tire recommendations?
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
We probably need to take extra care with Michelin nomenclature. They have at least 5 different tires with "Primacy" in the name, in addition to whatever they supply in OE compound formulations. The ones which we've had excellent experience with and do well on tirerack.com are Primacy MXV4.
Member
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Virginia
2012 E350 - Cabrio; 2017 GLS 450
I know that I shouldn't skimp on the tires, but I think I should get a little more than 11K out of a set of tires. With all of that said, can I throw the same size tires that are on the fronts on the rear of my car without too much problem?
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
If your car came with staggered wheel sizes then ideally no. You need to take your back rims down to front size or preferably front up to rear size to go same size all round which will allow you to rotate corner to corner which is ideal.
Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 175
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From: Virginia
2012 E350 - Cabrio; 2017 GLS 450
So I have the stock AMG wheels (18). Can I purchase two new ones with the same dimentions as the other ones (either front or rear) to put on the opposing side (either front or rear)? I don't have aftermarket wheels and I don't really want to get aftermarket if I don't have to. I kinda like my stock AMG wheels. thanks
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
So I have the stock AMG wheels (18). Can I purchase two new ones with the same dimentions as the other ones (either front or rear) to put on the opposing side (either front or rear)? I don't have aftermarket wheels and I don't really want to get aftermarket if I don't have to. I kinda like my stock AMG wheels. thanks
I may have lost the rationale, but why would you want to do this? If its just to get more than 11k miles from a set of tires, you can certainly buy excellent tires which fit your current wheels and which will exceed that mileage.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
So I have the stock AMG wheels (18). Can I purchase two new ones with the same dimentions as the other ones (either front or rear) to put on the opposing side (either front or rear)? I don't have aftermarket wheels and I don't really want to get aftermarket if I don't have to. I kinda like my stock AMG wheels. thanks
Downside is that you replace all four tyres at the same time - although I see this as a positive. And you increase the scrub radius on the front which can cause the car to tramline a little more. With the amount of castor that Benz run I have not found this to be an issue as long as you run 1 degree more positive castor on the RHS front wheel for Left Hand Drive markets & the converse for others.
Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 175
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From: Virginia
2012 E350 - Cabrio; 2017 GLS 450
Thanks, this is exactly what I was looking to hear. Now I have to find someone whose willing to part with their 18" AMG rear wheels. No fitment problems or rubbing since it's a larger tire that what was there before?
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Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
No problems - You are going to have to be careful with size & make of tyre you fit. The only tight spot will be clearance between the front strut & the tyre sidewall at the dimple in the strut. The guys that want to go super wide fit Koni yellow struts because they have a larger dimple than OE. You are not trying to be stupid so you should have no problem. Give me the existing clearance you have with your present set up between the sidewall & the concave strut dimple - size of tyre and offset of rim & I will let you know what you can fit without trouble or you can use the calculators on the 1010Tires website if you feel comfortable with such things. I'm just checking because wheels on SA produced Benz cars are made here & sometimes have different offsets. (you will see offset stamped behind one of the spokes as ET 44 as an example)
I have just been down this road with my 203 & settled on 235 tyres all round because of strut clearance issues up front & wanting to be safe. (Moved from 16 to 17" wheels & 1" wider than standard rims. Moved offset from ET37 to ET32) - The 204 runs very different offsets
We have a 350 Elegance with 17" non staggered or I would measure ours.
I have just been down this road with my 203 & settled on 235 tyres all round because of strut clearance issues up front & wanting to be safe. (Moved from 16 to 17" wheels & 1" wider than standard rims. Moved offset from ET37 to ET32) - The 204 runs very different offsets
We have a 350 Elegance with 17" non staggered or I would measure ours.
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 105
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From: Seattle
2001 R129 SL500, '08-'20 W204 C350
If you have offset rims, just change the rear tires. By the time the fronts are worn out, you'll know what to get. I went with tirerack recommendation on quiet and value, no problem with the Bridgestone summer tire so far (but it's been a mild winter.)
