Haven't been around in awhile, need some tire/maintenance advice!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 636
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From: Oakland, California
07 E550, 02 C32, 91 300E
Haven't been around in awhile, need some tire/maintenance advice!
Hey guys, been awhile since I posted on here but I'm due for new tires. The E550 had a terrible time with the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus and we had the chunking issues after only 16k miles. Now my C32 is due for tires and was wondering if anyone else tried the new Michelin PS A/S 3's? I remember before everyone was raving about the Goodyear Eagle F1's and they seem to rank well still on TireRack. Also 235/40 is the max size up front correct? I'm running ~10-12mm spacers too, not sure if that factors in.
Note that I've driven the C32 only about 12k miles since 2008, so these will last me awhile (shuttle bus to work does wonders!)
Supercharger bearing got replaced earlier this year as well as the idler pulley. Now it looks like my secondary air pump is losing it again. I'm having my local mechanic see if it's the relay vs. the pump and I found the old thread with the DIY pump as well as the link to the ebay guy that will re-manufacture your pump for like $110. This is pretty much a perpetual problem for everyone even after the TSB "fix" huh?
Note that I've driven the C32 only about 12k miles since 2008, so these will last me awhile (shuttle bus to work does wonders!)
Supercharger bearing got replaced earlier this year as well as the idler pulley. Now it looks like my secondary air pump is losing it again. I'm having my local mechanic see if it's the relay vs. the pump and I found the old thread with the DIY pump as well as the link to the ebay guy that will re-manufacture your pump for like $110. This is pretty much a perpetual problem for everyone even after the TSB "fix" huh?
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 34
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From: Pittsburgh
2005 C55, 2007 Volvo XC90 V8 Sport
Hey Dark, I have Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position that I bought this past march. I had them in a touch of light snow (and some seriously cold weather) and then have ran them through the summer. I have about 10K miles on them now and so far I really like them. I had pilot sport A/S on my BMW before I picked up the C55 and I like the Potenzas a lot better. They ride very smoothly and handle some spirited driving well. I know there are a lot of opinions on tires out there but that is my two cents.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,073
Likes: 27
From: North NJ
2002 C32 AMG, 2013 GLK 350/4, 2015 E63S AMG Wagon
Hey guys, been awhile since I posted on here but I'm due for new tires. The E550 had a terrible time with the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus and we had the chunking issues after only 16k miles. Now my C32 is due for tires and was wondering if anyone else tried the new Michelin PS A/S 3's? I remember before everyone was raving about the Goodyear Eagle F1's and they seem to rank well still on TireRack. Also 235/40 is the max size up front correct? I'm running ~10-12mm spacers too, not sure if that factors in.
Note that I've driven the C32 only about 12k miles since 2008, so these will last me awhile (shuttle bus to work does wonders!)
Supercharger bearing got replaced earlier this year as well as the idler pulley. Now it looks like my secondary air pump is losing it again. I'm having my local mechanic see if it's the relay vs. the pump and I found the old thread with the DIY pump as well as the link to the ebay guy that will re-manufacture your pump for like $110. This is pretty much a perpetual problem for everyone even after the TSB "fix" huh?
Note that I've driven the C32 only about 12k miles since 2008, so these will last me awhile (shuttle bus to work does wonders!)
Supercharger bearing got replaced earlier this year as well as the idler pulley. Now it looks like my secondary air pump is losing it again. I'm having my local mechanic see if it's the relay vs. the pump and I found the old thread with the DIY pump as well as the link to the ebay guy that will re-manufacture your pump for like $110. This is pretty much a perpetual problem for everyone even after the TSB "fix" huh?
To be safe, check the size of the 335 tires and post here.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh
2005 C55, 2007 Volvo XC90 V8 Sport
Hey Duncan,
If the question is, can you put your 335i wheels with winter tires on your C55? the answer is NO. The bolt pattern is different and your wheels won't fit. If the question is, can you take the tires off your 335i rims and mount them on your C55 rims the answer is maybe and we would need to know the size of the tires.
If the question is, can you put your 335i wheels with winter tires on your C55? the answer is NO. The bolt pattern is different and your wheels won't fit. If the question is, can you take the tires off your 335i rims and mount them on your C55 rims the answer is maybe and we would need to know the size of the tires.
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 242
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From: Oxford, PA
C55 AMG
ahh yes thanks. I was asking if i could bolt them on but i wasn't sure if the pattern was the same. Thanks Cloin. I'm going to try and sell them as a package if they weren't going to fit. The tire sizes by the way is 255/40/18 rears and 225/45/18 fronts.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: East Bay, Bay Area
2002 C32, 2012 S550
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Super Member
Joined: May 2007
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From: Oakland, California
07 E550, 02 C32, 91 300E
As for size, I'm probably going to order today and 235/40 is the max we can fit up front without fender rolling right? Or is that already going to be too close given that I have 10mm spacers?
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Atlanta Metro
Current: C217 V12TT AMG Previously: C55 AMG, SL65 AMG
I'm currently liking the A/S3 on my C55. I also had the chunking issues with the A/S Plus. Definitely a big design flaw by Michelin on that one. Here's my review so far: https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...ort-s-3-a.html
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,073
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From: North NJ
2002 C32 AMG, 2013 GLK 350/4, 2015 E63S AMG Wagon
I shot through the initial set of Pilot Sports that the car came with in like under 10k miles, so I don't really want to eat through tires that fast. I assume the Pilot Super Sports have the same lower treadlife? That's generally why I was considering the all season tires.
As for size, I'm probably going to order today and 235/40 is the max we can fit up front without fender rolling right? Or is that already going to be too close given that I have 10mm spacers?
As for size, I'm probably going to order today and 235/40 is the max we can fit up front without fender rolling right? Or is that already going to be too close given that I have 10mm spacers?
As far as size, I don't use spacers and run 225/40 in the front and 255/35 in the rear. My car is very low on Bilstein PSS9 and 235/40 will be rubbing. Your situation may be different. Check your current clearance. And in general, you want the front and the rear to be more or less in line with each other. Otherwise for drag racing everyone is always looking for skinny tires in the front and wide tires in the rear.
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From: SF Bay Area
C55 AMG, 300D-T & Karmann Ghia
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Anthem, AZ
'03 C32, '14 Durango R/T, '10 Touareg TDI
I have had the Pilot Super Sports on my C32 for about 4K miles now. Handling and traction is great compared to the OEM A/S. Bought the car with 48K miles a few months ago. Had a slow leak in one of the front tires and the date code from it was 2003! So it still had the OE front. The rears had a code from 2005. All new set now 
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 168
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From: AZ and Amsterdam
'03 C32 AMG, '07 E92 335i, '85 BMW5 E28
I have had the Pilot Super Sports on my C32 for about 4K miles now. Handling and traction is great compared to the OEM A/S. Bought the car with 48K miles a few months ago. Had a slow leak in one of the front tires and the date code from it was 2003! So it still had the OE front. The rears had a code from 2005. All new set now
Check thread: https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...out-there.html
Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 168
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From: AZ and Amsterdam
'03 C32 AMG, '07 E92 335i, '85 BMW5 E28
Hey Steve, congrats on your C32. Saw that your from AZ as well, are you possible interested in a meet-up in the near future? We could set something up, there are multiple car-meets in PHX and we could organize a W203 meet with AZ members?
Check thread: https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...out-there.html
Check thread: https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...out-there.html
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Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 168
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From: AZ and Amsterdam
'03 C32 AMG, '07 E92 335i, '85 BMW5 E28
About tires, I would try to find the balance between soft/hard tires, resulting in grip and amount of wear. When you are in a hot climate, go for hard tires, relatively cold climate for softer tires, rubber and flex is depended on all this, also wet conditions.
My personal experience:
Toyo: really soft, crazy grip dry weather, horrible in rain, wear out fast.
Pirelli PZero, relatively soft, great grip, also in wet, wear out reasonably fast.
Bridgestone Ptenza: great grip, relative hard tires, last long, great in the rain. BEST!
Kumho: Under-appreciated brand, great value for the money.
Depends when and how you drive your car, and what you are looking for in the tires..
My personal experience:
Toyo: really soft, crazy grip dry weather, horrible in rain, wear out fast.
Pirelli PZero, relatively soft, great grip, also in wet, wear out reasonably fast.
Bridgestone Ptenza: great grip, relative hard tires, last long, great in the rain. BEST!
Kumho: Under-appreciated brand, great value for the money.
Depends when and how you drive your car, and what you are looking for in the tires..
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,073
Likes: 27
From: North NJ
2002 C32 AMG, 2013 GLK 350/4, 2015 E63S AMG Wagon
About tires, I would try to find the balance between soft/hard tires, resulting in grip and amount of wear. When you are in a hot climate, go for hard tires, relatively cold climate for softer tires, rubber and flex is depended on all this, also wet conditions.
My personal experience:
Toyo: really soft, crazy grip dry weather, horrible in rain, wear out fast.
Pirelli PZero, relatively soft, great grip, also in wet, wear out reasonably fast.
Bridgestone Ptenza: great grip, relative hard tires, last long, great in the rain. BEST!
Kumho: Under-appreciated brand, great value for the money.
Depends when and how you drive your car, and what you are looking for in the tires..
My personal experience:
Toyo: really soft, crazy grip dry weather, horrible in rain, wear out fast.
Pirelli PZero, relatively soft, great grip, also in wet, wear out reasonably fast.
Bridgestone Ptenza: great grip, relative hard tires, last long, great in the rain. BEST!
Kumho: Under-appreciated brand, great value for the money.
Depends when and how you drive your car, and what you are looking for in the tires..
Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 168
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From: AZ and Amsterdam
'03 C32 AMG, '07 E92 335i, '85 BMW5 E28
