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: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 6
From: Corona, CA
03 g35 coupe...........02 c32 Sold
i believe sumito is also one of the largest banks in japan as well.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 6
From: Corona, CA
03 g35 coupe...........02 c32 Sold
You can stick your head in the sand if you wish. Sumi/Dunlop have been having some problems. There are complaints all over Europe. You got lucky or likely your Sumi's came out of the Japanese Dunlop factory where quality control is best.
While I am a Michelin person - I fully accept that Sumi make a nice tyre if you get good ones. The Japanese Dunlop plant has always made great tyres.
Let us know where your Sumi's were made.
You've had crap with Exclaims which is the South African experience. TemjinX has no such problems - It's luck of the draw.
While I am a Michelin person - I fully accept that Sumi make a nice tyre if you get good ones. The Japanese Dunlop plant has always made great tyres.
Let us know where your Sumi's were made.
You've had crap with Exclaims which is the South African experience. TemjinX has no such problems - It's luck of the draw.
The pirelli's I had were defective straight from the factory, worst tire i ever bought.
Based on my personal experience i still stand by the generals.
Last edited by TemjinX2; Dec 5, 2008 at 04:26 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
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The Nero is the worst of the PZero tires, and not available in your size anyway.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 496
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From: Long Island
MB
For the C240 you have, the General Exclaim UHP is the best option. Good handling and traction, low noise, long wear, inexpensive. C240 is not a performance car by any measure so dont spend $$$ for something you will never have any need or use.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
C230 K Coupe (05)
I was thinking around 150-200 max. Obviously cheaper the better (price wise and not quality)I was looking at tirerack.com and they have it priced at 90 bucks (like the sumitomo's). Where as Costco has it at 200...wth!?
Suggestions?
Thanks!
Suggestions?
Thanks!
Last edited by hieracity; Dec 5, 2008 at 11:14 AM.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
One does not require to have a high performance vehicle to benefit from decent tyres. Any vehicle capable of over 235 Km/h can certainly benefit. We drive fast in our wide open spaces.
What I find strange on this forum is that people buy a Benz & then run budget tyres on it. That behavior would be considered strange in this country & frowned upon by our insurance industry.
Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 172
Likes: 3
From: Portland, OR
2005 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan
Just go for the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, good traction and longer tread life. Tire rack has the fronts for $139 and $105 each for rears. Good deal, man! I paid a lot more than that.
Last edited by SteveAustin; Dec 5, 2008 at 12:21 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
From: Nuevo México
2005 C230K Sport Sedan, 6 speed manual
I replaced a set of Michelin Pilots, which had become very noisy after less than 20k miles. The Pirelli P-Zero Nero got mostly good reviews for handling and quietness. I think they are a soft tire, so I am not expecting a lot of tread life.
In general, I think Michelin is your best tire, but I was not happy with them on the C230K.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
MB
Nonesense. The UHP has been a disaster in Europe & here. In fact it looks as though they are about to disappear from this market. People here are not particularly happy with Continentals much less their cheaper cousins. South Africans are very quality concious. There are only two tyres I will fit on my vehicle for noise & comfort reasons alone. The Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 (on at present & wonderful) & the new Pilot Sport 2 with the Exalto tread minus a few sipes. Michelin tyres are not as expensive in SA as the US when compared with the competition & are the most popular tyres on the road. We don't have all the weirdo brands you have. The car came with Continental SC2s & they were crap & noisy & got noisier - Ditched them at 15,000 Kms under half worn
One does not require to have a high performance vehicle to benefit from decent tyres. Any vehicle capable of over 235 Km/h can certainly benefit. We drive fast in our wide open spaces.
About cheap tires on Benz. There are different Benzes. And your C class (except AMG) is not built for performance. You can go ahead and spend $1-1.5K on tires alone but what will you gain? Absolutely nothing
What I find strange on this forum is that people buy a Benz & then run budget tyres on it. That behavior would be considered strange in this country & frowned upon by our insurance industry.
One does not require to have a high performance vehicle to benefit from decent tyres. Any vehicle capable of over 235 Km/h can certainly benefit. We drive fast in our wide open spaces.
About cheap tires on Benz. There are different Benzes. And your C class (except AMG) is not built for performance. You can go ahead and spend $1-1.5K on tires alone but what will you gain? Absolutely nothing
What I find strange on this forum is that people buy a Benz & then run budget tyres on it. That behavior would be considered strange in this country & frowned upon by our insurance industry.
Last edited by BKLYN_C; Dec 5, 2008 at 12:23 PM.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
I would like to see if we can tie the problems down to a plant.
Your comments on gaining nothing are still nonesense. Better braking, better turn in & handling. excellent wet performance - ie - a greater margin of safety - & if that's "nothing" well you work it out. We have enough tyres disintegrating at high speed on our long intercity runs at high temperatures. Michelins do not do this but many others do.
The W 203 is very susceptible to tyre noise that sounds like wheel bearings about to fail. This is due to the suspension set up. 3 tyres are known to stop it. The two Michelins I mention above & the Yokohama AVS db2.
If you are not sensitive to these issues well run your cheap tyres. Don't give bad advice to others.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 3
From: New York City
C55 ///AMG, 535xi
location?
all season, goodyear eagle F1 A/S (one bad thing is...its a little noisy)
summer, Toyo TR1 or Falken FK452
cheaper all seasons, Yokohama YK-520 (I like them)
cheaper summer, General Exclaim UHP
all season, goodyear eagle F1 A/S (one bad thing is...its a little noisy)
summer, Toyo TR1 or Falken FK452
cheaper all seasons, Yokohama YK-520 (I like them)
cheaper summer, General Exclaim UHP
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Please join one of the many threads, already in progress...such as this
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ght-tires.html
or here https://mbworld.org/forums/wheels-ti...-tire-rack-36/
or here the mother of all tire threads...
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ion-tires.html
and do some reading on tirerack.com.
Also watch this....
http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting
"it's always best to post in an existing thread than to start a new one".
It also doesn't hurt to introduce yourself before jumping in and asking advise. Welcome to the forum....
Mods, can someone close this thread or merge it?
The amount of tire threads asking the same questions over and over is staggering.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ght-tires.html
or here https://mbworld.org/forums/wheels-ti...-tire-rack-36/
or here the mother of all tire threads...
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ion-tires.html
and do some reading on tirerack.com.
Also watch this....
http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting
"it's always best to post in an existing thread than to start a new one".
It also doesn't hurt to introduce yourself before jumping in and asking advise. Welcome to the forum....
Mods, can someone close this thread or merge it?
The amount of tire threads asking the same questions over and over is staggering.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Dec 5, 2008 at 01:26 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Glenn, yes I looked my Sumi's are made in Japan.
Check my post in this thread, last page, so I don't repeat myself...I've tried many tires.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-tires-27.html
as you already know since you posted.....
I agree with you, I love PS2's but performance tires don't last long, and they're over a grand a set here in the states. On a hot day, they were sticky like bubble gum. My rears are lasting only about 10-15K miles.
Earlier versions of the sumi's were crap...this is the 1st one I even considered based on tirerack's testing. I'm happy with them.
Interesting, some folks who reviewed said they turn in slowly...
I haven't had them on the front yet...and the most those who rated them poorly (only like 3 people out of 90 reviews) all only had less than 1000 miles on them, which isn't enough to wear off the initial layer.
Also, I imagine those who live in colder climates would experience less traction.
They don't really start to grip till after 1000 miles.
Check my post in this thread, last page, so I don't repeat myself...I've tried many tires.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-tires-27.html
as you already know since you posted.....
I agree with you, I love PS2's but performance tires don't last long, and they're over a grand a set here in the states. On a hot day, they were sticky like bubble gum. My rears are lasting only about 10-15K miles.
Earlier versions of the sumi's were crap...this is the 1st one I even considered based on tirerack's testing. I'm happy with them.
Interesting, some folks who reviewed said they turn in slowly...
I haven't had them on the front yet...and the most those who rated them poorly (only like 3 people out of 90 reviews) all only had less than 1000 miles on them, which isn't enough to wear off the initial layer.
Also, I imagine those who live in colder climates would experience less traction.
They don't really start to grip till after 1000 miles.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Dec 5, 2008 at 01:56 PM.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Glenn, yes I looked my Sumi's are made in Japan.
Check my post in this thread, last page, so I don't repeat myself...I've tried many tires.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-tires-27.html
as you already know since you posted.....
I agree with you, I love PS2's but performance tires don't last long, and they're over a grand a set here in the states. My rears are lasting only about 10-15K miles. Earlier versions of the sumi's were crap...this is the 1st one I even considered based on tirerack's testing. I'm happy with them.
Check my post in this thread, last page, so I don't repeat myself...I've tried many tires.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-tires-27.html
as you already know since you posted.....
I agree with you, I love PS2's but performance tires don't last long, and they're over a grand a set here in the states. My rears are lasting only about 10-15K miles. Earlier versions of the sumi's were crap...this is the 1st one I even considered based on tirerack's testing. I'm happy with them.
The PS2 is 60% of your price here so I consider it a good deal & the Exaltos a little cheaper.
My reason for getting a little chippy with BKLYN_C, which I don't mean to be, is that even a humble vehicle can be driven over it's limits & better tyres give you a better margin of safety. Tyres, shocks & brakes I wont compromise on. You have to be able to stop the darn thing safely.
I'll read your other posts. Think I have - but I'll have another look.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
If a set of PS2's was 600 bucks, well that WOULD be tempting.
"Tyres, shocks & brakes I wont compromise on. You have to be able to stop the darn thing safely."
Agreed. Thats why I'm sticking in the Max performance category, as I have
about 3 grand invested in suspension and brakes. (not counting labor, just parts).
And if you saw some of the roads we got here, you'd be impressed.
Occasionally late at night when no one else is around, I can really tear it up on the twisties.
It will be interesting to see what I think once the Sumi's go on the front.
I have 22K miles on the BS's on the front, but meanwhile I'm on my 3rd set on the rear. I have 2 or 3/32 usable tread left on the fronts, though I already have the new Sumi's for the front, also made in Japan.
I was surprised when I measured the tread I was at 5/32 on the BS's.
So not tossing those just yet.
I checked the current prices on those, they've gone waaaay up.
Almost as much as PS's.
One site has the Sumi Z3's 225/45/17 at 332 a set + shipping (and tax if you're California). Can't say which site, sorry. But thats 60 bucks less than tirerack and they refused to match the price. Shipping was the same.
"Tyres, shocks & brakes I wont compromise on. You have to be able to stop the darn thing safely."
Agreed. Thats why I'm sticking in the Max performance category, as I have
about 3 grand invested in suspension and brakes. (not counting labor, just parts).
And if you saw some of the roads we got here, you'd be impressed.
Occasionally late at night when no one else is around, I can really tear it up on the twisties.
It will be interesting to see what I think once the Sumi's go on the front.
I have 22K miles on the BS's on the front, but meanwhile I'm on my 3rd set on the rear. I have 2 or 3/32 usable tread left on the fronts, though I already have the new Sumi's for the front, also made in Japan.
I was surprised when I measured the tread I was at 5/32 on the BS's.
So not tossing those just yet.
I checked the current prices on those, they've gone waaaay up.
Almost as much as PS's.
One site has the Sumi Z3's 225/45/17 at 332 a set + shipping (and tax if you're California). Can't say which site, sorry. But thats 60 bucks less than tirerack and they refused to match the price. Shipping was the same.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Dec 5, 2008 at 02:32 PM.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Yes - that's a good thread. I must remember so I don't have to repeat MYself. Pleased to see 60% in favour of Michelin even at your inflated prices. I won't complain about price to Owen Young - the best tyre guy in Cape Town at Tiger Wheel & Tyre - in future
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Hmmmmm.....that's too bad, since I bought a set last spring for my C230K (sport sedan with staggered tires). Oh well, I will see how they go.
I replaced a set of Michelin Pilots, which had become very noisy after less than 20k miles. The Pirelli P-Zero Nero got mostly good reviews for handling and quietness. I think they are a soft tire, so I am not expecting a lot of tread life.
In general, I think Michelin is your best tire, but I was not happy with them on the C230K.
I replaced a set of Michelin Pilots, which had become very noisy after less than 20k miles. The Pirelli P-Zero Nero got mostly good reviews for handling and quietness. I think they are a soft tire, so I am not expecting a lot of tread life.
In general, I think Michelin is your best tire, but I was not happy with them on the C230K.
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 95
Likes: 1
From: The Land of self-moderated Anarchy
Black on Black stock ' 03 C32
...
or here the mother of all tire threads...
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ion-tires.html
and do some reading on tirerack.com.
or here the mother of all tire threads...
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ion-tires.html
and do some reading on tirerack.com.
We have some healthy discourse and good info going on here.
Tirerack is a definitely great resource and a top notch online retailer.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 6
From: Corona, CA
03 g35 coupe...........02 c32 Sold
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
