I what size tire do I need , I have 235-50-19

Dec 13, 2023 | 03:28 PM

Mmr1

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2013 glk 350

I what size tire do I need , I have 235-50-19

How do I get a smoother city ride with more pothole defense. What size tire do I need? I don’t drive highway much, I thought go taller but will it help ? And how much will fit ?

Dec 13, 2023 | 03:43 PM

John CC

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From: New Hampsha

'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster

Get a set of 17" wheels and switch to 235/60 tires. Everything will fit the same but you'll have almost 1 inch more sidewall.

Dec 13, 2023 | 03:50 PM

MBKLUE

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Mmr1

How do I get a smoother city ride with more pothole defense. What size tire do I need? I don’t drive highway much, I thought go taller but will it help ? And how much will fit ?

You need smaller rims with higher profile tires. In winter I mount 17 inch wheels and in summer 20 inch wheels. The tire size is whatever Mercedes recommends in the owner's manual for a given wheel size. Don't recall off hand... I have dedicated winter tires on the 17 inch wheels but you could mount all season tires too and use them all year depending on where you live.

I would argue the smaller rims with higher profile tires are more suited to highway driving for a smoother, more relaxing ride. The taller rims with lower profile tires will provide sharping handling which may be desired on twisty backroads.

Last edited by MBKLUE; Dec 13, 2023 at 04:01 PM.

Dec 13, 2023 | 04:27 PM

Mmr1

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2013 glk 350

Im not wasting money on new rims ! I don’t have it .

Dec 13, 2023 | 05:01 PM

John CC

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From: New Hampsha

'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster

A friend of mine runs a junk yard. Every month he recycles a 30 yard dumpster full of perfectly good rims for scrap metal.

Dec 13, 2023 | 08:03 PM

John CC

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From: New Hampsha

'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster

You could go to a 235/60-19. That'll give you another inch of sidewall, too, and fit the width of your current rims, but the over all clearance will be reduced by the same inch.

Jan 26, 2024 | 08:10 PM

Rascally Wabbit

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From: Tucson AZ

2010 Mercedes GLK 350, 2001 BMW Z3 3.0 Roadster, 1997 Cherokee XJ

@Mmr1 If unwilling to go with a smaller diameter rim for whatever reason, do research on Tire Rack or an equivalent business. Look for tyres with shorter tread life which suggests a softer compound. I am currently running a Pirelli in the optional 20" diameter but something similar might be available in the 19". Currently on the second set & very pleased with the ride quality. Stay with tier one tyres in your research. Another consideration for ride quality is the number of miles on your vehicle. Worn shock absorbers, especially if the roads where you reside have a lot of damage, will fail earlier. Another point to be considered with going to a smaller diameter rim & a tyre with a large aspect ratio is that the rim will be less likely to be damaged from bad road surfaces. .

Last edited by Rascally Wabbit; Jan 26, 2024 at 08:14 PM. Reason: spelling