Question on OEM 17" Rim...
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 882
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From: Bucks Co., PA
2008 Subaru Legacy GT Limited
Question on OEM 17" Rim...
Asked this on the W210 forum and didn't quite get the answer I was looking for...
For those of you that have upgraded from the OEM 17x7.5 rims on the E430 to 17x8 or 17x8.5 rims -- did you notice any appreciable handling improvements?
I noticed that the OEM Goodyear's tend to bulge quite a bit, and was thinking of getting either aftermarket 17x8 rims or AMG 17x8.5 rims to counter that bulging, but would only do so if it improved performance at the limit. (I'm planning on taking the E430 to Lime Rock in November.)
TIA for any help/insight you could shed...
EDIT: nothing bigger than 17" is considered, given that I live in the city crowned as the Pothole King of the country (NYC)...so no 18" or 19" suggestions, please. Thanks.
I noticed that the OEM Goodyear's tend to bulge quite a bit, and was thinking of getting either aftermarket 17x8 rims or AMG 17x8.5 rims to counter that bulging, but would only do so if it improved performance at the limit. (I'm planning on taking the E430 to Lime Rock in November.)
TIA for any help/insight you could shed...
EDIT: nothing bigger than 17" is considered, given that I live in the city crowned as the Pothole King of the country (NYC)...so no 18" or 19" suggestions, please. Thanks.
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From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
If you are considering new rims maybe you should consider a different tire. Goodyear tires are not considered that good anymore when compared to many other makes.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 882
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From: Bucks Co., PA
2008 Subaru Legacy GT Limited
Yeah, I need to get a set of all-season tires for her after I trash the Goodyear's at Lime Rock in November. 
I guess the question is:
- do I stay with the OEM rims and get 215's instead of 235's (my mom's not an aggressive driver, doesn't really need the lateral traction of 235's)?
- do I get new rims (17x8 or 17x8.5) when I need to get new tires?
Also, I'd love to hear your thoughts about these all-season tires:
- Dunlop SP5000
- BF Goodrich KDWS
- Michelin Pilot Sport A/S
- Sumitomo HTR+
Thanks.
I guess the question is:
- do I stay with the OEM rims and get 215's instead of 235's (my mom's not an aggressive driver, doesn't really need the lateral traction of 235's)?
- do I get new rims (17x8 or 17x8.5) when I need to get new tires?
Also, I'd love to hear your thoughts about these all-season tires:
- Dunlop SP5000
- BF Goodrich KDWS
- Michelin Pilot Sport A/S
- Sumitomo HTR+
Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,583
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From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
Luke of Tire Rack, the self describe "Tire God" list the Dunlop SP Sport 5000 as number 1 is this thread:
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...&threadid=5877
Which tire is on the car? 235/45/17 correct? Are you considering a 215/50/17. I would stick with the 235. No need to downgrade.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...&threadid=5877
Which tire is on the car? 235/45/17 correct? Are you considering a 215/50/17. I would stick with the 235. No need to downgrade.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 882
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From: Bucks Co., PA
2008 Subaru Legacy GT Limited
Originally posted by E55 KEV
Luke of Tire Rack, the self describe "Tire God" list the Dunlop SP Sport 5000 as number 1 is this thread:
Luke of Tire Rack, the self describe "Tire God" list the Dunlop SP Sport 5000 as number 1 is this thread:
Which tire is on the car? 235/45/17 correct? Are you considering a 215/50/17. I would stick with the 235. No need to downgrade.
Thanks for the input.
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From: San Francisco, CA
1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
u wanna protect those rims...that's what the 235 tires bulge for. if u've seen some other makes, the rims get scratched easier, rims farther out than tires. stick with 235...
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I have a 1998 C230. Since my purchase back in 98', I have had troubles with abnormal tire wear. The car came with the standard Continental's, they were put to waste at 25000 miles, next came Goodyear Aqua III (with 80K mile warranty), they lasted 22K, and now I have Dunlaps' Sport A2(50K warranty), with one tire bald at 15K. I've had the car in numerous times to different MB dealers, checking alignment, struts, frame, everthing basically, and they all tell me it's all OK and within MB specs. I've rotated all them faithfully every 5K. Proper inflated them to MB specs.
My wear seems to be outter left front tire, but the right front also has the same problem, to abut 1/2 the degree. The rears wear normal.
Can anyone tell me the cause of this problem and recommend a tire that will not be destroyed in 15-20K miles?
Thanks.
Jeff
My wear seems to be outter left front tire, but the right front also has the same problem, to abut 1/2 the degree. The rears wear normal.
Can anyone tell me the cause of this problem and recommend a tire that will not be destroyed in 15-20K miles?
Thanks.
Jeff
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From: Northern NJ
2014 BMW 550i
I had the SP5000's on a previous car, and they were great tires, except after they did start to wear, the wet weather traction did decrease, even though the tire still showed good tread life. That was after about 15-20K miles or so. The wet weather traction new was never the best anyway, but the snow traction was excellent for this type of tire.
The Michelin Pilot Sport A/S's are more or less considered to be the best all-season tire out there, although pretty expensive.
The stock GoodYears that they put on are decent, but don't expect great performance out of them. MB must get awesome deals on these mediocre tires that they continue to put on their cars.
The Michelin Pilot Sport A/S's are more or less considered to be the best all-season tire out there, although pretty expensive.
The stock GoodYears that they put on are decent, but don't expect great performance out of them. MB must get awesome deals on these mediocre tires that they continue to put on their cars.
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 882
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From: Bucks Co., PA
2008 Subaru Legacy GT Limited
Jeezus, I didn't think this thread still existed. 
Anyways, Jeff -- I gotta ask, what's your driving style like? If you're pretty aggressive (i.e., you like to accelerate a little hard, brake a little hard, and take corners at a more "challenging" pace), you can't expect your tires to last the full amount. If everyone (including the independent shops) is saying that your car is within spec, the only thing I can come up with is how the car is driven.
Anyways, Jeff -- I gotta ask, what's your driving style like? If you're pretty aggressive (i.e., you like to accelerate a little hard, brake a little hard, and take corners at a more "challenging" pace), you can't expect your tires to last the full amount. If everyone (including the independent shops) is saying that your car is within spec, the only thing I can come up with is how the car is driven.
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From: SouthBend, IN USA
depends on the weather
