STKLAW

I am running through tires at about 15K. I have a 2003. I also seem to feel a little vibration at 70-80 mph. Anyone experience this. Also, what is the consensus on the bes all around tire for quietness and handling (especially wet pavement handling--My Goodyeat GTs are terrible).

Brad

charliele729

Vibration can be due to needing the tires to be rebalance or possible a bent wheel. Havnt figure out what is the best all around tires yet, but members hee are trying all sorts of different setups so i am sure someone can give you some good pointers.

Heatwave

Take your car in to have the wheels rotated and balanced. Tell the shop to check the wheels for out-of-roundness. It happens. Low aspect ratio tires, thin wheels, and potholes and curbs make bad combinations. It doesn't take a major whack to get a wheel out of round. I just replaced the wheels on wife's '07 E350 Sport because two wheels were out of round.

Vik888

so once wheels are "out of round" .. you can't recondition them or anything?

when I got new tires last year Oct, I was told two of my wheels were "marginal" but they were able to balance them .. and that was at 20k miles .. does that mean when I get new tires next I might have to buy new wheels?

As for tires .. running Michelin PS2's . worth every penny.

i_am_amused

15K miles seems a bit low for a E350 (unless you drive like a complete @ss ). I'm assuming you are staggered and therefore can't rotate your tires? If so, try an asymmetrical tread that allows for flipping side-to-side.

I have had Continental ExtremeContact DWS for about 9 months, and they are outstanding in wet conditions, and excellent in heavy rain. They are also very good in dry and snow (only up to a few inches LOL). It is an asymmetrical tread as well.

As others have said, vibration at speed is most likely an balance or roundness issue. Maybe it could also be a worn/loose suspension component?

Vik888

he has an E500 not an E350.

Heatwave

There are wheel shops that reportedly can "re-round" wheels that aren't damaged too bad ... you can google for them and get lotsa results. Good luck.

i_am_amused

oh, a 500.

15K miles seems a bit low for a E500 (unless you drive like a complete @ss ).

302 HP in a 4,000 pound car is not enough to kill tires in 15K miles.

Exceptions: driving like an @***, staggered setup preventing rotation, suspension issues (bad alignment or damage), fitment issues (tire sizes out of spec for wheels/rims)

I include "track days" in "driving like an @ss"

Vik888

yeah I blew through my first set of OEM Conti's in about 15k miles on my E550. Coming from a lagass SUV, I really drove it like an @ss and I still enjoy "spirited" driving .. and yes, sport tires, staggered also burns through the miles, so I can understand the OP going through tires in 15k.

STKLAW

Just got back from the shop. alignment issues REAL BAD. With the new tires Falkon it drives like a dream and very quiet. I know I have had these alignment issues for a long time. NTW said they could not align my MB because of special tools required. However, SEARS, had the tools and did the alignment. About $700 for all new tires (18s) and an alignment. I am happy so far.

Brad