chuang

Hi all, thanks for reading this thread.

We are in the market for a new (or used) E class (possibly E350 sedan). I have noticed that for the new (at least for 2012) C class, it has two versions - "sport" version and "luxury" version. And for 2012 E class, it seems that it also offers the "Sport Styling Package." The package includes:

• Sport styling
• Sport-tuned suspension
• 18-inch twin 5-spoke light-alloy wheels
• Sport interior trim and detailing, including Black roof lining

My question is:

1. Starting from which year did MB start offering the "Sport styling package"? Is it from 2009 W212 or does 2007-2008 W211 also have such "option"??
2. For W211 and W212, what's the ratio of production for the Luxury version vs the sport version (E class that comes with Sport Styling Package)??
3. What's the tire spec differences between these two versions?

Thanks!

newyorktoLA

I'm only well read on the W212, so let me attempt to answer questions 2 & 3.
2. ALL OF THESE NUMBERS ARE FROM THE DEALER ORDERING GUIDE FOR THE 2012 E CLASS SEDAN AND WAGON.

For the 2012 E350, 80% of manufactured cars will have the Sport Package, while 20% will have luxury.
The 2012 E550 will be 100% sport (Larger brakes for 2012 require 18" wheels, so the Luxury package is no longer available - The 2010 and 2011 E550 can have luxury package).
For the 2012 E350 Bluetec, 75% of manufactured cars will have the Sport Package, while 25% will have the Luxury package.
For the 2012 E350 wagon, 65% will be sport, while 35% will be luxury.

Wait, do you want tire specs or staggered wheel specs?

YYZ-E55

Actually, the elimination of the luxury package was required due to the enhanced cooling requirements of the new 4.6TT vs the outgoing 5.5L.

CEB

and there is a "luxury suspension" otion at no charge.

Tjdehya

Larger Brakes for the E550, you cant fit 17" wheels over them. What is this "enhanced cooling" you are talking about?

chuang

Thanks for your reply. I just want tire specs and want to make sure that for the Sport Package, the front tires and rear tires are different, while for the Luxury all four tires are the same size. Can someone please confirm this? Thanks!

El Cid

I have a 2010 E350 Luxury sedan. IMO the "Sport Package" was mostly a marketing gimmick. As the vehicles come down the line in Sindelfingen, they get either sport or luxury suspension, body panels, grills, interior trim, etc. No difference in cost to MB or dealers.
The Sport package did have 18" wheels with low profile tires vs 17" and all season on the Luxury. The Sport has staggered tire sizes, so cannot rotate vs. same size tire front and rear on Luxury.
Because of the comfort suspension, 17" wheels and all season tires, the Luxury rides more comfortably.
The Luxury version has bright metal trim on front and rear bumper covers also.
I had to order my car from Germany. In fact the dealer had to borrow a car from a customer for me to even test drive a Luxury version.
I much preferred the Luxury for the ride comfort and the appearance. Also like being able to rotate the tires.
All a matter of personal choice.

captj3

Just a note on the sport version with staggered rims. The tires can be rotated but you have to dismount and flip them from side to side. Yes it will cost more to do that, but it can be done.

YYZ-E55

The 4.6TT requires more airflow than the old 5.5 did. The AMG styling front bumper has larger grille openings to allow for this. The same holds true for the C218 CLS, which is why you can only get the CLS 550 with AMG styling.

chuang

So even the tire sizes are different from front tires to rear ones (I assume that's the case for the Sport version), it can still be rotated??

Thanks for this info. Last time when we brought in our 2004 C230 to our local Costco Tire Center for free tire rotation (we bought our tires from Costco), they told us that because the tire sizes are different (front to rear) so they can NOT do the rotation and can only do the balance for the tires. I guess they were probably just lazy and didn't want to bother to dismount and flip them from side to side then... Just wondering typically how long it would take to dismount and flip the tires? Usually for most tire centers, do they charge more for doing this, and if so, how much more? Thanks again!

CEB

Depending on the type of tire, they can be rotated from side to side - but - rotating them may not do much good and has inherent risks.

If the tires are non-directional then they can be rotated on the wheels from side to side. If they are directional then they need to be remounted - generally a bad idea as the tire and rim can be damaged and it is expensive - negating any benefit of rotation.

Rotating tires really only reaps benefits if you rotate them front and back - something you can't do with staggered sizes.

El Cid

I'm not sure, but I believe M-B says to NOT rotate the tires on Sports version. My dealer does not rotate tires on Sports version and I'm sure they would considering how expensive this would be. Would be good to check this with an M-B dealer or MBUSA.
As for Costco, I'm sure their manuals/instructions prohibit rotating cars when manufacturer says not to.
I have a friend who got tires from Sam's and he had to sign a waiver because he was dropping from V to H on an Acura TSX.

chuang

I know that at least for C class the front and rear tires are different sizes and ARE directional. I'm curious though about why remount tires generally would be a bad idea, how can the rim and tire be damaged during this process and why it is expensive (is it labor-intensive)? Can anyone please elaborate this a little bit (sorry about the stupid question)?

CEB

You have to remove the tire from the wheel and put the tire on the other wheel. The entire combo needs to be rebalanced.

As tires get larger and the sidewall stiffer, it is very easy to damage the wheels. In addition, you can also damage the bead on the tire.

Figure $25 per wheel to get a tire mounted and rebalanced at an inexpensive tire store.

Because you are only changing the tire location on the same axle, there is minimum benefit. Tires generally wear more front to back (or back to front depending on the car) but seldom wear unevenly side to side assuming the alignment is correct.

captj3

Most of the time when you have staggered tires there is a charge to rotate them from side to side. The labor is the same as if you bought new tires for the car. You will see a benefit to tire life by doing this IE: longer and even tread wear. Another reason for doing this is if the car has a lot of camber designed into the suspension for handling you only wear out the inner tread because the tire is not making full contact to the ground when driving straight. I don't believe the E-class falls into this category. If your tire shop has good techs and equipment damaging the rims shouldn't be a problem. I rotate the tires on my other car this way because of the camber issue and have never had my rims damaged.

44kevin

IMHP, I think you will be better off with the e-class. There are too many c-classes running around, at lease in my area of Southern Cal. I recently purchased a used 2010 e350 myself grey. I choose the sport over the luxury for the styling. Yes, I am young and shadow. Love the car.

During the selection process, I did go on this Russian Mercedes site to run a datacard on the vin number to confirm all the spec and accessories before vising the dealer. To request a datacard, you'll need to do a free registering process and use a translator such as Google translate to request the info.

http://www.mbclub.ru/vb/

CEB

Might I suggest caution when clicking on links going to a russian site posted by a new member (at this point with 2 posts.)

44kevin

this was the original forum link that I got the info from. Yes, like all things you read on the web, use with caution. Just trying to help.

https://mbworld.org/forums/general-m...in-decode.html

CEB

That depends on the type of tread design. You will only see benefits with symetric tread designs where the outside becomes the inside when moved to the other side.

Of course, you cannot rotate staggered asymmetric directional tires.

There is significant expense involved with removing and removing tires (like you said) and there is a high risk of scratching a wheel unless you go to a high end tire store or a dealership. Your NTB's, Goodyear, firestone and similar chains are virtually guaranteed to damage your wheels.

From the Tirerack site - a description of the different tread designs.

Symmetric Tread Patterns
A symmetric tread pattern is the most common and features continuous ribs or independent tread blocks across the entire tread face where both inboard and outboard halves feature the same pattern. Tires featuring symmetric tread patterns allow using multiple tire rotation patterns.
Asymmetric Tread Patterns
An asymmetric pattern is designed to blend the requirements of dry grip and water dispersal/snow traction where the tread pattern changes across the face of the tire. An asymmetric tread pattern usually incorporates larger tread ribs/blocks on the outboard side to increase cornering stability on dry roads by offering greater contact area. This also helps to reduce tread squirm and heat buildup on the outside shoulder. The inboard side usually features smaller independent tread blocks to aid wet and/or winter traction when driving straight ahead. Tires featuring asymmetric tread patterns allow using multiple tire rotation patterns.
Directional (Unidirectional) Tread Patterns
A directional (also called a unidirectional) tread pattern is designed to roll in only one direction. It incorporates lateral grooves on both sides of the tire’s centerline that point in the same direction and result in v-shaped tread blocks. These grooves enhance hydroplaning resistance at high speeds by pumping water more efficiently through the tread pattern. Unless they are dismounted and remounted on their wheels to accommodate use on the other side of the vehicle, directional tires are to be used on one side of the vehicle and are intended to be rotated from the front axle to the rear axle. If different tire sizes are used on the front vs. rear axle, the tires become location-specific and prohibit tire rotation unless remounted.
Asymmetric and Directional Tread Patterns
Asymmetric and directional tread patterns have v-shaped tread grooves that are offset compared to the centerline of the tire. Tires featuring asymmetric and directional tread patterns must be treated as directional tires for tire rotation. However, if different tire sizes are used on the front vs. rear axle, they become location-specific and prohibit any tire rotation possibilities.

captj3

Yes I agree with thew asymmetrical tread pattern.

The expense is not that great. Maybe $25 per tire where I live. This allows the full use of approximately $300 tires.

Here I disagree not all tire shops hack up your rims. If what you are saying is true them we can kiss our rims goodbye every time we replace the tires.