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Typically I'd go with the smaller size and narrow tires for winter setup... I am taking delivery of a 2023 GLS450 in 3 days and it has 21" all-season tires. Based on my brief research and past experiences I am considering MICHELIN PILOT ALPIN 5 SUV in size 255/50/R21 all around. My prior 2021 GLS had 275/50/R20 hakka 3 SUV which was fine but new hakka 5 SUV in 285/45/R21 OEM size is crazy expensive $620/each.
Should I choose the Michelin Pilot Alpine 5 SUV ("MPAS") in narrow 255/50/R21 size or get VREDESTEIN WINTRAC PRO ("VWP") in the correct size 285/45/R21?
EDIT: Hakka 5 SUV is available at a lower price once I register as a member on the site ;-) $440/each puts them on the map while MPAS and VWP are $320-$330/each.
Pirelli Scorpion Winter did poorly in tests vs. the other 2 tires.
For summers I have a set of nice 23" wheels with summer performance tires.
I was told 21" and larger wheels automatically gets you a staggered setup (I have 21").
You should be looking for:
275/45R21 in front
315/40R21 in back
If you get this car, your days of buying the same spec tires are over! Ask you dealer if you don't believe me.
I've also attached the MY23 GLS450 Order Guide for your reference.
I was told 21" and larger wheels automatically gets you a staggered setup (I have 21").
You should be looking for:
275/45R21 in front
315/40R21 in back
If you get this car, your days of buying the same spec tires are over! Ask you dealer if you don't believe me.
I've also attached the MY23 GLS450 Order Guide for your reference.
Sounds like I should hope that the strike/supply chain issues delay my new car until after the winter...
Is there no scenario under which it is doable to have 4 identical winter tires on a car that comes with a staggered setup (23", maybe, in my case)? I last had staggered tires on a Smart Fortwo a long time ago and I remember the skinny fronts costing 50% more than the larger rear ones.
I have 20" winters on the GL at the moment that are priced reasonably. Ideally, I'd like to keep that kind of size...
Yes, I haven't thought this through properly before ordering...
Sounds like I should hope that the strike/supply chain issues delay my new car until after the winter...
Is there no scenario under which it is doable to have 4 identical winter tires on a car that comes with a staggered setup (23", maybe, in my case)? I last had staggered tires on a Smart Fortwo a long time ago and I remember the skinny fronts costing 50% more than the larger rear ones.
I have 20" winters on the GL at the moment that are priced reasonably. Ideally, I'd like to keep that kind of size...
Yes, I haven't thought this through properly before ordering...
By definition, a staggered setup means the front are different spec from the back.
Using the 23" wheels as an example: 285/40R23 in front 325/35R23 in back
The first number is the tire width so the fronts are smaller than the back tires by 40 mm (about 1.5"). The second number is the aspect ratio, which is a % of the width to determine tire profile off the rim.
You can certainly go back to 20" wheels/tires but you will already have paid for the 21" since it's baked into the MY24 MSRP.
In the case of the 23s, I have yet to see winter tires for those, so a second set of wheels will be needed regardless. The question is whether I can put matching 20" wheels with winter tires on the car or whether I need to keep some staggered setup for that, too?
Dumb question, I know, but I am not quite there yet...
In the case of the 23s, I have yet to see winter tires for those, so a second set of wheels will be needed regardless. The question is whether I can put matching 20" wheels with winter tires on the car or whether I need to keep some staggered setup for that, too?
Dumb question, I know, but I am not quite there yet...
We know from MY23 cars that 20" wheels should be fine. The only thing I'm not sure about is if you buy a MY24 GLS and try to retrofit 20" wheels, will you be violating the warranty agreement and/or any wheel/tire protection?
There are no 20" wheels in the MY24 Order Guide so only the dealer can tell you the implications of going to 20" from a warranty point of view.
We know from MY23 cars that 20" wheels should be fine. The only thing I'm not sure about is if you buy a MY24 GLS and try to retrofit 20" wheels, will you be violating the warranty agreement and/or any wheel/tire protection?
There are no 20" wheels in the MY24 Order Guide so only the dealer can tell you the implications of going to 20" from a warranty point of view.
The warranty part is interesting.
I've been foreseeing this issue for some time and asked my dealer to price up a set of OEM winter wheels that I might buy at the same time as the car, but the salesperson I am working with is not so good with following through on promises... The good salespeople keep getting promoted, which is annoying...
2021 GLS 450 & 23 GLS 450. Have a Holden Commodore, Jeep, truck, and more
Originally Posted by EWL5
We know from MY23 cars that 20" wheels should be fine. The only thing I'm not sure about is if you buy a MY24 GLS and try to retrofit 20" wheels, will you be violating the warranty agreement and/or any wheel/tire protection?
There are no 20" wheels in the MY24 Order Guide so only the dealer can tell you the implications of going to 20" from a warranty point of view.
I have had friends who have been down the road of different tire and wheel sizes than offered from the factory. Since they would be winter only, I would just swap back to the OEM wheels before taking it in for service. Realistically if the over diameter is the same (or very close) and the wheel/tire doesn't contact anything, MB wouldn't have a leg to stand on proving your alternate setup caused any failure.
Old thread, but wanted to point this site out to you guys if unaware. Official mbusa tire site. Found 21” staggered scorpion winters here. Great price (price varies by dealer tho fyi) which includes mounting
I have the VREDESTEIN in the stock 21" format for my winter wheel setup . I just took my first snow drive. I think my hakka 3's on my GL350 drives better in the deep snow; but it could be the tire width that is making the difference.
Originally Posted by CityBoy
Typically I'd go with the smaller size and narrow tires for winter setup... I am taking delivery of a 2023 GLS450 in 3 days and it has 21" all-season tires. Based on my brief research and past experiences I am considering MICHELIN PILOT ALPIN 5 SUV in size 255/50/R21 all around. My prior 2021 GLS had 275/50/R20 hakka 3 SUV which was fine but new hakka 5 SUV in 285/45/R21 OEM size is crazy expensive $620/each.
Should I choose the Michelin Pilot Alpine 5 SUV ("MPAS") in narrow 255/50/R21 size or get VREDESTEIN WINTRAC PRO ("VWP") in the correct size 285/45/R21?
EDIT: Hakka 5 SUV is available at a lower price once I register as a member on the site ;-) $440/each puts them on the map while MPAS and VWP are $320-$330/each.
Pirelli Scorpion Winter did poorly in tests vs. the other 2 tires.
For summers I have a set of nice 23" wheels with summer performance tires.
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