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I put about 15k miles on my car each year, and now my tires on my 2019 C300 sedan--particularly the fronts--need replacing. The car is at the dealership now, so I can't see what tires they are exactly. I know they are 18" runflats that came with the car when I bought it. I have been satisfied with the tires for the type of driving I do - a mix of city driving with lots of potholes, and long-distance driving on a boring straight highway where everyone goes 70-75 mph. The dealership wants $607 to replace the 2 front tires, and $617 to replace the 2 rear tires. Does this sound reasonable, or should I buy the tires myself online? TIA.
I put about 15k miles on my car each year, and now my tires on my 2019 C300 sedan--particularly the fronts--need replacing. The car is at the dealership now, so I can't see what tires they are exactly. I know they are 18" runflats that came with the car when I bought it. I have been satisfied with the tires for the type of driving I do - a mix of city driving with lots of potholes, and long-distance driving on a boring straight highway where everyone goes 70-75 mph. The dealership wants $607 to replace the 2 front tires, and $617 to replace the 2 rear tires. Does this sound reasonable, or should I buy the tires myself online? TIA.
Just go online to tire rack or Costco or Sams club. Price tires for your car. You can decide if it’s reasonable. Run flat tires cost much more than than non. If you come up with a better price, the dealer may match it. It sounds reasonable but high.
That pricing is really high. The most expensive set of Run Flats on Discount Tire Direct is $1014. Find out what tire brand and sizes they are quoting and check around. Ask them if they will price match or at least get closer to other advertised prices. I know many dealers advertise they have the best tire deals, I am sure Mercedes doesn't and may not budge on the Mercedes tax they charge you.
The total from discount tire direct, and tire rack for that matter, won’t include mounting, balancing and disposal fees. That can add $100 to $200 to the total.
The cost they're quoting you is for parts, labor, and miscellaneous. It cost me about $300 this year to replace a runflat tire at dealership. The tire is $220 by itself but rest of cost came from labor (mount and balance), wheel weights, environmental fees and supplies, and tax.
Slightly off topic, but I've been driving for decades and NEVER seen tires wear out so quickly as the OEM Conti RFs. 10K miles of moderate around town driving and they're down to the bars. And I was stunned at the replacement cost for RFs. Soured me on Contis, my go-to tire brand for 20 years. I'm buying non-RFs, probably Michelins, and will use the savings to hire a helicopter to lift me out if I get a flat.
My rears wear 2 to 1 over my front's, sometimes 3 sets to one set of fronts. I just buy good takeoffs from Craigslist and replace the front's with new every 40,000. The last time my indy shop aligned my car it was so bad, I didn't know until I turned my front tires to the left when I parked my car. I saw steel belts the other day on otherwise 70% tread tires. I just got my car aligned at Firestone today, $110 and they did an awesome job.
Slightly off topic, but I've been driving for decades and NEVER seen tires wear out so quickly as the OEM Conti RFs. 10K miles of moderate around town driving and they're down to the bars. And I was stunned at the replacement cost for RFs. Soured me on Contis, my go-to tire brand for 20 years. I'm buying non-RFs, probably Michelins, and will use the savings to hire a helicopter to lift me out if I get a flat.
I have Conti RF on my bmw. 25,000 miles and plenty left. Maybe it’s the way MB sets the alignment.
Keep in mind when you are reassuringly told (to overcome costly, premature tire replacement). We will carry out a “Full Front and Rear Wheel Alignment”
All that can be actually altered is only Toe (directional) adjustment.
It is new car industry’s best kept secret. All to do with cost cutting and ever increasing speed of auto assembly lines.
Then on complaining being told “is within” (the broad parameter) factory specs !
Owners frustratingly then going onto another dealer or alignment shop or resorting to constantly changing tire brands.
KMAC has specialized in resolving such OEM suspension short comings since 1964.
Ongoing adjustment to cater for other then showroom height conditions - high cambered roads, altered height, lowering, fitting wide profile tires, curb knock damage.
FOR ALL MODEL W205: •FRONT Camber (and Caster) kits. Re instating from the early 90’s full / precise / ongoing adjustment capability. •REAR Camber (and extra Toe) kits.
Allowing precise “single wrench” adjustment for more even tire wear. Excess edge load also leading to ruptured side walls, rim damage.
FRONT LOWER ARM ADJUSTER KITS:
1. #502816-1 $295 (Both sides)
(C180 - C350) #503416-1 $295 (Both sides)
(C300-C450/C45 AMG 4MATIC #503316-1 $295 (Both sides)
(C63/S)
Less then the cost of one high performance tire !
These front kits nothing comes close when it comes to Strength, Adjustment range, Ease and accuracy of adjustment. KMAC unique patented design provides accurate adjustment (under load) direct on alignment rack, #503416-1, #503316-1 can be fitted without arm removal.
2. #502816, #503416, #503316 (Both sides) $480 each.
Suit above models but also include Caster adjustment (2 front thrust arm bushes). Resolving steering pull, compensate for Camber change and being mono ball / 2 Axis significantly improve brake and steering response.
FRONT UPPER ARM ADJUSTER KITS Note: When wanting to adjust to resolve premature inner edge wear “lower arm” adjusters retain top of tire to outer fender clearance. While top arm adjusters reduce this clearance.
3. #503316-2 $395 (Both sides) - All W205 Models.
Upper arm inner bushings. Camber and Caster adjustable. Complete with bush extraction tool. Fit without arm removal unlike welded fabricated upper arms this kit allows the security of still retaining the OEM high strength forged alloy arms.
4. #503316-3P $795 (Both sides) - All W205 except C63/S
Complete replacement arms, Camber and Caster adjustable. Not welded, fabricated, but again the security of high strength forged alloy same as OEM.
REAR (CAMBER & EXTRA TOE TO COMPENSATE)
5. #502226 $480 (Both sides)
Similar design to front lower arm kits, Precise single wrench adjustable (retains clearance top of tower to outer fender when adjusting to resolve premature inner edge tire wear). Bush extraction tool included.
6. #502226-1 $595 (Both sides) All W205 excl. C63/S.
Upper Camber arms (also including extra Toe adjustment). Reduces clearance top of tire to outer fender when wanting to resolve premature inner edge wear.
Manufactured not from soft extruded alloy but high strength forged alloy same as OEM.
7. #502226-3 $595 (Both sides) W205 C63/S.
Upper Camber arms (also including extra Toe adjustment)
Delivery $40 one kit ($20 each extra). PayPal, Visa, M/Card.
Longest established / most experienced manufacturer (Worlds largest range) front and rear adjuster kits - Audi to Volvo.
I've had very good experiences with Michelin Pilot Sport 3 AS and now Pilot Sport 4 AS. I think they are awesome all-around tires.
I can highly recommend K-Mac. I have their rear camber kit (#502226K) and it completely corrected my rear suspension (camber & toe), especially after lowering. All components are excellent quality, totally worth it. No more rear-inner uneven tire wear.
04-26-2021 | 07:38 PM
