Just took the long way home from having an MB dealer install a set of the Dunlop SP Sport 5000 tires on my ML 500. It was about a 70 mile trip and it felt like driving a completely different automobile. A friend of mine runs the Mercedes side of this dealership and he loaned me his E500 overnight. As awesome as it was allaround, the ML felt as good ride quality wise with the new tires. I could have saved a couple of bucks at a chain, but I got a great deal and a great installation at the dealership.

SCJIM; I have a 2005 ML 500SE with 15,000+miles. Also have the SP5000 tires. Have always run 36PSI cold which will go to 40 when warm. Tire surface is still smooth all the way across with a very slight amount of roughness on the outside edges, but no cupping. The truck still drives straight and true. I did this because on my 2000 ML430 with Dunlop Grand Trek 35's I ran the same pressures and had no tire problems for 45,000 miles. I believe the MB recommended pressures are a compromise for wear and comfort. The lower pressures allow the edges to squirm, or cold flow and thus wear uneven. Just my theory, no proof other than the results I've seen so far.

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David L

After talking with several tire people, including Dunlop customer service, I'm convinced you're absolutley correct in running the higher pressure. I checked the pressure from the dealer and found they had placed it at 35. I will be increasing the pressure. Pressures as hgh as 39 with monitored wear were recommended. Your 36 sounds like a good starting point. Dunlop customer service had reommended a little different rotation frequency than MB's. Something like a 6000-3000-3000-6000 and on. Thanks for the input.

Just wanted to chip in with a good word for the General Tires for the ML -- the same ones that come as one of the new standard tires with the ML's.
I have had very good experience with them, but not with the Dunlops -- which seem to wear our much more quickly. Although rotation is certainly a justifiable approach, I have not done much of that with my cars and don't notice any unusual wear patterns .... I think condition of the car underpinnings does have a big affect on wear patterns, as does the driving habits of the owner/driver. It really seems a little bit unnecessary to rotate every 5000 miles tho'!?

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Ben Harrison Carter
1999 Mercedes ML320 87K
1992 Mercedes 300CE 89K
1995 Corvette 29K -- Sold Dec 09
1989 Mercedes 420SEL 99K -- (Sold 4/08)
1968 Mercedes 230S (106K) (Sold 9/06))
1976 Mercedes 450SEL 130K (Just sold - 06)
1961 Mercedes 220Sb (sold years ago)

Well I now have about 3800 miles on the new Dunlops and I checked for wear yesterday. The inside edges of the front tires are already showing uneven wear. Each tread block on that inner edge row is worn more on the trailing side than on the leading side edge. Called my service manager and got the "Dunlops wear out before 20,000 miles get used to it", and you should get an alignment once a year even though that is not the problem. Showing my cnfidence in the dealership, I called Motorwerks down in the Detrit area and had an alignment check this afternoon. Alignment is not the problem. All measurements were in spec. I have kept the air pressure between 37 and 39 psi as recommended by the Dunlop rep. No one has a clue, but I'm inclined to think that it is a tire problem and will pursue that approach tomorrow.

Have been running two MLs for awhile and had a similar bad experience with the original Dunlops on one of them, so switched to the Generals and have had very good luck with those; mileage going to the 50-60K mileage range in each case. Ben Carter

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Ben Harrison Carter
1999 Mercedes ML320 87K
1992 Mercedes 300CE 89K
1995 Corvette 29K -- Sold Dec 09
1989 Mercedes 420SEL 99K -- (Sold 4/08)
1968 Mercedes 230S (106K) (Sold 9/06))
1976 Mercedes 450SEL 130K (Just sold - 06)
1961 Mercedes 220Sb (sold years ago)

In my case I used my first set of Generals for 52K, during which the truck was aligned once at the dealer, and tires rotated 3 times, pressure maintained always at 32 psi, front tires wear was even. The rear tires were unevenly worn on the outside, not excessively though.

I replaced with G's again, aligned at the dealer, rotated only once (maybe @ 20K miles), rear same uneven wear, this time much more than the first set, which makes the 2nd set last 40K only. I assume this is due to poor rotation habit. Pressure maintained at 32 psi.

Replaced with G's again, this time no alignment (I don't think this is the problem), but maintaining 35 psi cold and improving my tire rotation habit, like maybe every 7.5K. I think this will be the trick in my case. I think I can get 50K + this time.

For some reason I am very sharp at all other maintenance items like oil, fuel filter, belt, etc., but real bad habit at tire rotation

Rene

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'99 ML320, '00 C280

Talked with Dunlop Customer Service and my local Dunlop (Goodyear) dealer. I had started this conversation with Dunlop back in December before this set of tires was installed. The local dealer blamed the ML even though the alignment showed everything in spec. Evidently Dunlop customer service sided with me as the local dealer will install a set of Goodyear Fortera Silent Armors for the sale price difference. They think that the tread pattern change will make a difference as well as wear rated at 740 versus 340. I have had a set of these tires on order for my F-150 and have seen nothing but good reports on Tire Rack.

I don't think the thread on the Goodyear Fortera Silent Armors will provide the ride that the ML is designed for. It should be very good for the F-150 though.

My $0.02

Rene

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'99 ML320, '00 C280

Thanks for your comments. I spent most of last month gatering information on what would be the best tire for both the ML and F-150. I used Tire Rack's reviews and ratings as my primary source of information. For what I was looking for the Fortera is the pick. I wanted to stay with the V speed rating for the ML originally, and got a good price on the Dunlops in an area where the choices in my working time frame were very limited. I have now decided that with a max speed not exceeding short bursts of 85, I don't need the V rating but good wear and comfort. The tread pattern on the Fortera is very similar to the Michelin Cross Terrains, a seeming board favorite, and for the trade I was offered, the Goodyears are a whole lot cheaper. I will keep everyone posted on how they wear and ride once I get them. I should get the F-150's installed either today or tomorrow, but the ML may bea week or more away.