M class tyre size change

[PODS]

Hi I was thinking of changing the size on my 2005 m class it's a w163 as I've heard they can drive nicer on slightly narrower tyres and I was wondering if 265 65 17 would fit under the arches or 255,s maybe
Just hoping for a little advice from someone who knows more than me

 

[Blobcat]

Have a look in the manual or fuel flap, you should have a few different sizes listed. The smallest and narrowest are usual used for winters but you can get summers in the same size.
You might need new alloys though, depending upon the width difference

 

[Taffy7hfa]

Currently running 275/55/17 on both mine, the Khumo’s are excellent very quiet and are wearing really well

 

[Mark A]

255/60-17 worked very well on our old W163, plenty of choice of tyres too.

 

[PODS]

Thank you all for your replies most helpful as I don't have a manual yet will look into the 255,s

 

[joderest]

Agree, when i bought "the lump" it had 275/55/17, and did not ride at all nice, tyres were an unknown make.
I swapped to 255/60/17, much better, first set were Goodyear and did 20,000 before i changed them.
On NEXEN now, and it rides very well, very quiet.

 

[EmilysDad]

Agree, when i bought "the lump" it had 275/55/17, and did not ride at all nice, tyres were an unknown make.
I swapped to 255/60/17, much better, first set were Goodyear and did 20,000 before i changed them.
On NEXEN now, and it rides very well, very quiet.

I don't understand how the change of tyre size made a difference to the ride ..... the tyre wall of each is all but the same

 

[PODS]

Hi I know you are saying 255,s work would 265 65 17, s fit their seem to be a lot more choice in this size available?

 

[Mark A]

Your speedo will be out as the rolling radius is larger than standard due to the higher side wall.

 

[PODS]

Yep I know but would they fit ??

 

[joderest]

ok, the 275 tyres fitted when i got the car seemed to "tramline", fitting the smaller tyre stopped this, hence ride much better.
May have been down to the tyre of course.
I prefer the car with the smaller size, but its personal choice really.

 

[PODS]

ok, the 275 tyres fitted when i got the car seemed to "tramline", fitting the smaller tyre stopped this, hence ride much better.
May have been down to the tyre of course.
I prefer the car with the smaller size, but its personal choice really.

Ok Thanks

 

[oigle]

I've gone even further and used 235/65/17 on mine. Same gearing as original 255's fitted new. Much better steering, no bump steer, no tramlining and better absorption of bumps, particularly joining strips - less contact area. I've consistently had 70000km per set of 235's. Had Yokohama and Nexen. Both wore similarly. Original Continental 255's were knackered at 35000.

 

[PODS]

Hadn't thought of 235,s does it handle ok on the bends ?

 

[oigle]

ML's aren't sports cars ...... regardless of tyres. It actually goes better on lower speed bends as bump steer seems to have disappeared. I have not felt any understeer at speed or tailhappiness. Haven't seen any downsides really. The later ML's have 235/65/17 as the default tyre. Wide and low profile tyres are 90% for show, not for performance unless of course you have something like a Porsche requiring ultimate grip.

 

[PODS]

Sounds like I'm getting skinny tyres thanks for all your replies people it's nice to be able to ask won't hesitate if I've got any more questions

 

[oigle]

If you live in England or some other wet place, you will also appreciate the reduction in aquaplaning. The narrower tyres don't have to displace so much water and as a result grip better. You won't regret it. In Oz, much better in slippery off road conditions. Fat tyres are hopeless.

 

[John77]

Your speedo will be out as the rolling radius is larger than standard due to the higher side wall.

if you are only changing the width, how will that effect the speedo as the circumference will be the same?

 

[John77]

I asked the same question 2 years ago and a couple of comments were that the car insurance could be invalid as they are not the recommended tyre. I did it anyway and a far better drive.

 

[Mark A]

if you are only changing the width, how will that effect the speedo as the circumference will be the same?

The profile is a % of the tyre width.

265/65 gives a side wall of 172.25mm whereas 255/60 gives 153mm, quite a difference.

The other standard fitment was 275/55 which gives 151.25mm, quite close to the 255/60