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: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,599
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From: Orlando, Florida
2003 C230K
Originally posted by 230 Cedan
My 2003 230 sedan came with the Continentals but they are W rated instead of Z. Did anyone else have this happen to them? Also what kind of difference in tread life should I expect from them? Thanks.
My 2003 230 sedan came with the Continentals but they are W rated instead of Z. Did anyone else have this happen to them? Also what kind of difference in tread life should I expect from them? Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,289
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From: So Cal
W213 '17 E43 ///AMG - W211, W208 no more
Originally posted by Mercedes
This is the tire that I have decided on guys.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....m=245YR7F1GSD3
Can I mount 235/45/17 on the stock C7 wheels? or should I just stick to 225?
Thanks in adavanced
This is the tire that I have decided on guys.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....m=245YR7F1GSD3
Can I mount 235/45/17 on the stock C7 wheels? or should I just stick to 225?
Thanks in adavanced
also, it will make your total wheel diameter larger than your current setup... therefore, it could potentially make it rub (your car looks lowered) and will throw off your speedo & ABS/ESP... somewhat the same effects as putting on 19s on your ride
so, just stick with 225....
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,289
Likes: 9
From: So Cal
W213 '17 E43 ///AMG - W211, W208 no more
Originally posted by 230 Cedan
My 2003 230 sedan came with the Continentals but they are W rated instead of Z. Did anyone else have this happen to them? Also what kind of difference in tread life should I expect from them? Thanks.
My 2003 230 sedan came with the Continentals but they are W rated instead of Z. Did anyone else have this happen to them? Also what kind of difference in tread life should I expect from them? Thanks.
the tire compounds for max performance tires are very soft, thats why the performance is so good, but at the sacrifice of the tire life
and there is nothing wrong with W rated tires... they are actually better because W rated tires are Test Proven to be capable of withstanding speeds of 168mph. whereas Z rated tires are only speed rated for 149mph without a test max speed.
i think the manual actually says that the W rated tires should be stock, but that Z rated tires are acceptable alternatives/replacements
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,599
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From: Orlando, Florida
2003 C230K
Originally posted by mmgrad
there really is no reason to switch to such large tires... it will make your rims look smaller too.
also, it will make your total wheel diameter larger than your current setup... therefore, it could potentially make it rub (your car looks lowered) and will throw off your speedo & ABS/ESP... somewhat the same effects as putting on 19s on your ride
so, just stick with 225....
there really is no reason to switch to such large tires... it will make your rims look smaller too.
also, it will make your total wheel diameter larger than your current setup... therefore, it could potentially make it rub (your car looks lowered) and will throw off your speedo & ABS/ESP... somewhat the same effects as putting on 19s on your ride
so, just stick with 225....
Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
C230 K coupe Orion blue, Evo, prem leather roof, premium sound and cd changer, auto.
Re No change in driving style
Originally posted by FrankW
I had ContiSportContact 1 on my previous car, which was a 00 328Ci. The tread was almost completely bold after 13k miles. Now with the C32's PilotSport I'm at 20k miles and still going. There's no change in my driving style either.
I had ContiSportContact 1 on my previous car, which was a 00 328Ci. The tread was almost completely bold after 13k miles. Now with the C32's PilotSport I'm at 20k miles and still going. There's no change in my driving style either.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
52K miles on the original Conti's and they still have about 10K to go. Driving style has a big effect on tread wear. Sportier/softer rubber compound tires 'feel' better but you pay the price with quicker wear.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 490
Likes: 1
From: Canada
05 CLK 500 cab
Originally posted by Mercedes
I think you are understanding the numbers wrong. 225 would be the width of the ture not the diameter. 45 is the diameter.
I think you are understanding the numbers wrong. 225 would be the width of the ture not the diameter. 45 is the diameter.
Since your car is lowered, Mercedes, my concern would be that the bigger tires might hit the front wheel arch or the inner fender when the wheels are turned and the car goes over a bump. But the change from 225 to 235 is not a big one.
I'm guessing that the Goodyears will be quite a bit noisier than the Continentals.
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Northeast US
2003 C320 4Matic
Originally posted by Mercedes
I think you are understanding the numbers wrong. 225 would be the width of the ture not the diameter. 45 is the diameter.
I think you are understanding the numbers wrong. 225 would be the width of the ture not the diameter. 45 is the diameter.
Mercedes - That's a pretty aggressive looking tread pattern on that tire and bound to get lots of looks.
As for life of the tread... just look at the "Treadlife rating" for each of the tires that you are researching. The government or some organization uses some benchmark on treadwear. A treadlife rating of 180 means 1.8 times that benchmark. Regardless, it gives you a relative means to compare tires for tread life.
Hope this helps.
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MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 18
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Re: Re No change in driving style
Originally posted by Goggles Piasano
According to your post you did change your driving style...From no style (00 328 Ci) to high style (C32).
According to your post you did change your driving style...From no style (00 328 Ci) to high style (C32).
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: New Castle, IN
C230Kompressor
Originally posted by SOC320
Just to clarify a little.... Actually, 17 is the diameter. 45 is the sidewall. 225 is the width.
Mercedes - That's a pretty aggressive looking tread pattern on that tire and bound to get lots of looks.
As for life of the tread... just look at the "Treadlife rating" for each of the tires that you are researching. The government or some organization uses some benchmark on treadwear. A treadlife rating of 180 means 1.8 times that benchmark. Regardless, it gives you a relative means to compare tires for tread life.
Hope this helps.
Just to clarify a little.... Actually, 17 is the diameter. 45 is the sidewall. 225 is the width.
Mercedes - That's a pretty aggressive looking tread pattern on that tire and bound to get lots of looks.
As for life of the tread... just look at the "Treadlife rating" for each of the tires that you are researching. The government or some organization uses some benchmark on treadwear. A treadlife rating of 180 means 1.8 times that benchmark. Regardless, it gives you a relative means to compare tires for tread life.
Hope this helps.
____________________________________________
Tire Dimensions:
The first number is the width of the tire in millimeters, measured from sidewall to sidewall. To convert to inches, divide by 25.4 In the example above, the width is 185mm or 7.28".
The second number is the aspect ratio. This is a ratio of sidewall height to width. In the example above, the tire is 7.28" wide, multiply that by the aspect ratio to find the height of one sidewall. In this case, 185x0.60=111mm or 7.28"x0.60=4.36".
The last number is the diameter of the wheel in inches.
To figure the outside diameter of a tire, take the sidewall height and multiply by 2,(remember that the diameter is made up of 2 sidewalls, the one above the wheel, and the one below the wheel) and add the diameter of the wheel to get your answer.
Example...185/60R14 85H or 185/60HR14
185mm x .60=111mm x 2=222mm + 355.6mm(14")= 577.6mm or 22.74"
_________________________________________
And as far as treadwear, tires are tested by each manufacturer on their own test facility, so it is best to only compare treadlife ratings within a manufacturer's product line. A '180' from Michelin doesn't necessarliy translate to a '180' from Pirelli.
HTH
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Northeast US
2003 C320 4Matic
Originally posted by KOMPRESSORnSC
Actually...that's wrong. This is from Luke's Tire Tech over on Wheels & Suspension:
____________________________________________
Tire Dimensions:
The first number is the width of the tire in millimeters, measured from sidewall to sidewall. To convert to inches, divide by 25.4 In the example above, the width is 185mm or 7.28".
The second number is the aspect ratio. This is a ratio of sidewall height to width. In the example above, the tire is 7.28" wide, multiply that by the aspect ratio to find the height of one sidewall. In this case, 185x0.60=111mm or 7.28"x0.60=4.36".
The last number is the diameter of the wheel in inches.
To figure the outside diameter of a tire, take the sidewall height and multiply by 2,(remember that the diameter is made up of 2 sidewalls, the one above the wheel, and the one below the wheel) and add the diameter of the wheel to get your answer.
Example...185/60R14 85H or 185/60HR14
185mm x .60=111mm x 2=222mm + 355.6mm(14")= 577.6mm or 22.74"
_________________________________________
And as far as treadwear, tires are tested by each manufacturer on their own test facility, so it is best to only compare treadlife ratings within a manufacturer's product line. A '180' from Michelin doesn't necessarliy translate to a '180' from Pirelli.
HTH
Actually...that's wrong. This is from Luke's Tire Tech over on Wheels & Suspension:
____________________________________________
Tire Dimensions:
The first number is the width of the tire in millimeters, measured from sidewall to sidewall. To convert to inches, divide by 25.4 In the example above, the width is 185mm or 7.28".
The second number is the aspect ratio. This is a ratio of sidewall height to width. In the example above, the tire is 7.28" wide, multiply that by the aspect ratio to find the height of one sidewall. In this case, 185x0.60=111mm or 7.28"x0.60=4.36".
The last number is the diameter of the wheel in inches.
To figure the outside diameter of a tire, take the sidewall height and multiply by 2,(remember that the diameter is made up of 2 sidewalls, the one above the wheel, and the one below the wheel) and add the diameter of the wheel to get your answer.
Example...185/60R14 85H or 185/60HR14
185mm x .60=111mm x 2=222mm + 355.6mm(14")= 577.6mm or 22.74"
_________________________________________
And as far as treadwear, tires are tested by each manufacturer on their own test facility, so it is best to only compare treadlife ratings within a manufacturer's product line. A '180' from Michelin doesn't necessarliy translate to a '180' from Pirelli.
HTH
As for treadwear, yes the manufacturer tests the tire, but the standard for testing and the baseline is set by the government (UTQG). It does give you a tire to tire relative means of comparison. See below:
Uniform Tire Quality Grade (UTQG) Labeling
Required by the government, the UTQG provides comparative manufacturer information. Tires are subjected to a series of government-mandated tests that measure performance in treadwear, traction and temperature resistance.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,289
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From: So Cal
W213 '17 E43 ///AMG - W211, W208 no more
a sidewall rating of 45 is not a direct measurement of the sidewall... it is a percentage of the width of the wheel.
so, a tire with, say, a 225/45 and a 255/45 will have a completely different sized sidwall. I know those aren't the sizes you mentioned, but I just giving you a more extreme example so you will understand...
so, a tire with, say, a 225/45 and a 255/45 will have a completely different sized sidwall. I know those aren't the sizes you mentioned, but I just giving you a more extreme example so you will understand...
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Northeast US
2003 C320 4Matic
Originally posted by mmgrad
a sidewall rating of 45 is not a direct measurement of the sidewall... it is a percentage of the width of the wheel.
so, a tire with, say, a 225/45 and a 255/45 will have a completely different sized sidwall. I know those aren't the sizes you mentioned, but I just giving you a more extreme example so you will understand...
a sidewall rating of 45 is not a direct measurement of the sidewall... it is a percentage of the width of the wheel.
so, a tire with, say, a 225/45 and a 255/45 will have a completely different sized sidwall. I know those aren't the sizes you mentioned, but I just giving you a more extreme example so you will understand...
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 18
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Originally posted by AlBoston
mercedes... did your car come with the conti sport 2's? I was interested in getting those tires.
mercedes... did your car come with the conti sport 2's? I was interested in getting those tires.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, Florida
2003 C230K
Originally posted by AlBoston
mercedes... did your car come with the conti sport 2's? I was interested in getting those tires.
mercedes... did your car come with the conti sport 2's? I was interested in getting those tires.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,640
Likes: 11
From: GMT -8 hours
Mercedes-Benz
Originally posted by Mercedes
Yes they did I don't know why. I presume because my 2002 was one of the earliest builds I got my car in Oct2003. Right now my car has 17,000 miles. The thread wear on the front tires is not that much compared to the rear. If I wanted to get 25,000 out of these tires it's possible. I just do not like the wet traction on them.
Yes they did I don't know why. I presume because my 2002 was one of the earliest builds I got my car in Oct2003. Right now my car has 17,000 miles. The thread wear on the front tires is not that much compared to the rear. If I wanted to get 25,000 out of these tires it's possible. I just do not like the wet traction on them.
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 203
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From: NY
2015 ML350 4Matic
My 2001 C320 came with the Goodyears. I have driven over 30,000 miles on them, and they aren't even half way done. I am still on the original brakes too.
I am not a big Goodyear fan, but I've had Michellins on other cars that were more worn out at 15k miles. However, I had Goodyear Wranglers on my GrandCherokee with 20k miles that are garbage, in fact I am changing those for the Michellin Cross Terrains. I think that it all depends on the specific tire and car. I do not think that I would change the C's tires from the Goodyears.
I am contemplating getting a set of snow tires / rims but am not sure if it is necessary. We had a pretty rough winter last year and the car was fine with the Goodyears. Except for getting in and out of the driveway, my 70 mile commute (roundtrip) was without incident. Any advice on the winter tires?
I am not a big Goodyear fan, but I've had Michellins on other cars that were more worn out at 15k miles. However, I had Goodyear Wranglers on my GrandCherokee with 20k miles that are garbage, in fact I am changing those for the Michellin Cross Terrains. I think that it all depends on the specific tire and car. I do not think that I would change the C's tires from the Goodyears.
I am contemplating getting a set of snow tires / rims but am not sure if it is necessary. We had a pretty rough winter last year and the car was fine with the Goodyears. Except for getting in and out of the driveway, my 70 mile commute (roundtrip) was without incident. Any advice on the winter tires?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,640
Likes: 11
From: GMT -8 hours
Mercedes-Benz
Originally posted by EDC320
My 2001 C320 came with the Goodyears. I have driven over 30,000 miles on them, and they aren't even half way done. I am still on the original brakes too.
I am not a big Goodyear fan, but I've had Michellins on other cars that were more worn out at 15k miles. However, I had Goodyear Wranglers on my GrandCherokee with 20k miles that are garbage, in fact I am changing those for the Michellin Cross Terrains. I think that it all depends on the specific tire and car. I do not think that I would change the C's tires from the Goodyears.
I am contemplating getting a set of snow tires / rims but am not sure if it is necessary. We had a pretty rough winter last year and the car was fine with the Goodyears. Except for getting in and out of the driveway, my 70 mile commute (roundtrip) was without incident. Any advice on the winter tires?
My 2001 C320 came with the Goodyears. I have driven over 30,000 miles on them, and they aren't even half way done. I am still on the original brakes too.
I am not a big Goodyear fan, but I've had Michellins on other cars that were more worn out at 15k miles. However, I had Goodyear Wranglers on my GrandCherokee with 20k miles that are garbage, in fact I am changing those for the Michellin Cross Terrains. I think that it all depends on the specific tire and car. I do not think that I would change the C's tires from the Goodyears.
I am contemplating getting a set of snow tires / rims but am not sure if it is necessary. We had a pretty rough winter last year and the car was fine with the Goodyears. Except for getting in and out of the driveway, my 70 mile commute (roundtrip) was without incident. Any advice on the winter tires?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,599
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From: Orlando, Florida
2003 C230K
Guys I bought my tires btw. I got this tire from goodYear http://www.us.pirelli.com/en_US/tyre...productid=2626
So far I love the, and got to test them in the rain.
It was $131 per tire
So far I love the, and got to test them in the rain.
It was $131 per tire
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,640
Likes: 11
From: GMT -8 hours
Mercedes-Benz
Originally posted by Mercedes
Guys I bought my tires btw. I got this tire from goodYear http://www.us.pirelli.com/en_US/tyre...productid=2626
So far I love the, and got to test them in the rain.
It was $131 per tire
Guys I bought my tires btw. I got this tire from goodYear http://www.us.pirelli.com/en_US/tyre...productid=2626
So far I love the, and got to test them in the rain.
It was $131 per tire
Originally posted by lars
The Conti Sport 2 is a quiet tire.
The Conti Sport 2 is a quiet tire.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,640
Likes: 11
From: GMT -8 hours
Mercedes-Benz
Originally posted by Halifax
Mine are Michelin pilot. I have over 20.000 miles on them, and they still look brand new.
Mine are Michelin pilot. I have over 20.000 miles on them, and they still look brand new.
