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: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,600
Likes: 1
From: Earth
GLB 250 4matic
well, it's sort of random. some people got michelin pilot sports, others got conti sports. both Z rated.
i've been told by my dealer that when the cars arrive at the port, they put on the properly rated tires (Z) and so you aren't guaranteed a specific tire. but, he also said that they changed the tires for people that requested it. so it depends on your dealership.
here's a link to tirerack's speed ratings explanation
i've been told by my dealer that when the cars arrive at the port, they put on the properly rated tires (Z) and so you aren't guaranteed a specific tire. but, he also said that they changed the tires for people that requested it. so it depends on your dealership.
here's a link to tirerack's speed ratings explanation
Last edited by young; Mar 18, 2002 at 07:18 PM.
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
Mine came with ContiSport Contacts but my dealer replaced them with Michelin PilotSports on my request. I liked that thread pattern much better. 
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
1983 380 SEL
I asked the dealer what tires the car had on when he called to confirm pick-up. My C230 came with Contisports. I asked and they swapped with Michilen Pilot Sports. No problem. Winter tires are pilot alpin's. great winter tire for ice. not so good for deep snow.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe
TireRack rates both tires equally at 3.5 stars. However, they do consider the Michelin to be a "Max Performance" while the Continental they consider "Ultra High Performance" (a notch lower). The Michelin's also sell for $177 vs. $123 for the Continental (both tires are on 'special' sale).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,600
Likes: 1
From: Earth
GLB 250 4matic
where are those ratings (3.5)? i can't find them.
anyway, here's a list of user ratings.
max perf tires 8.5 for the michelins
ultra high perf tires 4.1
for the conti sports
anyway, here's a list of user ratings.
max perf tires 8.5 for the michelins
ultra high perf tires 4.1
for the conti sports
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Almost a Member!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Got Pilot Sports on my C7 pkg - happiness, wife got a flat at 600 miles, drove about 2 miles (not noticing because they're 'so low' already). When the tire was taken off, it looked like it snowed black snow inside from the sidewall breaking down. Called dealer - no happiness - no tire warantee on new car - cost $330.00 to replace it at local NTB. 
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: north Philadelphia suburbs
2002 C230 coupe
I got the Continentals on my C230. I picked up the car on Feb 28. I asked a week before delivery about swapping tires if the car came in with Continentals. The dealer said they would swap them for me if they had a car with the Michelins in stock at the time my car arrived. They said this was the only way they could accommodate my request. As my luck goes there were no C230's with the Michelins in stock and I had to settle for the Continentals. I say "settle" because I was going off the recommendations on this forum that there is some significant difference between the two and there may well be. As a result, I thought I was going to be somehow disappointed with the Continentals. However, that has not been the case. I've put 1500 miles on the car to date and haven't yet found anything to dislike about the tires. The grip and handling are better than anything I've ever owned before and they are also excellent in the rain. I have not noticed any problem with road noise. So, even though I couldn't get the Michelins that I would have preferred I am still satisfied. I throw this out there just in case you are unable to get the Michelins.
Enjoy your new car!!!
Enjoy your new car!!!
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: DFW
I called the dealer today to ask about swapping Michelins if the car comes in with Continentals. He said they don't do that, and whatever it comes with from the factory is what you get. Now I'm confused. I'm sure I'll get Continentals if that's the case, but where I live it doesn't snow much, so I hope traction and wear are good on dry pavement.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: north Philadelphia suburbs
2002 C230 coupe
C230Komp
Both the Michelins and Continentals are summer performance tires. Neither of them are intended for use in the snow. As a result they would both perform poorly in the snow. Summer performance tires use softer tread compounds to maximize traction but that also results in increased wear. Any summer performance tire will wear faster than a typical all purpose tire to which you are probably more accustomed. As for traction, again, I have been pleased with the Continentals on both dry and wet roads. As for wear, the tread wear rating will give you some idea as to which one might last longer when compared to the other. If eithter one has a larger tread wear rating number than the other, that tire would likely last longer than the other. However, it is likely that these tires will not last as long as other tires you have owned in the past. (You can find the tread wear rating for these tires on the tirerack web site)
PS: Just checked Tirerack - the tread wear rating for the Michelins is 220 and 280 for the Continentals. In theory the Continentals may provide about 27% longer tread wear.
Hope this helps!!!
Both the Michelins and Continentals are summer performance tires. Neither of them are intended for use in the snow. As a result they would both perform poorly in the snow. Summer performance tires use softer tread compounds to maximize traction but that also results in increased wear. Any summer performance tire will wear faster than a typical all purpose tire to which you are probably more accustomed. As for traction, again, I have been pleased with the Continentals on both dry and wet roads. As for wear, the tread wear rating will give you some idea as to which one might last longer when compared to the other. If eithter one has a larger tread wear rating number than the other, that tire would likely last longer than the other. However, it is likely that these tires will not last as long as other tires you have owned in the past. (You can find the tread wear rating for these tires on the tirerack web site)
PS: Just checked Tirerack - the tread wear rating for the Michelins is 220 and 280 for the Continentals. In theory the Continentals may provide about 27% longer tread wear.
Hope this helps!!!
Last edited by Mike E; Mar 19, 2002 at 01:57 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: Dexter, Michigan, USA
2002 C230k
Originally posted by Mike E
PS: Just checked Tirerack - the tread wear rating for the Michelins is 220 and 280 for the Continentals. In theory the Continentals may provide about 27% longer tread wear.
Hope this helps!!!
PS: Just checked Tirerack - the tread wear rating for the Michelins is 220 and 280 for the Continentals. In theory the Continentals may provide about 27% longer tread wear.
Hope this helps!!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,744
Likes: 1
Originally posted by Mike E
PS: Just checked Tirerack - the tread wear rating for the Michelins is 220 and 280 for the Continentals. In theory the Continentals may provide about 27% longer tread wear.
Hope this helps!!!
PS: Just checked Tirerack - the tread wear rating for the Michelins is 220 and 280 for the Continentals. In theory the Continentals may provide about 27% longer tread wear.
Hope this helps!!!
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
From: Central Ohio
Awaiting a new arrival...
I have a set of staggered AMGs waiting for my C230K and will have the dealer remove the stock C7 package before it even gets cleaned up for delivery. If they come with the Michelins, cool, they'll go home and sit in my basement for future use. If they come with the Continentals, they will stay at the dealership until another C7 car comes in with the Michelins and they do a swap for me. I will not take the Continentals...I've had them in the past and think they are very over-rated. Enthusiastic drivers can notice a difference between the 2.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Current : '91300D Turbo (124) & 89 190D Past: 240D / 300SD / 300D Turbo(123)
what's the story on the spare tire ?
The spare tire when stored is flat. Does the car come with an electric compressor or canned air ?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,600
Likes: 1
From: Earth
GLB 250 4matic
best tires for the c-class...
for those of you that don't venture out of the c-class forum, luke has posted a sticky w/ the tirerack best tires lists...
i have the michelin pilot sports but i'm willing to try the other brands when i get a chance... at 15000 miles per set (i'm totally estimating that figure...)
here's my order...
1. bridgestone S-03s
2. toyo Proxes T1-S
3. yokohama AVS sports
4. kumho ECSTA Supra 712
i have the michelin pilot sports but i'm willing to try the other brands when i get a chance... at 15000 miles per set (i'm totally estimating that figure...)
here's my order...
1. bridgestone S-03s
2. toyo Proxes T1-S
3. yokohama AVS sports
4. kumho ECSTA Supra 712
Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
C230 K coupe Orion blue, Evo, prem leather roof, premium sound and cd changer, auto.
yes there is an electronic air pump that is included in the package. The outlet plugs into the ciggarette lighter. I'm probably repeating some other persons reply, oh well.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
Likes: 2
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Has anyone used MB Roadside Assistance? I heard they charge for this service. I would call AAA as they probably get someone to me quicker. Heck you may be on hold with TeleAid for a long time.
Besides, who wants to change a tire that you have to go back inside your car and plug the compressor into a cig lighter after you handled a dirty tire. You car is going to have fingerprints all over the interior (in my case Oyster).
Besides, who wants to change a tire that you have to go back inside your car and plug the compressor into a cig lighter after you handled a dirty tire. You car is going to have fingerprints all over the interior (in my case Oyster).
