Rear Tires
 

Hey guys, Im in need to purchase some new rear tires for my C350. I was wondering if you guys had any recommendations? I currently have Continental ContiSportContact 3, Summer tires on the car. Thought about going with those again but im open to suggestions. Those tires came with the car when i purchased it.

Unless you are planning on replacing the front tires too- stick with the matching tires. If you don't-you might receive unexpected poor performance/handling from the car.
Example:
I replaced my rear Michelin Pilot HXM4 with Michelin Pilot Sport AS+. I kept the front tires since they were at 80%. I was doing some spirited driving and noticed an unimaginable amount of understeer as I was headed towards a concrete barricade. Due to the mismatched tires, the front tires lost traction but the upgraded rears held. Scary as HELL!

Agree! Either get an upgrade for all 4, or match what you have. In Texas, snow is not much of an issue, and Michelin Super Sports would be very entertaining at all four corners.

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S are the only tires I've run on my various benzes for 10 years. Well worth it.

I've got them as well and agree....in Michigan. But, he's in Texas! The average low temp (probably around 4-5 AM) just hovers around 40 degrees F in Dec/Jan. He can likely live on summer tires year round with the performance benefits but without the compromises made for light snow/freezing temps in our "all season" tires.

Possibly, although summer tires will yield about 15k of life, whereas I can get 35k out of the A/S even on V8 cars!

Edit: depends certainly on annual mileage driven. I've thought about the supersports for my SL. I do agree they'd probably be amazing. Would love to hear real-life experiences with those

You're doing better than I am. I replaced my rear Pilot Sport A/S Plus at 20,000 miles. Michelin and tirerack.com both told me a 2:1 ratio rear to front is typical....going through two rear tires for one in the front, and sure enough....my rears were at 3-4/32nds and my fronts were around 7. Now, I have fresh rears which should wear out about the same time the original fronts are gone.

The Super Sports will be more expensive and not last as long....true....but ya got to pay for your entertainment!! :zoom::D

Agree traction balance is important. On a street/track car, I had lowered the rear, increased rear neg camber, and widened the track about 2". At the track with same tires as usual and first turn requires braking down from 120mph to about 45 for a tight corner. Hit corner same as usual and I plowed almost strait off the track ... had to replace front mega-bar's solid aluminum pivot bushes with oem clamp and rubber bushing, + washers under the bushing clamp to loosely hold front bar.

On that car, I mixed tires F&R for autox. I suppose you could fit slightly stickier tires to the front of the W204 to decrease understeer, but tricky business.

One thing OP (disappeared?) could do if he wants to keep the car, is switch rear wheel/tire set with those that are at the front ... no stagger and more tire rotation options.



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I just put Kumho Ecsta 4X all seasons on the rear and they are great. Half the price and comparable reviews on TireRack. I went 255 from 245 though. $181.00 shipped to the house.

Are they really summer tires? I have the same tires on my C350 and it says M*S which I assume was mud/snow. :nix:

Considering how new your car is, unless you swapped out tires already, are you certain you don't have ContiProContact....the original equipment and a completely different tire?

I stand corrected.