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I've got a 2020 GLE350. The wheels it came with are the 19" ones. I like the design, but they don't come close to filling the wheel wells. Now that I need new tires, what rims can I use?
I notice the AMG version uses 21" wheels. I'm concerned the 20" versions won't look like enough of a change. I like the Velox wheels from Costco; the price is great too. They won't let me use 21 or 22" wheels on my car.
You can go with 20, 21, or 22. If you are shopping the used/second hand market be aware that the previous generation GLE wheels are not a direct fit. If you are looking for a staggered setup you will have to go 21 & 22. Tire prices creep up quickly as you go up in size also.
I have 22's for three season use and have a set of 20in w/ winter tires currently mounted. 20s do look slightly smaller however I think they look great and would have no issues running them year round as the extra sidewall makes for a more comfortable ride.
If i were in your shoes, I would shop the 20s market, keep a look out for other GLEs with 20s to see if you like the fit.
I like the design, but they don't come close to filling the wheel wells.
Thoughts?
Also keep in mind that 19" - 23" will all use different tire sizes to keep the overall diameter the same size. As the wheel size goes up, the sidewall size will go down. If your goal is to have less gap between the tire and the body lines changing wheel size will not do this.
Thanks for your insights. When one goes from 19" wheels to 20 or more, does the tire necessarily have a more low-profile appearance. I'd like the whole diameter (wheel+tire) to be increased, as the wheel arches are simply huge compared to the wheels and tires.
Can I just request a tire with a taller wall? I don't care about performance, I just drive around for work and kids.
The previous comment was too generic and in fact doesn’t directly apply. GLE 20’’ wheels come with taller sidewall tires than 19’’ ones. So, it does fill the wheel well better.
check the order guide for recommended sizes and then you can calculate total size. Make sure you also look at the suggested offset.
The previous comment was too generic and in fact doesn’t directly apply. GLE 20’’ wheels come with taller sidewall tires than 19’’ ones. So, it does fill the wheel well better.
check the order guide for recommended sizes and then you can calculate total size. Make sure you also look at the suggested offset.
Perfect. That's the information I needed. Thank you all.
The previous comment was too generic and in fact doesn’t directly apply. GLE 20’’ wheels come with taller sidewall tires than 19’’ ones. So, it does fill the wheel well better.
check the order guide for recommended sizes and then you can calculate total size. Make sure you also look at the suggested offset.
Here is what I found:
19" 255/50: 29" diameter
20" 275/50: 30.8" diameter
21" Front 275/45: 30.7" diameter
21" Rear 315/40: 30.9" diameter
22" Front 285/40: 31" diameter
22" Rear 325/35: 31" diameter
It does appear that the 20 - 22" wheels have a larger diameter. This is interesting as it will alter your speedometer and potentially cause issues with other wheel speed related systems as the larger wheel/tire combination will be spinning ~6% slower than the 19". For example when your speedometer says 70 MPH you will actually be going 74.2 MPH. This difference will increase as you go faster and decrease as you go slower. IMO this is a bigger problem than the offsets and likely why the 19" wheels are no longer offered. The difference between the 20 - 22" options is minimal and wouldn't constitute a calibration change.
Yeah, for 2020-2023 the 19s were smaller (would have had to be 55 or 60 series tires to be the same size). But for 2024 the 19s chaged from 255/50 to 275/55 and are now 30.8 inch diameter like the rest.
Yeah, for 2020-2023 the 19s were smaller (would have had to be 55 or 60 series tires to be the same size). But for 2024 the 19s chaged from 255/50 to 275/55 and are now 30.8 inch diameter like the rest.
This makes sense but doesn't help the OP as his vehicle is coded for the smaller diameter. If he gets a larger diameter wheel there will be downsides unless he also has the calibration adjusted to match.
Yeah, for 2020-2023 the 19s were smaller (would have had to be 55 or 60 series tires to be the same size). But for 2024 the 19s chaged from 255/50 to 275/55 and are now 30.8 inch diameter like the rest.
Out of curiosity, where are you getting it from? From 2024 Dealer's order guide:
255/50 R19 on 8 J x 19 ET 61 (Front) 255/50
R19 on 8 J x 19 ET 61 (Rear)
The order guide is wrong, just copied from 2023. My source is actually seeing 19 inch wheel 2024 GLEs out and about.
It would be helpful if "the source" can post pictures, either from Netstar or maybe showroom 2024 vehicles with 19'' wheels. Not saying you are wrong but you mentioned that the order guide is wrong, so it will be helpful for the community to have some hard data to back this up.
See the screenshot from https://www.mbusatirecenter.com/ (Official MB USA tire center) that pulls the sizes from the system dealers use. If somebody were to buy the tires now, that's the size they are going to get. All of these 19'' are 255/50. It's possible this system is outdated too.
MB's US website also shows the 2024 350 still has 255/50R19's, and all published specs that I've seen say the same. But then there's this that seems to indicate MB got lazy with the specs, or they are mysteriously offering two different size 19" tires. My money is on the former.
You can go with 20, 21, or 22. If you are shopping the used/second hand market be aware that the previous generation GLE wheels are not a direct fit. If you are looking for a staggered setup you will have to go 21 & 22. Tire prices creep up quickly as you go up in size also.
I have 22's for three season use and have a set of 20in w/ winter tires currently mounted. 20s do look slightly smaller however I think they look great and would have no issues running them year round as the extra sidewall makes for a more comfortable ride.
If i were in your shoes, I would shop the 20s market, keep a look out for other GLEs with 20s to see if you like the fit.
I will reverse the question. Can the the GLE wheels fit the previous gen wheels knowing the hole diameter of the bolts are bigger than what the W166 has? Technically if you use the bolts of the W166 to the V167 wheels it should fit but would the minor difference be a big safety issue would be the question. @GregW / Oregon what Do you think since you used W166 wheels for your V167?
Last edited by shotgun_banjo; 01-17-2024 at 11:46 PM.
I will reverse the question. Can the the GLE wheels fit the previous gen wheels knowing the hole diameter of the bolts are bigger than what the W166 has? Technically if you use the bolts of the W166 to the V167 wheels it should fit but would the minor difference be a big safety issue would be the question. @GregW / Oregon what Do you think since you used W166 wheels for your V167?
'I think the lug hole size would not be an issue. Would need to check offsets.
MB's US website also shows the 2024 350 still has 255/50R19's, and all published specs that I've seen say the same. But then there's this that seems to indicate MB got lazy with the specs, or they are mysteriously offering two different size 19" tires. My money is on the former, and I'm not even a little surprised.
I’m in the opposite position. My wife’s 2024 450e came in and we ordered it with the 21” wheels. 315’s are not a great idea in snow. I’m looking to go down to 20” wheels and square setup for tires. Pretty slim pickens out there for wheels.
I’m in the opposite position. My wife’s 2024 450e came in and we ordered it with the 21” wheels. 315’s are not a great idea in snow. I’m looking to go down to 20” wheels and square setup for tires. Pretty slim pickens out there for wheels.
OEM 20" take-offs with 275/50s would be ideal, but probably hard to find.
Thank you so much for sending that link. I found out today that Perelli makes a snow tire that fits the 21’s we have. While I still think that’s way too wide of a snow tire, the 20’s aren’t that much narrower. The Mercedes dealer also stores the tires for us, which is a massive bonus. Thinking all weekend on this.
Thank you so much for sending that link. I found out today that Perelli makes a snow tire that fits the 21’s we have. While I still think that’s way too wide of a snow tire, the 20’s aren’t that much narrower. The Mercedes dealer also stores the tires for us, which is a massive bonus. Thinking all weekend on this.
We installed the Pirelli Scorpion snow tires this year on 21" rims and they have been outstanding. I've driven them in heavy snow, slush and packed snow/icey conditions. They have performed way beyond my expectations, you will not be disappointed.