Pirelli vs Dunlop vs Color - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

MBRedux · 10-07-2009, 08:27 AM

Last week at the time of purchase, my wife and I were at odds over which color to get... I was in favor of Barolo Red/20"Wheel pkg./Almond-Black Int.

She had her eye on the Obsidian Black/20"Wheel Pkg./Almond-Black Int.

The Barolo Red GLK came with 235/45 R20 Pirelli Scorpion Zero Asimmetrico. These tires have a UTQG rating of 420 A-A and retail for about $300.00 each.

The Obsidian Black GLK came with the same size tire, 235/45 R20 but with Dunlop Grandtreck Touring A/S. These tires have a UTQG rating of 200 A-A and retail for about $220.00 each.

Well it was her new car, and she did get the Ob-Black with the Dunlop's....
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Questions:

Does anyone else have these 20" Dunlop Tires on their GLK? How do you like them? Are they quiet... loud... sticky... squirmy... etc.?

And to all those that have the 20" Pirelli's, how do you like those? Are they quiet?...loud? ... squirmy?... or sticky... etc.?

Based on the rating system, the Dunlops should wear out twice as fast as the Pirelli's and they cost $320.00 less for MB to put them on the car. I feel ripped off a little... faster wearing tires... less money for them but charged us the same as the Pirelli's.......

Thanks for any reply.

wpgGLK · 10-07-2009, 06:59 PM

Interesting, in Canada, there is no Barolo Red. It's called Carneol Red.
Here's mine. (bit dirty). With the Almond Beige interior.

It's got the 235/45 R20 Pirelli Scorpion Zero Asimmetrico tires and so far, they seem to ride nice and quiet. Haven't tried any spirited driving yet.

Cheers.

Tugzy · 10-07-2009, 07:02 PM

Have the White and 20s.....mine came with the Dunlops. I'm not a fan of Dunlop tires as i have had much better experience with Bridgestone, Kumho, Michelin and Yokos. I think Dunlop make good tennis balls. Regardless of that, sofar i find the OEM tires on my GLK quiet, responsive for steering and has decent grip in the dry. I only have 1000kms on it sofar and haven't tried it in the rain. I do think these tires should have a thicker rim protector considering the very low profile.... i expect to hear more and more owners complaining about curb rash and damage from pot holes...

MBRedux · 10-07-2009, 07:48 PM

Hey thanks all for responding. I agree... not a big fan of Dunlops... too soft a compound for me... squishy washy during quick manuvers... they wear out too fast as well...

What's up with the color name being different

... paint color looks the same though. Like your wheels

... those 20" gems are only dealer installed options here in the States. We get Borbet 7 spoke 20" wheels with the package deal.

And yes.. neither tire has good enough rim guards.... I think they count on it getting curb damage...

Sure wish it came with those Pirelli's though.

MBRedux · 10-07-2009, 08:10 PM

I'm originally from NY. I ski mostly in New England, Killington Vt., Sugarloaf Maine etc. But here in Wash.DC, when even an inch of snow falls, these mid Atlantic nuts place several or more inches of salt down on the roads... talk about over kill... yikes!

So I have no choice but to install mud guards. Not very nice looking. (Haven't actually seen them on a GLK) but they will save the paint job from the excessive salt blast around here.

Tugzy · 10-08-2009, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBRedux

Hey thanks all for responding. I agree... not a big fan of Dunlops... too soft a compound for me... squishy washy during quick manuvers... they wear out too fast as well...

What's up with the color name being different

... paint color looks the same though. Like your wheels

... those 20" gems are only dealer installed options here in the States. We get Borbet 7 spoke 20" wheels with the package deal.

And yes.. neither tire has good enough rim guards.... I think they count on it getting curb damage...

Sure wish it came with those Pirelli's though.

Do you want to trade your Borbet's for my 10 spoke 20's..... ? I only have 1000kms and no curb rash...Toronto

MBRedux · 10-08-2009, 07:18 AM

Nice offer... thanks... but too much of a hassle. Besides.. I bought the car for my wife and she likes the Borbet look very much.

nazgul · 10-23-2009, 08:37 AM

I have the Dunlops, but with the stock 19" rims. Definitely not performance tires, but then again, the only "spirited" driving I do in the GLK is doing 120 km/h around an on-ramp....:P I usually switch to Sport mode when I have to do drive along twistys, but otherwise, they are good for what they are made for...all-season. Jack of all-trades, master of none.

Incidentally, I am swapping them out for 17" winter tires next month.