Tires Lifespan
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
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2019 MB E300
Tires Lifespan
I'm leasing 2016 ES350. I'm very frustrated with a tire lifespan. Original Continentals extreme contact lasted 18KMI. The second set of pure contacts is at 11 KMI and the tread depth is at 3/32s. I rotated tires every 5-6 KMI. The guys at the tire shop told me that it's typical for the ES350. Did anybody else experience such abnormal tire wearing? I have to return the car in 6 mos and a new tire set will be required. I'll try to buy a used set.
Last edited by berman2921; Mar 1, 2019 at 03:26 PM.
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From: New Orleans Area
2015 E400 Sedan
tire wear is mainly due to tire compound if car is in good alignment.
When buying tirs check the mileage warranty and get ones with higher mileage rating if you want them to last longer.
there are drawbacks which is less grip...
tire rack explains all this pretty good.
When buying tirs check the mileage warranty and get ones with higher mileage rating if you want them to last longer.
there are drawbacks which is less grip...
tire rack explains all this pretty good.
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From: Northwest Illinois
2014 E350 also restored: 1969 Camaro convertible SS 1957 Chevy Belair 2dr hardtop
Usually my tires do not wear out they dry rot and crack. When they crack you have to replace them. Once a year I check them to see if they are cracking.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
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From: Concord, CA
'13 E350 . M276
I had bought those Continentals PureContact from Tire Rack back in 2014, and they came with a 70K mile warranty. The lasted less than 3 years and only 35K miles. When I contacted Tire Rack, they asked for proof of rotation, balance and alignment. I had done all those things every 5K miles, and when I submitted the records, they prorated them and issued me a credit. I'm surprised yours have gone 11K MI only!
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
I've never gotten more than 25,000-30,000 miles on OEM tires of any brand, or any OEM spec. To include OEM Goodyear, Pirelli, Michelin, Firestone, and especially Continental.
I have OEM Contis on my 2016, and am not expecting decent mileage from them either. I won't be buying Contis as replacements, either. Replacing OEM Contis (or any OEM tire) with the same tire makes no sense.
Car manufacturers buy tires on contract by the train-load, and always from the lowest bidder. To think they select tires for actual performance is nonsense. So I have learned through the decades not to expect wonders from lowest bidder tires.
I have OEM Contis on my 2016, and am not expecting decent mileage from them either. I won't be buying Contis as replacements, either. Replacing OEM Contis (or any OEM tire) with the same tire makes no sense.
Car manufacturers buy tires on contract by the train-load, and always from the lowest bidder. To think they select tires for actual performance is nonsense. So I have learned through the decades not to expect wonders from lowest bidder tires.
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From: Mountaintop, PA
'14 W212 Sport, '52 MG TD, '21 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
I too got disgusted spending stupid amounts of money for tires and getting less than a year and less than 20K out of them Same with my Audi. Honestly now I'm just buying Chinese cheapies, which are obviously less expensive and also seem to last longer. Don't listen to all the nose-in-the-air MB drivers who say you have to drop $300 a corner for Michelins that are bald in 6 months. I'm sick of people on both the MB and Audi forums who try and lay a guilt trip on you because you're not running Michelins or Contis.
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Joined: Sep 2018
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From: New Orleans Area
2015 E400 Sedan
I too got disgusted spending stupid amounts of money for tires and getting less than a year and less than 20K out of them Same with my Audi. Honestly now I'm just buying Chinese cheapies, which are obviously less expensive and also seem to last longer. Don't listen to all the nose-in-the-air MB drivers who say you have to drop $300 a corner for Michelins that are bald in 6 months. I'm sick of people on both the MB and Audi forums who try and lay a guilt trip on you because you're not running Michelins or Contis.
There are other sites for other vehicles and ya have to buy Michelins or you are not cool.
I hate low profile tires...wheel damage and limited on what you can get for tires that last long time.
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From: Mountaintop, PA
'14 W212 Sport, '52 MG TD, '21 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Guys, guys, knowing how educated members here are I am surprised that you lack tire reading skills.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret...&affiliate=BF7
Each tire, beside seller warranty has oficial, molded on the side tread (wear) number
I had 16" tires on older MB lasting me over 50k miles, even all the warranties are stretched, even on Michelins.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret...&affiliate=BF7
Each tire, beside seller warranty has oficial, molded on the side tread (wear) number
I had 16" tires on older MB lasting me over 50k miles, even all the warranties are stretched, even on Michelins.
Last edited by kajtek1; Oct 4, 2019 at 11:01 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Mountaintop, PA
'14 W212 Sport, '52 MG TD, '21 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
We know treadwear ratings are there. But we also know those ratings are completely arbitrary and also not regulated by anyone other than the manufacturer, so they can slap whatever rating they want on there. Honestly that's the last thing I look at when I buy tires.
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Joined: Dec 2016
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E250 Diesel
I too got disgusted spending stupid amounts of money for tires and getting less than a year and less than 20K out of them Same with my Audi. Honestly now I'm just buying Chinese cheapies, which are obviously less expensive and also seem to last longer. Don't listen to all the nose-in-the-air MB drivers who say you have to drop $300 a corner for Michelins that are bald in 6 months. I'm sick of people on both the MB and Audi forums who try and lay a guilt trip on you because you're not running Michelins or Contis.
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Yeah, I haven't had the problem with mileage on my Michelin's and Contis. Those low profiles do get expensive though, about $700+ for a set a Costco and that's with their rebate and low installation price. Mileage problems may also be due to the local roads, some roads are harsher on tires than others.
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 223
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From: PA
2016 E350 Sedan SPort
Well- it wasnt mentioned about checking the tire presusre and wear across the tire-
if overinflated they will likely wear down the middle--
then they won't last long.
The recommened tire pressures are for a loaded car-
driving around with one person may wear tires down the middle.
if overinflated they will likely wear down the middle--
then they won't last long.
The recommened tire pressures are for a loaded car-
driving around with one person may wear tires down the middle.
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
I always inflate to chart showing max load + 3 psi, while seldom have more than my wife with me, yet, thanks to my love for hard cornering I always end with tires having good thread on the center and wires showing on the edges.
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Joined: Dec 2018
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From: Brisbane, Australia
W212 E350
Hi all,
I run my E350 RWD on stock 18's, Contisport Contact 3's, at 40 psi checked every month or so. Weirdly, my dealer usually has the best price.
So far:
Fronts: 245/40/R18 fitted at 75000 km (46600 miles) and now 50000 km (31000 miles) later still with heaps of life left
Rear: 265/35/R18 fitted at 103000 km (64000 miles) and now 22000km (13500 miles) later and again heaps of life left.
Previous set on the rear fitted at 68000 km (42000 miles) and scrubbed out on the edges at 35000 km (21700 miles) due to a slow leak on one and me not checking the tyre pressure in between services. I also do about 2/3rds of my driving on good highways. I did have a full alignment done at the dealer at 103000 km (64000 miles) so that has helped improve the wear.
I run my E350 RWD on stock 18's, Contisport Contact 3's, at 40 psi checked every month or so. Weirdly, my dealer usually has the best price.
So far:
Fronts: 245/40/R18 fitted at 75000 km (46600 miles) and now 50000 km (31000 miles) later still with heaps of life left
Rear: 265/35/R18 fitted at 103000 km (64000 miles) and now 22000km (13500 miles) later and again heaps of life left.
Previous set on the rear fitted at 68000 km (42000 miles) and scrubbed out on the edges at 35000 km (21700 miles) due to a slow leak on one and me not checking the tyre pressure in between services. I also do about 2/3rds of my driving on good highways. I did have a full alignment done at the dealer at 103000 km (64000 miles) so that has helped improve the wear.
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From: Central Coast, CA
2020 X7 xDrive40i, 2016 X3 sDrive28i
I replaced the OEM Continental tires at 29k miles. Never rotated, they still had about 4/32" tread left but was getting noisy so I replaced them early. All 4 were wearing very evenly.
I replaced them with Michelin Pilot AS3+ and after 10k miles on them, (again never rotated) they are measuring 8/32" tread.
I replaced them with Michelin Pilot AS3+ and after 10k miles on them, (again never rotated) they are measuring 8/32" tread.
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
I regularly got over 50k miles on Goodyear Eagle LS2s on a late model Touareg. I have 25k on Conti Cross Contact LX Sports, not exactly sure how much I will get out of them, maybe 35k miles.
Interestingly the Contis have a 480 treadwear rating compared with the Eagles with a 400 rating. I will likely replace the Contis with the same tires, for comparison purposes.
I overinflate to the lesser of the max sidewall pressure or the average of max sidewall pressure and the A-pillar sticker. I was getting shoulder wear on the Contis until I overinflated. I am a pretty mild driver and hard cornering is unusual for me, as is wheel spin or hard braking/ESP actuation.
Interestingly the Contis have a 480 treadwear rating compared with the Eagles with a 400 rating. I will likely replace the Contis with the same tires, for comparison purposes.
I overinflate to the lesser of the max sidewall pressure or the average of max sidewall pressure and the A-pillar sticker. I was getting shoulder wear on the Contis until I overinflated. I am a pretty mild driver and hard cornering is unusual for me, as is wheel spin or hard braking/ESP actuation.
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
I regularly got over 50k miles on Goodyear Eagle LS2s on a late model Touareg. I have 25k on Conti Cross Contact LX Sports, not exactly sure how much I will get out of them, maybe 35k miles.
Interestingly the Contis have a 480 treadwear rating compared with the Eagles with a 400 rating. I will likely replace the Contis with the same tires, for comparison purposes.
I overinflate to the lesser of the max sidewall pressure or the average of max sidewall pressure and the A-pillar sticker. I was getting shoulder wear on the Contis until I overinflated. I am a pretty mild driver and hard cornering is unusual for me, as is wheel spin or hard braking/ESP actuation.
Interestingly the Contis have a 480 treadwear rating compared with the Eagles with a 400 rating. I will likely replace the Contis with the same tires, for comparison purposes.
I overinflate to the lesser of the max sidewall pressure or the average of max sidewall pressure and the A-pillar sticker. I was getting shoulder wear on the Contis until I overinflated. I am a pretty mild driver and hard cornering is unusual for me, as is wheel spin or hard braking/ESP actuation.
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From: Georgia
E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
Wait....
People are letting the Costco tire department work on their Mercedes? Wow...
At least for passenger cars, the only Conti worth having is the Sport Contact 6--far, far superior to their previous efforts, and ride especially good in the larger sizes (19/20).
At least for passenger cars, the only Conti worth having is the Sport Contact 6--far, far superior to their previous efforts, and ride especially good in the larger sizes (19/20).
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
I overinflate to the lesser of the max sidewall pressure or the average of max sidewall pressure and the A-pillar sticker. I was getting shoulder wear on the Contis until I overinflated. I am a pretty mild driver and hard cornering is unusual for me, as is wheel spin or hard braking/ESP actuation.
You're supposed to go by whatever the air pressure is on the pillar sticker. Only the car maker knows about the handling characteristics of the car, the tire maker has no idea so they just specify a max pressure. Having it that high probably means the car drives like it's on rocks. A lower pressure gives it a little more give, max means it's as hard as rock, probably more susceptible to flats as the tire has no give when hitting potholes.
Instead, the tire manufacturers have to certify their tires with the DOT, independent of OEM car specs. If the tire says it's maximum load safe pressure is 50psi, then you can safely inflate to some value less for margin. In the pic below, my tires are cold inflated to 42psi, and the picture shows the pressure after an hour of driving on the interstate, in 93° ambient heat.
The ride quality is not appreciably different than when inflated to 32psi. The tire wear is much more even across the tread, and gas mileage is improved. Do what you want, but I don't subscribe to old wive's tales about tire pressure. And I have no bent wheels.
Last edited by DFWdude; Oct 19, 2019 at 01:07 PM.
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
I've learned to believe just the opposite. The car maker offers inflation suggestions based on the wheel size sold with the car, and what pressure gives a boulevard ride. But MB has no eartlhy idea what tires you will install after those tires are gone. Imagine hiking the car up 2-feet to install monster truck tires... Are you still going to inflate to the pressure on the placard? Of course not.
Instead, the tire manufacturers have to certify their tires with the DOT, independent of OEM car specs. If the tire says it's maximum load safe pressure is 50psi, then you can safely inflate to some value less for margin. In the pic below, my tires are cold inflated to 42psi, and the picture shows the pressure after an hour of driving on the interstate, in 93° ambient heat.
The ride quality is not appreciably different than when inflated to 32psi. The tire wear is much more even across the tread, and gas mileage is improved. Do what you want, but I don't subscribe to old wive's tales about tire pressure. And I have no bent wheels.
Instead, the tire manufacturers have to certify their tires with the DOT, independent of OEM car specs. If the tire says it's maximum load safe pressure is 50psi, then you can safely inflate to some value less for margin. In the pic below, my tires are cold inflated to 42psi, and the picture shows the pressure after an hour of driving on the interstate, in 93° ambient heat.
The ride quality is not appreciably different than when inflated to 32psi. The tire wear is much more even across the tread, and gas mileage is improved. Do what you want, but I don't subscribe to old wive's tales about tire pressure. And I have no bent wheels.
You're also in Texas, we get lots of potholes up here from the snow so not getting bent wheels doesn't mean anything.
And it's not old wives tales, pretty much every recommendation out there tells you to use the placard on the car, not the pressure on the tire. It's more like you're starting old wives tales.
https://blog.tirerack.com/blog/bens-...-in-your-tires
https://blog.tirerack.com/blog/docs-...r-my-new-tires
https://www.cars.com/articles/2013/0...nd-fill-tires/
https://www.edmunds.com/how-to/how-t...ate-tires.html
https://info.kaltire.com/the-right-t...isnt-the-best/
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
I'm with DFWdude. Carmaker tire pressure recommendations are different (lower) than the max pressure printed on the sidewall by the tire manufacturer.
Carmakers, as most manufacturers, are all about avoiding complaints about subjective attributes, such as ride quality as it relates to tires. Therefore a low-ish pressure is specified by M-B to produce a comfortable ride. Tire longevity and fuel economy both benefit from the highest inflation possible, up to the point of excessive center tread wear.
I measured, very carefully, excessive shoulder wear when the tires were inflated to M-B's recommendation. Since I have overinflated to 45-48psi, tread wear has evened out across the tire. Ride is not noticeably different. Fuel consumption is maybe 0.1mpg better, for sure it is not worse. My goals in operating a vehicle are longevity and fuel efficiency, with adequate ride quality. At this moment, I am achieving these goals.
Carmakers, as most manufacturers, are all about avoiding complaints about subjective attributes, such as ride quality as it relates to tires. Therefore a low-ish pressure is specified by M-B to produce a comfortable ride. Tire longevity and fuel economy both benefit from the highest inflation possible, up to the point of excessive center tread wear.
I measured, very carefully, excessive shoulder wear when the tires were inflated to M-B's recommendation. Since I have overinflated to 45-48psi, tread wear has evened out across the tire. Ride is not noticeably different. Fuel consumption is maybe 0.1mpg better, for sure it is not worse. My goals in operating a vehicle are longevity and fuel efficiency, with adequate ride quality. At this moment, I am achieving these goals.
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Actually Costco is supposed to be pretty decent. They tend to pay well so there's not that much turnover so they kinda know what they're doing. I see all sorts of high end cars there. I take mine there too, they tend to have the best price for tires and include road hazard, lifetime balancing and rotation.
They're also good about replacing tires. I've had a few bent/cracked rims and they swap out the rim/tpms sensor for $15.
