New tire options for ML350
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2011
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2021 GLS580 | 2011 ML350 BlueTec | 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
We went with Continental CrossContact LX20. Fabulous tire and starts out with 12/32 tread. So far looking to get the claimed 70k miles out of them. I believe they still had 10/32 at 20k miles. Good in rain, snow, and dry.
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 205
Likes: 21
From: Florida & North Carolina
2008 ML320CDI 4Matic, 2006 C350
Last edited by CLK Group; Mar 18, 2016 at 12:58 PM.
Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 134
Likes: 8
From: near Rochester, NY
2019 GLE400
Also went with CrossContact LX-20. The previous Conti DWS tires lasted about 1/3 their rated life so I got a nice refund toward a different set of Contis. I've got about 25 K on them so far and they look great. I think expecting the rated 70K in my use might be pushing it, but getting 50-60K would be pretty reasonable. Much better wear on these H-rated than the prior V or Z rated tires. Very predictable when pushed. They are nice and quiet. Tires are very good in western NY snow/ice (two winter's worth). Check out TireRack's ratings and feedback.
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 91
Likes: 9
M-Class
CrossContact LX and Michelin LTX get my vote. Both tires are a good choice and have good reviews online when it comes to traction, though michelins are a higher mileage rated. These tires can perform good in the snow though I don't recommend them to anybody that sees extreme snow/ice.
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Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 84
Likes: 28
2014 E63 AMG S, 4Runner
I currently have the Michelin Premier LTX tires. Very quiet and comfortable tire. I had the Bridgestone Dueler H/L 400 run flats before and those were were pretty lousy handling and somewhat loud in that they transferred a bit of road noise back to the cabin. Mind you, as I have a Bluetec, I don't have a spare tire, but I wanted a better, quieter ride vs the Bridgestone run flats--good thing I have roadside assistance.
I did have the Pirelli Scorpion Verde A/S 2 before on a Lexus RX and I was not impressed with them. New, they were awesome, but as they wore down (about 10k miles on them), they started to get quite loud. The first set got loud and out of round around 10k, so I got replacements for them (partially refunded from Discount Tire). After another 12k miles on the new tires, they started getting loud again. Snow traction was just average at best--Michelins Premier A/S were better. I don't understand how the Pirellis get such high ratings, maybe I had bad luck in my 2 batches of tires. In all, I would not recommend the Pirellis.
I did have the Pirelli Scorpion Verde A/S 2 before on a Lexus RX and I was not impressed with them. New, they were awesome, but as they wore down (about 10k miles on them), they started to get quite loud. The first set got loud and out of round around 10k, so I got replacements for them (partially refunded from Discount Tire). After another 12k miles on the new tires, they started getting loud again. Snow traction was just average at best--Michelins Premier A/S were better. I don't understand how the Pirellis get such high ratings, maybe I had bad luck in my 2 batches of tires. In all, I would not recommend the Pirellis.
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Newbie
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
ML350
I did have the Pirelli Scorpion Verde A/S 2 before on a Lexus RX and I was not impressed with them. New, they were awesome, but as they wore down (about 10k miles on them), they started to get quite loud. The first set got loud and out of round around 10k, so I got replacements for them (partially refunded from Discount Tire). After another 12k miles on the new tires, they started getting loud again. Snow traction was just average at best--Michelins Premier A/S were better. I don't understand how the Pirellis get such high ratings, maybe I had bad luck in my 2 batches of tires. In all, I would not recommend the Pirellis.
25,000 kms / 15,000 miles on a set of SUV tires is really disappointing.
I realize that OEM tires are purposely soft, because they typically handle and brake better, and aren't as noisy as replacement tires. So I try to replace tires with OEM choices to keep the performance that the manufacturer intended.
My question is, which Conti tires come as the alternative to the Pirelli's on the AMG rims? Anyone have this? What has been your experience?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,140
Likes: 118
From: Nova Scotia, Canada
2023 GLK250, 1987 560SL
Michelins or Pirellis will probably give you the best ride quality, but there are certainly a lot better priced options. It all depends on what you're looking for best quality, best value, best price, etc.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Delmarva
2010 C300 Sport 4MATIC 2011 ML350 4MATIC
Personally, the only time you'll see Continentals on my Benzes is when they come that way. The wife's C class had them on it and they were the noisiest, crappiest handling tires ever. Put a set of Michelins on them and it's smooth sailing. I just picked up a 2011 ML350 and it had Conti's on it too. YUCK 
Just got them replaced with another set of the Michelin premiers. Again; smooth sailing! Yes, they cost a little more. However, I had a F-150 with a set of Michelins that got 100k miles on them with regular rotation. That's what sold me on Michelin. They lasted forever, and were quiet and excellent handling in dry, wet, and snow. So in the end, do you really pay more for them? Just my personal experience.
Just got them replaced with another set of the Michelin premiers. Again; smooth sailing! Yes, they cost a little more. However, I had a F-150 with a set of Michelins that got 100k miles on them with regular rotation. That's what sold me on Michelin. They lasted forever, and were quiet and excellent handling in dry, wet, and snow. So in the end, do you really pay more for them? Just my personal experience.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
ML350
Personally, the only time you'll see Continentals on my Benzes is when they come that way. The wife's C class had them on it and they were the noisiest, crappiest handling tires ever. Put a set of Michelins on them and it's smooth sailing. I just picked up a 2011 ML350 and it had Conti's on it too. YUCK
Just got them replaced with another set of the Michelin premiers. Again; smooth sailing! Yes, they cost a little more. However, I had a F-150 with a set of Michelins that got 100k miles on them with regular rotation. That's what sold me on Michelin. They lasted forever, and were quiet and excellent handling in dry, wet, and snow. So in the end, do you really pay more for them? Just my personal experience.
Just got them replaced with another set of the Michelin premiers. Again; smooth sailing! Yes, they cost a little more. However, I had a F-150 with a set of Michelins that got 100k miles on them with regular rotation. That's what sold me on Michelin. They lasted forever, and were quiet and excellent handling in dry, wet, and snow. So in the end, do you really pay more for them? Just my personal experience.
Michelin doesn't make a tire that fits the ML350 AMG rims - checked their website and they say they don't make the size and specs I need....
265/45/R20 108H
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,140
Likes: 118
From: Nova Scotia, Canada
2023 GLK250, 1987 560SL
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
ML350
Michelin Latitude Tour HP:
https://pmctire.com/en/michelin-lati...5r20-104v.tire
https://pmctire.com/en/michelin-lati...5r20-104v.tire
Michelin's website knows the vehicle OEM size and rating, and shows no matches (I'm assuming that's because the load rating doesn't match)....
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,140
Likes: 118
From: Nova Scotia, Canada
2023 GLK250, 1987 560SL
That load rating will allow you the weight of the vehicle + 5 200lb adults and an additional 1700lbs of cargo, that's beyond the vehicles capacity. I think you'll be fine unless you're hauling gravel on the job site. 
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
ML350
I'm not sure why they would require so much load, but maybe it's because they expect aggressive driving, etc.
I'll stick with the minimum OEM specs or higher.
Appreciate the ideas.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,140
Likes: 118
From: Nova Scotia, Canada
2023 GLK250, 1987 560SL
No problem. I don't think that it's so much of a factory spec as it is just the OEM equipment choice. The car may come with a full tank of Shell fuel, but it doesn't mean that you can't use Esso or BP thereafter.
Technically the other tires are a higher spec for aggressive driving because they have a higher speed rating.
Just some food for thought. But by all means, go with whatever you're most comfortable with.
Technically the other tires are a higher spec for aggressive driving because they have a higher speed rating.
Just some food for thought. But by all means, go with whatever you're most comfortable with.
Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 134
Likes: 8
From: near Rochester, NY
2019 GLE400
Also went with CrossContact LX-20. The previous Conti DWS tires lasted about 1/3 their rated life so I got a nice refund toward a different set of Contis. I've got about 25 K on them so far and they look great. I think expecting the rated 70K in my use might be pushing it, but getting 50-60K would be pretty reasonable. Much better wear on these H-rated than the prior V or Z rated tires. Very predictable when pushed. They are nice and quiet. Tires are very good in western NY snow/ice (two winter's worth). Check out TireRack's ratings and feedback.
No issues with the tires. I don't drive real hard - all on blacktop and I have the car aligned about once per year.
The Continental CrossContact LX-20 has been a very good tire. Will probably also look at Michelin LTX tires.
Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 134
Likes: 8
From: near Rochester, NY
2019 GLE400
Also went with CrossContact LX-20. The previous Conti DWS tires lasted about 1/3 their rated life so I got a nice refund toward a different set of Contis. I've got about 25 K on them so far and they look great. I think expecting the rated 70K in my use might be pushing it, but getting 50-60K would be pretty reasonable. Much better wear on these H-rated than the prior V or Z rated tires. Very predictable when pushed. They are nice and quiet. Tires are very good in western NY snow/ice (two winter's worth). Check out TireRack's ratings and feedback.
No issues with the tires. I don't drive real hard - all on blacktop and I have the car aligned about once per year.
The Continental CrossContact LX-20 has been a very good tire. Will probably also look at Michelin LTX tires.
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 131
Likes: 2
From: Santa Monica, CA
2010 ML350 4MATIC
Check out the Pirelli Verde All Season PLUS.
Great ratings on tirerack.
Don't forget the PLUS. There is a tire with the same name, but without the plus, and it's not a good tire.
Great ratings on tirerack.
Don't forget the PLUS. There is a tire with the same name, but without the plus, and it's not a good tire.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: NY
'07 e63
I purchased the Firestone Destination LE2 tires. I've always had Contis or Michelins (and usually MOs) on other cars, but have been happy with the Destinations -- and they are reasonably priced. There was also a $60 rebate for 4 tires recently.
