweet spot for capacity vs noise for me.
No sense in risking it. Several solutions have been posted here. I like the idea of the gas version spare strapped standing upright on the drivers side cargo area & add the tool kit from the same vehicle.
Did a lot of searching and came up with a few winter prep items so far to address some of the shortcomings of the vehicle, make it safer, and protect the vehicle so it will still look good when winter is over.
Pics and more info coming soon.
C300 17" wheels for winter tire
Rubber floor mats
Flosser 80w headlight bulbs
Piaa fog lights
Rain X for windows
Klasse for paint protection
Mud guards
Whispbars
Interested in this. Having the AMG package, the dealer does not have a solution for mud guards/flaps. Looked into buying mud flaps that will have to be cut, but never got around to it. GLK definitely needs mud guards, as the amount of water/snow lifted in the back is enormous.
Interested in this. Having the AMG package, the dealer does not have a solution for mud guards/flaps. Looked into buying mud flaps that will have to be cut, but never got around to it. GLK definitely needs mud guards, as the amount of water/snow lifted in the back is enormous.
Luckily I don't have the AMG kit so I can try out the factory type guards to compare with the rally type. Chances are the stock ones aren't any good as they appear to be similar in design to the stock Toyota ones I installed on my FRS.
Sorry it's been awhile since my last post, but I do have some updates.
First off the light bulb upgrade to 80w from daniel stern lighting made a huge difference! I actually bought some small PIAA fog lights to improve lighting, but don't need to install them since adding these bulbs.
Here is a pick of my GLK250 with 85w side by side with my friends GLK250 with stock bulbs. Needless to say we upgraded his bulbs shortly after!
Next I had my whispers and an Inno cargo box (Shadow 15 cu ft) installed to carry our ski gear. Whispbars were dead silent on the highway, but the box did add a little wind noise. At least it didn't whistle like the MB ski rack I had on our ML used to! The box is perfect size IMO and since we park in a garage with limited height its low profile enables me to leave it installed when pulling in.
Still left to complete is the winter wheel tire setup with mud flaps and upgrade the MB rubber mats to weather tech!
Last edited by twinturba; Jan 27, 2015 at 09:18 PM.
Reason: 80w not 85w
I have factory mudguards and I think it is a must. Easy install. You said you replaced fog light bulbs? I thought the glk350 2013 and up doesn't have front fog lamps? Or are you referring to the rear fog lamp? I have continental all seasons and find it adequate for winter.
I have factory mudguards and I think it is a must. Easy install. You said you replaced fog light bulbs? I thought the glk350 2013 and up doesn't have front fog lamps? Or are you referring to the rear fog lamp? I have continental all seasons and find it adequate for winter.
I bought a complete PIAA fog light setup on Ebay, but didn't install them since the upgraded headlights have been sufficient. My GLK has the LED strip stock, no fog lights. The plan was to mount them behind the black "grill" under the bumper to increase near and wide visibility on the dark mountain roads, but find the 80w bulbs do the job so the install isn't warranted.
The all seasons work well on the highway and maintained streets, but the house in Tahoe is on side streets that aren't cleared of snow and ice so the added traction will help. The driveway is also steep and often snow covered. Our first trip up involved a few good morning ice slides on the all season tires.
Last edited by twinturba; Jan 27, 2015 at 09:18 PM.
Reason: 80w not 85w
2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe; 2011 GLK 350 w/ Premium 1, Multimedia & Sport Appearance; I LOVE IT!
Originally Posted by twinturba
I bought a complete PIAA fog light setup on Ebay, but didn't install them since the upgraded headlights have been sufficient. My GLK has the LED strip stock, no fog lights. The plan was to mount them behind the black "grill" under the bumper to increase near and wide visibility on the dark mountain roads, but find the 85w bulbs do the job so the install isn't warranted.
The all seasons work well on the highway and maintained streets, but the house in Tahoe is on side streets that aren't cleared of snow and ice so the added traction will help. The driveway is also steep and often snow covered. Our first trip up involved a few good morning ice slides on the all season tires.
Though it might be a little early, I want to figure out the rest of my winter wheel setup. The wheels and Tires are ready and are to factory spec, but my main concern now will be lug bolts so if anyone has knowledge on this let me know.
Stock C class wheels (ALY65524):
Winter Tires MI Lat X-ice 235/60/17:
Mounted and balanced with TPMS sensors and referenced next to the GLK:
Last edited by twinturba; Aug 21, 2015 at 02:17 PM.
Still see quite a few people searching for info on winter wheels and tires so I figured I'd bump this up. The setup I use is great in the snow and fits/feels/looks factory thanks to the stock MB 17" wheels
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For a box went with whispbars and the Thule Force Alpine, which is long enough for skis and can sit far enough back to be relatively quiet up to about 70mph. I've tried longer or bigger boxes and this is the sweet spot for capacity vs noise for me.
