CLK-Class (W209) 2003 on: CLK 270 CDI, CLK 200K, CLK 200 CGI, CLK 240, CLK 320, CLK 350, CLK 500, CLK 550 [Coupes & Cabriolets]

Best tires for CLK 550?

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Old Nov 15, 2013 | 12:52 AM
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dperrow's Avatar
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2008 CLK 550 Coupe
Best tires for CLK 550?


I was in for regular maintenance as was told that all my tiresdisplayed wear and needed replacement.

Was told that OEM Conti-sport package 3 tires were the wayto go. In a hurry, I agreed but now am wondering if this was the best choice.Thoughts welcomed.
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Old Nov 15, 2013 | 01:51 AM
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midnight AMG's Avatar
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CLK 550
Michellin supersport .... very sticky for 550
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Old Nov 15, 2013 | 10:33 AM
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I like to go to tirerack.com and do my tire research there.
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Old Nov 15, 2013 | 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by labguy
I like to go to tirerack.com and do my tire research there.
Ditto.....
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Old Nov 15, 2013 | 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by labguy
I like to go to tirerack.com and do my tire research there.
The Eagle F1 Asymmetric All-Season is a Best Seller with good reviews. Looks like you can get a set for less than $600.00 and closer to $500.00 after rebate!
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Old Nov 15, 2013 | 11:00 PM
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I put Michelin Primacy tires on mine, They have a treadwear 40K warranty, but it's only 20K with staggered widths where they can't be rotated. Guess what - I have gotten almost exactly 20K miles on the rears as they are down to 4/32 and the fronts are still 8/32. I will probably replace them in the next month or so. I am not sure what I will use, but given the price (about $200@) I'll probably just get more Primacies for the rear. I have been happy with them as they have been decent up until the last month where they have begun to be noisy and rough. My previous tires were Pirelli P-Zeroes and they began to be rough and noisy at about 10K miles.
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Old Nov 15, 2013 | 11:08 PM
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2008 CLK 550 Coupe

Thanks for the advice. Should have consulted you guys before now. I’ll live with these tiresfor now and let you know how they are working out.
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Old Nov 16, 2013 | 05:57 AM
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I just put a set of the new Michelin Pilot Sport as3. They have a 45k warranty. Too new to give a full review , but so far I like them alot. I work at a Costco tire center and we have been selling alot of these to the euro car crowd.
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Old Nov 16, 2013 | 11:07 AM
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CLK 550
Originally Posted by Gary C
I just put a set of the new Michelin Pilot Sport as3. They have a 45k warranty. Too new to give a full review , but so far I like them alot. I work at a Costco tire center and we have been selling alot of these to the euro car crowd.
That's where I got mine for a great deal and warranty. Thx costco. I also heard Porsche community likes these
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Old Nov 16, 2013 | 11:23 AM
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Gary - read the fine print on that tread wear warranty. On my Primacies, it was a 40K miles warranty, but when installed in a staggered width setup where the tires can't be rotated, it is cut in half. And this makes sense as I now have about 20K miles, and the rears are quickly approaching 3/32 (i.e. end of life) and the fronts are approaching 7/32 (they all started at 9/32). Had they been rotated, presumably they would have averaged out to nearly 6/32 today, or about 50% of their tread life.
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Old Nov 16, 2013 | 05:35 PM
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Rudney, I was just saying that they come with a 45k warranty, to compare with the Primacys 40k warranty. I know about the fine print But, the as3 has a asymetrical tread so you can switch side to side. Which technically could count as rotating you tires. So when the time comes I am going to see what happens! You should try them next time instead of the Primacys.
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Old Nov 16, 2013 | 06:10 PM
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Michelin is my favorite tire. I am currently running Pilot Sport AS. I bought them 3-4 years ago for a second wheel set. I'm hoping the noise goes away with wear (probably only 2K miles on them).

In comparison to the Goodyear Asym they replace, they are firmer, in handling and in ride comfort.

I think the pilot Sport AS3 replaced the AS. Probably the Primacy as well.
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Old Jun 21, 2019 | 08:45 PM
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I have the pilot sport as/3 on my 320 and to me the handling isn’t that great! Car feels sloppy and not very tight when cornering. Which tires is best for performance and handling? Every time I drive my car it just doesn’t feel very sporty.
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Old Jun 24, 2019 | 07:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Ghennes13
I have the pilot sport as/3 on my 320 and to me the handling isn’t that great! Car feels sloppy and not very tight when cornering. Which tires is best for performance and handling? Every time I drive my car it just doesn’t feel very sporty.
I'm no expert, but I would not be so quick to blame the Ultra High Performance Michelins for your car's handling issues and lack of sportiness. Maybe get someone to take a look at your suspension?
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Old Jun 25, 2019 | 05:51 PM
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W212 E350 (current), W211 E350 Wagon (kids college car, sold) and W209 CLK550 (Totaled)
tires

I just put a set 18" Firestone Firehawk Indy 500s on my CLK550, they are great! I am running them only in the summer. I have Michelin HX MXM4 on a set of 17" that I will run in the winter months. The Firestones ride great!
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Old Jul 2, 2019 | 12:15 AM
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I'll throw in my 2 cents.

Goodyear Eagle Sport 80 000 km / 50 000 mi ( Less with staggered wheels) Great ride and quiet. On the cheaper side too. v speed rated i think.
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Old Jul 11, 2019 | 02:18 AM
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W209 CLK55 - 2003
It really depends on what you want from the car.

Unless you want the last word in driver involvement or track work, the Contis will be fine.

To be honest, as long as they are decent, what matters most to me is having the same tyres all around the car. It just bothers me if they are not matched...!

That said, if I were replacing all four I would always go Michelin.
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Old Dec 20, 2019 | 01:41 PM
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2009 CLK550 Coupe
My take on the right tire is getting one with stiff sidewalls. I have replaced my tires with Michelin and continental and they suck because they feel too soft. I had the Bridgestone potenza’s previously and the car felt firm on the road and handled amazingly.
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Old Dec 25, 2019 | 09:46 AM
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I have Michelin Pilot AS 3. They ride and appear to wear well. I don't have a lot of miles on them with the CLK but I have them on a Volvo with over 30K and they still have just under 7/32.
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Old May 19, 2021 | 03:31 PM
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CLK550 RENNTECH
The Michelin Pilot AS3 wore out very fast and were horrible in wet, rain conditions. I have staggered 19X9.0, 19X9.5 30 series front, 35 rear. The Nittos wear far better and get more traction in my experience. The CLK 550 is brutal on tire wear. Nittos seem to work the best so far.
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Old May 20, 2021 | 08:23 PM
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I run Michelin MXM4s (17") in the winter and Firestone Firehawk Indy 500s (18") in the summer. The Firestones ride better.
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Old Jun 17, 2021 | 03:00 AM
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E Coupe C207, ML W166, ML W164, Sprinter 1500/144, W111 SB220 Fintail(s), A5 chassis Beetle 5+5
I went with 225/50-17 up front. It's only a hair taller than a 45, but gives a little bit more cushion on our rough roads.

In that vein, I used Nokian Zline, a high performance all-season. It's made like a performance tire, but still a/s compound....for those who drive in cold/wet. They really are great tires, and dirt cheap if you go on EBay.
General whatever-05 is a similar concept. Conti owns General.

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