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I’m expecting my GLS 450 to arrive in a few weeks.
I ordered it with the base 19” wheels, which now that I’ve seen one in person look a bit small.
As I do a lot of winter driving on snowy mountain roads, I’m planning to get a second set of wheels and mount winter tires on them.
One option I’ve considered is to get OEM 20” or maybe 21” wheels and put summer tires on, and then a set of Blizzaks on the 19” wheels.
Because the model year is so new, it’s hard to get info on tire diameters, bolt patterns, wheel offsets, and so on, so I’m a bit in the dark.
Does anyone know what the largest wheel is that doesn’t require a thin low-profile tire? I already have one vehicle with skinny sporty tires, and am more interested in ride quality and pothole resistance than narrow-profile tires.
I’m also curious whether switching wheel sizes will mess with any of the engine computers. I normally swap wheels myself, but my current winter/summer sets are the same size, so I’m ignorant of any risk I might run going between big and little.
According to the DOG, the wheel/tire combos available for the 450 are
19x8.5 275/55/R19
20x8.5 275/50/R20
21x10 (f) 21x11 (r) 275/45/R21 (f) 315/40/R21 (r)
Most cars I have seen are configured with the 95R wheel option: 21" triple 5 spoke. Best wheel available for the 450. Look like the old AMG wheels. $1750 but worth it...
Most cars I have seen are configured with the 95R wheel option: 21" triple 5 spoke. Best wheel available for the 450. Look like the old AMG wheels. $1750 but worth it...
I've been looking at all dealer inventory I can find online and from what I've seen the 450 wheel distribution seems to be like this
That's from looking at pictures/equipment list on dealer sites for roughly 100 GLS450's
The 95R 21" triple 5 spoke is the best looking option for the 450. But I ordered the R33 twin 5 spoke 20". Don't want to have to deal with different front/rear tire sizes and the more likelihood of damage from the awful roads near me on 21" rims.
That's from looking at pictures/equipment list on dealer sites for roughly 100 GLS450's
The 95R 21" triple 5 spoke is the best looking option for the 450. But I ordered the R33 twin 5 spoke 20". Don't want to have to deal with different front/rear tire sizes and the more likelihood of damage from the awful roads near me on 21" rims.
Keep in mind that the car was designed with up to 23" wheels in mind. While reserved to the GLS 580/63, 21" seem to be the golden middle from the looks/ride perspective. Ride quality was very compliant with 21's. Also the largest to get all-seasons...
For 22” wheels, go for the Pirelli Scorpion Winter tires. Or for 20”, the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 in Porsche spec. Not MO1 designated, but that’s okay.
The wheel options in general are fairly disappointing. The 19’s are plain. The 8-spoke 20’s are rather boring. The 5-spoke 20’s look great from a distance but up close the glossy black sections look cheap. The triple 5-spoke 21’s are busy and expensive. The other 21’s seem flashy and bright. None are as interesting as the 20’s on my GL450. Spending $1750 on upgraded wheels seems high, let alone what replacement tires will be—although that should probably not be a major factor when buying a $90,000 vehicle.
I want to like the new GLS, but the wheels, colors and interior choices are uninspiring.
22 inch and 23 inch only size available Gls580 in Canada
Some specs are crazy from one country to another. 2 sizes only available for the Gls580 in Canada 22 or 23 and they only come with summer performance tires! I guess MB forgot it gets cold here! I chose the RPA 22 inch for my 580. They do not make all season tires in the correct size 325/40r22 for the rear the fronts are OK. I will have to force smaller tires 305/45r22 onto the rears so I can have cold weather tires. I hope that it won't cause a problem because that is closest I can find.
For 22” wheels, go for the Pirelli Scorpion Winter tires. Or for 20”, the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 in Porsche spec. Not MO1 designated, but that’s okay.
And remember, “all-season” == “no-season”
Just ordered Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUVs for my GLE in 275/50VR20 through Costco. That's an update on the PA4. Higher speed and load index than stock all-seasons. I'm mounting them on 20x9 wheels I kept from my W166.
Some specs are crazy from one country to another. 2 sizes only available for the Gls580 in Canada 22 or 23 and they only come with summer performance tires! I guess MB forgot it gets cold here! I chose the RPA 22 inch for my 580. They do not make all season tires in the correct size 325/40r22 for the rear the fronts are OK. I will have to force smaller tires 305/45r22 onto the rears so I can have cold weather tires. I hope that it won't cause a problem because that is closest I can find.
Best to get a set of 20" wheels just for Winter use. Even 305 is too wide for a winter tire to work well.
Best to get a set of 20" wheels just for Winter use. Even 305 is too wide for a winter tire to work well.
Yes Greg, I agree with the idea of smaller winter tires. I have 2 sets currently for the ML, 19" winter ones and 20" all season, but now go to Florida for winter. I think my only practical option is a good all season tire so I can travel south safely, pulling my travel trailer. One year I went to Florida with the ML for 2 weeks in mid winter and decided to leave the winter tires on for the trip which ruined them in one shot. One summer set and one winter set won't do it for me.
Yes Greg, I agree with the idea of smaller winter tires. I have 2 sets currently for the ML, 19" winter ones and 20" all season, but now go to Florida for winter. I think my only practical option is a good all season tire so I can travel south safely, pulling my travel trailer. One year I went to Florida with the ML for 2 weeks in mid winter and decided to leave the winter tires on for the trip which ruined them in one shot. One summer set and one winter set won't do it for me.
One option if you have OEM 20" wheels is to convert them to Winter use and get an aftermarket set for the rest of the year. Lorinser is the first I know of to come out with a fitment specifically for the V167/X167:
"Dear Mr. Williams,
Thank you very much for your inquiry and your interest in our company and products! We offer – as one of the first on the market – a special version of our RS10-wheels in 10,0x21” for GLE V167 model (10,0x21” offset 53). These wheels have the holes specially made to accept the original Mercedes Benz OEM M15 bolts! The official list price of the wheels is 790,00 EUR (incl. center ring to fit for V167; excl. taxes or shipping costs). The correct tire size would be 275/45R21 110V. The wheels are available from our stock!
Please feel free contacting me at any time whenever you have questions or if you request any further information! Looking forward hearing from you soon again!
Very kind regards,
Michael Franz Export & Online Sales Sport-Service-Lorinser Sportliche Autoausrüstung GmbH Alte Bundesstraße 45, D-71332 Waiblingen www.lorinser.com"
On my '19 GLS, I intentionally ordered it w/ 19" wheels so I can use them for the winter. I ordered a set of 275/55/19 Blizzak DM-V2 from TireRack for only $904.
On my '19 GLS, I intentionally ordered it w/ 19" wheels so I can use them for the winter. I ordered a set of 275/55/19 Blizzak DM-V2 from TireRack for only $904.
IMO, 19s look to small on this vehicle. I would do the same with 20s.
Just got my Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV 275/50R20 113V tires from Costco. Took only 10 days to get them in. Nice looking tire with lots of sipes. Not sure I will test their 149 mph rated limit, but nice to know I could (in my dreams)! I had my wheel guy mount them on the 20x9 twin 5-spoke wheels from my '12 ML. Will be using 12mm spacers in the rear to perfectly match OEM offsets. While many specs are the same between the GLE & GLS, the GLS has different offsets than the GLE.
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