mrguitar

I'm sure this has been discussed ad nauseam but just wanted to get an idea of the largest tires I could put on a '19 Cabriolet without *any* modifications at all (i.e. no wheel changes, lowering, spacers, etc.). This would be fore the 19/20 cross-spoke black wheels on the W205. Not going for any particular look (definitely don't want wheels/tires to look bad or ugly though); just looking for a little more grip. Which tires/sizes have you guys had good experiences with? FYI, this is for SoCal, so only care about summer tires.

Thanks,

Ed

See63esS

Coupe or Sedan?

mrguitar

Sorry, Cabriolet. OP updated.

See63esS

I just put on Michelin Pilot 4s 265 and 295 on my coupe. Huge improvement.

C63SVERT

i have the same setup on my 17' C63S cab. amazing tires, huge improvement all around.

mrguitar

Thanks! You did nothing other than change to the wider tires? No other wheel/tire-based mods, right? Thanks again.

mrguitar

Makes you wonder why MBZ doesn't just use the wider size straight from the factory?

tiledhouse

See63esS

Nothing

mrguitar

No rubbing or weird look? What's the downside of going that big in the rear?

CrashTX

yup. lots of other threads on the topic. By all accounts, Michelin PS4s are the best option to replace the stock PSSs. If you get a tune, gotta go bigger in the rear if you want to have any hope of traction. The part that's not entirely clear to this noob is that most of the posts also increase the front widths by the same as the rear. I'm not sure I understand this, so would appreciate an explanation. Is that just esthetics so the car doesn't start to look like a dragster with a disproportionately smaller tire in front? I can see that (pun). Or is there a performance consideration? Lots of posts say 305s fit really nicely in the coupe without any mods to the car. But, going to a 275 up front to match the 20mm increase in the rear sure seems like a big (and hard steering) tire. In other threads I've read 265 fronts/305 rears and it seems like a good setup with no mods necessary. Anyone try a 275/305 combo?

You're going to be giving up a some handling for added traction with the wider tires, but going up just 10 mm is probably not going to be that noticeable on the road (unless you routinely take lots of aggressive twisties.) Now 20mm in back (305s)? Gotta think you're noticing that difference. I think you'll probably notice the increase in the fronts more than the rears, because that feedback will be in the steering. The 295/265 setup seems like a good balance.

mrguitar

My understanding is that, usually, the front tires are widened for quicker and better grip on turn-in...others who track more often can comment, but I'm sure this applies on the street as well. I too want to go as wide as possible in F/R without any modifications, and without making the ride more uncomfortable or loud. Sounds like P4S is much better than PSS...? If 305s work in the back, I'm game for 305s! LOL

See63esS

I don't like the look of 305s on stock wheels. Tire starts to overwhelm the wheel.

mrguitar

any pics?

See63esS

I don't have any but there are some on here if you search.

Freywaldau

Is it on 19" rims? My current rims are 19 front, 19 back. Since Michelin Pilot Sport 4s is not available in 285/30 R19, I'm thinking to go for 295/30 R19 for which PS4 is available. I'm not sure if I need to also increase the width of front tires, from 255/35 R19 to 265/35 R19.

See63esS

untamedd

what is the recommended tire width for the front if you're running 305s in the back?

Freywaldau

untamedd

was that a typo or did you mean 235? because stock with the 19/20 rims the fronts are 265 so id imagine id have to go with something bigger if im going from 285 to 305 in the back

Freywaldau

Freywaldau

mrrobinson53181

here is a pic with 305’s on the rear.

305 rear

red60R

I hear the 305's hook up much better if you'd had tune work done than the stock tires

mrrobinson53181

Yes but still get crazy wheel spin….tuned, catless dp’s, filters and BOV’s