M270 2002 tyres

[Ralpharama]

Hi Chaps and Chapesses

I have just bought a cheap 2002 ML270CDI to get me across wet fields, but the tyres are pants. The current size tyres are 275/55 R17

I want a cheapish tyre that is properly dual purpose and isn't going to get me stuck in a field.

Any one have any ideas of making this 4x4 actually useful off road?

Many thanks

 

[Craiglxviii]

I would start with off road tyres...

 

[Craiglxviii]

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2016-All-Terrain-and-Off-Road-MTR-Tyre-Test.htm

 

[LostKiwi]

Wet grass has all the grip of greased ice. Its the scariest surface I've ever driven on in years of off-roading and the only one that necessitated using the winch to extricate myself from a bad situation (and I used to regularly go out in the Lakes or Peaks in winter when there was loads of snow and ice about).

Virtually nothing will make a vast improvement but a good A/T tyre is the General Grabber AT2.
BF Goodrich KM2 is also recommended for a full mud tyre.

You may have difficulties in finding anything much in your size. I would actually recommend going narrower if you can to allow the tyre to bite into the surface more. A wide tyre will just slide over the top. .

 

[Craiglxviii]

Yes, grass is probably the worst, maybe just taking second place to a pebbled beach which is like being on a rolling road.

Big, big knobbles are the best. For driving on grass obviously. You need something that will punch through to the ground beneath.

 

[LostKiwi]

Just to clarify - do you want to be able to use it on the road as well? Or is this just for traversing fields as a workhorse?

 

[JBell]

BF Goodrich All Terrain

 

[Ralpharama]

Thanks for the replies. I do want to use it primarily on the road, but I bought it to get across fields without getting stuck, as I did on Saturday in my SLK350 (very embarrassing LOL) A lot of tyres seem to be available in 265/70 R17, but I'm unsure it the extra diameter will clear the wheel arches.

 

[Craiglxviii]

This might be a dumb question, but why do you need to get across fields? (Especially in a roadster!!!)

 

[Ralpharama]

This might be a dumb question, but why do you need to get across fields? (Especially in a roadster!!!)

I do full bore target shooting for fun and most long distance ranges are in soggy fields. The ML is supposed to be an all terrain vehicle? Even though most are driven by women folk delivering their sexcrament to places of education LOL

 

[JBell]

This might be a dumb question, but why do you need to get across fields? (Especially in a roadster!!!)

Errrr these tyres are for a 2002 ML

 

[Craiglxviii]

<cof>@JBELL<cof>

Thanks for the replies. I do want to use it primarily on the road, but I bought it to get across fields without getting stuck, as I did on Saturday in my SLK350 (very embarrassing LOL) A lot of tyres seem to be available in 265/70 R17, but I'm unsure it the extra diameter will clear the wheel arches.

 

[Craiglxviii]

I do full bore target shooting for fun and most long distance ranges are in soggy fields. The ML is supposed to be an all terrain vehicle? Even though most are driven by women folk delivering their sexcrament to places of education LOL

Oh well that’s alright then.

 

[LostKiwi]

Even the best all terrain vehicles can struggle on wet grass. My incident mentioned above was in a Defender.
The only vehicle I never had issues with on wet grass was a military FC101 Land Rover but thats a bit overkill....


Okay so first off you need to decide what ratio of off/on road you are likely to want to do (or which has the higher priority).

If your preference is on road performance with some off road then an AT tyre (BF Goodrich or General Grabbers) will be the type of thing to go for. These will give good all round performance but will be compromised if it gets very muddy.

If you decide the off road is more important then Mud tyres (MT) will be the type to go for. BF Goodrich KM2 will be a good choice but these will be nosier and thirstier on the road than an AT type.

If you're prepared to put up with serious noise and discomfort on road there are extreme tyres but they really are very unpleasant on anything tarmacced (or even hard surfaces).

You should be fine on 265/70 tyres. Reading around it appears the maximum safe size is an overall height of 31 inches and a width of 8". A 265/70 has an overall height of around 31 inches.

Loads of good info here (when looking at this tyre charts make sure you are looking at 17" wheels not 16s).
http://www.4x4abc.com/ML320/index.html

One thing to bear in mind is the ML does not have a fully lockable 4WD system (unlike the G-Wagen or Land Cruiser) or even partially lockable (such as Land Rover Defenders or Land Cruiser Colorado/Prado). It instead relies on electronics and a variation of traction control to try to control grip. That said apparently it does a pretty decent job most of the time as long as you respect its limitations and learn how to use it (these systems are counter intuitive to people used to traditional locking diff type 4WD systems).

 

[Rotorhead500]

Cooper also very worth looking at in off-road arena. Both their AT and MT offerings are well respected in both competition and off-road driving schools.

 

[oigle]

I'd suggest using smaller width tyres. I use 235/65 on mine for all conditions with no issues. Smaller is better when slippery.

 

[Ralpharama]

Thanks so much for all your help.

Taking on board all that has been said on here, I have ordered a set of 265x65 R17 Cooper Discoverer AT tyres to be fitted tomorrow.

Hopefully try them out at the muddy range on Saturday. Hopefully without the massive embarrassment of the previous week

Many thanks lads

 

[Ralpharama]

Even the best all terrain vehicles can struggle on wet grass. My incident mentioned above was in a Defender.
The only vehicle I never had issues with on wet grass was a military FC101 Land Rover but thats a bit overkill....
View attachment 40601

I think an Forward Control landy might be a tad overkill in my situation - lovely truck though!

 

[LostKiwi]

I think an Forward Control landy might be a tad overkill in my situation - lovely truck though!

Yeah it was great fun and regularly used off tarmac
I really regret selling it now.

 

[Rotorhead500]

Thanks so much for all your help.

Taking on board all that has been said on here, I have ordered a set of 265x65 R17 Cooper Discoverer AT tyres to be fitted tomorrow.

Hopefully try them out at the muddy range on Saturday. Hopefully without the massive embarrassment of the previous week

Many thanks lads

They're good tyres, should serve you well. And if they're still not quite there, then MT next time!

101 FC Landies are awesome... Always fancied one!