GADGETEMT

(Sorry, also posted in wheel forums)
I have a new 2013 ML350 with the 19" wheels,
Looking to get a set of 18" Wheels for Snow Tires due to both selection and ability to get a 235 vs 255 width (better to cut through snow then float on top of the snow). My first choice would be for factory OEM wheels, but MB wheels for 2012 & 13 are 19" minimum. Do the earlier years, 2009-2011 (which were made in 18") wheels fit the 2012 & 13's.
My second choice would be a high quality aftermarket, not sure who makes best quality for fit and finish ???
Also, some after markets tend to be very heavy and change the un-sprung weight, etc. which effects ride.

dougiebear

Definately 18`unless your getting a unique color or style in 19`
235 is best but a taller 255-55 not too bad as we dont as much snow as we have in the past.
I have found MANDRUS WHEELS to be an idea for us Benz owners as they make wheels EXCLUSIVELY for Mercedes Benz.
No spacers or adapters and they have decent prices from what I see..
KX Wheels and Discount Tire sell them I think.
In Canada there is an official dealer of Mandrus near Montreal
http://www.mandruswheels.com/

If you can imagine color well they have a configurator and gallery photos.
I think thats who Im going with.

skw

Please report back on what you end up getting. I have a set of Blizzak 255/55/18 that I just bought last year. Used them one season on my MDX but it snowed maybe twice last winter. So I'll be looking for some 18" wheels as well for the ML.

Stoneseller

I purchased a set of winter wheels & snow tires last year from Tire Rack.
These are for my 2010 GL450.
The wheels are kind of cheesy/cheap looking, but for a couple months use they are tolerable for me.

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...nt&showRear=no

Paired with Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 tires & TPMS, the package can be purchase for just under $2K.

It did not snow here last winter, so mine never made it onto the GL.
I'm reasonably sure these would fit the ML as well.

GregW / Oregon

I got a set of new OEM 19" takeoffs for $525 shipped; will run 255s. That's what I ran on my W164, and they worked okay. I agree narrower 18s are better functionally, but they sure look puny.

Stoneseller

Sweet deal! I had similar fortune back in '03 when I owned an X5 4.4i
Bought a set of 17" perfect wheels, with rubber included, for $100 each.

Wish I could get so lucky again.

GregW / Oregon

The dealer in Texas I got them from has some more sets if anyone is interested.

frtdog

Was that for 4 wheels? What a deal!! Could you please send me that dealers name.

frtdogkit@frontier.com

Thanks

GregW / Oregon

Yep, 4 wheels shipped FedEx from Texas to Oregon. They are purported to be as new (waiting for receipt this week). Thjey had 3 more sets left last week. Email sent.

misra

Greg, send me the dealer info. I was looking at a set of used 18" oem wheels. Did you put new sensors on the wheels? If so where did you pick them up?

GADGETEMT

I was able to get same deal from Greggs recommended dealer in Texas, Very helpful and professional. $540 for the set delivered from Texas to NY.

GADGETEMT

I understand that the TPMS are the same 433mhz as thos on the jeep grand cherokee and dodge durango. If this in face correct, then either of these two options is significantly less costly even at dealer new prices.

GregW / Oregon

Here's what The Tire Rack has; I'd be interested if anyone finds a better price.

433MHz Tire Pressure Sensor
$248.00 for a quantity of 4

Optional Black Valve Sleeve and Valve Cap
$11.96 for a quantity of 4

Total Price: $259.96

misra

I just bough used (2 year old 18" OEM wheels) off craigs list and order tires and TPMS sensors from Tire Rack. I'll have the tires put on the rims next week (and stored at the local shop) so I can put them on the car after thanksgiving.

Should I test the senors right off or wait until I put the wheels on the car?

PS - My Mercedes dealer would only install their TPMS sensors.

iankayem

I have just been told by the Nokian dealer that W164 rims foul the W166 calipers. All s/h or aftermarket knock-offs also seem to be for the W164. I notice the Mandras web page only lists 2011 (W164) rims.
The W166 has only been sold here since March, so most tyres services have not heard of W166.

Can anyone confirm or deny the caliper clearance?

GregW / Oregon

The offset between the two is virtually identical (60mm for W164 & 56mm for W166), so it comes down to diameter to the outside of the caliper and rim profile. Both the W164 and W166 sixes have 13.0" front rotors, so I doubt very much there is an issue. Best to test fit if in doubt; I bet if you sweet talked a dealer they could find a used W164 on their lot with 18s you could pay them to swap onto your car for a test.

iankayem

I still have the W164, its the W166 which will not be here until the 23rd. (We hope!)

The statement from Nokian was sideways clearance (radius) problems, not diameter.

But I do not know which rims he compared with. They could be W164 or even W163 or perhaps aftermarket.

I was hoping someone in the States or Canada have met this problem with either a pass or fail.

Are there some restrictions?

dougiebear

My manual shows a base wheel is EU of 18 so if offset works should be good to go. A MB dealer near my work said last years winter pack for ML was 1800 can which is TR comparable. And fits with the tire rim warranty. My dealer parts guy put oversize 265-55-19 pkg together DUH said MB recommended LOL

CHECKED NOW IT 3300
He LiIED

serge01

i was told by my rim dealer that rims from model 2011 or prior do not fit on W166 model.

airunner

I was initially looking for 18"s as my winter tires and worked with my SA (very professional and easy to deal with) to get an original MB wheels.

The dealership was advised by MB Canada that 18"s cannot be put on W166 because of the AMG styling (not sure if it is cosmetic or issue with clearance on the brake components) but they are okay with 19"s from the W164.

I ended up getting this with Pirelli Ice & Snow.

serge01

i had Pirelli Scorpion ice and snow on another suv a few years ago and got these again for my ml. I find they do a good job in ice and snow without being to noisy, and wearing to quickly.I had some blizzack`s some time ago which were by far the best winter tires i ever had silent and awesomde in snow but there wore out very quickly.

GregW / Oregon

The AMG Exterior package does not alter the brakes, so I find this suspect.

GregW / Oregon

I've had the Scorpion Ice & Snow on my W164, as well. They perform pretty well. I'm trying the new Scorpion Winter this time, though (just ordered from The Tire Rack).

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....corpion+Winter

airunner

Yes I'm with you. I can't think of anything why the 18"s won't work but I bought the Tire and Rim protection from them so I went along to avoid any issue if I have make a claim.

misra

I'm very interested as I just bought (but haven't received) 18" wheels from a w164 to put on my 2012 w166. I might have to check everything in two weeks rather then in late Nov/early Dec when I was planning to install.

18" is what TireRack is also recommending with 255/55R18.

Mark