Tire Wear
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
C300 Sport 4matic
Tire Wear
I took my 13 c300 into the shop with a loud whine from the rear of the car. The tech (Pete) and I took it out for a ride and he noticed it was coming from the tires. We went back to the shop and lifted it. He showed me a lot of cupping on the rear tires and told me that is common with the C class and that they eat rear tires.
I also noticed the wheels are staggered. This seemed odd because I have read posts on here stating the 4matics should not be staggered.
2 questions,
1) has anyone else noticed an issue with tires
2) I plan to get a larger wheel this spring and was wondering if I should get the same width so I can rotate them?
Thanks
Chris
I also noticed the wheels are staggered. This seemed odd because I have read posts on here stating the 4matics should not be staggered.
2 questions,
1) has anyone else noticed an issue with tires
2) I plan to get a larger wheel this spring and was wondering if I should get the same width so I can rotate them?
Thanks
Chris
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 314
Likes: 15
2016 GLE450 AMG Coupe
I took my 13 c300 into the shop with a loud whine from the rear of the car. The tech (Pete) and I took it out for a ride and he noticed it was coming from the tires. We went back to the shop and lifted it. He showed me a lot of cupping on the rear tires and told me that is common with the C class and that they eat rear tires.
I also noticed the wheels are staggered. This seemed odd because I have read posts on here stating the 4matics should not be staggered.
2 questions,
1) has anyone else noticed an issue with tires
2) I plan to get a larger wheel this spring and was wondering if I should get the same width so I can rotate them?
Thanks
Chris
I also noticed the wheels are staggered. This seemed odd because I have read posts on here stating the 4matics should not be staggered.
2 questions,
1) has anyone else noticed an issue with tires
2) I plan to get a larger wheel this spring and was wondering if I should get the same width so I can rotate them?
Thanks
Chris
Hmm, that's odd... All my tires are wearing pretty evenly. I have a 4matic as well, but my wheels are not staggered (Luxury Version).
I've also never heard that extreme tire wear is a common issue with W204's. Even on the Sport RWD versions that do have staggered wheels.
Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 197
Likes: 17
From: Connecticut
C300 4matic
I own a 2011 C300 4matic sport and yes the rear tires due wear quicker than the fronts. And yes you should get a four wheel alignment when you get new tires even if it is just the two rears. In the two years I have own the car I have had to put on a new set of rears and just changed all four. The ContiProContact are good tires and even though they have a high UTOG rating when you read on the Continental site they say a car with staggered sizes will only see half the estimated mileage out of the tires.
I got 25K out of my front tires and 20K out of the rears. So this time I went with the Conti ExtremeContact DWS 06to see how they wear. They are about $50 less per tire in the rear size. The car feels different the sidewalls of the DWS look different the tire is not as stiff as the ContiProContact.
You could find two rims the same size as your front ones and run the same size tire all around and then you can rotate the tires and see if you get better wear.
I got 25K out of my front tires and 20K out of the rears. So this time I went with the Conti ExtremeContact DWS 06to see how they wear. They are about $50 less per tire in the rear size. The car feels different the sidewalls of the DWS look different the tire is not as stiff as the ContiProContact.
You could find two rims the same size as your front ones and run the same size tire all around and then you can rotate the tires and see if you get better wear.
Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 146
Likes: 2
2013 c350 Coupe
I've owned two C350 4MATIC's and both the 2008 and 2013 have staggered wheels. Both cars are on factory rims, the 08 on 17" and the 13 on 18". It was only when I was shopping on tirerack for a new set did I notice it said the rear wheels will wear 2x faster than whatever their rating is if the wheels are staggered. If you like, you can take the size of the front tires and use those on all 4 wheels, that's what I do with my winter tires and my MB dealer actually recommends that
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
C300 Sport 4matic
I have seen on some wheel threads that people are going with 8.5 in front and 9+ in the rear. I was thinking about doing 8.5 all around and in the spring go with either 18s or 19s. but with the same width.
SPONSOR
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 180
Mercedes-Benz CLK 550
THERE IS NO REAR (OR FRONT) CAMBER ADJUSTMENT OEM!
THE OFTEN QUOTED, REASSURING STATEMENT:
“full front and rear wheel alignment”
ACTUALLY MEANS ONLY FRONT AND REAR TOE ADJUSTMENT!
We saw the need therefore to end the frustration of constant, ongoing trips to dealers or alignment shops or constantly changing tire brands, by re-installing from the 1990’s precise front Camber and Caster and rear Camber (with extra Toe) adjustment facilities.
CAMBER – Allows to actually change the tire contact angle, improving wear/traction/understeer/oversteer – Toe only alters wear position
CASTER –Resolves steering pull, increases steering response. With better turn in and high speed directional control, along with improved anti dive/lift under brake and acceleration.
K-MAC has been manufacturing adjuster kits longer than anyone else with World’s largest range Audi to Volvo.
1. For the W204 precisely adjustable (single wrench on car) front Camber and Caster bushings
Day to day commuter use - Adjust to resolve costly, premature inner edge tire wear. The result of altering height, fitting wide profile tires/wheels, load carrying or curb knock damage.
Track Days (also see #4) – adjust for extra negative Camber to reduce understeer, gain extra traction, braking response (and track width). Allowing to go deeper into the corners and also hit those corner apexes every time.
These K-MAC patented design bushings replace the 4 highest wearing suspension bushings AND HAVE TWICE THE LOAD BEARING AREA.
They eliminate the OEM air voided, oil filled bushes, yet retain 2 axis movement. Result is improved brake, traction and steering response.
Many aftermarket brands also eliminate the air voids, but with today’s multi link arms 2 axis movement can be restricted! With the result of actual increasing wheel tramp, loss of traction.
For the Front only – you can fit inaccurate “one only position” offset bolts. But these only provide a minimal .3 of one degree (3mm / 1/8”). With K-MAC kits they provide up to 4 times this adjustment range and precise – single wrench adjustment accurately (dialling in – on car, under load, direct on alignment rack). Fixing it right the 1st time!
2. FOR THE REAR – Similar kits to adjust Camber for more even tire wear, then fine turn for maximum traction on track days. Kits also include extra Toe adjustment to compensate for the new Camber facility. Extraction tool included to allow Camber fitment on car.
There are available also adjustable upper arms. But the disadvantage is that to prevent premature inner edge tire wear they must reduce important top of tire to outer fender clearance.
3. ALONG WITH ENTIRE REAR SUSPENSION (12 link) bushing kit for performance driving. Allowing noticeably improved rear end stability, handling response. Also getting maximum power/traction to the ground. Overcoming the alternative of unforgiving harshness of short life delrin bushes that soon pound out.
4. FOR SERIOUS RACERS – in the pursuit of front row of the grid lap times – front replacement top strut mounts also manufactured (Coil spring models). “Camber and Caster” adjustable. Up to (extra) 3 degrees of Negative Camber adjustment to dramatically reduce understeer!
This K-MAC patented design allows quick change of settings (from engine bay) on track days. Available in Stage 2 – Street/Race or Stage 3 – Full Race version.
No mods to fit. No height increase. Fits also with coil overs. Centres are replaceable. Manufactured not from soft billet alloy but very highest 7075 grade aluminium.
W204 Front Camber and Caster bushing Kit #502616K $480
Rear Camber (and extra Toe kit) #502226K $480
Front top strut adjuster kit (Camber and Caster)
Coil Spring Models Stage 2 (Street/Race) #502616-2L $545
Stage 3 (Full Race) #502616-3L $545
Rear 12 link bushing kit #502626K $480
Current promotion for MB World members USA/Canada delivery - $30 one kit or $40 front and rear (normally $70 one kit, $80 front and rear). Can pay by Visa, MasterCard or PayPal.
See link for latest 2015 catalog Audi to Volvo – World’s largest range http://K-mac.com.mercedes
Trending Topics
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 300
Likes: 13
From: GA, USA
Current: '19 E450 Cabriolet - Past: '19 C300 Coupe, '12 SLK350, '16 E350, '14 C250 (x2), '09 CLK350
I have a RWD C250 and the stock Continental rear tires definitely wear faster. I am at 18k miles in a 2014 and rear tires are at about 4/5, fronts at around 8. Staggered. They're okay tires, but I'd rather have the Conti Extreme DWS. Had them on my old W209 CLK and they were super smooth and had better wet traction.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
C 300 4 matic
so the question I have is, I know the sport has staggered and the lux does not, when it's time to change, is there anything unique about the sport suspension that would preclude going to non staggered tires? and if not do you use the front or rear size all around?
