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It has been almost a year since a Mercedes GLB200d 4MATIC arrived in our home.
It has already traveled more than 12,000 km and is already in great use as my commuter car and as a family vehicle for transportation.It is very useful for its fuel efficiency, its small width, and the fact that it can seat seven people.
This time, we decided to change its GLB tires to all-season tires.It was originally fitted with Mercedes-approved Pirelli PZEROs,While I had no complaints about the ride quality, I had the impression that it was a bit over-spec for the GLB and the handling was a bit too agile, so I wanted to switch to a more comfortable tire someday.
So, after pondering various tire brands,Considering that I go to nearby ski resorts with GLB and return to my parents' house where it sometimes snows, all-season tires would be good!This was the decision that was made.
Of course, we considered winter tires or studless tires, but we decided to go with all-season tires because it is a hassle to change them every season and we rarely drive on heavy icy roads since we travel mainly in the Kansai area.
And just in case, I plan to carry cloth tire chains for emergency use to get through this winter.
We chose Michelin Crossclimate 2 SUV (235/50R19 103V XL).
To begin with, winter tires are called "winter tires.Summer tires that can be driven on snowy roadsThe tire is an all-purpose tire that can be driven on all surfaces except ice.
However, many people may wonder if the grip, road noise, and ride quality of summer tires are not as good as those of summer tires. Many people may wonder if the grip, road noise, and ride comfort will be reduced compared to summer tires.
Therefore, we would like to review our impressions on dry and wet road surfaces in comparison with the Pirelli PZERO, a genuine Mercedes summer tire.
Note that, as always, this article [does not include promotion].
Therefore, I write honestly and without discovery, so unlike other lantern articles, I hope you will find it helpful as it is.
First, on the first day of the replacement, there was no denying that there was some rumbling as we left the tire shop and started driving.
However, this is because they are new tires and the block is still square.
By the time we had driven about 200 km from there, the tires rolled very naturally and felt mellow.
First.When it comes to road noise, I would say it is a fairly quiet category.
The road noise, especially when driving straight ahead, is quite low and clearly quieter than that of cheap summer tires in the area.
The PZERO is one of the world's best premium sport tires, and it is quiet enough, but it is also very quiet, so it is on par with the PZERO.
However, a faint "go" sound can be heard when the rudder angle is set in curves. This is a feeling that was not present on the PZERO, and the sound is probably inevitable due to the block characteristics of the tires. However, this is a level that is only noticeable when you are very conscious of it, and is not considered bothersome to the average person.
The ride quality is generally good, with a slight roughness to the steering wheel compared to the PZERO. The ride quality is generally good, with only a slight roughness to the steering wheel compared to the PZERO. There are no unpleasant vibrations or shocks, and there is no negative impression that the tires are too soft.
I ran with my wife in the car, and she also said, "I'm not going toI can't tell any difference at all.He said, "First of all, I don't think the family will complain about it.
I don't think anyone would attack a winding road with all-season tires, but I tried them to see how much grip they would have.
To be honest, I had no expectations before testing them. I thought that even though they would perform as well as summer tires in town and on the highway, they would be no good at all in situations where lateral G forces are applied.
However, when I actually drove the car, I found it to be quite impressive. Of course, the tires don't squeal in the slightest, and there is firm lateral grip.
Of course, it shouldn't be compared to PZERO,At the level of a GLB working hard on a mountain road, it's not a problem at all.
The tires do not feel as if they are sagging like studless tires, and there is no concern about the grip of the rubber. If anything, the handling accuracy and line tracing performance are a little less than the PZero.
Braking is also safe enough.I think this tire has considerable longitudinal grip. Therefore, braking can be done with confidence, and the grip and traction during acceleration are also quite good.
I can assure you that even on winding roads, these tires are perfectly fine, at least at a slightly brisk pace in an SUV.
First of all, the longitudinal grip of this tire feels quite strong and sticky, such as when accelerating from a toll booth; with the PZERO, it is almost like when the tire is heated up considerably, giving a sense of security.
At speeds that are about normal driving lane speeds, nothing happens. They are no different from summer tires.
Road noise is quiet and the ride is comfortable.
If you dare to poke around in the corner of a heavy box,When coasting in GLB's eco mode, I would think that I would feel a little rolling resistance compared to the PZERO.
The car was then driven at a pace that allowed it to lead the overtaking lane and change lanes, but as expected of Michelin, the car's high-speed stability was excellent, with no wobble or loss of ground contact.
Even when changing lanes at slightly sharp angles, the car is safe enough to drive in a relaxed manner without any tire-wobbling sensation as with studless tires.
And since I experienced heavy wet at high speeds, I would say that my impression is,Considerable, drainage and wet grip are both very good.This is superior to studless tires at a level that cannot be matched.
I think this performance will probably be quite useful on the sherbet-like, almost wet, snow-covered roads that many will experience in the winter.
Also, even when going over metal joints in curves on urban highways, they almost never slip for a moment, as summer tires do. This is a clear advantage over pure summer tires.
In general, it is safe to say that even on highways, the tires feel the same as summer tires.
For this review, I was driving very consciously at the beginning and felt a little difference from the PZERO, as mentioned above.
However, in recent years, when I have started riding without being aware of it, I have completely forgotten that they are all-season tires.
That's how much this is a "summer tire".
Michelin calls them "summer tires that can also be used in snow," and they are exactly that: summer tires.
We found that dry and wet road surfaces can be used almost without sacrificing the performance of summer tires, and we will provide a review of the snow road version in the next issue.
