Hey from Edinburgh.

[mgpete]

I really don’t want to influence you and can only relate to my GLC250d fitted with 18” dia wheels. When I 1st saw my front tyres wearing on the outside edge I thought tracking was out so had it checked and it was fine so went into forums and like you was horrified to see what some people were going through but I have to emphasise my car has never suffered from skipping or crabbing just the tyre wear so as I said MB fitted full set of softer rubber (maybe winter tyres i don’t know) foc. I’ve since done around 3k miles and they seem to be doing fine but only time will tell. I absolutely love this car and if I buy another (which I’m likely to do) would stick with 18” wheels, hopefully the problem will be sorted by MB by then. I do completely understand your concerns, in 2 years I’ve had no issues/problems with the car at all whereas my brother has bought a new Landrover Discovery sport a year ago and has had nothing but problems which he’s sick and tired of. All the best with whatever you choose, Pete

 

[mikestrivens]

Personally I would never have need of any SUV so wouldn't contemplate such a vehicle in the first place. These types of SUV are more of a lifestyle choice than for any practical reason, unless you are thinking of towing mega weights - a whole new can of worms well aired here recently. Perhaps you'd be better off with a two wheel drive estate car. They offer better MPG and generally more room inside. My E320 is far larger inside than any equivalent SUV, apart from the massive S class version.

 

[mgpete]

Each to their own and everyone’s different along with different needs, this is 1st SUV I’ve ever had and can honestly say after having one will never go back to an estate, you only have to see how popular they are now to know that they are not just being bought on a whim, we tow a Caravan but even without it’s so handy to have greater ground clearance and 4 wheel drive which both were very handy during floods last year. Incidentally my last 2 estates were just about the most popular you can get being BMW SE 2ltr 5 series touring with rear wheel drive and I get better towing performance and mpg from the GLC so how you can say they are just a lifestyle choice when you’ve never owned one I really don’t know!

 

[mikestrivens]

as you say each to their own

 

[Al James]

Certainly not meaning to start a bun fight chaps. Just I feel having seen numerous forum posts, decdicated website to this issue, and mercedes seemingly poor handling of this, it's kinda put me off the MB brand forever.

 

[mgpete]

I really don’t blame you, I’m the same with being disgusted how MB have not dealt with the issue properly, if I had seen all this before I bought mine I definitely wouldn’t have bought one either so come on Mercedes get sorted as you must be losing a hell of a lot of customers!

 

[mgpete]

Well Mike, this weather is a good example of why it’s beneficial to have 4wd SUV, glad I haven’t still got my rear wheel drive beemer at the moment lol

 

[mikestrivens]

My e320 handles this weather fine with winter tyres on. Never needed four wheel drive.

 

[sonic]

My e320 handles this weather fine with winter tyres on. Never needed four wheel drive.

Both our E class & SLK are on winter tyres in the winter. Never had a problem, including the highlands.