E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Going from staggered to same size

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Nov 5, 2019 | 05:16 AM
  #1  
Jeff RoTull's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
E350 Sedan
Question Going from staggered to same size

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.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2019 | 09:58 AM
  #2  
lkchris's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 242
From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
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.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2019 | 10:11 AM
  #3  
tjts1's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 2,290
Likes: 434
C320
Just sell it as is. You'll never recover any money you pour into it now.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2019 | 04:19 PM
  #4  
kajtek1's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,224
Likes: 1,798
From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
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.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2019 | 05:55 PM
  #5  
cetialpha5's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
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.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2019 | 09:40 PM
  #6  
Jeff RoTull's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
E350 Sedan
Originally Posted by tjts1
Just sell it as is. You'll never recover any money you pour into it now.
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).
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2019 | 09:42 PM
  #7  
tjts1's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 2,290
Likes: 434
C320
Sell it out of state, sell it to a dealer, put it on fleabay.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2019 | 09:43 PM
  #8  
Jeff RoTull's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
E350 Sedan
Originally Posted by 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.
It was brought in from out of state and needs to pass inspection before it can be sold.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 5, 2019 | 09:47 PM
  #9  
Jeff RoTull's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
E350 Sedan
Originally Posted by 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.
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.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2019 | 09:47 PM
  #10  
Jeff RoTull's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
E350 Sedan
Originally Posted by 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.
Thank you - this is helpful
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2019 | 10:06 PM
  #11  
Jeff RoTull's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
E350 Sedan
Originally Posted by tjts1
Sell it out of state, sell it to a dealer, put it on fleabay.
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.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2019 | 10:15 PM
  #12  
Jeff RoTull's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
E350 Sedan
Thanks to lkchris and kajtek1 for answering my specific question.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2019 | 11:05 PM
  #13  
cetialpha5's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Originally Posted by 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.
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.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2019 | 09:35 AM
  #14  
tjts1's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 2,290
Likes: 434
C320
Originally Posted by 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.
Get a temporary registration. Problem solved, you're welcome.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2019 | 10:07 AM
  #15  
relinuca's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 135
Likes: 2
2009 E350 4Matic Sport sedan
Tire sizes

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.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2019 | 10:50 AM
  #16  
scotterikson's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 91
Likes: 16
From: Vermont, USA
01 clk430, 05 e500 4matic
If you're selling, put on tires sized just like the tag in the door jamb reads. Easy, done, no explanations to potential buyers
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:46 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE