R-Class (W251) Produced 2006-2013: R320CDI, R350, R420CDI, R500

R350 Tires problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Nov 8, 2008 | 03:23 PM
  #1  
skhemmoro's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
R350
Unhappy R350 Tires problems

Hi,

I have 2007 R350 that my wife drives. She does not drive a lot, and when the was 11K on the car, I notice the ties start to have less threds. I searched on this forum and other location andI saw several ppl having the same issue, The dealer denied any issue with the car design, and offered to replace the 2 front ones for $300 total. I declined the offer, since I felt MB should do the this for free. Well now the tires almost bald on 15K miles.... did anyone was successful with MB on this issue to make them pay for the tire.. please advise..

Scott
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2008 | 08:51 PM
  #2  
~CL500~'s Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 584
Likes: 3
From: Northern NJ
E90 N54 & W251
Originally Posted by skhemmoro
Hi,

I have 2007 R350 that my wife drives. She does not drive a lot, and when the was 11K on the car, I notice the ties start to have less threds. I searched on this forum and other location andI saw several ppl having the same issue, The dealer denied any issue with the car design, and offered to replace the 2 front ones for $300 total. I declined the offer, since I felt MB should do the this for free. Well now the tires almost bald on 15K miles.... did anyone was successful with MB on this issue to make them pay for the tire.. please advise..

Scott

For me personally, this is the first time hearing of an issue like this on the R-Class. I have an 08 R350 with about 8K miles and the tires are wearing perfectly and even on all 4 corners. My only guesses are the following:
  1. If your wheels are severely off alignment, that would cause severe, uneven tire wear. This should be noticed when driving the vehicle and looking at where it tracks when you let go of the wheel.
  2. The alignment specs may have changed over the years OR your vehicle is aligned to a different spec, one that may not have a noticeable impact on driving dynamics. The earlier models MAY have had a more aggressive alignment specification and hence the premature tire wear.
  3. Has the dealer removed the wheels and checked your suspension?
These are my guesses assuming that the tire wear is uneven on one side of the tire versus the other AND that your R350 does not visit a race track regularly. Hope this helps.
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2008 | 07:51 AM
  #3  
Scotsman's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
From: Scotland
2004 SL500, 2007 R350 Sport
All tyres wearing uniformally on ours. Up to 20,000 miles now.

Not connected but worth mentioning this story. Got a puncture on Thursday and took it to the local garage. I found a nail through the centre of the tread so thought it would just be a patch to fit it. The garage told me it was right next to a plug from a previous repair so couldn't overlap. I've had the car since new and it's never had a puncture so how'd it get it? During transportation?

Bloody annoying as it cost me £280 for a new tyre.
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2008 | 10:52 AM
  #4  
R. Reyes's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, Texas
R350 4-matic
Just passed 50,000 miles on mine. Tires are all worn evenly and even have a little bit of life left in them.

I think you may have a problem with you're alignment or front end.
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2008 | 09:49 AM
  #5  
JTReeves's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Woodbridge, VA
2007 R-500
Red face

Originally Posted by skhemmoro
Hi,

I have 2007 R350 that my wife drives. She does not drive a lot, and when the was 11K on the car, I notice the ties start to have less threds. I searched on this forum and other location andI saw several ppl having the same issue, The dealer denied any issue with the car design, and offered to replace the 2 front ones for $300 total. I declined the offer, since I felt MB should do the this for free. Well now the tires almost bald on 15K miles.... did anyone was successful with MB on this issue to make them pay for the tire.. please advise..

Scott
Scott,

I noticed no one has responded to another possibility, i.e., is it possible your tire pressures were not properly maintained during those 11k miles? The R is a heavy vehicle and less-than-optimal tire pressures would result in premature tread wear. I didn't see that you described the specific details of the tire wear, for example, differences between side-to-side wear and front-to-rear wear. From your message, it seems that the fronts suffered the worst wear, suggesting the possibility of misalignment. Even without a problem with front-end alignment, incorrect tire pressures would cause premature tread wear. Underinflation would show as wear on the outside portion of both sides of the tread. If the tires were overinflated, the excess wear would appear in the center.

If you've already replaced the tires, I encourage you to maintain the proper tire pressures in all four tires and to avoid hitting curbs or pot holes. These can cause front-end misalignment, loss of balance weights, and uneven tire wear in the tires.

JR
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2008 | 08:13 AM
  #6  
skhemmoro's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
R350
Thanks for everyone replied so far.... the ironic... I live in Detroit and work for auto supplier co. that design tire pressuer system :-)

I know about all the tire allignment, and I did notic in the 1st 5-6K of driving that the car tilt to the right a littel bit, that is why I took it to the dealer few times to check this, and everytime they get back and say this normal, nothing wrong with the front allignment.....

The wear on the front tire is un even, it wears more in the inside, than the outside, and I am leaning now to take it to non MB repair center to check it again after I put the new tires :-( which is about $250 each....
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2008 | 10:37 AM
  #7  
JTReeves's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Woodbridge, VA
2007 R-500
Originally Posted by skhemmoro
Thanks for everyone replied so far.... the ironic... I live in Detroit and work for auto supplier co. that design tire pressuer system :-)

I know about all the tire allignment, and I did notic in the 1st 5-6K of driving that the car tilt to the right a littel bit, that is why I took it to the dealer few times to check this, and everytime they get back and say this normal, nothing wrong with the front allignment.....

The wear on the front tire is un even, it wears more in the inside, than the outside, and I am leaning now to take it to non MB repair center to check it again after I put the new tires :-( which is about $250 each....
We've heard the tale of the shoemaker's kids who have no shoes! Hang in there. It will all turn out well in the end.

JR
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2009 | 09:45 AM
  #8  
aec4's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2007 r350
My Wife's 2007 R350 is in the shop now because it was making a noise the dealer tried to blame on less than idea gas. Of course, once his tech looked at it they found a cracked catalytic converter... Then he calls and tells me we need new tires at 24K miles and claims we were LUCKY because "their trucks get 17K-22K on a set of tires". Come on, that's total BS. The tires are bald, but let's not say you put tires on there you plan on lasting 1 1/2 yrs.

I asked about a warranty and he asks if we bought it. I asked him what the heck was he talking about nothing was offered, and usually all tires come with a mileage guarantee where you can get a pro-rated amount back on new ones. He played dumb and said if I didn't buy the plan then I'm out of luck.

This will be the last mercedes we ever buy. When I have an issue with my lexus, they're friendly, and try to work with me. With Mercedes, they try to blame you for doing everything. They tried to blame my wife the last time it was in when the drivers side door wasn't "air-tight" enough and you could hear wind coming in at highway speeds. How the hell can that be her fault?
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 17, 2009 | 02:57 PM
  #9  
lkchris's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 242
From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
I don't know about newer models, but the brochure for the 2006 R-class calls it a "Grand Sports Tourer."

Mercedes doesn't put 40K mile tires--with their concurrent lack of traction--on vehicles it deems grand sports tourers.

40K mile tires are for appliances, not Mercedes.
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2009 | 05:00 PM
  #10  
zoink's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,450
Likes: 1
1989 Toyota Tercel EZ - dyno'd @ 70whp/77wtq
Originally Posted by skhemmoro
Thanks for everyone replied so far.... the ironic... I live in Detroit and work for auto supplier co. that design tire pressuer system :-)

I know about all the tire allignment, and I did notic in the 1st 5-6K of driving that the car tilt to the right a littel bit, that is why I took it to the dealer few times to check this, and everytime they get back and say this normal, nothing wrong with the front allignment.....

The wear on the front tire is un even, it wears more in the inside, than the outside, and I am leaning now to take it to non MB repair center to check it again after I put the new tires :-( which is about $250 each....
Don't bring your car to dealers for alignment. I would rather go to reputable tire shop for alignment. The last time I did alignment on my E55, it took me 2 5-hour visits to get it done 90% right.

I don't think OEM spec would have such aggressive chambers causing the inside wears faster than the outside.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:48 PM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE