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
Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
C230 K
yeah i know...
i have kept tabs on threads related to wear. I have seen people say they get 15-21K miles out of these tires. in a world of 30-40K mile tires, i would consider this lower mileage fine for the added performance. But, i'm barely pushing 10K and will likely need to replace at 12K.
as for the alignment, if i knocked it out of spec in so many places i'd be amazed. My last car was a 2000 eclipse (purchased late '99), i had an alignment check done just before i ended up getting my C230 (September '02) and everything was in spec. I drove the same roads and drove the same way. It doesn't say much for MB quality if I can throw it out of whack in 6 months.
oh well... that's why i posted the alignment #'s from my invoice, looks greek to me so i don't know if this is considered WAY off or just a bit out of spec.
as for the alignment, if i knocked it out of spec in so many places i'd be amazed. My last car was a 2000 eclipse (purchased late '99), i had an alignment check done just before i ended up getting my C230 (September '02) and everything was in spec. I drove the same roads and drove the same way. It doesn't say much for MB quality if I can throw it out of whack in 6 months.
oh well... that's why i posted the alignment #'s from my invoice, looks greek to me so i don't know if this is considered WAY off or just a bit out of spec.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,145
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
2010 C300 4matic
Well, you posted the before and after. So this means that they made changes. But it doesn't mean that they were out of spec. Do you know what the ranges are for them to be in spec? You may find that the before numbers were also in spec, but maybe they slightly adjusted them to make them slightly more in spec.
Also, how well do you keep up on your tire pressures? This can have a huge effect on the life of the tires. I will be lucky to get 12K out of my Michelins and that is from only occasional hard driving, but I always keep pressure higher than what they recommend.
Also, how well do you keep up on your tire pressures? This can have a huge effect on the life of the tires. I will be lucky to get 12K out of my Michelins and that is from only occasional hard driving, but I always keep pressure higher than what they recommend.
Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
C230 K
according to the invoice...
according to the invoice "rear toe, front camber and front toe out of spec causing pull, installed lf and rf camber bolts to correct angle".
if anything i'm **** about checking my tire pressure. had a slow leak for weeks that no one could track down, so i was always checking.
like i was saying i posted the before/after so maybe someone that does know could say just how far out they were. anyone? bueller?
if anything i'm **** about checking my tire pressure. had a slow leak for weeks that no one could track down, so i was always checking.
like i was saying i posted the before/after so maybe someone that does know could say just how far out they were. anyone? bueller?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 0
From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
The tires are made from a soft rubber compound. This gives them better sticking power but unfortunatelly also allows them to wear really fast. The dealer should be able to tell you the alignment ranges that are acceptable. Most vehicles do not come from the factory aligned perfectly as they are held down in shipping and that throws the alignment off. That is why you get a free alignment in the first year of ownership. Anyhow those 30-40 thousand mile tires are made from a harder rubber compound, this sacrifices handling and stickyness but makes the owner feel all warm and fuzy because they do not have to spend money on tires as often. Look into a middle of the road tire and you will be more happy. If you drive aggresively than you will want a softer compound, if you drive normally than a harder compound will work for you and last longer. My car has Pirelli's on it and I only plan on them lasting 10-12 thousand miles. Then I will get Sumatomo's that have a little better winter performance but only lose a little on the dry side compared to the pirelli's. But they are only $100 a pop and seem to have a decent treadwear number. The higher the treadwear number the longer the tire tread will last. Most cars get a 300-400 rating the last I checked and we get like 220. So you do the math. An alignment problem will wear the tires unevenly, the outside will wear more quickly than the inside, or vise-versa. So if the wear is pretty even then the alignment was not the cause.
Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, AZ
2002 C 230K
My Pilot Sports didn't even last that long.... but my car was aligned twice because of major pulling to the right, once under 12K miles, and the second time just yesterday. Low profile tires don't last long at all... no more Pilot Sports for me. I am replacing them with Sumitomo HTR +, which get great ratings for tread wear.
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane, Australia
I thought that I was a bit hard on the ContiSport2 that came standard on my car (225/45/17") with only getting 16000km out of them, but after reading this thread I don't feel so bad.
They were replaced with a set of Michelin Pilot Preceda's. At AUD375 per tire they weren't cheap but seem to have a bit more grip than the contis, a bit quieter on smooth roads but slightly harsher on rougher roads.
The salesman said that they should last 15000-20000km. I'll believe that when it happens!
They were replaced with a set of Michelin Pilot Preceda's. At AUD375 per tire they weren't cheap but seem to have a bit more grip than the contis, a bit quieter on smooth roads but slightly harsher on rougher roads.
The salesman said that they should last 15000-20000km. I'll believe that when it happens!
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 18
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
can you describe your tire wear.
I have wear problem for my fronts too. It wears on the outer edge much faster than the inner edge. I've already had the front rotated at 10k. I had the dealer checked for alignment, but everything came out good, so i really have no idea what's wrong with the car other than saying that it's a design flaw. I've seen this happen on other W203 C-class too.
The thread wear for the pilotsport is 220, i think i can get 20k miles out of them.
right now it's at 15k miles. still has some life left in them.
I have wear problem for my fronts too. It wears on the outer edge much faster than the inner edge. I've already had the front rotated at 10k. I had the dealer checked for alignment, but everything came out good, so i really have no idea what's wrong with the car other than saying that it's a design flaw. I've seen this happen on other W203 C-class too.
The thread wear for the pilotsport is 220, i think i can get 20k miles out of them.
right now it's at 15k miles. still has some life left in them.
Last edited by FrankW; Mar 27, 2003 at 05:26 AM.
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Toledo, Ohio
My Pilot Sports were removed at 22k miles for my winter wheels. I will be re-installing the Pilot Sports in a few weeks. There is enough tread remaining for 25k+ miles. All of my miles are highway and I have never been hard on the tires.
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
2002 C230K, Silver, 6-speed, Evo, Roof, Leather, CD, Staggered C7 Wheels
I don't know about all the tires makes and models but for instance for Mich Pilot Sports (OEM for C7) according to Michelin,
if you want a 245/40ZR17 your rim should be between 8.0" and 9.5" wide. The std C7 rim is 7.5" wide.
http://michelinman.com/assets/pdfs/doc_pilotsport.pdf
I have actually purchased from my MB dealer a pair of wider 8.5" C7 wheels for the rear and fitted them with 255/40ZR17 tires, which gives the same overall diameter as the std 225/45ZR17.
Hope this info is helpful.
if you want a 245/40ZR17 your rim should be between 8.0" and 9.5" wide. The std C7 rim is 7.5" wide.
http://michelinman.com/assets/pdfs/doc_pilotsport.pdf
I have actually purchased from my MB dealer a pair of wider 8.5" C7 wheels for the rear and fitted them with 255/40ZR17 tires, which gives the same overall diameter as the std 225/45ZR17.
Hope this info is helpful.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, Florida
2003 C230K
Originally posted by VoyagerDude
I don't know about all the tires makes and models but for instance for Mich Pilot Sports (OEM for C7) according to Michelin,
if you want a 245/40ZR17 your rim should be between 8.0" and 9.5" wide. The std C7 rim is 7.5" wide.
http://michelinman.com/assets/pdfs/doc_pilotsport.pdf
I have actually purchased from my MB dealer a pair of wider 8.5" C7 wheels for the rear and fitted them with 255/40ZR17 tires, which gives the same overall diameter as the std 225/45ZR17.
Hope this info is helpful.
I don't know about all the tires makes and models but for instance for Mich Pilot Sports (OEM for C7) according to Michelin,
if you want a 245/40ZR17 your rim should be between 8.0" and 9.5" wide. The std C7 rim is 7.5" wide.
http://michelinman.com/assets/pdfs/doc_pilotsport.pdf
I have actually purchased from my MB dealer a pair of wider 8.5" C7 wheels for the rear and fitted them with 255/40ZR17 tires, which gives the same overall diameter as the std 225/45ZR17.
Hope this info is helpful.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
2002 C230K, Silver, 6-speed, Evo, Roof, Leather, CD, Staggered C7 Wheels
Here you go:
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=34716
Nice sig btw!!!
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=34716
Nice sig btw!!!
Originally posted by Mercedes
Do you have any pictures of it if you dont mind
Do you have any pictures of it if you dont mind
Almost a Member!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
2002 C240
Getting Carlsson 2/5 19", what size of tires should i use?
Hi guys.. I am planning to get Carlsson 2/5 19" for my C240 w203. I will also get the H&R coil-over at the same time. What size of tires should i get in order to avoid the fender rubbing? I dont want the rear tires to be too wide. Is coil-over gonna to make my car to low? PLS advise me with the size of tires i should use for carlsson 2/5 on c240. Nitto 555? Dunlop SP 9000? Thanks alot.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 0
From: Chino Hills, CA
2008 C300 Sport
how wide are you're wheels going to be? also if you're gonna go with the H&R coilover, you're going to need a spacer or proper offset for the wheel to clear the coilover in the front... I had this problem on my car and needed to add a spacer...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 0
From: Chino Hills, CA
2008 C300 Sport
that sounds right... if you're running 19x8.5 in the front then 235/35 is good... 19x9.5 in the back then 255/30 is ok but it's kinda stretching the tire... 265/30 is preferred...
yup you're going to need a spacer... the size of the spacer is going to depend on the offset you decide to get...
yup you're going to need a spacer... the size of the spacer is going to depend on the offset you decide to get...
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 394
Likes: 1
From: Weston, FL
C230 Kompressor (02 Copupe)
tires... nitto or Bridgestone...
My budget is pretty low and I need soem tires...
still im going for 235/40/18
wich ones are better?
NITTO NT 555 EXTREME PERF
Bridgestone Potenza RE730 Gen. 2
or Kumho MX
still im going for 235/40/18
wich ones are better?
NITTO NT 555 EXTREME PERF
Bridgestone Potenza RE730 Gen. 2
or Kumho MX
Super Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 960
Likes: 0
I dunno if this will help, but on my Clk 320 I have a set of Amg rims from a Clk 430. I put brand new Nitto NT450 tires on them, they were suppsoed to be "Extreme performance".
They suck in the wet so bad, anything more than 1/3 throttle makes the ASR come on. In the dry they seem to be adequate, but they tram line really bad and follow all the cracks in the road. I think this is because of the agressive tread design. They are noisy and when you burn rubber they are sooooo embarassingly loud.
They were only 325 for a set of 4 when I got them tho, so I cant really complain. The treadwear has been really good tho. I have 11000 miles on them and there not even 1/4 worn.
They suck in the wet so bad, anything more than 1/3 throttle makes the ASR come on. In the dry they seem to be adequate, but they tram line really bad and follow all the cracks in the road. I think this is because of the agressive tread design. They are noisy and when you burn rubber they are sooooo embarassingly loud.
They were only 325 for a set of 4 when I got them tho, so I cant really complain. The treadwear has been really good tho. I have 11000 miles on them and there not even 1/4 worn.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 711
Likes: 1
Toyo Proxes T1-S is worth a hard look as well. Many sizes available, good price, very good treadwear, and 9/10 in all handling catagories. Quiet too. I run them on an M3 and I am happy. I have a friend with them on his C32 he loves them.
