Almost time for new tires: 265 instead of 255?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 11
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Ml350 bluetec
Almost time for new tires: 265 instead of 255?
Bought my 2012 ML350 bluetec in June of 2012 and I already have 30,000 miles. There's still some tread on the factory bridgestones but I'm ready for some good tires - Michelin are the best (by far! IMO)
Was thinking about the slightly larger Michelin latitude 265/50. The factory wheel/tire combination looks a little small in the wheel well.
What do y'all think are the pro' s and con's?
By the way, I've really enjoyed my ML350. It's very quiet and comfortable. Perfect highway cruiser: long trips and I'm not tired after!
Was thinking about the slightly larger Michelin latitude 265/50. The factory wheel/tire combination looks a little small in the wheel well.
What do y'all think are the pro' s and con's?
By the way, I've really enjoyed my ML350. It's very quiet and comfortable. Perfect highway cruiser: long trips and I'm not tired after!
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Silicon Valley, CA
ML 350 Bluetec
Bought my 2012 ML350 bluetec in June of 2012 and I already have 30,000 miles. There's still some tread on the factory bridgestones but I'm ready for some good tires - Michelin are the best (by far! IMO)
Was thinking about the slightly larger Michelin latitude 265/50. The factory wheel/tire combination looks a little small in the wheel well.
What do y'all think are the pro' s and con's?
By the way, I've really enjoyed my ML350. It's very quiet and comfortable. Perfect highway cruiser: long trips and I'm not tired after!
Was thinking about the slightly larger Michelin latitude 265/50. The factory wheel/tire combination looks a little small in the wheel well.
What do y'all think are the pro' s and con's?
By the way, I've really enjoyed my ML350. It's very quiet and comfortable. Perfect highway cruiser: long trips and I'm not tired after!
Here's mine:
Pro's
A little wider tire would look nice, as would a little taller. However, changing the diameter of the tire will have some impacts. On the pro side, you might get slightly better highway mileage (slightly lower engine rpm's for same vehicle speed). You should also get a little better dry weather traction
Con's
There is about 4/10's of an inch difference in diameter vs the standard size. That will be enough to throw off your speedo a bit; it will also slightly decrease your acceleration around town. The wider tire will tend to have a little worse grip in the rain or snow. You may also have clearance/rubbing or snowchain issues.
It will also raise your vehicle about 2/10 inch. Compared to your current worn down tires, that will probably be about a 4-5/10ths' an inch total. That may be a pro or con for you. It may not sound like a lot, but I did a similar move several years ago when my wife had a Jeep, and she hated it. The car felt less stable to her, because of the increase in ride height.
Here's a link to the spec's for the different sizes in the Michelin
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...=1&RunFlat=All
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 625
Likes: 4
From: Australia
X350d GLE500e 2017, ML350 BlueTec 2012(sold), A200 2013, ML350CDI 2009(sold), Aston Martin DB7 2003
Speedo error.
Food for thought!
I had the W164 with 255/55R18 tyres. Went for a freeway drive with the TomTom connected and with cruise on 100km/h, the TomTom showed the actual speed to be 98km/h. Thats a 2% error.
Got the W164 with 265/45R20 tyres, which are 2% bigger. Went for a freeway drive with the TomTom connected and with cruise on 100km/h, the TomTom showed the actual speed to be 98km/h. Thats a still a 2% error.
Okay so I guess they tweeked the speedo drive.
Purchased some winter tyres - 255/65R17 which are 2% bigger thar the 265/45R20's. Went for a freeway drive with the TomTom connected and with cruise on 100km/h, the TomTom showed the actual speed to be 98km/h. Thats a still a 2% error.
With no Mercedes or dealer input, the speedo error seems to have adjusted itself. Perhaps it is corrected from the in car GPS Nav system?
I had the W164 with 255/55R18 tyres. Went for a freeway drive with the TomTom connected and with cruise on 100km/h, the TomTom showed the actual speed to be 98km/h. Thats a 2% error.
Got the W164 with 265/45R20 tyres, which are 2% bigger. Went for a freeway drive with the TomTom connected and with cruise on 100km/h, the TomTom showed the actual speed to be 98km/h. Thats a still a 2% error.
Okay so I guess they tweeked the speedo drive.
Purchased some winter tyres - 255/65R17 which are 2% bigger thar the 265/45R20's. Went for a freeway drive with the TomTom connected and with cruise on 100km/h, the TomTom showed the actual speed to be 98km/h. Thats a still a 2% error.
With no Mercedes or dealer input, the speedo error seems to have adjusted itself. Perhaps it is corrected from the in car GPS Nav system?
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 872
Likes: 105
From: Pacific Northwest
2022 GLE450
My dad did this on his 2010 and they looked better and he had no issues. Its also going to open up a lot more options for tires. I will do this if I need to replace tires before the end of my lease.
