AMGB

I have 16.5K miles on the Contin. and will be switch the back out only with PS2. The front ones got at least 5K more thread. Has anybody had any problems with going with 275 18 35 on the rears?

amgB

Harris

275/35/18 should be okay for your car. However, do not just change the rear tires. Change the entire set as different treads between the front and rear is always not recommended.

BoBcanada

But would they fit on the stock rims?

onesixeight

Yes...i'm running 275/35-18" rears on the stock rear wheels. I think the only issue is the extra load rating. The PS2 275/35-18 don't have the MO or XL designation which MB recommends.
Nonetheless, I haven't had any issues with the 275 rear.

AMGB

Thanks for the info. It is interesting that they would put PS2 on the SLR and I am not sure what they put on the amg 65 even though they don't have the MO or XL designation.

onesixeight

AMGB...

The 265/35-18" PS2 have the MO/XL rating...but the 275's don't.

AMGB

I didn't know that. I want to try 275 to see if that improves traction. I don't really go over 100 mph for more than 20 seconds so I think losing the feature of extra load won't hurt.
amg B

RossN

If it's not 110 degrees outside, and you don't have 4 full sized adults in the car with you at the time, and your not crusing at 155 mph for hours on end, and the tires are within the Vehicle inflation spec's (unless you drive a Ford Explorer with Firestones), then the tires without the extra load rating should be fine. Just my option...

Keep in mind, the vehicle manufactorers put limits on cars that must meet ALL extremes, temperature and weight included.

Which leads me to my next gripe! Highway Speed limits!!!!!!!!!!

Can anyone explain to me why I have the same speed limit in a E55 in clear sunny dry congestion free weather with good visibility and no visual obstructions on the road, as Grandma in a Pinto at night, in bad traffic and bad weather, has? 65mph!!!!!!!!! = stupid

AMGB

Can anybody tell me their experiece by switching to 275 35 18 on the rears of stock rims? Does it improve the traction on take offs? Or is 275 and 265 about the same?

Thanks for your help.

amgB

Harris

Going to 275 will give you a tad more traction, yes. But it will also give you slightly more understeer.

The '03 E55 used to have 275 tires in Europe, but MB changed it back to 265 in '04 because of too much understeer on the car.

onesixeight

i have 275 rears on my '04 E55... Regarding more understeer, if anything, the switch to PS2 have a little less understeer compared to the ContiSport2...this is in comparison when driving a friends car that had identical tire sizes (265 rears).

To correct some of the understeer, I try running my front tires with a little less pressure...around 32 lbs. Makes a nice difference...

tendons

yokohama web site as referred by tire rack says to increase the front pressure by increments of 2-3 psi to reduce understeer.

AMGB

Sounds like I can expect a bit more traction and some understeer. I really need more traction. The orange light comes on a bit too much on full throttle.

Thanks for the info.

amgB

cte430

That was my understanding as well. I run 41 front and 36 rear and it has helped quite a bit.