Westlake / Saferich tyres... wtf?

Bopo

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Simple question... what the flip are these tyres?

E350D on 18" wheels, bought second hand with 27K miles on 6 months ago and I'm starting to suspect the previous owner sold the OEM tyres and fitted these nasties to pay off some of the finance.

Rear: 265/35 R18 Y 'Saferich'
Front: 245/45 R18 Y 'Westlake'

There are also some four letter codes, which on one axle just happens to say JUNK.

My 350 is remapped to roughly 315bhp / 750Nm so it is a bit lively, but my rears break traction at half throttle on a wet road at about 40mph.

I'm not looking forwards to winter-time 5am drives to the airport on these bits of knicker elastic.

Is it me, my tune or the rubber that needs replacing? And with what? I know everybody will have a favourite tyre that just happens to be fitted at the moment... more looking for advice on the best compromise: all rounder and just put up with summer squealing, or summer tyre and accept a compromise in winter?

What do you guys think?
 

Crispian

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Hi,my E350 has been tweaked to similar power as yours,I put a full set of Avon zv5's on,it will never get rid of lighting up the rears but has made a big improvement over the nameless crap that was on there before.
I run rainsport 3's on my weekend toy and can't praise them enough.
 

LostKiwi

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When deciding if winter tyres are required look at the temperatures you normally drive in. Winter tyres are inferior for grip compared to summers above about 7 degrees. For my normal journeys there are only about 20 days maximum where the two way drive is below that temperature. There are about 30 either side of that period where the morning drive is under 7 and the return drive over 7.
I have therefore taken the option not to run winter tyres but do run good wet weather tyres (as the roads are very often damp).
My choice as above are RainSport 3s.
So far (over the past 2 years) they have performed superbly in all conditions but be aware they are soft and enthusiastic driving will wear them quickly.

Incidentally are you sure about those tyre sizes? They don't look right to me.
 

umblecumbuz

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Fit winter tyres for the winter?
This will give you a yardstick to assess the relative grip of both types of tyre, and also give you a few months to decide whether or not to refit your present tyres when Spring arrives.
 

Blobcat

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I'd be on the "MyTyres" website and get some winter wheels and tyres - now is the time to buy - next month the price will go up.

I'd also dump the tyres you've got
 

John Laidlaw

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If you can get all seasons ( eg Michelin cross climate) that is a good uk compromise, we don’t really get enough white stuff to be concerned about these days just the occasional below 7o day....
 

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Is it me, my tune or the rubber that needs replacing? And with what? I know everybody will have a favourite tyre that just happens to be fitted at the moment... more looking for advice on the best compromise: all rounder and just put up with summer squealing, or summer tyre and accept a compromise in winter?

What do you guys think?

You will get as many recommendation as there are types of tyres - mine is to get a reputable brand and get rid of those "dodgy box" tyres.

I'm with LK on winter tyres & JL on cross climates. I run summer tyres all year round on mine, but don't need to go out when it is really cold (viz below 7).

If you continually run winters at temps above 7C you will shorten their life quite quickly.
 
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Bopo

Bopo

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You will get as many recommendation as there are types of tyres - mine is to get a reputable brand and get rid of those "dodgy box" tyres.

I'm with LK on winter tyres & JL on cross climates. I run summer tyres all year round on mine, but don't need to go out when it is really cold (viz below 7).

If you continually run winters at temps above 7C you will shorten their life quite quickly.

Yes, I tried to avoid another 'which tyres do you recommend?' thread as there are hundreds of correct answers.

From the advice above, I'm heading towards junking the no-name tyres before winter and fitting some decent summer tyres. I looked at all-seasons but there are very few options. I won't have to do any journeys in really crap weather as driving to the office is optional for me (ie not if the weather is really bad) and if there is bad weather when I need to drive to the airport then I'll just get somebody else to drive me.

The info re 7 degrees being a bit of a cut-off point is really helpful, thanks.

So much of my driving is motorway that I've started looking at economy and noise ratings.
 

rorywquin

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Yes, I tried to avoid another 'which tyres do you recommend?' thread as there are hundreds of correct answers.

From the advice above, I'm heading towards junking the no-name tyres before winter and fitting some decent summer tyres. I looked at all-seasons but there are very few options. I won't have to do any journeys in really crap weather as driving to the office is optional for me (ie not if the weather is really bad) and if there is bad weather when I need to drive to the airport then I'll just get somebody else to drive me.

The info re 7 degrees being a bit of a cut-off point is really helpful, thanks.

So much of my driving is motorway that I've started looking at economy and noise ratings.

LK also mentioned the 7c threshold but yes good to know.

Smart move (replacing what you have) as that is all there is between you and staying on the road/stopping and you are already finding the existing are not upto the job and you do lots of motorway travel.

There are loads of good tyres around. Bound to be something that fits your needs.
 
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Bopo

Bopo

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Incidentally are you sure about those tyre sizes? They don't look right to me.

Well spotted!

Rear: 265/35 R18 Y 'Saferich'
Front: 245/40 R18 Y 'Westlake'

Something else I found was an explanation for the DOT codes on the tyres.

All my tyres were manufactured just last year, the fronts in week 22 and the rears in week 9, apparently.

The 'JUNK' code I was suspicious about is actually valid, as is the 'LBJP' code on the rears.

A list of tyre manufacturer/plant codes tells me that the fronts are made by 'HANGZHOU ZHONGCE RUBBER CO., LTD' and the rears by 'SHANDONG FENGYUAN TIRE MANUFACTURING CO., LTD' :eek:

My crystal ball is showing a skip in their near future...
 
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LostKiwi

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Ah... Chinese deathsliders with an anglicised name....
 
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Bopo

Bopo

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Ah... Chinese deathsliders with an anglicised name....

:D You do realise I'm now going to be shouting "Haaaa..... Deathslide!" in a Chinese accent every time the rears spin up? :D
 
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Bopo

Bopo

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Blimey... hard to find all seasons in that 265/35R18 size. Climate Control+ not an option...

Looks like summer tyres and airport taxis in the bad weather. The rear tyre sizes are really limiting my choices, though.

I knew this thing would be a money pit. MOT also due this month AND it is asking for a B0 service, whatever that is. I'll post that one in another forum.
 

JBell

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Blimey... hard to find all seasons in that 265/35R18 size. Climate Control+ not an option...

Rears in Uniroyal

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m61b0s66...Eff_:_C_Wet_Grip:_A_NoiseClass:_2_Noise:_73dB

Fronts

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m61b0s32...Eff_:_C_Wet_Grip:_A_NoiseClass:_2_Noise:_72dB


I knew this thing would be a money pit. MOT also due this month AND it is asking for a B0 service, whatever that is. I'll post that one in another forum.

Normal running costs

You can see what is needs by putting the details in

https://www.mymercedesservice.co.uk/?csref=web1606080002_ppc_100616&s_kwcid=AL!160!3!{creative}!e!{placement}!o!![mercedes%20service]#/your-vehicle
 
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Bopo

Bopo

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JBell

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Oh my goodness. £750 for an oil and filter change and some pointless 'check the boot light works' items.

Did you click on Extra items????

Loads of really good indys near you
 

LostKiwi

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As above. Take it to MBS in Southampton. Way better than the dealers and cheaper too.
Cole is also a member on here. @Cole@MBS
 


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