C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe
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

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Old May 5, 2009 | 04:11 AM
  #2851  
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Originally Posted by splinter
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.
love the grip on the PS2, but it wears out much faster than the GS-D3 I had.
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Old May 5, 2009 | 04:50 AM
  #2852  
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05.C230K.SS
k, so i just re-read a couple pages of the thread. falkens as well as any other tire brand bubble when you hit a big pothole. theyre still good tires for socal weather, long long tread life, quiet, good grip.

GE UHP are cheap, but not as great of tires. its not that reliable.

If i don't go for the Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics, is one notch down the Falken 452's?
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Old May 5, 2009 | 12:23 PM
  #2853  
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05.C230K.SS
doing some math:
for Falken FK452 235/35/19 and 265/30/19 cost me $840
for Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics same size cost me $946

honestly, the price range isnt that big of a difference.
that said, would it be wise to just go for Goodyear?
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Old May 5, 2009 | 01:48 PM
  #2854  
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From: San Pedro CA and Costa Mesa CA
2005 W203 SS
Originally Posted by rocafel1a
doing some math:
for Falken FK452 235/35/19 and 265/30/19 cost me $840
for Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics same size cost me $946

honestly, the price range isnt that big of a difference.
that said, would it be wise to just go for Goodyear?

falken FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!

they lasted for eva on my benzito... u still gatta pay for install right? why pay more for tires?

:naug hty:
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Old May 5, 2009 | 02:07 PM
  #2855  
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Originally Posted by rocafel1a
doing some math:
for Falken FK452 235/35/19 and 265/30/19 cost me $840
for Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics same size cost me $946

honestly, the price range isnt that big of a difference.
that said, would it be wise to just go for Goodyear?
honestly dude, you're stressing WAY too much about tires. just pick one already.

with that being said, $106 more for a better tire is completely worth it in my book.
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Old May 5, 2009 | 05:49 PM
  #2856  
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Originally Posted by rocafel1a
doing some math:
for Falken FK452 235/35/19 and 265/30/19 cost me $840
for Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics same size cost me $946

honestly, the price range isnt that big of a difference.
that said, would it be wise to just go for Goodyear?
Roc old sport - just buy the Goodyears - great tyre - you won't be sorry. It was not tyre of the year in Europe for nothing. You are listening to too many opinions - some of them crap.
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Old May 5, 2009 | 06:59 PM
  #2857  
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I have heard good stuff about Asymmetrics.

Everyone has their own opinion. Some people say Falkens are good but if you ask Rollnnn he will say they suck because he had two tires bubble. It's all opinion, but the Asymmetrics are much better than the Falken. I would get the Goodyear instead. basically 25 bucks more for each tire.
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Old May 5, 2009 | 07:00 PM
  #2858  
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2006 C350 Sport 6MT
Originally Posted by nlpamg
honestly dude, you're stressing WAY too much about tires. just pick one already.

with that being said, $106 more for a better tire is completely worth it in my book.
haha reminds me of myself started a huge thread about "Cheaper tires" but in the end I went with P Neros anyway
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Old May 5, 2009 | 08:34 PM
  #2859  
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05.C230K.SS
Originally Posted by jk062602kj
haha reminds me of myself started a huge thread about "Cheaper tires" but in the end I went with P Neros anyway
lol...feel like im on the same boat as you when you deciding...

i might be hearing too much from other ppl...
gota tell myself, PULL the trigger and go for the Goodyear's!
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Old May 7, 2009 | 06:50 PM
  #2860  
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From: San Francisco
2009 SLK 55 AMG
God damn I'm pissed off

So while I go to an alignment shop today to get this problem checked out...

I was parked outside the shop, out of everyone's way.
Albeit not inside a spot, but Out of Everyone's Way, because I was going to ask a tech to come look at the shredding anyways.

And what the **** happens?
The tech and I watch as this ****er in a blue prius slowly backs into my car.
And hits the rim of the same tire problem I've talked about up there.
It's currently scratched up, no dents or anything... just pisses me off that I've avoided so many curb'ings... and now this guy eff's it up.

I still don't know what the problem is, but should I be worried?
I called my insurance guy, and I got the other guys info.


Maybe it was a good thing I parked with the tire facing:
If you were in the drivers seat
The driver left tire would've been as far left as possible.
???


I was so ****ing pissed off that he had the nerve to say, "Don't call me dude. Show some respect to your elders. My name isn't dude. It's Mr. Turner."

What the **** you old ****ing wankjob. You just ****ing hit my car.
The first thing I'm going to say is "What the **** dude?"
Hi name's Mr. Turner.
You can watch where the **** you're turning then you ********.
</rant> Sorry.
Just pissed off that I went to go get a problem checked out, and I got ****ing hit =.=

I didn't get violent, and I was quite respectful. But the old man just couldn't get it through it head that He was the One at Fault.
My insurance agent just said there's not much to do besides put in a claim.
I don't even know what's wrong yet...
So what should I do?

I couldn't even get the problem checked out, because it was all booked today.
But tomorrow I have an appointment for them to get the car up into the air and check to see what's up.


What should I be looking for again?

Tie-Rod Play
& ???

Last edited by iJimpanzee; May 7, 2009 at 06:54 PM.
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Old May 7, 2009 | 08:46 PM
  #2861  
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Originally Posted by iJimpanzee
...What should I be looking for again?..
Show them the tire and tell them any driving symptoms/irregularities if there are any. How did the car drive after the tire was hit? That could be a bad one depending on how hard it was hit. Did it rock the car a bunch?
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Old May 7, 2009 | 10:01 PM
  #2862  
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From: In Kush Land So cal
02 C320 Sedan
Originally Posted by iJimpanzee
God damn I'm pissed off

So while I go to an alignment shop today to get this problem checked out...

I was parked outside the shop, out of everyone's way.
Albeit not inside a spot, but Out of Everyone's Way, because I was going to ask a tech to come look at the shredding anyways.

And what the **** happens?
The tech and I watch as this ****er in a blue prius slowly backs into my car.
And hits the rim of the same tire problem I've talked about up there.
It's currently scratched up, no dents or anything... just pisses me off that I've avoided so many curb'ings... and now this guy eff's it up.

I still don't know what the problem is, but should I be worried?
I called my insurance guy, and I got the other guys info.


Maybe it was a good thing I parked with the tire facing:
If you were in the drivers seat
The driver left tire would've been as far left as possible.
???


I was so ****ing pissed off that he had the nerve to say, "Don't call me dude. Show some respect to your elders. My name isn't dude. It's Mr. Turner."

What the **** you old ****ing wankjob. You just ****ing hit my car.
The first thing I'm going to say is "What the **** dude?"
Hi name's Mr. Turner.
You can watch where the **** you're turning then you ********.
</rant> Sorry.
Just pissed off that I went to go get a problem checked out, and I got ****ing hit =.=

I didn't get violent, and I was quite respectful. But the old man just couldn't get it through it head that He was the One at Fault.
My insurance agent just said there's not much to do besides put in a claim.
I don't even know what's wrong yet...
So what should I do?

I couldn't even get the problem checked out, because it was all booked today.
But tomorrow I have an appointment for them to get the car up into the air and check to see what's up.


What should I be looking for again?

Tie-Rod Play
& ??
awww **** that dude someone hit my car its ****ing game time... I parked my car and ran in the store real quick i came out and there was a shopping kart on the side of my car. I knew this ****er in the truck did it... eye ballin my **** the whole time i got out of the car.. Good thing the mark on the car whipped away..

Damn dude sorry to hear about that ****.. I love old ppl they think the world is theres and they are aloud to drive 15 mph under the speed limit when the speed limit is 35 ERRGGGGGG

Best thing is when they sleep at stop lights LOL LOL



Bummer dude get your car fixed =D
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Old May 8, 2009 | 07:38 PM
  #2863  
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From: San Francisco
2009 SLK 55 AMG
Got the check today at a shop.

35$ for...

Alignment check : All within parameters / good.

No play in Camber / Tie Rods =/

What is my problem

Most of the DOT numbers are from the same batch, so it's weird how only One of the tires (Front Left) are wearing down abnormally

Alignment guy had no good reason for it, besides maybe someone did some super spirited driving and then rotated the tire.

I will drive home in SF ~in an hour, and check records.


So what should I do in the meanwhile?
Check rotation records, and if it has been awhile = bad rubber?

If it has been recently = assume someone did some spirited driving?
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Old May 8, 2009 | 08:13 PM
  #2864  
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late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
If it was spirited driving you should have two bad tyres not one. Unless that tyre was particularly soft. (under pressure)
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Old May 11, 2009 | 06:28 AM
  #2865  
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Tires and wheels for W220

I was wondering how wide tires have you guys put on W220 ??

I'm planing some head turner and would be glad to hear what you say about what are max dimensions in the front and back.
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Old May 21, 2009 | 02:46 PM
  #2866  
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Black on Black stock ' 03 C32
Just an update on two items.
1) Michelin PS2 performance and wear.
2) Used tires
I have had new PS2's up front for 7 months, and about 12K miles. I do drive aggressively, so they have just a little rounding on the shoulders, but other than that, I would say they have at least 80% of the tread left. Thank God, I was expecting them to wear ridiculously fast for such exceptional performance and practically 'silent' rolling. By comparison, I got about 11K total out of those General UHP's, but they felt like they were low on air-squishing all over the place-I never felt safe, and really couldn't have fun with my car for fear of breaking away.

2) I had purchased used Conti SportContact 2's for the rear for $40 each. They had 5/32 of tread when I bought them, and they have lasted the same 7months/12k miles. (you can't beat that! Half life for less then quarter cost!) However, I am replacing them today with some used PS2's, because the rear conti's are down to 'zero' tread. I do not recommend you take conti's to zero tread, as even dry driving can seem like an icy road... drift-a-rama but oh well, I was waiting for a good deal on the PS2's.
I just got the pair of almost new rear PS2's with 8/32 thread left for $95 each. Keep in mind, they come from the factory with 9/32, and the rear size cost about 230 each new (plus tax). That's about 80% life for less than half the cost.

I'm just providing my experience for a cost effective alternative for those of us suffering the short life expectancy of rear tires on C32's.
I won't mount used tires up front, and given my current experience that they may give me over 25K at this rate, I don't think I will ever use anything else.



Game, set, match...PS2's for the win, period.
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Old May 21, 2009 | 06:10 PM
  #2867  
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late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
+1 PS2 is a brilliant tyre.
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Old May 21, 2009 | 07:50 PM
  #2868  
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Black on Black stock ' 03 C32
Well, I just got back from mounting those used PS2's in the rear, and they balanced perfectly.
The rear tracks much better than the conti's did. Later tonight tonight I'm taking it up to triple digit to see how beautiful it can be.

Mr. Ruck, thanks for the tech info on the alignment. I spoke to the mechanic that was working on my car, but he showed me that, unfortunately since my car is bone stock, it does not have the camber/caster bolts installed.
My caster was 10.2 driver, 10.0 passenger, so it is less than ideal. However, it no longer drifts to the right, so that's cool.



I searched around, and found what seems to be the solution: a camber/caster kit from KMAC, but the cheapest I could find it for was about $360 for the front, and $470 for a complete front/rear kit. Does that sound about right? Or is there a simpler, cheaper solution to allow camber cater adjustment?
The kit illustration shows what appears to include bushings, but I just replaced my front bushings about 8 months ago. Anybody know of a way to allow camber/caster adjustment without so much cost? Is it possible to just change the bushing bolt with an eccentric one?
Or is it worth the investment ( I am keeping this car for as long as it runs ...forevah!) I am thinking it would be best in the long run considering the cost of tires over the next 10 years or so.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
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Old May 21, 2009 | 08:24 PM
  #2869  
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the PS2's are in every way superior to the Conti SportContact 2's.

I felt a noticeable difference back to back when I switched out from Conti's to the PS2's on the M3.

good choice and great deal.
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Old May 21, 2009 | 08:44 PM
  #2870  
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
First & cheapest thing to do is to get the fluted bolts.
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Old May 21, 2009 | 10:13 PM
  #2871  
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From: The Land of self-moderated Anarchy
Black on Black stock ' 03 C32
Originally Posted by Glyn M Ruck
First & cheapest thing to do is to get the fluted bolts.
Thanks, Glyn. Is that the same as what I found in online catalogs as "Eccentric pin kit" for about $17 each? It states one for each mounting point, so I would need 4 total.
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Old May 22, 2009 | 06:04 AM
  #2872  
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Originally Posted by t1n0
Thanks, Glyn. Is that the same as what I found in online catalogs as "Eccentric pin kit" for about $17 each? It states one for each mounting point, so I would need 4 total.
That sounds right - here is part No

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Old May 22, 2009 | 02:03 PM
  #2873  
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From: The Land of self-moderated Anarchy
Black on Black stock ' 03 C32
You're the best.

Thanks.
I did the triple digit test on the new (used) PS2's last night....magic carpet.

This is the second set of used tires I buy from this reseller, and both great deals. He's on ebay, with great feedback, has great deals, and when I went to pick them up, he just expanded into a larger warehouse.

PM for info.
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Old May 22, 2009 | 02:52 PM
  #2874  
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Here's an update with regards to the rear tires of the w203.

They're the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric in 265/30/19. I got them and put them on in late August of 2008 and have put approximately 11k miles on them. The dealer checked my tread depths yesterday and they were at 9/32 (these come with 10/32 when they're new).

That's some very good wear.
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Old May 22, 2009 | 09:23 PM
  #2875  
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From: The Land of self-moderated Anarchy
Black on Black stock ' 03 C32
Just got back from a little 'torque therapy'. One more great thing about the PS2's: They don't slip when launching full throttle with traction control (ESP) off, which means 100% power transfer to the road.

I'm getting old...my biggest thrill this week was a great deal on some great tires. That's sad.
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