MBRedux

The Dunlop GrandTrek Touring A/S

Tread Wear 200 A-A Tread Life 15-20,000 Miles


Pirelli Scorpion Zero Asimmetrico

Wear Rating 420 A-A / Tread Life 35 - 40,000 miles

By now you must have heard or read that your Dunlop tires will only last about half the life expectancy of the 20” Pirelli tires found on other GLK’s. (Please see: https://mbworld.org/forums/glk-class/320346-pirelli-vs-dunlop-vs-color.html)

In fact, it was confirmed that our 235/45/R20 Dunlop GrandTrek Touring A/S with a wear rating of 200 A-A has the WORST tread wear rating of ANY tire made today, including Super High Performance Summer tires. YES IT’S TRUE! There are racing tires with better ratings! No Lie!

This horrible rating translates into a tread life expectancy of around 15 to 20,000 miles if properly inflated and rotated. (Considerably less if not properly cared for.) These estimates were confirmed yesterday by Dunlop/Goodyear (same company) technical reps. as well as my own tire rep. They were all blown-away when they saw the numbers.

For comparison sake, the 20” Pirelli Scorpion Zero Asimmetrico is considered a high performance tire and not a “touring” tire like the Dunlop is. Traditionally this would mean that the tread life of the Pirelli should be considerably less, not the Dunlop. The Pirelli has a tread life rating of 420 A-A with a tread expectancy of 35-40,000 miles according to my same sources. (Pirelli Tech.-Line and my rep)

Therefore, I would like to know if there are any 20” Dunlop owners who wish to file a joint complaint with MB asking them to either exchange or compensate us for these obviously inferior tires.

It would be simple. We would just need to pick a day in the next few weeks to jointly call MB Customer Service with the same concern, mentioning our mutual dissatisfaction with the latest facts about the tires on our 2010 GLK’s. Maybe if enough of us complain, they’ll realize how dumb it was for them to think we wouldn’t find out.

I’m open for discussion……. So please fire away.

GLKster

Before I picked up my GLK, I told the salesrep that I wanted the Pirelli Scorpions.
Future GLK owners should do the same.

hardrock121

I didn't buy the appearance package solely because of the tires. Went with the 19's and got Michelins (Although not happy with replacement tire options in that size either). WIll look for factory 20's on E-bay and upgrade sometime in the future...hopefully when it's time for replacement of the Michelins.

cyberglk350

I agree that this is lame for MB to give us such a poor quality tire. I'm in on trying to get them to replace them with a better tire. I have the Dunlop 20". They ride nice sand seem quiet enough. But I'm not looking forward to paying for new tires so soon though.

It will be tough for me to get any pull with MB. I called them the other day and let them have it regarding the ridiculous price for the cargo cover. They caved and gave one to me for FREE. So tires will probably be much tougher.

I was at the dealer the other day for relacement Wheel Nuts. They wanted to give me a "Special" for $50. they would fill the tires with Nitrogen. They claimed the tires would get better life. Is this true? Or is it a load of BS as well?

MBRedux

Well there is power in numbers.... the more who call in on the day we all agree on, the better our chances.... Nitrogen fill doesn't expand and contract like air does.. so if you're the type of person that never adjusts the air in your tires every season, then yes it will help your tires...

However all things being equal, it's mostly the compound the tire is made of, along with proper care that will dictate how long they'll last.

We need to try to get more to join our quest! Any ideas?

cyberglk350

I think we should act on this! I just posted another thread earlier today regarding a loaner GLK I received today. It has the Scorpions and the ride quality is VERY improved over the Grandtrek CRAP tire.

pez

im also pretty peeved about these wheels now!

cyberglk350

Call Mercedes Benz USA and Complain today. That would make three calls in one day.

CARMAG

I just called the dealer, they said that you can't pick and choose, you get the truck the way it comes, it could arrive with dunlops or pirelli's.

SLfanDC

I just posted on another thread that the Service Director at my local dealer has agreed to put the Pirelli's on my GLK. (https://mbworld.org/forums/glk-class...ml#post3857522)

It may be worth all Dunlop owners going down to your local dealer and having a similar conversation. Worst that can happen is they say No. At least they'll know it's a real concern for GLK owners.

JT01

Congratulations... good to hear your got what you wanted... seems like you have a pretty reputable dealer!

SLfanDC

Having now had the Pirelli's on for a few days, I can say that have noticed a dramatic difference. As others have posted here, the road noise is much less with these tires, and road imperfections are far less noticeable. In general, the car just feels more solid (and fun to drive ).

mr.mbenz

came with Pirelli's and car is super quiet on the road.

MBRedux

....bump

SD90

When we got our GLK it had the Dunlops on it. When I saw this I asked if they would switch the wheels with another GLK that had the Pirelli's, the sales guy asked, and they said some crap about the serial number of the car was linked with the wheels and couldn't switch them. I wasn't impressed, but bought the car anyway. I had 25 000 km on them when I put the winter wheels on a few weeks ago and they still had 7 - 8, 32nd tread on them, I know this because I got a key stuck in the tread of one, and had to buy a new one. ($475 installed !) The new one has 10 32nd, and they told me that it was close enough that I didn't have to buy 2 or 4 of them. If I did, I would have bought 4 Pirellis! I think they are a much better tire.

CJM Online

Hello everyone,

We just special ordered a 2011 GLK350 4-MATIC for my wife with nearly all the options including the AMG appearance package. I told the salesman to request Pirelli tires with the build and he said they have no way to specify. And while he said they will gladly swap wheels and tires off another car on the lot, I'd rather not have to deal with this especially since ours won't arrive until March and they may not have any AMG wheel equipped GLKs on the lot then.

Oddly enough there seems to be no rhyme or reason to this issue. There is a mix of 2010s AND 2011s on the lot with AMG or standard appearance packages and Dunlop or Pirelli tires. The only thing I believe it could be related to now is 2WD versus 4-MATIC...I'll stop by the lot to check it out and see if that is a common factor. In the meantime, does anyone here have Pirellis on a 4-MATIC and if so what year and/or build date is yours?

Thanks!

Jason

phil17

i thought the dunlop comes when you have aluminum rails and Pirelli with the black rails in 2010. not sure what its like in 2011. I have dunlops on mine so maybe that's why i never felt the GLK was quiet when other's talk about it..

MKenM

I have a 2010 with Pirelli's built in Oct '08 that I bought in Jan '09. It is a 4-Matic with Aluminum Rails.

hceptj

My 2010 4matic has black rails and Dunlops...

n8nu

Mine is a 2010 GLK, built Dec 2009 with aluminum rails, 4matic and Pirelli's.

Also in Ontario, Canada, if that makes a diff.

rmfnla

I have a 2WD with aluminum rails and Pirellis.

The irony is Pirelli is the only tire brand I have had problems with in the past (including Dunlops!).

I'm glad these are so highly regarded.