DeutscheBenz726

I'm looking at tires for my 2012 E350 Sport Sedan. Tire rack recommended Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4XL. I wanted the Primacys but the tire rack guy said that they were too expensive for what they were and that the tread wears out pretty quickly.

Here's the problem. The tires that are on there already are Sumitomos that I bought the last time because they were cheap and they were all I could afford (only lasted 15,000 miles before the tread wore out!). The tires that are on it now are 235/40/R18 (front) and 255/35/R18.

Tire rack says (and it's written on the door pillar sticker) 245/40ZR-18 (front) and 265/35ZR-18 (rear).

I'm not sure how the smaller tires got on there to begin ( I thought I specified factory spec) with but tire rack wants to know if I want to stay with the sizes on it or do I want to go with the original Mercedes Benz sizes.


What do you all recommend?
TIA!

S-Prihadi

Well, 255/35 rear is kinda odd for standard tire with standard rim of 8.5J all around.
I purposely do 255/40 rear to gain fatter/taller sidewall with aftermarket rim of 8.5J all around.
In my OEM form, I got the so called AMG kit and 9.5J rim at the rear, so it was 265/35 and front being 8.5J I get 245/40.

So check ur rear rim/wheel size, it it 9.5J or 8.5J ?
245/40 at 8.5J sidewall height is 98mm
255/40 at 8.5J sidewall height is 103mm
265/35 at 9.5J sidewall height is 93mmm

If your rim is 8.5J all around, use 245/40

Happy shopping

VegasE

If you go with the factory sizes, you speedometer will no longer be reading a few mph too fast, you will have a slight increase in sidewall depth for better pothole/curb protection, and you will have better traction

nota_amg

yep, stick with the OE size. I would imagine the Sumitomos are either not made in the OE size, or they were not in stock and the odd-ball sizes were.

DeutscheBenz726

Thanks everybody!

cetialpha5

Costco is usually a better deal for the tires. The installation is cheaper and they come with a 5 year road hazard instead of the 2 at Tirerack. Also RWD always has faster wear on the rear tires, you only get half the mileage warranty. I think in theory you could do 245/40/18 all around with the right rims and then rotate the tires. At least if the rear tires wear out, I think the Michelins have a 45k warranty and if you can't rotate them, you only get 1/2 the mileage warranty. Easier to warranty a tire at a real brick and mortar place than to send it back for warranty service.

I'm glad you're going back to the factory size. The smaller size makes absolutely no sense. Usually the load rating is lower on smaller tires, the car's handling/design is based on the factory tire sizes, stopping distance worse on smaller footprint although maybe better in the snow, etc.

nota_amg

Discount Tire over Costco, every time...much better road hazard warranty, and they price match.

2431, 611 W Poplar St # C1, Elizabethtown, KY 42701

Bhopkins

Hmm. The sticker on the inside of the gas cap cover on my '14 Sport Sedan says 245/ 40R18 for all four corners. I wonder why they changed from offset tires.

Are all four wheels the same size? If yes, I think I would go with a matched set of the 245/40R18 all the way around. Then you can get the full tread life warranty out of whatever you choose, instead of having to only get half the warranty, or none at all, depending upon the brand you buy. It's not like an E350 is an SL. There really is no reason for offset tires on an E350, except for looks.

P.S. Discount Tire all the way. They have treated me so well on tread wear warranty claims. I no longer concern myself if a tire has a reputation for wearing out premature from the tread wear warranty. I know that Discount will credit me on warranty and I'll be enjoying a new set of tires with a real nice savings. Just rotate your tires regularly so you have even wear. That of course is assuming that you go with the balanced set.

cetialpha5

You have a 4matic, 4matic had same size tires at all 4 corners. For the RWD models, they had staggered tires. For those with RWD, you can go with the same size tires at all 4 corners, not sure about the rear rims though, those are usually wider than the front.

Discount Tire sounds good, none around me though so Costco will have to do.

nota_amg

this is a very good point. You need to find out what width wheels you have. Being a 2011 I'll assume(based on the sticker in the door you mentioned...) you are RWD, not AWD, right? If so, you COULD have staggered wheels. If so, you should consider staggered tires as well, so it looks right.If not obvious, you can remove the wheels and check the dimensions/specs as they will be cast into the rear of one of the spokes.