I just purchased a 1999 430ML w/70K miles. The original owner seems to have taken very good care of it and drove it mainly on the highway. He said the current Michelin Cross Terrain tires were more noisy than the original Dunlops. After driving it, his opinion seemed logical. I have never driven an ML before, so I have no reference point. The ML drives very well, but the road noise sounds more like what you would hear from a pickup truck than from a car. If this is normal, I can live with it. However, I thought if I replaced the tires it would become much more quiet. Yesterday, I put a new set of Continenental 4X4 tires and the rolling "roar" didn't improve very much. I would like to just feel O.K. that this is normal and I don't have a bearing that is abnormal somewhere. Can anyone give me some advice? Do I need to have something checked?

I have Cross Terrains on my 320 and think they are great. Previously had Dunlops; they were ok but not nearly as good in the wet or snow. I didn't think either were noisy, but I guess that a function of what you are used to.

Where in SC do you live. I'm in Charleston and you can drive mine if your in the area to see if there is any difference.

Beginning in model year 2000, Mercedes drastically upgraded their sound insulation package provided on the ML's. This not only included additional sound insulation in the cabin floor, sides and roof but also double door gaskets. When I purchased my 2000 ML320, I test drove both a left over 1999 model that had significant discounts and a 2000 model. There was no comparison and the choice to purchase a 2000 model was very easy.

I still have the original Dunlops on the vehicle but had heard the Michelin Cross Terrains were quieter, however, at about twice the price of the Dunlops. The Michelins have a higher tread wear rating than the Dunlops so should last longer, but I have read reports from people who have switched to Michelin's from Dunlops and they did not wear as well.

You may want to look to see if your Michelin's have even tread wear. Any uneven tread wear or cupping will drastically increase tire noise. Since you have 70,000 miles on the vehicle I would guess that you have between 20,000 and 30,000 miles on these tires and tread wear may be a consideration.

BenzBob,

My ML is a 1999. I put 50K miles on my orginal Dunlops and they were very nearly into the wear bars. The tires worn evenly but never had very good traction in the wet or snow at least when compared to the Cross Terrains. My antilock brakes would kick in real easily in the wet with the Dunlops, not so with the Michelins.

I have 30K miles on the Cross Terrains and they have worn very evenly, I do rotate the tires every 5K-6K miles. The Cross Terrains have used half of their tread up in 30k miles. I know this because I had to replace one last week, it had a nail in the sidewall, unrepairable. When we measured the remaining tread it was 6/32, I think it had 12/32 when new. Based on the remaining tread I had to pay 1/2 the cost of a new tire.

The Michelins will undoubtly get no more miles than the Dunlops so based on the price Dunlops are a better dollar value. However, when my Cross Terrains wear out I will definately get another set of Michelins, the improved wet traction could save me a lot of money and aggravation in terms of injures and repairs that myself and/or others could incure in the event of a wreck.

Like your Dunlops, mine are wearing very evenly and appear they will last 50K miles. Currently, I have 37K miles on these tires and so far I have not noticed any wet traction issues, including activation of ABC or Stability control functions. I have not yet decided whether I will get Dunlops or Michelins as a replacement tire but I appreciate your opinion. I have always felt that Michelin makes one of the best tires available today and have used them on my other vehicles.

Not sure if you ever got enough feedback on that noise, but we have a 2000 ML 320, and there is always a very faint sort of whining sound that seems to come from the transmission or drive train at highway speeds. Pretty sure it is not tire noise. It is a very faint noise; the wife doesn't hear it and the son, whose car it is, says, "oh I've gotten used to it and I don't even notice it. Fortunately this 2000 does not have that rubbing noise that you get when turning the wheels to full lock on some of the earlier models we drove.