Frank gets new winter boots (pics)
 

Ordered new 20" original MB wheels and Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snow booties..Mr Winter...bring it !
http://gpchase.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v92/p76063900-5.jpg

http://gpchase.zenfolio.com/img/s5/v119/p42661346-5.jpg

http://gpchase.zenfolio.com/img/s10/...70219375-5.jpg

That looks awesome

Thanks..should provide some bite
http://gpchase.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v94/p121187347-5.jpg

http://gpchase.zenfolio.com/img/s5/v119/p42661346-5.jpg

Where did you get them? I would consider the same package. I really only have a 20 km flat highway commute to work but still know it would be a good, safe purchase.

I got from dealer..David Morris but here is some interesting info..
http://www.mbwheels.ca/mercedes

$6578.86 for same package via the dealer. I am guessing you got a decent discount off that number.

Depends which package you speak of...mine was bout that

Nice winter rims!!

Why did you remove the Renntech logos?

Btw, Very interesting to see that the prices are very close to the ones we get in Switzerland !

Took them off for winter

What are the mats on the floor under your tyres?

Which ?...yellow are for parking proximity and the grey metal is an access cover

Stupid question maybe but where you able to use the same screws (not sure it' called like that for cars) for the 21 amg and the winter 20 ones?

Yes same lug bolts and btw the 20 is an AMG wheel also

They look great.
I'm in the process of ordering the same set-up. Im picking up my ML63 tomorrow w/ the optional 21"'s. I had the dealer order the 20" AMG wheels for winter as a 2nd full set (I change out my Porsches myself each December-nokians)

Im looking into tires now. Questions about the tires - What size Scorpion Ice & Snow are those?

So far I asked the dealer about getting the Scorpion "Winter" because I see on Pirellis website they rate the Scorpion "Winter" higher for comfort, dry & snow than their "ice & snow" tire & the "winter" comes in the same size that MB fits normally on the 20" AMG wheels; 265/45.

Is there something about the load, speed rating, etc. that made you get the "ice & snow" over the "winter"? I haven't compared everything yet. Thanks in advance for the help.
Your Truck looks great.

I love your car, and all your threads. Keep it up!

I am using Ice & Snow in winter since 8 years on all my MB's and BMW. Last winter, I equipped my ML-63 with 21" Ice & Snow. They drove well through a severe winter and abundant snow storms.

Thanks. My truck will come w the 21" with summer tires, having to go to the dealer to switch to winter tires & again in the Spring to switch back, plus paying extra $ every year for the labor is not optimal for us. Ive always had 2 complete sets w sensors & do the change outs myself, takes me about 30 minutes or so. Simple Wheel hangers ($10) are the key, makes both taking off but especially mounting wide wheels/tires A LOT easier/quicker. Floor jack, creeper seat, Torque wrench, pretty simple DIY.

Re: The 21" winters - I saw the scorpion 21's available for for the ML63 wheel so considered it, read positive comments but whatever a 21" 295/35 tire will do in the snow, ice a 20" 265/45 will do better. Plus in this case MB uses both wheels/ tire sizes from the factory on the ML63 so no concern there about fitment or funny looks. Plan is to use the 21"'AMG wheels w/ factory summer tires for Spring through late Fall. 20" AMG wheels, sensors w/ 265/45 R20 V 108 XL winter tires in winter.

I'm familiar w/ the scorpion "Ice & Snow" they've been around a decade and have an excellent reputation. Pirelli came out with the scorpion "Winter" last year & ranks them the same for ice & wet conditions but Pirelli puts the scorpion "Winter" better than the scorpion "ice & snow" for comfort, dry handling & driving in the snow,,,, newer technology, new tread compound. It's interesting to read about the tech on their site. The "Winter" won last years TUV winter tire test. After some research today & speaking w Pirelli, I'm leaning towards the scorpion "Winter". But Both tires sound like they will get the job done very well.

http://www.pirelli.com/tire/us/en/su...lication%3DSUV

http://www.pirelli.com/mediaObject/p...ION_WINTER.PDF

Thanks for the comp
They are both very good tires...mine are 265-45-R20
I just liked the look of the more aggressive tread and think they may perform better in deep snow than the "winter"
see www.mbwheels.ca for more info

BTW I think ice and snow are on the way out..discontinued...if that makes any difference to you

Thanks, I hadn't heard that- It does make a difference, I'll only use the winter tires 3 months a year and winter mileage for us is much lower then rest of year, I'll probably have the same winter set-up/tires for a # of years so if I need to replace a single tire or 2 availability "down the road" is important.

I can see Pirellis claim that the "mould profile"/ rounded shoulders of the Winter makes for better dry handling. Quieter too. And if the Winter wasn't better in the Snow (as they claim) then why make another same price snow tire for SUVs? I like the lettering better on the Snow & Ice but they claim the winter is a lighter tire by 2lbs partly because of the new sidewall & way the logos are done. The tread depth on both tires are the same but I like the different tread pattern on the Winter on sizes/widths greater than 255, theres 5 sections instead of 3. Dunno which tire I should go w/.

The 45% of 265 makes for such a taller sidewall then the 35% of the 295, it's a good winter look, bet its a slightly softer ride too.

My dealer gave me a price of $5400 for the 20" AMG wheels, scorpion tires, sensors, high speed balanced. Follow up conversation he said he made a mistake on the price but was honoring it... I didn't make much of it till hearing the pricing here... Thanks for the reply & your awesome pictures. 15 hours 44 minutes till I see my truck. Have a great night.

It's funny/weird to see the differences in what Mb recommends for the same car in two different countries!!

For the ml63 in winter, in 2 countries were it snows a lot:
-in Canada, they say the Pirelli and
-in Switzerland they say Dunlop 3D wtf :nix:

What about in Germany lol

I really wanted the big rubber (295 -21) but as you say/know...ride would be crazy harsh and traction reduced with width..not to mention trashing the wheels in winter...I like the look of these wheels..if you look closely they are different...no space between spokes and a side profile shows a much flatter spoke pattern versus the much more pronounced convex trait of the stocker 21"'s...as you'll spoon see congrats...
Let me know if I can provide any additional insight

I am not a Michelin fan for a number of reasons but based on TireRack bought the XIce Xi3 (noise, comfort, handling) - CL550 - but luv the Bridgestone 970 AS Pole Position for summer.
Tough choices as nowadays most in the same price range are more than adequate and not always discernably different.

Very true...many a good tire out there..I have those XIce on my MDX and had Blizzacks on my Caddie..also studded Nokian are good.
But for this truck options are limited because of..1. load / 2. high speed rating / 3. big wheel height

True plenty of really good tires out there like you said.

I bought them with the Dunlop 3D... I agree these 20 amg rims look Nice but imo too small on the ml63. Regardless i copied you and i bought the same rims :p:

Your ml with the 21 summer rims look insane specially since you lowered Frank :y

Thanks EVO..
Yes the 20's are too small but the only way to get more sidewall rubber neath Frank for these terribly rough winter roads :(