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: Jun 2002
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
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Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Bremerton, WA
2000 ML430
The only reason I have them, is a pair came on the rear of my 911 (dumbass previous owner had Pirelli snow tires on the front!) so I bought matching fronts. They lasted about 1 month on the car before I pulled them off. Sucked. Gave up the traction FAR too easy.
Now they are on the CLK because that car came with even WORSE tires. For winter they seem OK. Come summer they will be in the trash bin along with the MAXXIS I took off the CLK.
My Recommendations
As much as I dislike Micheline.. the PSC and PS2 tires are pretty good (the are on my 911 now). At UTQGS of 80 (PSC) they are pretty soft, but excellent on the Auto-X course. I've not yet run the car on a road course.
For inexpensive.. (I doubt you'll hit $100 each) I have had great luck with the Hankook Ventus Rs2 Z212. I also just love the Falken Azenis Rt615 tires... and they are really well priced as well for a really well performing tire (about 1/2 of a Michelin) but still edging around $200 each.
As far as who to buy from.. as one said. Edge Racing or try Vulcan Tire.
As always, your mileage may vary.
Last edited by DCarrera; Jan 3, 2008 at 02:12 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: stix of florida
Honda Grom
I switched over from very expensive Pirelli that only lasted 10K miles. I got about 25K miles out of the General exclaim and I agreed with everything you said about the tirs. Btw, I might try the new tire called "Invo" made by Nitto but they don't make size 265-30-19 yet. I don't know what the treadwear rated on this tire yet but what I like about it, is that, it the first ultra-high performance tire that designed as an asymmetrical (non--directional tire). Which mean, you can rotate the tire on a staggered ste-up. This is good thing for cars that lowered and usually get wear out first on the inside. By rotate the tires, you get more mileages out of the tires.
Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 85
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From: NW Arkansas
05 C230 Sports Sedan, Previously owned an 02 C230 Sports Coupe
Tire question
I had a quick weekend out of town with some friends. While we were driving around I picked up a utility knife blade in my driver's side rear tire. The slicing of the tire made a repair impossible.
I put on the spare and called the local dealer to see if they could accommodate putting on a new tire (Michelin Pilot Sport A/S). The service technician noted that it was 1:20 and they closed at 3:00 so they probably wouldn't be able to help me - how useless. I then went in search of a tire shop that would be open in Tulsa. Several calls later I finally found that my best bet (worst nighmare) would be the Sears Automotive Garage.
The service guy was helpful, and they mounted a new tire that is very similar to the Michelin tire - they didn't have the right size of Michelin, but they had another brand that was the right size and had a similar tread pattern.
My question is that I only bought one tire. I've always bought tires in pairs before, but I didn't want to buy two of these tires that I have never heard anything about. My question is if I'm not getting any errors from the ESP because of tread wear differences, Is it absolutely necessary to purchase another tire so that I replace both rear tires at once? Will it cause any mechanical issues?
I put on the spare and called the local dealer to see if they could accommodate putting on a new tire (Michelin Pilot Sport A/S). The service technician noted that it was 1:20 and they closed at 3:00 so they probably wouldn't be able to help me - how useless. I then went in search of a tire shop that would be open in Tulsa. Several calls later I finally found that my best bet (worst nighmare) would be the Sears Automotive Garage.
The service guy was helpful, and they mounted a new tire that is very similar to the Michelin tire - they didn't have the right size of Michelin, but they had another brand that was the right size and had a similar tread pattern.
My question is that I only bought one tire. I've always bought tires in pairs before, but I didn't want to buy two of these tires that I have never heard anything about. My question is if I'm not getting any errors from the ESP because of tread wear differences, Is it absolutely necessary to purchase another tire so that I replace both rear tires at once? Will it cause any mechanical issues?
Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 99
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2002 C230 Sports Coupe
I've had two different tires on my rear for almost a year now, need to get some new tires. no problems at all during that time, just a lot more grip on one side of the car and because of that strange handling tendencies arise.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Did you try putting chains on them? Sometimes even my 4x4 won't budge in the snow and slush and needs chains. Didn't say where you are from in your profile so I'm assuming California since we get so much snow here. My buddies were snowed in at Truckee in a blizzard for about a week a short while ago.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
I assumed they were the all-seasons as you mentioned snow traction, just wanted to be sure. I am in WA state as well. Hope to get mine on next week. They seem to have really rave reviews. An Ultra-High Performance tire that can handle light snow and cold temps is what my climate here needs, and these seem to fit the bill perfectly.
Last edited by johnand; Jan 15, 2008 at 02:38 PM.
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From: Long Island, New York
'05 C230SS 6MT, 1966 Triumph TR4a IRS, Shelby Cobra 427 Supercharged
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 537
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From: Charlotte, NC
2013 S550, CLS500, ‘03 SL500, “92 190E Sportline
lol.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3
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C220CDI
Do not do that ...
You shall never mix tire types on left/right side of the car! Why? the tires do not have the same grip especially in wet conditions, and therefore you can get into serious troubles. ESP might not always help you! You should not even mix new and worn out tires on left/right.
It's not a big problem to have different tires on front/rear wheels, but it's not recommended either.
I would rather spent $50 for a new tire than $5000 or more to repair the whole car ...
It's not a big problem to have different tires on front/rear wheels, but it's not recommended either.
I would rather spent $50 for a new tire than $5000 or more to repair the whole car ...
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Click on the pic to go to Goodyear's site for info:
These tires have similar performance to the F1 GS-D3's, except have a compound that stays soft when the temps drop, have almost twice the treadwear rating, and have decent snow/ice traction. They just sacrifice a little bit in ultimate dry/wet traction compared to the F1 GS-D3's.
If you live where the temps drop below 40 degrees regularly, or need snow/ice traction, these are a better choice then the GS-D3's (Which is a fantastic tire itself.)
I drive my car year round here in the Pacific NW, but try not to when it snows on rare occasion. Since the temps regularly are below 40, I decided on the All-Seasons. My buddy has a 325i and the GS-D3's, and he loves them other than they do get hard when the temps drop below 40 and he said it is down right scary as Capt Nemo pointed out in his post.
