Tire purchase
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 34
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2009 ML 550
Tire purchase
My wife had a blow out this morning and her and I are super new to MB also to all wheel drive vehicles. So my question is can I replace just 1 tire if all the other tires are in good shape, do they have to be replaced in pairs, or do all 4 need to be placed?
sorry for the dumb question
sorry for the dumb question
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,517
Likes: 628
From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
Usually 2 is a good ide and 4 is better.
How many miles on the set?
If they are very new, you can get away with one.
How many miles on the set?
If they are very new, you can get away with one.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 34
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2009 ML 550
Im really not sure we bought the truck used they have maybe 10k miles left on them. The man reason im asking cause the guy at discount tire was saying that if I dont replace all for it could mess up my drive train.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Bergen Co,NJ
14' CLS550
Unless the other 3 are very worn out I would just replace the 1. Especially if the blow out came from a pothole, you would be pissed if you blew out another brand new tire instead of a used one. I went through 3 new front tires this winter already..
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,517
Likes: 628
From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
I just had a long talk with my service advisor, and the 4Matic in the ML/GL is fine with slightly different tires front and rear. (You are about where I am with my GL)
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2011
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2021 GLS580 | 2011 ML350 BlueTec | 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
Measure the tred depth. If under 5/32, Do all four and get the road hazzard protection if you're worried about pot holes. You'll be far better off in bad road condition situations having four tires of equal traction. Much easier to control.
Messing up the drive train is a bit of a stretch. Your differentials will take care of minor differences in tire height caused by a few extra 32nds of tread on two tires vs the other two. Unless you have a large height difference caused be a completely different tire size there isn't much to worry about. Now if you were to try and tow the vehicle by two wheels or something you would be placing incredible strain on the differential gears and would likely damage something.
Messing up the drive train is a bit of a stretch. Your differentials will take care of minor differences in tire height caused by a few extra 32nds of tread on two tires vs the other two. Unless you have a large height difference caused be a completely different tire size there isn't much to worry about. Now if you were to try and tow the vehicle by two wheels or something you would be placing incredible strain on the differential gears and would likely damage something.
Last edited by jkaetz; Feb 21, 2014 at 10:27 AM.
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Member
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Madison, AL
2009 ML320 Bluetec
What falls in your favor with the 4Matic is that it uses simple differentials and not mechanically implemented LSD limited slip. Brakes are applied to stop the spinning wheel, to transfer torque to non-spinning wheels.
Still, it is not as forgiving of different sized tires as a 2WD. Make sure you get exactly the same make/model of replacement tire because same sized tires of different makes, even of different models of the same make, are often different in diameter. Compounded by the fact your other tires have wear.
There are tire shops with equipment to shave a tire. Racers will often shave a new tire because deep tread squirms more than shallow "worn" tread. Others will shave a tire to true after abuse or poor alignment. Push come to shove rather than purchase 4 new tires if the new tire's increased diameter proves to be a problem (for instance car pulls to one side) then you can have it shaved.
Still, it is not as forgiving of different sized tires as a 2WD. Make sure you get exactly the same make/model of replacement tire because same sized tires of different makes, even of different models of the same make, are often different in diameter. Compounded by the fact your other tires have wear.
There are tire shops with equipment to shave a tire. Racers will often shave a new tire because deep tread squirms more than shallow "worn" tread. Others will shave a tire to true after abuse or poor alignment. Push come to shove rather than purchase 4 new tires if the new tire's increased diameter proves to be a problem (for instance car pulls to one side) then you can have it shaved.
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 40
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From: Chicago Area
1993 190E, 2011 ML350, 2014 ML350, 2003 BMW 540i, 2013 GLK 350, 2014
Just went through shopping for tires (2007 ML 350). It had Continental Positive Contacts that went almost 65,000 miles. I went with the Michelin Latitude HP because I liked the brand and used them before. Research also showed they were also original equipment on the ML. Michelin has served me very well on my Durango, Jetta, and MBZ 190. I've found BF Goodrich to be a nice riding and wearing replacement on another 190, a Pontiac Grand AM I owned and daughter's BMW 325i. Best advice is to be an educated shopper and buy from a place that is nearby if possible to take advantage of free repair, rotation/balance. In the case of Costco where I bought mine, it included free nitrogen fills. Set of four out the door was $886 which included the $70 rebate. Talked to Discount, NTB, Sams and Costco, compared prices and brand choices both in person and online. I've dealt with them all but this time Costco seemed like the best all around deal. The Latitude HPs were in stock, but not shown online, so a trip out shopping got me the exact tire I wanted. Very happy with the set so far.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 34
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2009 ML 550
^^^ awesome my wife has the luxury to work an office job so she is able to shop around and call different places. She had discount tire and Goodyear doing a price battle for all for tires installed out the door was 636.00 installed with a 70k mile warranty. That's better then what I paid for a set of rear Michelin Super Sport Pilots on my Lexus IS-F with just 20k warranty.
