View Poll Results: What Tires are the best?
Goodyear
21
5.92%
Toyo
28
7.89%
Michelin
140
39.44%
Continental
43
12.11%
Falken
25
7.04%
Pirelli
43
12.11%
Other
55
15.49%
Voters: 355. You may not vote on this poll
W203/CL203/S203 TIRE Discussion Thread - Every question on TIRES
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, CA
'09 A4 S Line
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, CA
'09 A4 S Line
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 18
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
c320
Guys, thank you for pointing out he obvious and not so obvious aspects of tire sizes 
What I'm still wondering is if I do go with 255's in the rear would it be wiser to go with 225's in the front to keep a more staggered look? Or will the 235's just look better while filling the wheel well better?
I see the 225/255 combo is actually closer to the original wheel size but it seems most on here running 19's go with the 235's up front. Is it based solely on the wider look or is it some other reason? Does it just look better?
Just want to get this right. Remember they are 19" Brabus V's on a c320 sedan on stock suspension for now.
Thanks to anyone who replies!
What I'm still wondering is if I do go with 255's in the rear would it be wiser to go with 225's in the front to keep a more staggered look? Or will the 235's just look better while filling the wheel well better?
I see the 225/255 combo is actually closer to the original wheel size but it seems most on here running 19's go with the 235's up front. Is it based solely on the wider look or is it some other reason? Does it just look better?
Just want to get this right. Remember they are 19" Brabus V's on a c320 sedan on stock suspension for now.
Thanks to anyone who replies!
Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
'07 GTI & '04 M3
Tire size question: 235/265 or 225/265 for 19's?
It would seem that the 225/265 set-up is a closer, better match to the OEM rolling diameter as well as with each other (front to back side wall). On the 235/265 set-up, the 235 is about 1/4" taller than the rear sidewall.
So, why do so many go with a 235 front? Is is just to have slightly better handling? Any help is appreciated.
So, why do so many go with a 235 front? Is is just to have slightly better handling? Any help is appreciated.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 18,677
Likes: 9
From: OC
a quarter mile at a time
yes, 225/255 is actually the closest setup to the stock OEM tire sizes. 235/265's will fit just fine, it's a 2% difference over stock. A lot of people get them just for bragging rights and having 265's. Another thing to consider is that these cars understeer from the factory and any help up front is a good thing (235's)
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: Sherman, TX
'05 C230K SS Granite Grey Metallic
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 694
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
08' BMW E92 Coupe
How do u like the Proxes 4? I replaced my rears and put them on but I'm not very fond of them. Definitely better than the Continental's the car came with which I think are the absolute worst tire I've ever driven on. But the proxes seem to have very limited traction in the wet. My rear end slides or loses traction very easily. Best tires I've had so far are the Michelin Pilot sports and Bridgestone Potenza's.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: Sherman, TX
'05 C230K SS Granite Grey Metallic
How do u like the Proxes 4? I replaced my rears and put them on but I'm not very fond of them. Definitely better than the Continental's the car came with which I think are the absolute worst tire I've ever driven on. But the proxes seem to have very limited traction in the wet. My rear end slides or loses traction very easily. Best tires I've had so far are the Michelin Pilot sports and Bridgestone Potenza's.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
c320
Any last words of wisdom for me before I buy my tires? I'll be getting Kumho Ecsta SPT's in 235/35/19 & 255/30/19. I'm still wondering a bit if I should get 225/35 up front.
I like the Falkens 452's, Hankook Ventus V4's, and Toyo 4's also but they don't have 255/30 sizes. What are everyone's opinions on mixing brands front and back?
From what I've read it seems no one really has problems with 235 up front?
All opinions are appreciated. Thanks a ton!
I like the Falkens 452's, Hankook Ventus V4's, and Toyo 4's also but they don't have 255/30 sizes. What are everyone's opinions on mixing brands front and back?
From what I've read it seems no one really has problems with 235 up front?
All opinions are appreciated. Thanks a ton!
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
2005 C Sport
18"x8.5" all around what tires?
hi guys, I am pretty new here and I want to say that I have read this whole thread but still have some uncertainties about which tire to get.
I have a set of Lorinser LM6 replica rims and they are all 18"x8.5" ET35.
But since no one really has talked much about the ET I wanted to hear what you guys have to say about this setup and give suggestions. Maybe it doesn't even affect it much.
I have a w203 with the Sport option so it is lowered a little.
I want to have a staggered look and would have gotten a narrower front rim but had to take them all at 8.5".
I have gathered that 225/40/18 should be totally ok for the front.
On the back I want to put 255/35/18 on the back but someone had mentioned that its a little on the big side for an 8.5" rim. Is that true or has anyone done that?
What about rubbing? Does anyone have an et35 on the back rim and running that size that I want? Also would it be better for me to get a round form wheel or could I still manage fine with a square edge since its 18"?
Some tire shops have recommended 245/35 but to have just a little better staggered look I would want 255.
Any comments?
Thanks!
I have a set of Lorinser LM6 replica rims and they are all 18"x8.5" ET35.
But since no one really has talked much about the ET I wanted to hear what you guys have to say about this setup and give suggestions. Maybe it doesn't even affect it much.
I have a w203 with the Sport option so it is lowered a little.
I want to have a staggered look and would have gotten a narrower front rim but had to take them all at 8.5".
I have gathered that 225/40/18 should be totally ok for the front.
On the back I want to put 255/35/18 on the back but someone had mentioned that its a little on the big side for an 8.5" rim. Is that true or has anyone done that?
What about rubbing? Does anyone have an et35 on the back rim and running that size that I want? Also would it be better for me to get a round form wheel or could I still manage fine with a square edge since its 18"?
Some tire shops have recommended 245/35 but to have just a little better staggered look I would want 255.
Any comments?
Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, CA
'09 A4 S Line
hi guys, I am pretty new here and I want to say that I have read this whole thread but still have some uncertainties about which tire to get.
I have a set of Lorinser LM6 replica rims and they are all 18"x8.5" ET35.
But since no one really has talked much about the ET I wanted to hear what you guys have to say about this setup and give suggestions. Maybe it doesn't even affect it much.
I have a w203 with the Sport option so it is lowered a little.
I want to have a staggered look and would have gotten a narrower front rim but had to take them all at 8.5".
I have gathered that 225/40/18 should be totally ok for the front.
On the back I want to put 255/35/18 on the back but someone had mentioned that its a little on the big side for an 8.5" rim. Is that true or has anyone done that?
What about rubbing? Does anyone have an et35 on the back rim and running that size that I want? Also would it be better for me to get a round form wheel or could I still manage fine with a square edge since its 18"?
Some tire shops have recommended 245/35 but to have just a little better staggered look I would want 255.
Any comments?
Thanks!
I have a set of Lorinser LM6 replica rims and they are all 18"x8.5" ET35.
But since no one really has talked much about the ET I wanted to hear what you guys have to say about this setup and give suggestions. Maybe it doesn't even affect it much.
I have a w203 with the Sport option so it is lowered a little.
I want to have a staggered look and would have gotten a narrower front rim but had to take them all at 8.5".
I have gathered that 225/40/18 should be totally ok for the front.
On the back I want to put 255/35/18 on the back but someone had mentioned that its a little on the big side for an 8.5" rim. Is that true or has anyone done that?
What about rubbing? Does anyone have an et35 on the back rim and running that size that I want? Also would it be better for me to get a round form wheel or could I still manage fine with a square edge since its 18"?
Some tire shops have recommended 245/35 but to have just a little better staggered look I would want 255.
Any comments?
Thanks!
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
C320 Sports Coupe 2003
I have a C320 Sport Coupe for the Winter I put Dunlop Winter Sport M3 on the car in the stock sizes.
Great tyre, quiet as the OEM's on the highway, grippy in snow and ice and rides nicely, though not as sporty on turn-in as the OEM Michelins - I don't think this is a big problem for the winter (I live in Canada so we get a lot of snow :-) ).
Putting the winters on the stock 17" rims gave me the excuse to get 18" for the summer - they have just arrived with Goodyear F1 asymmetrics on. I'll get them on tonight and see how they go. They have comments on Tire Rack so I'm expecting good things.
Great tyre, quiet as the OEM's on the highway, grippy in snow and ice and rides nicely, though not as sporty on turn-in as the OEM Michelins - I don't think this is a big problem for the winter (I live in Canada so we get a lot of snow :-) ).
Putting the winters on the stock 17" rims gave me the excuse to get 18" for the summer - they have just arrived with Goodyear F1 asymmetrics on. I'll get them on tonight and see how they go. They have comments on Tire Rack so I'm expecting good things.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
I ordered some Sumitomo HTR Z III's last night...
anyone else got those?
Luke stated in the tire discussion forum that they'd never had a tire that good at that price point in the Max Performance...er...whichever category it was...
I didn't get the protection plan though...bad idea?
The website says I have 14 days to add it.
anyone else got those?
Luke stated in the tire discussion forum that they'd never had a tire that good at that price point in the Max Performance...er...whichever category it was...
I didn't get the protection plan though...bad idea?
The website says I have 14 days to add it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Ha, just saw this post.
To answer the question, I drive over hwy 17 every day, which is like this mountain freeway, with 4 lanes total with a concrete divider in the middle.
Speed limit is 50 mph, but with the BS's it's easy to cruise comfortably at 70 or higher.
Also they're staggered so no rotation. No burnouts for me.
They wore pretty evenly considering my camber is about 3-4 degrees out.
So, the backs are now pretty much gone at about 11K miles, and I noticed I have a nail in one of them, so F' it. I was going to buy Fuzion's but they're freakin' backordered for like a month. TR was trying to talk me in the RE760's but, ah...not sold on that...then I saw these
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...odel=HTR+Z+III
Up against tires costing 2.5 times the price, they kicked ****, including the RE050A Pole positions, and Conti 3's. And came out ahead in many categories.
Just the rears for now, my front's still have some tread, but with a 300 treadwear rating vs. 140 for the BS's, I'm hoping they'll last a while.
To answer the question, I drive over hwy 17 every day, which is like this mountain freeway, with 4 lanes total with a concrete divider in the middle.
Speed limit is 50 mph, but with the BS's it's easy to cruise comfortably at 70 or higher.
Also they're staggered so no rotation. No burnouts for me.
They wore pretty evenly considering my camber is about 3-4 degrees out.
So, the backs are now pretty much gone at about 11K miles, and I noticed I have a nail in one of them, so F' it. I was going to buy Fuzion's but they're freakin' backordered for like a month. TR was trying to talk me in the RE760's but, ah...not sold on that...then I saw these
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...odel=HTR+Z+III
Up against tires costing 2.5 times the price, they kicked ****, including the RE050A Pole positions, and Conti 3's. And came out ahead in many categories.
Just the rears for now, my front's still have some tread, but with a 300 treadwear rating vs. 140 for the BS's, I'm hoping they'll last a while.
how in the hell did you burn them out THAT fast? John, who has an E55 has the same tires and he's gotten over 20k miles on his already and he has an E55 (on 18's) and has tracked them!
you doing burnouts and brake stands like crazy? I got almost double than that on my OE Conti's (19's) on the M3 and I have pictures of burnouts and launches on those tires (and they weren't that worn when I changed em out).
your alignment bad or something? daaaaamn, I thought the RE050A's were supposed to be good, but if you're eating through them in 8k miles...
you doing burnouts and brake stands like crazy? I got almost double than that on my OE Conti's (19's) on the M3 and I have pictures of burnouts and launches on those tires (and they weren't that worn when I changed em out).
your alignment bad or something? daaaaamn, I thought the RE050A's were supposed to be good, but if you're eating through them in 8k miles...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, CA
'09 A4 S Line
I ordered some Sumitomo HTR Z III's last night...
anyone else got those?
Luke stated in the tire discussion forum that they'd never had a tire that good at that price point in the Max Performance...er...whichever category it was...
I didn't get the protection plan though...bad idea?
The website says I have 14 days to add it.
anyone else got those?
Luke stated in the tire discussion forum that they'd never had a tire that good at that price point in the Max Performance...er...whichever category it was...
I didn't get the protection plan though...bad idea?
The website says I have 14 days to add it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento/San Gabriel/Riverside
01' C32o
sooo sad. LOL.
