Peter47

OEM tyres were Continental Cross Contact LX 235/65 R17 108H. There was, I believe an alternative OEM Michelin tyre.

Continental have stopped making this tyre in a 108H:

108 = good for 2205# weight
H = good for up to 130 mph

That size is now only available in a 104H, which means its load rating is reduced to only (104 =) 1984#. This is 221# less, or around 10%.

My local MB outlet (service department) can't tell me either a) what are they selling to 2007 R350 owners now, and b) is it acceptable AND legal (in Texas) to use this lower load-rating tyre?

CAN ANYONE HELP ME ON THIS?

Thanks

Peter

DukeBoy27

Dealerships charges a large premium on tires... so you may want to consider some other options?

I have found Tirerack and Discounttires to be useful and cheaper. They may be able to help you with some recommendations. Good luck!

Flamer97

Not sure they quit making them. I was looking for tires myself this morning for my 2009 R350 (different OEM size, go figure) at American Tire Depot and found yours instock (at least in CA).

CONTI4x4CONTACT
$211.95 each
ADD TO CART
Size: 235/65-17, Speed Rating: V SideWall: BW
UTQG: 360 AA Load Range: 108

I switched to the Michelin Latitude Tour because I was not happy with the wear on my first two sets of the Continentals. Can't tell you how that wear is working out since they are still relatively new.

As for the weight rating, I"m sure it would be better and safer to go up, vice down in rating.

pacoman

I placed Michelin Latitude Tour tires on mine at 44K. Still good thread at 102K. Noise level is low and I like the feel.

rostrom

I have blown through lots of tires, never getting a mile over 30k on a set (2006 R350). However, my latest set is at 30k miles now and I have 5-10k left in them. They are Firestone Destination ST (109V) tires and they are just as good as the Michelin Latitude Tour and better than the stock Contis I had on the car before. They cost less and last longer!

Bad news is mine are 255/55R18 so not sure they come in your size.

PeteInLongBeach

TireRack has replacements with even higher speed rating:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

http://tinyurl.com/lgx4zfq

Also, this looks to be an excellent replacement :

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....50&autoModClar=

http://tinyurl.com/lerzls3

Flamer97

Update on the Michelin Latitude Tour Tires I bought two years ago. I've had two alignments with minor adjustments and rotated every 5000 miles and they still are down to the wear indicators at less than 30K miles. I won't go with the Continental OEMs again....less than 25K for two sets until I got smarter.

I'm thinking a lesser priced tire than the Michelin's if I'm only going to get 30K per tire.

Maybe the General Grabber HTS at Tire Rack for over $100/tire less than the Michelins. It's an all weather tire like the Michelins that I'd drive on snow once or twice a year.

Does anyone have experience with the General or a different tire thought?

Thanks

rostrom

I got 45k miles out of my first set of Firestone Destination ST tires. I am about 5k into my second set. I will never go back to the Conti or the Michelin tires... they don't last as long and cost much more. I find the ride and handling of the Firestones to be just as good.

I have not tried the General Grabber but remember considering them on Tire Rack. They looked a bit too much like a truck tire to me so I worried they would give too much road noise. Take a look at the Firestone Destination ST. They are priced about the same as the Generals.

Flamer97

Thanks for the Firestone recommendation. I'll give 'em a shot.