need some tire/wheel suggestions
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Long Island
'07 Porsche 997TT
need some tire/wheel suggestions
My wife will most likely be picking up her ML 500 this week. Since I don't know squat about wheels/tires for SUV's figured I'd ask for some suggestions. But, before you guys go nuts with 20" wheel suggestions bear in mind we are both 40 yrs. old LOL. The car comes stock with 17" wheels. Am I to assume that going to 18's would effect the ride the same as it would in a car? i.e. Used to have an '03 E500 that came with 17"s all around and put staggered 18"s on it. I did not think the ride suffered much. She will be the primary driver, so I don't want her hating the thing because the ride is to rough. the couple of test drives I took told me that the ride is rough enough as is! I just want something a little nicer than the stock 17" set up. I checked tirerack and they have the 5 spoke AMG in 18". I'm even more lost when it comes to tires for SUV's. I can talk all day about tires for my car, but that's about it! We're in the Northeast, so an all season is necessary. Any thoughts? Thanks.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Tires/wheels for ML
I'm running 18x10 Lorinsers (designed just for the ML) w/ 285/50-18s on my ML320. What little difference I find from 16s or 17s I actually prefer. My wife drives this vehicle mostly and she is fine with it. The 18s add a certain firmness to the ride that is lacking in ths stock tires. I have Yokohama AVS/STs, a high-performance SUV tire that I have found to be quiet, grippy in dry and wet (but not for snow) and good looking (I'm on my asecond set). The extra size is perfect for the proportions of the vehicle, I believe. Not so radiical that you can't use them off-road. They are near same diameter as 275/55-17.
I am selling the ML and would be willing to sell the wheels/tire--drop me an e-mail if interested (greg.a.williams@comcast.net )
I am selling the ML and would be willing to sell the wheels/tire--drop me an e-mail if interested (greg.a.williams@comcast.net )
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Dec 5, 2004 at 11:23 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 36
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From: Western NY
2001 ML320, 1999 Ford F-350 Super Duty 4x4
cte430 - My suggestion would be to get the 18 inch rims that you like and mount some high performance summer tires on those and keep your 17 inch rims and get dedicated winter tires. That way you get the best of both worlds. I always find all season tires suck at something (normally winter driving) and therefore you are compromising your ride. You get to keep your 18 inch rims nice by not exposing them to the winter crud and get winter tires that will keep the ML on the road where it belongs.
You should post in the TireRack forum to get some suggestions on tires. Luke knows his stuff and could hook you up. Good luck to you!!
You should post in the TireRack forum to get some suggestions on tires. Luke knows his stuff and could hook you up. Good luck to you!!
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 630
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I like the 18" 2 piece wheels mercedes offers. Some michelin 4x4 diamaris oughtta do nicely. Perhaps some fender flares? I wish somebody would give me an open checkbook and an ML. I would make that unit something to behold, and do it pretty much out of the mercedes catalog.
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Tires
Originally Posted by Ronin007
cte430 - My suggestion would be to get the 18 inch rims that you like and mount some high performance summer tires on those and keep your 17 inch rims and get dedicated winter tires. That way you get the best of both worlds. I always find all season tires suck at something (normally winter driving) and therefore you are compromising your ride. You get to keep your 18 inch rims nice by not exposing them to the winter crud and get winter tires that will keep the ML on the road where it belongs.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Long Island
'07 Porsche 997TT
Originally Posted by Ronin007
cte430 - My suggestion would be to get the 18 inch rims that you like and mount some high performance summer tires on those and keep your 17 inch rims and get dedicated winter tires. That way you get the best of both worlds. I always find all season tires suck at something (normally winter driving) and therefore you are compromising your ride. You get to keep your 18 inch rims nice by not exposing them to the winter crud and get winter tires that will keep the ML on the road where it belongs.
You should post in the TireRack forum to get some suggestions on tires. Luke knows his stuff and could hook you up. Good luck to you!!
You should post in the TireRack forum to get some suggestions on tires. Luke knows his stuff and could hook you up. Good luck to you!!
But this is the wife's ride and i'm sure she could'nt care less! This is just me wanting what I want LOL.
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From: Long Island
'07 Porsche 997TT
Originally Posted by saturnstyl
I like the 18" 2 piece wheels mercedes offers. Some michelin 4x4 diamaris oughtta do nicely. Perhaps some fender flares? I wish somebody would give me an open checkbook and an ML. I would make that unit something to behold, and do it pretty much out of the mercedes catalog.
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 36
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From: Western NY
2001 ML320, 1999 Ford F-350 Super Duty 4x4
Originally Posted by saturnstyl
I wish somebody would give me an open checkbook and an ML. I would make that unit something to behold, and do it pretty much out of the mercedes catalog.
Almost a Member!
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 36
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From: Atlanta, GA - USA
2002 ML 320
My 2 cents
I just got 4 new Michelin CrossTerrain tires installed on my ML320. I love them. Best ride I've had since I bought the car. Huge difference to the Dunlaps that came with the car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
18x10s
Originally Posted by KILLERLEXUS
i like the 18x10 set up with the 285/50/18 makes the truck look muscular. how an ML should look like,classy yet able to play ruff when the time calls for it,, 
how an ML should look like,classy yet able to play ruff when the time calls for it,, 
