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GL550 Tires in Snow

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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 07:00 PM
  #1  
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From: Colorado Rocky Mtns.
'06 A6 & '08 GL550
GL550 Tires in Snow

I've got a 550 on order and live in the rocky mountains of Colorado where we get a lot of snow obviously. Over on the GL forum, there has been a lot of consternation of whether or not the tires on the 550 are going to work well in the snow. My dealer has been no help at all, so I'm hoping Luke or others can give me their expert opinion on the 550's new tires. See image below:

[/QUOTE]

Although the Cross Contact UHP tread on the GL550 has an "M+S" rated compund found on the GL450, I'm just not sure these puppies are going to be okay in the type of snow we get out here.

If not, what will be the best snow tires to replace these beasts with? I don't want the tires to look silly with the fender flares of the new 550.

Thanks in advance for the help!
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Old Aug 23, 2007 | 03:39 AM
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those are good sets of tires...
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Old Aug 24, 2007 | 02:34 PM
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depends on the weather
while they are branded with the M&S designation which means they are all-season tires they are not very good in the snow when compared to a true winter tire .... winter traction is 80% compound and 20% tread design and the M&S rating is based on tread design ...

Last edited by Luke@tirerack; Aug 24, 2007 at 02:59 PM.
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Old Aug 24, 2007 | 02:46 PM
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From: Colorado Rocky Mtns.
'06 A6 & '08 GL550
Originally Posted by Luke@tirerack
while they are branded with the M&S designation which means they are all-season tires they are not very good in the snow .... especially when compared to a true winter tire .... winter traction is 80% compound and 20% tread design and the M&S rating is based on tread design ...
Thanks Luke for the insight. That's what I was afraid of unfortunately.

Can you recommend a great 21" winter tire (is there such a thing?) that matches the tire code 295/40, as well as the load factor and speed rating? Again, I am also concerned with aesthetics since the GL550 has such exaggerated fender flares.

Thanks!
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Old Aug 24, 2007 | 03:01 PM
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From: SouthBend, IN USA
depends on the weather
as soon as I get one here to examine I will be able to figure something out .... I'm thinking mid - late September
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Old Aug 24, 2007 | 03:09 PM
  #6  
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From: Colorado Rocky Mtns.
'06 A6 & '08 GL550
Originally Posted by Luke@tirerack
as soon as I get one here to examine I will be able to figure something out .... I'm thinking mid - late September
Sounds great Luke and I appreciate the service. My 550 should be arriving hopefully late September and we start getting snow in earnest come late November.

Feel free to PM me once you get it figured out.

Take Care.
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Old Aug 25, 2007 | 11:47 AM
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'10 CL550, '12 GL550
Your GL550's owners manual will contain snow tire recommendations.

I'd be surprised if any 21-in tires are specified.
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