What a difference! New tyres & alignment
10-02-2018 | 09:01 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 91
Likes: 15
From: Hamilton, New Zealand
2003 E500, 2003 CLK 320, 2010 C300
What a difference! New tyres & alignment
Hi all,
Splashed out and bought a set of tyres for the E55.
Went with Michelin Pilot Sport 4’s. I get a good deal from a tyre shop I used to work at years back, am still friends with the owner. Cost me $423 NZD each for the rears and $300 NZD for the fronts.
This car, when I purchased it, had a matched set of high spec Bridgestones on it, that unfortunately were nearing end of life, especially the rears. Interestingly, it had 245/40 x18’s all round. I decided to get the 265/35 x18 for the rears. Only thing is, the rims were all 8J ET30’s. I was expecting the 9J ET39 rims on the rear.
A call to a local Merc parts supply, and I was told that the ‘later’ Japanese spec cars, which I have, had tyres all the same size. So I am confused now. I thought all E55’s had the staggered rims and tyre sizes!
Anyway, back to the wheel alignment.....what a huge difference. My mate said that the wheel alignment was out a lot in the rear. Which explains why it felt like it did small bunny hops sometimes over bumps sometimes. He said that basically, each side was trying to push the car sideways. I noticed the difference straight away when I drove off, the whole car felt lighter, and felt like it took off with much less throttle as well. Will be interesting to see if the fuel ‘economy’ goes from abysmal to just shocking!
Graeme
Splashed out and bought a set of tyres for the E55.
Went with Michelin Pilot Sport 4’s. I get a good deal from a tyre shop I used to work at years back, am still friends with the owner. Cost me $423 NZD each for the rears and $300 NZD for the fronts.
This car, when I purchased it, had a matched set of high spec Bridgestones on it, that unfortunately were nearing end of life, especially the rears. Interestingly, it had 245/40 x18’s all round. I decided to get the 265/35 x18 for the rears. Only thing is, the rims were all 8J ET30’s. I was expecting the 9J ET39 rims on the rear.
A call to a local Merc parts supply, and I was told that the ‘later’ Japanese spec cars, which I have, had tyres all the same size. So I am confused now. I thought all E55’s had the staggered rims and tyre sizes!
Anyway, back to the wheel alignment.....what a huge difference. My mate said that the wheel alignment was out a lot in the rear. Which explains why it felt like it did small bunny hops sometimes over bumps sometimes. He said that basically, each side was trying to push the car sideways. I noticed the difference straight away when I drove off, the whole car felt lighter, and felt like it took off with much less throttle as well. Will be interesting to see if the fuel ‘economy’ goes from abysmal to just shocking!
Graeme
10-03-2018 | 03:43 AM
#3
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 91
Likes: 15
From: Hamilton, New Zealand
2003 E500, 2003 CLK 320, 2010 C300
My fuel flap label lists the two sizes as well. I wonder if there was some swapping of rims between Japan and NZ, or here by the dealer?
Graeme
Graeme
10-03-2018 | 03:55 AM
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 284
From: New Zealand
2005 E55 AMG, 1991 MR2
The wheels for anyone else. Definitely stock. https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...ml#post7362508
My rims are no doubt 1" wider on the back.
My rims are no doubt 1" wider on the back.
