SOFTEST, MOST COMFORTABLE, QUIET TIRE FOR ML?
 

I have a new ML350BT. Has standard 19" wheels w/Continentals. Does anyone know if I can significantly improve ride quality by changing the tires? I've heard both pros & cons about going to the Michelin Latitude Tour tires. I am after the softest, most quiet & comfortable ride possible. I would appreciate any comments. Thanks.

The answers are both yes and no. I assume you have oem run flats? If so, going to ANY NON run flat tire should affect your perceptions of ride quality. For our more "specific" vehicles, aka CUV's, the ratings for the Michelin Latitudes are normally all over the map. The bottom line is look to the ride quality ratings on tire rack.com to get a feeling. This may or may not affect your SPECIFIC SOTP's feelings/reactions.

So for example, Michelin Latitude Tour tires are pricey and again, the over all ratings are all over the map. So I personally am looking for very close sizes in a Continental Cross Contact LX20, for the next set on the MB GLK 250 B/T. I am leaning more toward the LX20's, as I already am very happy with them on a VW Touareg TDI. In my case, the oem tire size is 235/50/19. The LX 20 has a 255/50 19 size.

Factory 19's with Contiinentals are probably not run flats.

I too am wondering the same thing. Our ML bluetec is fitted with 19" dunlop tires (non runflats) and the overall ride quality is definitely lacking. I have tried all different tire pressures and it still rides a bit rough...especially over sharp little imperfections in the road surface.
It's unfortunate, as the tires were brand new when we bought the ML (CPO'd), and since driving it for the past 4k miles, I've been seriously thinking about changing the tires...in hopes of a smoother ride.
Anyone has dunlop and switched to a different tire with better ride quality?

I think it is in the MB (CUV) design, as the VW Touareg is ALSO designed to run on the "taut side." Dialing back the PSI might put some "cushion" into the equation, but for a whole bunch of reasons, I would not be inclined to solve the SOTP's issue that way. In fact, I run higher PSI's in both. The 14 GLK 250 B/T came with oem run flats (Dunlop Grandtrek's A/S ), which I will definitely NOT replace with run flats. The logic of why some ( mine) has run flats and others seem not to, eludes me.

To be honest,

The Michelin Latitude Tour HP are the smoothest, quietest and softest tires for this Ml350. I have had other brands and turned back to this one in heartbeat. You will not regret it. It may have average snow traction but doesn't most all season have this issue? I use winter sets mainly but these tires have been very good and has made me decide not to use winter wheels/tires on the Ml.

I have had Pirelli Scorpion Verde and Dunlops and they are by far terrible tires. Too much road imperfections and vibrations are felt in the cabin even on smooth highways and they cannot absorb or mute bad pot holes well. The Michelins are like driving on cloud compared to the prior two tires. I have done 20k miles on the Michelins and they still have 7/10 inch thread depth which is great! I had these tires on my older 2010 Ml350 and they lasted more than 35k miles and were smooth all the way to the end without rebalancing.

It depends on how the car is optioned. If there's no room for a spare (like with the B&O option), there will be run flats.

The GLK250BT actually has "Extended Mobility" tires - old style ML/GL's have Run Flat tires which have aluminum discs in sidewalls - Extended Mobility have fiber stiffening of side walls.

Taken from semi-truck tire construction - Run Flats were designed to allow extended runs up to 200 miles - Extended Mobility tech specifically adapted for passenger cars allows 50 miles - frankly on either allows you to get off the road to safe surroundings.

Personally I had handling on Run-Flats - they feel like a "disc" tire - and handling/comfort on Extended Mobility such as GLK is much/much improved - however, tread wear noticeably lacking in Run Flats, unknown (yet) how much tread wear will improve Extended Mobility as compared to Run Flats.

On ML's - if B&O added for ML63 you lose the spare but keep regular tires and have flat kit - if B&O added to ML350/550- or new 400 - then factory goes with 20" wheels only - and with Run Flat's on that specific exception.

On Run Flats and Extended Mobility tire repair - with a flat, even with center tread puncture only, on Run Flats the side discs get damaged/malformed easily - and in the event of damaged discs the tire does require full replacement - so MB dealers "think they have been told" Run Flats are non-repairable in the event of puncture. I have not seen/heard what MB dealers "think they have been told" on Extended Mobility.

Well..you didn't say "summer" :)...these are best riding..soft..sorta quiet :)..19" I think

http://gpchase.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v92/p76063900-5.jpg

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

I'm considering 19" Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus BL to replace my factory Contis. Anybody have any experience with these before I make a mistake???

Ran them in the past on my Escalade and currently on an MDX..no issues,,,not a great all season performer in snow tho...I see you're in Fla..why an all season ?

I made the switch to the Michelin Latitude Tour tires yesterday and I am pleased. I have my Continentals, with only 1900 miles on them, listed for sale on Craigslist in Orange County, CA. WHY MB continues to put anything other than Michelins on their cars is a mystery to me. But they don't care about old guys like me anymore. If you are not under 50, they could care less.

We have the Latitudes on my wife's new Lexus RX350..they are very smooth (soft) and quiet..not a great performer but one can't have excellence in both..

My dealer suggested an all season. Maybe better in the rain. I think the OEM Contis were also all season. Dealer is pushing these tires. Thanks for your reply.

You very likely don't need all season..they certainly won't last as long..

Just be sure they are XL rated.

You got to be a little care full at what the "dealer is really pushing" as what is good for them may not be so good for us.

Michelin makes the best tires. Automobile, SUV, motorcycle, trucks, even light airplanes. Buy Michelin; you will be happy. (No, I don't work for them)

I have Continental Cross Contact XL Sport on my 2013 ML350BT with 10k miles. I'm happy with them. They are quiet and worked well in the snow. I do wonder if another tire would be a softer ride on our horrible patched, potholed Pennsylvania roads.

Pirelli Scorpion Verde are the best SuV tires IMO. Very comfortable, quiet and great grip.
Michelin are great too, but I find the latitudes noisier than the above.
Just stay away from Bridgestone H/T and H/L

I only have 5000 miles on my Pirelli Verde run flat tires but I have found them to be very good. They seem to be very quiet and handle very well. At over $400 apiece they should be!

I have tried a few .... Continental CrossContact UHP, Michelin Latitude, Yokohama Parada.
Michelin is a great soft tire while Yokohama Parada is an excellent soft tire and has the best noise reduction. I keep running Yokohama Parada for 40k km already.

Bridgestone
 

I ended up going to Firestone and purchased 19" Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus BL on Friday. Their price was better than my dealer. They threw in the road hazard protection , balancing and lifetime rotation at $10 a tire over Tire Racks price.
So far so good. They handle well an are extremely quieter than my Continentals. I only have 100 miles on them. I'm waiting for a rainy day to see how they handle on wet roads. Thanks for all your replies.

How smooth are these tires? Are they comfortable over potholes and bumpy highways? Any vibration from the highways or any hydroplaning from heavy rains?

Excellent thread and posts.

After reading this I called TIRERACK and the sales guys suggested I try the
CrossContact LX20 with EcoPlus Technology
Size: 255/50R19
LRR: EcoPlus
Sidewall Style: Blackwall
Serv. Desc: 107H
Load Range: XL
UTQG: 680 A A Price: $205.00 (each)
Estimated Availability: In Stock

* 5 start customer review
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vs. costco rec
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* 4 start customer review.
LATITUDE TOUR HP MICHELIN
2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTEC
Size: 255/50R19
Sidewall Style: Blackwall
Serv. Desc: 103H
UTQG: 440 A A Price: $249.00 (each)



Please share your experiences
Has anyone used the continental's before.

Thanks'