Eye_Candy

I have decided to buy a second set of 18" rims for the ML63 to mount winter tires. Though there are options for the 20" previously discussed (http://www.whnet.com/4x4/wintertires.html) I worry about bending one of those 20" rims, don't like the idea of taking tires on and off of the rim each time, and want a narrower and considerably cheaper winter tire. At 18" I should be able to get into a Nokian (my first choice because they wear well and are good on both dry road and snow / ice - which we get a lot of).
Nokian WR A.W.P. 2 SUV 235/65 R17 108 V snow traction rated 29.1"

I need suggestions for a nice 18" rim. The designer series brochure only shows 19" and 20" ML rims. The ML 500 18" rim is ok but will not stand out.

2MANYCARS

You better double check the sizing, from my experience and what I've heard, you will need at least 19" rims to clear the 15.4" brake rotors up front.

Eye_Candy

Correct the 18's won't work.

Well there doesn't seem to be much point in a 2nd set of 19" rims so it comes down to the Pirelli S&I 275/40 R20 and the Nokian WRAWP 2 SUV 275/40 R20. Both are 106 V. I went to four different tire stores today and carried out an unscientific survey. I should say up front that I have Nokian all purpose tires on an SUV already and love them so I am likely biased. I have never owned Pirelli.

#1) Kaltire (the only guys who carry the Nokian line). They said Nokian superior (suprise, suprise). Pointed out that Nokian are all weather and still outperform on ice and snow. 100,000 km warranty - $458 per tire Cdn

#2) Fountain Tire - Used to carry Pirelli now only carry Goodyear. Can't carry Nokian as they are exclusive to Kaltire. Both guys working there own Nokians and swear by them. They said Pirelli was excellent but Nokian was in a different league. Wished they could carry Nokian line.

#3) 1st Unamed Pirelli dealer - guy there said he has been selling Pirelli for twenty years, he would love to sell me the Pirelli's but felt Nokian's were clearly better. He said Kaltire spent millions and years developing the Nokians and they were simply the best. When I pointed out that Pirelli was the factory choice he said that they probably paid for the privalege. Someone on this forum did point out earlier that Pirelli made these tire specifically for the ML63 though.

#4) 2nd Unamed Pirelli dealer - said Nokians were crap as they weren't performance rated. I pointed out they were V rated, the same as the Pirelli, he countered that they weren't ZR rated (but could not explain what this meant). Price was $537 Cdn per tire.

I don't believe I am going to be able to take my local inevstigation any further as there are no more Pirelli dealers nearby, and I need to get a life.

I am strongly leaning to the Nokian's because our winters tend to have cycles of snow, melt, freeze, melt followed by long periods of dry pavement. I believe the Nokians will last longer and provide reasonable safety.

jeff@lsadv.com

I’m in upstate NY and also need a tire solution. Just spoke with my dealer and I confirmed that Mercedes Mintaka 5 spoke 18’ x 8” will fit on a ML63. I told him I heard that they would not because of the breaks and he doubled checked with the factory and said they would. (I Made him call twice) He said after market rims might not but these definitely would. He wanted $1500 without tires and $2500 with Conti’s all season.

jeff@lsadv.com

Also just spoke with TireRack and they said they have two rims an AT Italia 18” x 8” (199 each) and a Sport Edition 18” x 8.5” (179 each) that will fit the ML63. The tire size is 255/55/18. They recommended the Bridgestone Dueler HL for tires.

jeff@lsadv.com

Sorry forgot the links.

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Displ...Silver+Painted


http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Displ...Silver+Painted

I ordered the AT Italia because they will take the MB crests.

Militant-Grunt

Id get ML55 rims for the winter tires.

crjag

Jeff

Please let us know what you decide to do. I am waiting on an October build 63 to replace a Cayenne TT. I have been doing the tire swap, because I didn't want to buy wheels for a leased vehicle, but now I have the winter tires already, which are 255/55 18's, and I would consider wheels instead of tires because the tires have at least one season left, and possibly 2, and the cost of switching every season is $100 anyway, so new wheels and one mounting could make sense (I could switch the wheels myself). Thanks.

2MANYCARS

Are you guys absolutely sure the 18s will clear the 15.4" disc and calipers up front? I am looking for a set for mine, so when it arrives, it will be ready for some winter driving and fun.

Eye_Candy

Yes, please check as I too was told by my local service dept that the 18's would not work.

2MANYCARS

As I've learned through the years, you need at least 3.5" to 4" to clear stock rotors and calipers. Since there are no half inch wheels, rule of thumb had always been 4". From the AMG accessories catalog, the minimal is 19", so I highly doubt the 18s would work unless you put some crazy spacers to extend the wheels out of reach from the calipers and discs. Don't get me wrong, I think Tire Rack is a great company, but I think some of its sales are just speaking out of their asses because they want to make sales to top their quotas.

jeff@lsadv.com

Are the wheels fitting a absolute yes or no? I mean, is there a possibility that the wheels will look like they fit but then could do damage? Or they just will not go on. If so how will I know that they are not going to work? I probably should try the ones from the dealer even though they are twice as much because I will have some recourse.

2MANYCARS

Any 19s or above with +46mm offset will fit the ML63.

Eye_Candy

I come here everyday hoping that someone will prove us wrong about 18"s not fitting but so far it looks like 19"s or stock. With 19" you could get into a 255 versus 275 with maybe a tiny amount of increased tirewall. I really don't know if it would be worth it but in any case does anyone have any suggestions for some 19"s?

Black&Tan-AMG

My dealer called corporate again and they have the ML63 spec out for the Mintaka 5 spoke 18’ x 8” ? WTF. I canceled my order with Tirerack. So in about 2 weeks we will all know for sure. If they don’t fit they will have to take them back. I will let everyone know ASAP.

BoBcanada

CHeck out some other stores usualy dealers make HUGE mark ups on anything they can get for you.

2MANYCARS

Sometimes delaers make mistakes, and I bet the 18" Mintaka fitting for the ML63 is one of them. However, please keep us posted, Black&Tan-AMG.

Eye-Candy,
If I remember correctly, the proper tire size for 19s is 295/45/19 on all corners.

Eye_Candy

You are correct 2MANYCARS that the stock is a 295/40 R20 and that this is the size of the Pirelli Ice & Snow recommended by the factory. However, if you move to a Nokian they have a 275/40 R20 which I am told (by Kaltire) will work.

As to the 18" dilemma. The latest response I had was from customer service at MB Canada who referenced a technical data sheet that stated 19" AMG wheels were required to clear the brakes. Of course, the proof is in the pudding. As 18" would allow for much narrower tires (? Nokian 235/60 R 18)and better sidewall thickness... I am pregnant with anticpation for the results of Black and Tan's investigation.

2MANYCARS

Eye Candy,
Thanks, I am just trying to help a fellow ML63 owner out. I am going to get myself the 19s from AMG accessories, not only they are worry free, but also 100% OEM compatible. As of the winter tires, I think I am going with what European ML63s are using, 295/45/19, which should be thick enough for everyday NYC driving. Wish I could get myself some 50 or 55 series tires for the streets like my 04 Forester XT, which rolls on 225/55/17. 400bhp with no worries about pot holes, it's all good.

Eye_Candy

Thanks for the help 2Manycars! Which AMG rims have you decided on?

2MANYCARS

NP. According to AMG accessories catalog, the correct part number for the 19's that fit the ML63 would be: B6 603 0074. I don't have prcing info for them because I haven't ordered them yet, once my ride is at port then I will get them.

A-Train

Tire Rack, at the time of this post, only has the 20" Pirelli Ice & Snow tires in 255/50, 255/45, 275/45, and 275/40 sizes.

Will all the Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow tire sizes above fit safely (no need for spacers, etc.) on the stock 20" wheel that comes with the ML63?

Thank you ahead of time for replying.
- A-Train

2MANYCARS

For a 10" wide rim, it's better to have 285 or above.

A-Train

How come?

Black&Tan-AMG

Well the saga continues... Just got my car yesterday, now my dealer says that the 19” won’t even fit because the car was built with the 778 option. Looking at those brakes there is not a lot of clearance. Has anybody confirmed anything yet?