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
Banned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 910
Likes: 2
From: In Kush Land So cal
02 C320 Sedan
My front tires are doing the same thing so i switched them to the back to bad my steering wheel shakes like a **** now.. gotta take it in and get it aligned. Local Shop prices?
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco
2009 SLK 55 AMG
How would I know this?
There's nothing leaking from the underside of the car if that means anything.
I said I'd take a photo to show, but my lazy self forgot.
I don't know if putting more air into it has or will stop the shredding, but I don't know how else to check without it deteriorating more ...
I put more air into the tire before my 70mile drive to Davis from SF, and I haven't noticed more 'shredding'
But I can't really tell in the dark, but it 'seems' there's more 'feathering' in the middle now than before =/
It's rough when I brush UP on it. (The middle of the tire)
I'll probably go in for Service A after a little bit more research into what Service A is for now, and at the same time get this problem checked out for the money I'm spending =/
Apparently it's just a super expensive oil change, and a few filters?
I hear it's around the range of 2~300$ ???
That's outrageous from what I hear
There's nothing leaking from the underside of the car if that means anything.
I said I'd take a photo to show, but my lazy self forgot.
I don't know if putting more air into it has or will stop the shredding, but I don't know how else to check without it deteriorating more ...
I put more air into the tire before my 70mile drive to Davis from SF, and I haven't noticed more 'shredding'
But I can't really tell in the dark, but it 'seems' there's more 'feathering' in the middle now than before =/
It's rough when I brush UP on it. (The middle of the tire)
I'll probably go in for Service A after a little bit more research into what Service A is for now, and at the same time get this problem checked out for the money I'm spending =/
Apparently it's just a super expensive oil change, and a few filters?
I hear it's around the range of 2~300$ ???
That's outrageous from what I hear
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
https://mbworld.org/forums/mercedes-...d-i-worry.html Also lift the tire off the ground and grab it at 12:00 and 6:00, then at 3:00 and 9:00 and wobble it as hard as you can. If anything is loose it should make noise. Service A is nothing more than checking fluids and changing the oil.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco
2009 SLK 55 AMG
https://mbworld.org/forums/mercedes-...d-i-worry.html Also lift the tire off the ground and grab it at 12:00 and 6:00, then at 3:00 and 9:00 and wobble it as hard as you can. If anything is loose it should make noise. Service A is nothing more than checking fluids and changing the oil.
I don't have a jack handy, but I'll get on that asap.
Here's a link of what I searched up online, and I seem to have...
Major 1 / 3, and starting to get 2?
And I've come to think that it's due to not rotating the wheel/tire?
Can we do tire rotations on our cars? Maybe I've had it too long in the front?
Service A doesn't even include tire rotation? Deeeam.
"You don't stop paying for your mercedes after you leave the dealer." - ???
Really fits everytime
Here are some pictures I finally got around to taking:
(I apologize in advance if they're too big. Taken with the only camera available: iPhone)
First Photo: Shows the extent of the sides wearing down like crazy, and 'feathering' of the middle. All of the other tires are still... like new
Second Photo: Shows the extent of just how worn down the side is.. And the stock rim for reference.
(Sorry the rims is kinda' dirty. Drove ~400 miles since the last wash: 3 weeks ago, and it's currently foggy/wet out)
Third Photo: Inner corner 'feathering'
Fourth: Shows the 'feathering' of the inner line. (Look for the middle, then the 3 dark spots that have something sticking out of them)
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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
Get it on an alignment machine quick - something is buggered up. What mileage on that tyre? - Don't rotate until sorted - you will just ruin another tyre. I'm suspicious that you have a badly compounded tyre.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco
2009 SLK 55 AMG
I haven't had a chance to 'rock' the tire yet.
I'm currently in Davis for school, and I don't know what to do yet.
Most likely take it in to the closest dealer soon =/
Midterm friday is taking up most of my time studying though ..
I would've taken more care of it if I thought it was serious. I just thought I must've driven over some really crappy road.
I have to check the paperwork portfolio to see how old the tire is.
Should I go into the dealership to get this checked out?
The mileage can't be any more than 18k miles. And I've drive about ~2.5k since I've bought the car 3ish months ago. But I will get an exact mileage as soon as I can get back to SF and take a look at the paperwork.
What's a 'compounded tire' ?
Thanks for all the help guys
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
Please check the tie rod end for play, It's the only thing that should give you wear on both sides of the tyre if it has play.
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 64
From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco
2009 SLK 55 AMG
Taking off the wheel?
I went by eye call, so I don't have an exact psi.
But on the 80mile drive up from sf -> davis, I noticed:
(Post-gas station pumping air myself)
Slight, very slight natural driving to the right side of the road with my hands off the wheel. But I don't know if it's because of winds/natural curve of the road, or whatever..
I've also noticed that there's this weird.. I guess 'Vibration' is the best way to put it near the lower right side of the steering wheel. More so than the left side.
I don't know if the vibration was there before or not, but I was super paranoid and sad on the drive up instead of my usual
-self whenever I get into my car 
Within the next 1 or 2 weeks I really want:
-To get this problem fixed for peace of mind...
-Find a dealer with a reasonable customer service for Service A
all while (I checked online for all the local dealers near SF and Davis/Sacramento, and all if not most of them had 1 out of 5 stars
)without paying an absurd amount of money
-oh'yeah, and pass my midterms round II !!
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
Alignment is not part of Service A. You can go to an independent alignment shop. Compounding is the rubber compound that is used to make the tyre. Sometimes they have a bad batch of rubber or badly cured rubber. This leads to poor wear & abrasion resistance & other failings.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco
2009 SLK 55 AMG
Alignment is not part of Service A. You can go to an independent alignment shop. Compounding is the rubber compound that is used to make the tyre. Sometimes they have a bad batch of rubber or badly cured rubber. This leads to poor wear & abrasion resistance & other failings.
Hrm. So depending on the mileage of the tire; could I expect pirelli (the tire manufacturer) to warranty it or something?
But I will go to an indy shop to get this checked out asap.
I read reviews on one in Davis that's actually quite good!
In fact... most of the shops here are good due to the fact that Davis is such a small community that... if they give bad service, people actually know and see them around.
If I haven't said it more than once, I'll say it again:
Thanks for all the help
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
Your vibration is likely caused by this tyre. Your slight pull right is caused by castor angles. You need one degree more castor on the RHS than the LHS to stop this - Typical readings 9.4 degrees left 10.4 degrees right.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Put your spare on. Give it the shake test. Watch the spare closely for wear. Be careful to use the correct wheel bolts with the spare (spare tire = steel rim and uses shorter bolts than alloy rims.)
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 - Pirelli would give you discount on a new tyre. Jack up the wheel - grab it at a quarter to three & shake it backwards & forwards - get someone to watch the tie rod end ball joint for play.
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 64
From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Granted based on your pics low air pressure in not 100% of the problem, but I bet it is a good portion of it. But, I still suspect you have something worn or loose in the suspension, or as others have pointed out, a defective tire.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
05.C230K.SS
Today, I got a chance to talk to a rep about affordable tires. I mentioned the Goodyear F1 Asymmetric's (recommended by Glyn 
)to him, and he said that for a regular c230 (non-AMG), you wouldn't need to spend that much on premium tires like the Goodyears.
He then offered me a couple of other brands, including:
Falken 452
Nitto 555
Yokohama (don't remember the series)
again, I'ma be running 19"s staggered, so I'm just wondering are those tire brands "too cheap" to put on a w203, compared with premium (Michelin, Toyo, Goodyear) tire brands?
and again, im looking primarily for quiet, long last tread life, and reasonable grip.
)to him, and he said that for a regular c230 (non-AMG), you wouldn't need to spend that much on premium tires like the Goodyears.He then offered me a couple of other brands, including:
Falken 452
Nitto 555
Yokohama (don't remember the series)
again, I'ma be running 19"s staggered, so I'm just wondering are those tire brands "too cheap" to put on a w203, compared with premium (Michelin, Toyo, Goodyear) tire brands?
and again, im looking primarily for quiet, long last tread life, and reasonable grip.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 12
From: Orange County, CA
GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
Appreciate your comparative and insightful post, johnand.
Didn’t get my Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus installed for that price, but my tire dealer swaps MacPherson strut springs and suspension bushings gratis.
They are fine tires. Driven on 'em ~4500 miles since last November. Excellent in the wet, which those in the Pacific Northwest experience more frequently than some of us. When on winter holiday in our local mountains, they handled ~three inches of the white stuff sans drama. Absolutely straight, true, and vibration-free at triple digit speeds. They’re a little soft in their compounding, but that’s not unexpected owing to its all-season design criteria. Very controllable and forgiving at the limit. Almost enough grip, too. I’ll be darned pleased if they’ll go 15,000 miles. The accounting department rebuffed my request for a dedicated track day and canyon run set of PS2’s this year.
Nonetheless, they’re excellent tires which have been highly recommended by myriad knowledgeable enthusiasts.
Didn’t get my Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus installed for that price, but my tire dealer swaps MacPherson strut springs and suspension bushings gratis.
They are fine tires. Driven on 'em ~4500 miles since last November. Excellent in the wet, which those in the Pacific Northwest experience more frequently than some of us. When on winter holiday in our local mountains, they handled ~three inches of the white stuff sans drama. Absolutely straight, true, and vibration-free at triple digit speeds. They’re a little soft in their compounding, but that’s not unexpected owing to its all-season design criteria. Very controllable and forgiving at the limit. Almost enough grip, too. I’ll be darned pleased if they’ll go 15,000 miles. The accounting department rebuffed my request for a dedicated track day and canyon run set of PS2’s this year.
Nonetheless, they’re excellent tires which have been highly recommended by myriad knowledgeable enthusiasts.
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
Treadware comparison between different brands not valid
Manufacturers meeting DOT/UTQG requirements for treadware claims only test against tires in their own stable & NOT against their competition - this has limitations as a result, making comparison between brands invalid - therefore:
"The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear of a tire when tested carefully under controlled conditions. For example the useful tread on a tire graded 400 should last twice as long as a tire graded 200. However, another tire manufacturer may grade a comparable design/compound 300, so a grade of 150 would last just half as long under their grading scheme. The lesson learned is to not use one manufacturer's grade versus the other, but instead to compare tire grades within a given brand."
Excuse typo - too late to change - heading should read "Treadwear"
"The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear of a tire when tested carefully under controlled conditions. For example the useful tread on a tire graded 400 should last twice as long as a tire graded 200. However, another tire manufacturer may grade a comparable design/compound 300, so a grade of 150 would last just half as long under their grading scheme. The lesson learned is to not use one manufacturer's grade versus the other, but instead to compare tire grades within a given brand."
Excuse typo - too late to change - heading should read "Treadwear"
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; May 5, 2009 at 03:21 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
05.C230K.SS
Today, I got a chance to talk to a rep about affordable tires. I mentioned the Goodyear F1 Asymmetric's (recommended by Glyn )to him, and he said that for a regular c230 (non-AMG), you wouldn't need to spend that much on premium tires like the Goodyears.
He then offered me a couple of other brands, including:
Falken 452
Nitto 555
Yokohama (don't remember the series)
again, I'ma be running 19"s staggered, so I'm just wondering are those tire brands "too cheap" to put on a w203, compared with premium (Michelin, Toyo, Goodyear) tire brands?
and again, im looking primarily for quiet, long last tread life, and reasonable grip.
)to him, and he said that for a regular c230 (non-AMG), you wouldn't need to spend that much on premium tires like the Goodyears.He then offered me a couple of other brands, including:
Falken 452
Nitto 555
Yokohama (don't remember the series)
again, I'ma be running 19"s staggered, so I'm just wondering are those tire brands "too cheap" to put on a w203, compared with premium (Michelin, Toyo, Goodyear) tire brands?
and again, im looking primarily for quiet, long last tread life, and reasonable grip.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 18
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
