Staggered vs. Squared
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Newbie
Joined: Feb 2019
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2011 Mercedes E350 & 2017 Mercedes CLA250
Staggered vs. Squared
Hello all, I currently drive a 2011 E350 with a staggered factory set-up (265/35-R18 rear; 245/40-R18 front). I was wanting to know if it is possible to switch my set-up from staggered to square in order to rotate my tires for longer life span? I am sure this has been done before, but I am just asking so that I do not mess anything up. Any comments on this move from staggered to square set-up?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 431
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From: Portsmouth, VA
2010 E350, Sold 1998 C230
I did that last year. I had gotten a set of 17" OEM takeoffs and when the staggered tires finally wore down I swapped out all for wheels and tires. I put new TPMS sensors in the 17" wheels and managed to sell the old wheels and tires for 400 on CL to boot. I never cared for the staggered setup just for not be able to rotate them normally. HTH
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Joined: Sep 2018
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From: New Orleans Area
2015 E400 Sedan
Strange huh.
For all your driving life- tire companies, auto manufacturers, service stations and what nots have always said:
"ROTATE your tires Rotate"
Now get staggered and it is ok not to...
For all your driving life- tire companies, auto manufacturers, service stations and what nots have always said:
"ROTATE your tires Rotate"
Now get staggered and it is ok not to...
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 431
Likes: 44
From: Portsmouth, VA
2010 E350, Sold 1998 C230
And I like your sig line, I always thought I was a thread killer, guess there's a few of us out there.
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From: Bay Area, CA
2010 E550
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Tires do have pretty good mounting flexibility, so chances are certain size of tires can be mounted of both staggered rims.
Can you even notice 20 mm difference?
Can you even notice 20 mm difference?
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^ Ok, so this is true but you don't often see this happen in the real world where someone will mount up the same size tire on a slightly different size wheel. Racers will sometimes do this for a square setup, but even they opt for wheels of the same size. It's just not recommended.
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
^ Ok, so this is true but you don't often see this happen in the real world where someone will mount up the same size tire on a slightly different size wheel. Racers will sometimes do this for a square setup, but even they opt for wheels of the same size. It's just not recommended.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Hello all, I currently drive a 2011 E350 with a staggered factory set-up (265/35-R18 rear; 245/40-R18 front). I was wanting to know if it is possible to switch my set-up from staggered to square in order to rotate my tires for longer life span? I am sure this has been done before, but I am just asking so that I do not mess anything up. Any comments on this move from staggered to square set-up?
I currently have a set of 17" rims under my car with 245/45 R17all same around and can rotate as normal..
Last edited by Arrie; Feb 5, 2019 at 07:27 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2018
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From: New Orleans Area
2015 E400 Sedan
When searching for my car and reading a bunch of car fax.
one issue seemed to be prevelent on E400
"ROTATE TIRES" "Check tire" or similar - lots of tire issueswith low mileage cars (under 20K)
So I asked my dealer what was up with that...told me the car came with staggered tire set up and owners did not know that and would rotate or have someone rotate the tires.
Then they would visit dealer claiming some sort of front end noise when the turned sharp at low speeds.
Sure enough rear tires on front.
Big problem is trying to buy new tires online as most websites not set up for staggered tires and only list the front when the rears determine which tires will work since less in that size.
Tire rack works ok but others not so much.
one issue seemed to be prevelent on E400
"ROTATE TIRES" "Check tire" or similar - lots of tire issueswith low mileage cars (under 20K)
So I asked my dealer what was up with that...told me the car came with staggered tire set up and owners did not know that and would rotate or have someone rotate the tires.
Then they would visit dealer claiming some sort of front end noise when the turned sharp at low speeds.
Sure enough rear tires on front.
Big problem is trying to buy new tires online as most websites not set up for staggered tires and only list the front when the rears determine which tires will work since less in that size.
Tire rack works ok but others not so much.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 20
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2017 C63S AMG coupe
Hello all, I currently drive a 2011 E350 with a staggered factory set-up (265/35-R18 rear; 245/40-R18 front). I was wanting to know if it is possible to switch my set-up from staggered to square in order to rotate my tires for longer life span? I am sure this has been done before, but I am just asking so that I do not mess anything up. Any comments on this move from staggered to square set-up?
I could do it, but if there is an accident I'd risk that insurance company will not cover me. Even in case of no accident, I have to go for technical inspection every 2 years where they check this (as well as depth of thread).
And the last reason, perhaps the most important one, the riding capabilities of the car would be compromised. I frequently drive in Bavaria where I would typically go at speeds 100 to 130 mph in winter (on dry surface) and faster in summer. I prefer my tires to stick to the autobahn.
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