schambo

I blewout the front tire on a pothole with 8000 miles on it. Was going to replace it with the same tire but realized the other front was already at the wear marker. Looked at the backs and noticed they had very little tread left also. Called the dealer and Michelin and complained but received nothing but negative response. So, I replaced all four tires with Pirelli Pzero Nero's. It's been almost 2000 miles and I've been pleased so far. The ride isn't as smooth but has gotten better with more miles. Now, when I hit a bump in the road it doesn't feel like the wheel dropped off the car. Treadwear is also 400 as opposed to 200 (Pilot).

I do have the 4matic, so these tires will be more suited for my needs. I asked the dealer if my tires wore faster because of the 4matic. Their response was yes and my response was "why did you sell me this car with tires that are not meant for all season driving?" Then I recently found out that the sport package on the 4matic is no longer available. It actually only was available for one year. I wonder why!!! Maybe because someone at MB messed up!

Two of my coworkers also have the pilot's. One has and Audi S4 and the other an Infiniti G35 coupe. They also can't believe how fast there tires have worn. Infiniti is replacing the 2 back tires free of charge and he has 18,000 miles on them. Now that's service! He didn't even have to grovel! I guess MB doesn't care if I'm a repeat customer. They gave me the impression that I should just deal with it. Well, on a leased vehicle I shouldn't have to buy new tires after one year!!! That's unacceptable to me! Maybe Infiniti just got another customer.

Sorry for the babble. I'm just ticked and have to vent!

Alba

I've had the Conti Extremes on my Coupe for about 1000 miles. I can't speak to treadlife yet, but I am very satisfied with the performance so far, especially the wet traction of this tire. I don't drive this car slow, so I needed a more performance oriented tire but with ability to handle tropical downpours and occasional snow that happen here.

On the Michelin comments, the coupe came stock with Michelin Energy's that lasted 30000 miles. Over the last 10000 miles multiple permanent flat spots developed on the Michelins that made for a bouncy ride. So I had to dump the Michelins with 4/32 left on tread. I guess that every tire manufacturer has its problems sometimes.

I am far enough south so the cold weather flat spot issue on the Conti Extremes (as reported at Tire Rack and kind of referenced by c230pete) has not bit me yet. I certainly don't have to live with the "craters" casued by freeze/thaw cycles that some of you live with everyday, so I can't speak to impact durability.

Just my 0.02

MB-BOB

I just replaced my OEM tires (Pirelli P6) at 29K miles, with Dunlop SP Sport A2's. I went up in treadwidth to 225/50R16. $113 per tire, including mounting, lifetime balancing, road hazard repair, etc. The OEM size (205/55R16s) were $105. Consumer Reports loves 'em. They are very grippy, offer a more compliant ride, have a 420 Treadwear index, and are much quieter than the Pirellis, which are a leap above the Contis, out of the box.

I can recommend these Dunlops without reservation.

Alba

I'm glad to see that the Dunlops are working for you. Price I got is very similiar to what you paid ($107 per). I have found that the Conti's are much quieter than the Michelins. I don't run Pirellis, so I don't have a good comparison to your experience. I guess we will both see in a few thousand miles how these tires perform over time.

rubensans

Hello,

I just bought a brand new brabus monoblock VI for a C230 sportcoupe.

They are 8J*17' H2 30mm offset.

Brabus is suggesting me to mount:

Option1: 225/45 in all wheels.

Option2: 225/45 in front; 245/40 in rear.

Tires will be Good Year F1 DSC3 ZR.

I'm confused on what option chosse because 8 of width (normaly 245 goes to 8.5 of with, and 225 to 7.5).

Suggestions?

Best Regards.

amdeutsch

I got 225s on my 8" wide 17s. 245s would've fit as well but I choose the same all the way around because it will allow me to rotate the tires. HTH

rubensans

Thanks for your anwer, If put the 245, the sidewall inclination will be diferent in the fronts versus the rears, and would it look ok?

Could you post a pic of yours?

Will this rims fit if I put the AMG front brakes (callipers)?

Best Regards.

Hangtowner

We got a new C320 (2004) three weeks ago and it has Continental tires. The owners manual case included a brochure on Michelins. Do they have equal status as OE or did the dealer do a switcheroo to lower his cost? I generally prefer Michelins on my other cars.
Thanks,

amdeutsch

My best guess here is that the dealer switched the tires or got you the incorrect paperwork. MBs come with those 2 brands, Pirelli or Good Year. In MBs eyes they all carry equal status.

ayilar

All four 05's I have seen so far had Michelins Pilot A/S tires.

FrankW

i thought they always come w/ the michelin brochure w/ the owners manual.

either way, contisport ain't that bad in dry, but they WILL hydroplane in the wet over puddle of water.

Blake P

Agreed. I have no complaints about my contisports in dry weather, but they feel very unstable on the freeway in rainy weather. I just made sure to drive slow and safe. Luckily, it wasn't a very wet winter.

CitronC230K_03

i watched my car come off a truck after it arrived at MBSD from long beach. my car still had the plstic wrap on it and it had michellin tires as well as michellin paperwork with the car.

amdeutsch

FrankW and Blake P

That is assuming he got the sport model which he didn't state. The regular model comes with AS tires.

vadim

Wait a minute... Didn't someone post a MB memo a while ago specifically stating that Michelin Pilot A/S are not a MB-approved tire and can cause tracking problems?

vraa

MBUSA, GmbH and whatever else is out there related to MercedesBenz are ALL DISCONNECTED!

Memo comes out saying SL's are death traps, dealers won't know about it, you call MBusa they'll say it's for CLK's, and the when you visit one of the forums you'll get infomation about eighteen different problems and why Lexus / BMW owneres never experience those problems.

Kar don

michelin pilot sport A/S doesnt not come OEM on any vehicle made.

CitronC230K_03

i dunno what kind of michellins they were but they were michellins

Hangtowner

I will check the Continental model when my wife returns from a trip. Its her car. Its not a Sport. She has already complained about the tire feel. I question her judgement with a new car and new tires, but thats what she says. I told her to get an Audi anyway.

Ken
92 Subaru SVX
78 Fiesta S
74 Jensen Interceptor
65 Austin Healey 3000

CitronC230K_03

i had the sport package so i dont know what kind of tires come on the car otherwise. take a trip to a dealer. i noticed last time i was there there are quite a few cars on the lot with michellins. are they really swapping out that many tires.

SteveS

A lot of cars use different brand spares, since they are not the full size of the other 4 tires. Is it possible you got a brochure for the spare tire?

amdeutsch

C320 sedan MBs come with full size spares.

SteveS

Sorry, My bad. My 230K does not have the Pilot Sport for a spare, and I wrongly assumed the 320 was the same.

CitronC230K_03

i have a full size spare, just have to fill it up with air, and its on the goody looking rim!

nicedeboy

I just bought the 4 cheapest tires and usually don't drive when its not sunny out. LOL