Jeff RoTull

Please excuse if I'm posting in the wrong place.

I just took possession of my mothers 2009 E350 Sedan because she barely drives it anymore. The tires failed inspection (alignment as well).

It's got 245/40 R18's and 265/35 R18's. It seems a lot easier to buy four of the same tires, so I'm looking for some feedback about doing that because what I've been getting so far has varied (though my impression is that's a cosmetic thing for the most part). So is that something I can get away with doing and if so, with which size (I'm assuming the smaller of the two, as the fronts need room to turn).

I should point out that I'm only preparing it for sale, so I'm not concerned about tire life, etc. I just want to be sure it won't do any damage and that I'm selling a safe car (it's only got 27k on it).

Thanks in advance for any help anyone gives me with this.

lkchris

You would use the front size on both locations, but the problem is not only is the current rear tire larger, so is the wheel ... it’s wider and probably too wide for the smaller tire.

tjts1

Just sell it as is. You'll never recover any money you pour into it now.

kajtek1

Go on tire of your choice manufacturer site and check what size of tire will fit on both widths you have.
Tires have pretty loose tolerances, so you should not have a problem, but starting with checking rim width should be 1st priority.

cetialpha5

I wouldn't bother with new tires. As others said, you'll never recoup it and whoever buys it might just want the correct sized tires it originally came with. Just sell it as is and tell the new buyers it's going to need tires. That's just full disclosure. Then they can buy their own tires with a warranty or even get used ones.

Jeff RoTull

Because it was brought in from out of state, it cannot be sold before it passes inspection (I couldn't keep my mother's plates on it indefinitely - she had to be able to cancel her insurance).

tjts1

Sell it out of state, sell it to a dealer, put it on fleabay.

Jeff RoTull

It was brought in from out of state and needs to pass inspection before it can be sold.

Jeff RoTull

Thank you. They're all 18" rims and I thought that was the only spec that mattered. I was under the impression that a given size rim was compatible with a couple of different size tires.

Jeff RoTull

Thank you - this is helpful

Jeff RoTull

The car needs to be driven; therefore it needs to be registered; therefore it needs to pass inspection.

Selling it to a dealer would be shorting us at least a couple of grand. Maybe if it had average mileage, I'd consider that, but not with 27k.

Jeff RoTull

Thanks to lkchris and kajtek1 for answering my specific question.

cetialpha5

Find a used tire dealer nearby. Pick up some cheap ones on Craigslist. A new set of tires will be at least $500, normally close to $1000 for a good brand. That's hard to get back on a sale. Used tires might only be in the $200-$300 range. Fronts are typically 18x8.5 and the rears are 18x9. Some tire stores won't put on tires that weren't factory.

tjts1

Get a temporary registration. Problem solved, you're welcome.

relinuca

My 1999 E350 4Matic Sport uses 245/18R front and rear. I believe only the non-4Matics have staggered front and rear rims with different size tires in front and rear. Some experts may disagree, but I doubt using identical sized tires , meaning 245/18R, would make any difference. Plus doing so should facilitate tire rotations with no consequences.

FWIW, my E350 now has 140K miles and is the best car we've ever had...a quality product for sure

relinuca.

scotterikson

If you're selling, put on tires sized just like the tag in the door jamb reads. Easy, done, no explanations to potential buyers