E-Class Coupe (C207) & Cabrio (A207) 2010-: E250CDI Coupe, E350 Coupe, E350CDI Coupe, E500 Coupe, E550 Coupe [Coupes & Cabriolets]

Putting thicker tires on the rears.

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Old Dec 21, 2018 | 03:09 PM
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2010 e550 coupe
Putting thicker tires on the rears.

I am getting close to new tire time (rears only) and was wondering if it’s a good idea to try thicker than stock like maybe 40+ if it will accommodate? Has anyone tried this? If so how is it? I was hoping for better traction and softer ride in the back. Also has anyone tried one of the staggered front and rear setups like on the new c63s coupe?
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Old Dec 23, 2018 | 07:42 AM
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To keep the ratio the same if you go for a higher profile you have to go for a narrower tyre in order to keep all the sensors aligned.. So you will get a softer ride, but less traction.

I assume you have an SE model then, as the Sport models have staggered setups as standard, at least here in Europe.
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Old Dec 23, 2018 | 04:18 PM
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Originally Posted by 400ixl
To keep the ratio the same if you go for a higher profile you have to go for a narrower tyre in order to keep all the sensors aligned.. So you will get a softer ride, but less traction.

I assume you have an SE model then, as the Sport models have staggered setups as standard, at least here in Europe.
Thanks for the reply. Sorry if this is a noob question but why would it effect the sensors (or which sensors) if I go higher profile without narrowing the tire width?

Also I have the sport with staggered width tires. The staggered setup I was talking about was putting larger diameter wheels on the back as well as wider. I’ve seen these on the amg s coupes.
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Old Dec 23, 2018 | 05:18 PM
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More width and/or a higher sidewall aspect ratio will help with traction, but a softer rubber compound makes the biggest difference. Ideally, improve all 3 of these while obeying the following:

The front and rear tires need to be close in overall diameter (height) to avoid problems with ABS/ESP. Generally up to a 3% difference is okay.

The formula for calculating tire height is:

(Width in mm x (2 x aspect ratio / 100)) / 25.4 + wheel diameter.

Example: 275/35R19

275 x .70 / 25.4 + 19 = 26.58" height

If height of front tire is at least (height of rear tire x .97), you should be good.
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Old Dec 23, 2018 | 07:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Siegmann
More width and/or a higher sidewall aspect ratio will help with traction, but a softer rubber compound makes the biggest difference. Ideally, improve all 3 of these while obeying the following:

The front and rear tires need to be close in overall diameter (height) to avoid problems with ABS/ESP. Generally up to a 3% difference is okay.

The formula for calculating tire height is:

(Width in mm x (2 x aspect ratio / 100)) / 25.4 + wheel diameter.

Example: 275/35R19

275 x .70 / 25.4 + 19 = 26.58" height

If height of front tire is at least (height of rear tire x .97), you should be good.
Thank you for that. Any recommended brand as far as soft tires? I've had smooth ride with pirelli and michillin (of course you pay for that) are there any other brands out there? I may just opt to do as you say and put some softer tires in the back.. i'd also like to increase the tire thickness.. the fronts are 40 stock and 35 on rear would this change the ride much?
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Old Dec 23, 2018 | 07:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Dnasty
Thank you for that. Any recommended brand as far as soft tires? I've had smooth ride with pirelli and michillin (of course you pay for that) are there any other brands out there? I may just opt to do as you say and put some softer tires in the back.. i'd also like to increase the tire thickness.. the fronts are 40 stock and 35 on rear would this change the ride much?
Short of a drag radial, something like the Michelin Pilot Super Sports and the newer version of those would be a good choice. I'm going to put 255/40R18s on mine to replace the 255/35s.
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Old Dec 24, 2018 | 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Dnasty


Thanks for the reply. Sorry if this is a noob question but why would it effect the sensors (or which sensors) if I go higher profile without narrowing the tire width?

Also I have the sport with staggered width tires. The staggered setup I was talking about was putting larger diameter wheels on the back as well as wider. I’ve seen these on the amg s coupes.
Google "tire comparisons" a chart will come up. You can put in the tires you have then the tires you want to run. It will give you all the dementions of each tire. Just keep adjusting the side wall height until you are really close to the stock height tire. I went from 245x45x18 to 275x30x20 rears. No rubbing no codes off the sensors.
now I'm also running a 2005 CLK500 Cabriolet.
Fronts are 245x30x20. I still might go to either 19 or 18's in the front when it comes around to tire time
Where are you located?
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Old Dec 24, 2018 | 11:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Dnasty
Thank you for that. Any recommended brand as far as soft tires? I've had smooth ride with pirelli and michillin (of course you pay for that) are there any other brands out there? I may just opt to do as you say and put some softer tires in the back.. i'd also like to increase the tire thickness.. the fronts are 40 stock and 35 on rear would this change the ride much?
I'm a big supporter of Sumitomo tires. I've always had good luck with them. Why are you looking for more traction?
I've been running sumitomo tires on most everything I've own for the last 25 years or so. Except my Acura NSX'S 1999, 2001, 2005. I think I was in love with them.
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Old Dec 25, 2018 | 05:47 PM
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Hey

Originally Posted by Siegmann
Short of a drag radial, something like the Michelin Pilot Super Sports and the newer version of those would be a good choice. I'm going to put 255/40R18s on mine to replace the 255/35s.

I have a E400 that is staggered 255/35/R18 on the rear and 235/40/R18 on the front. I am also wondering if I can go 255/40/R18 on the rear. Is this possible ?
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Old Dec 25, 2018 | 05:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Cuban-g



I have a E400 that is staggered 255/35/R18 on the rear and 235/40/R18 on the front. I am also wondering if I can go 255/40/R18 on the rear. Is this possible ?
That should work fine... I'll post my results soon.
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Old Dec 25, 2018 | 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Siegmann
Short of a drag radial, something like the Michelin Pilot Super Sports and the newer version of those would be a good choice. I'm going to put 255/40R18s on mine to replace the 255/35s.
I might end up doing this as well. The michelins do look like the best... wondering how they stack up to the p zero pirellis because those are much cheaper. Also has anyone entertained (or done this) putting larger rear wheels on this car, I think it is one of the configs for the newer c and e coupes.

Originally Posted by Everythingsfast
I'm a big supporter of Sumitomo tires. I've always had good luck with them. Why are you looking for more traction?
I've been running sumitomo tires on most everything I've own for the last 25 years or so. Except my Acura NSX'S 1999, 2001, 2005. I think I was in love with them.
I've always wanted to try sumitomo tires, i've been using hankook on most of my benzes. Are sumitomos more of a softer tire? I want more traction because.. I like traction ... But seriously I have the 550coupe and I think it could benefit from some bigger rear tires because of all the torque it sends back there. I also want a softer ride.
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Old Dec 26, 2018 | 09:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Cuban-g



I have a E400 that is staggered 255/35/R18 on the rear and 235/40/R18 on the front. I am also wondering if I can go 255/40/R18 on the rear. Is this possible ?
Why would you want to go to a taller tire?
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Old Dec 26, 2018 | 09:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Dnasty
I might end up doing this as well. The michelins do look like the best... wondering how they stack up to the p zero pirellis because those are much cheaper. Also has anyone entertained (or done this) putting larger rear wheels on this car, I think it is one of the configs for the newer c and e coupes.



I've always wanted to try sumitomo tires, i've been using hankook on most of my benzes. Are sumitomos more of a softer tire? I want more traction because.. I like traction ... But seriously I have the 550coupe and I think it could benefit from some bigger rear tires because of all the torque it sends back there. I also want a softer ride.
What size are you running now? When y you say you have a 550 coupe. Which one do you have. I've tried other brands. I just keep coming back to Sumotomos. On my Acuras I ran Dunlop. They were a much stickier tire. But don't last that long. I would never run them on my Mercedes.
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Old Feb 13, 2019 | 06:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Everythingsfast
Why would you want to go to a taller tire?
I am concerned that 35 profile would be subjected to a quicker damage tire verses the 40 profile....sorry for the late reply.
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Old Feb 13, 2019 | 06:43 PM
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any luck changing the tires yet??
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Old Feb 14, 2019 | 01:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Cuban-g
I am concerned that 35 profile would be subjected to a quicker damage tire verses the 40 profile....sorry for the late reply.
I just went from 17 to 20 inch wheels and from 40 series to 30 series. I haven't had any problems yet.
the ride is a bit stiffer but it handles much better now.
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