WTH, Another Conti tire needs to be replaced
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
'14 ML350 GONE-'12 GL450/'10 E550/'10 ML350/'09 C300/'07 ML350/'03 E320
WTH, Another Conti tire needs to be replaced
Cleaning my wheels today and see that my left front tire has 2 big bubbles in the sidewall. This will be my 3rd replaced tire in 4 months (blew two tires at once after a nasty pothole), what's up with these tires? Getting quite annoyed.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 5
From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
Continental tires unfortunately suck imho and are very prone to bubbles. I had to replace a ContiProContact on my W211 E550 after the winter and the tires were less than a year old. The Pirelli PZero Nero's my W212 came with seem to be holding up better than the Contis ever did.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Have Contis on my current ML550 and my E. Had them on 4 prior MB's. Never had an issue other than one flat caused by a nail. Bubbles in the sidewall are called separations. Caused by either rubbing a curb or hitting an object or pot hole at some degree of speed. I think your problems are due to the pothole you hit and perhaps some other things that you have done maybe inadvertantly. Don't be quick to blame the tires. Too many of them out there with very few reports of issues like yours. The separations do not always show up right away. In any case get tem off of your car if they have bubbles in them
Trending Topics
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
e350 4matic
The first 2 times I messed a tire up i went new and paid 2 and change for a new tire. Then after that i figured out why spend 225ish for a tire that i am only going to break again and went the ebay route. You can get a tire with like 80% thread for like 65 bucks and spend 20 bucks to mount and balance the tire.
I always keep a tire in reserve in my office and when i break one i threw the reserve on and order a new one
I always keep a tire in reserve in my office and when i break one i threw the reserve on and order a new one
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
'14 ML350 GONE-'12 GL450/'10 E550/'10 ML350/'09 C300/'07 ML350/'03 E320
The tire in question was replaced 2 months ago, when I blew the front and rear after hitting a pothole, by my dealer. I got my car in Nov so the tires were basically new. I called my dealer and it was covered under a road hazard warranty so got a new tire, just paid tax and mounting fee (Whew). When I blew 2 tires, they went flat within 2-3 blocks. I went back to take a picture of the pothole and other cars were hitting hard but did not get flats, at least not within the 3-5 blocks after hitting the pothole. With the new tire, I have been extremely careful as in 20 years of driving, this was the first time I got a flat from hitting a pothole, I may have hit a small pothole at low speed or driven though construction zones where the road is covered with metal plates but nothing severe. Between my wife and I, we are on our 5th Mercedes, and no tire problems before. With my E, the tires seem a little fragile.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 290
Likes: 48
From: Florida
2013 ML350, 2019 S560
Many stories on line of ProContacts with premature failure.
I threw them out by 1k miles and replaced with Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics. Much improvement in dry and wet traction, quiet ride.
I had the dealer trade out Contis on my ML 350 at delivery, knowing this history. Michelin Tour HPs are great for MLs.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
'14 ML350 GONE-'12 GL450/'10 E550/'10 ML350/'09 C300/'07 ML350/'03 E320
I knew Conti ProContacts were trash as soon as my W212 E550 was delivered. Car spun out first time I nailed the throttle (from standing start, rotated 90 degrees, without any forward movement).
Many stories on line of ProContacts with premature failure.
I threw them out by 1k miles and replaced with Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics. Much improvement in dry and wet traction, quiet ride.
I had the dealer trade out Contis on my ML 350 at delivery, knowing this history. Michelin Tour HPs are great for MLs.
Many stories on line of ProContacts with premature failure.
I threw them out by 1k miles and replaced with Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics. Much improvement in dry and wet traction, quiet ride.
I had the dealer trade out Contis on my ML 350 at delivery, knowing this history. Michelin Tour HPs are great for MLs.
Good to know, will most likely switch out brands when the time comes.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Does anyone know the method as to how an E ends up with Pirelli's or Conti's?
It seems to random. I was so overjoyed when I noticed my car had P-Zero's, as I was expecting to be let down by the Conti's.
It seems to random. I was so overjoyed when I noticed my car had P-Zero's, as I was expecting to be let down by the Conti's.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Probably does actually. You definitely DO NOT want to use Armor All in your interior, as it can lead to drying and cracking, so maybe the same goes for tires? I use Armor-All wipes on my tires, but got the "protective" stuff, over the "Supreme Shine" stuff, as I figure maybe it has less abrasive qualities, and gives a more sharp matte look, then "SUPER SHINE".
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,133
Likes: 265
From: NM
2023 AMG EQS
The last time I checked this is IMPOSSIBLE in a Mercedes, maybe you should take it to the dealer and have the esp checked.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,184
Likes: 0
From: New York
2011 E550 Sedan
From my experience, Conti's appear to be very prone to bubbling. I think Conti's sidewalls are a lot softer than a similar Michelin or Pirelli tire.
As for the tire dressing, I can say it does soften sidewalls and makes the tire more vulnerable to punctures and bubbling.
As for the tire dressing, I can say it does soften sidewalls and makes the tire more vulnerable to punctures and bubbling.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 20
From: Central Pennsylvania
2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
From my experience, Conti's appear to be very prone to bubbling. I think Conti's sidewalls are a lot softer than a similar Michelin or Pirelli tire.
As for the tire dressing, I can say it does soften sidewalls and makes the tire more vulnerable to punctures and bubbling.
As for the tire dressing, I can say it does soften sidewalls and makes the tire more vulnerable to punctures and bubbling.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 41
Tesla Model S P100D
On one of the Volvo S80 forums they have many issues with the Pirelli P Zero Nero. It all boils down to this: The larger the wheel and lower the tire profile, the more vulnerable the wheel and tire is to road impacts. I think you could vist any number of forums for any number of cars, and you will see that the only common thing is the low profile large wheel combination.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
This is correct. I for one also avoid low profile tires. Thats too much compromise and potential grief just for appearances sake and I dont even care for the appearance. In addition the ride is harsher and the handling is poorer.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 20
From: Central Pennsylvania
2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
One of the car magazines did a comparison of wheels and tire sizes. They used a Golf IIRC. The "sweet spot" was right at 17" for performance and comfort. There was very little improvement in handling above 17" but there was a noticble hit to acceleration between 17" and 19." Essentially the point was that anything abouve 17" on a given vehicle is all about cosmetics.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 5
From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 103
Likes: 1
From: Canton, MI
'11 E350 4MATIC
It is my turn today, finally. I hit a pathole early morning in the dark. Then few sec later, the TPMS warning went off and my right rear tire pressure went down. I managed to exit the freeway and stopped at Starbucks.
I saw 1/2" slice towards the side of the tire. Called MB Roadaside assistence. When removing the tire, the guy dropped the wheel on top of the wheel nuts..faced down ...
... It caused several big chips..
He got nervous and drop his android phone over standing water and his phone went off right away...What a bad day this morning...
So I went to Discount tire and get the new tire mounted ($250.00). The Dealer will fix the wheel tomorrow.
I hope I don't have to do this often. I bought lottery today.. see if it meant something.
I saw 1/2" slice towards the side of the tire. Called MB Roadaside assistence. When removing the tire, the guy dropped the wheel on top of the wheel nuts..faced down ...
... It caused several big chips..He got nervous and drop his android phone over standing water and his phone went off right away...What a bad day this morning...
So I went to Discount tire and get the new tire mounted ($250.00). The Dealer will fix the wheel tomorrow.
I hope I don't have to do this often. I bought lottery today.. see if it meant something.
