R171 SLK280 FL on 17's, Harsh Ride, Options?

[Chrishazle]

Having finally got my SLK280 back and starting to enjoy driving it, I (and SWMBO in the passenger seat) find the ride a bit harsh. ATM she's on a staggered set of Hankook Ventus tyres, 245/40 on the rear and 225/45 on the front (soon to need replacing due to outer edge wear and buggered tracking, now fixed).

Interestingly, the original road tests of the R171 on 17's commented on the harsh ride and suggested it would be better on the standard 16's rather than the optional (as fitted to the test car) 17's.

I obviously have 2 options :

1. The cheap and easy option is to change the Hankooks to something better, based on experience with my S204 and previous 968 cab I'd lean towards Goodyear Efficientgrip Performance for the fronts and Eagle F1 Assymetric 3's for the rears. Cost to change all 4 about £4-500.

2. Change to 16" rims and new tyres. Brand new I'd be looking at about £1100 minus what I could get selling the 17's, and even looking on eBay I would not do much better buying a second hand set, getting them refurbed and installing new tyres.

Would appreciate thoughts and experiences from other owners of R171FL cars. Having converted my S204 from 16's and Contisports to 17's and Goodyears, transforming the ride and drive experience for the better, I'm not sure which is the better way forward!

 

[Blobcat]

I have 16”s and very happy with them.

 

[sonic]

Our first 171 2004 was on 16" wheels, good ride & no handling problems.
Current 171 2010 came with 18" wheels which are rock hard, not comfortable at all. Our winter wheels are 17" an improvement, but not as good at the 16" wheels.

 

[mercmancdi]

I m o if you think you can get a decent price for your rims considering
they are ready to go with decent tyres etc , and could afford the initial outlay i would buy the new set. As that’s it sorted for good , more comfortable and probably when tyres wear might be cheaper to replace.

 

[JBell]

The cheap and easy option is to change the Hankooks to something better, based on experience with my S204 and previous 968 cab I'd lean towards Goodyear Efficientgrip Performance for the fronts and Eagle F1 Assymetric 3's for the rears. Cost to change all 4 about £4-500.

Firmness will also depend on the tyres load rating, the higher the rating the firmer the ride, I would use a 91Y instead of a 94Y

Assy 5 now

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m54b0s16p165074/Goodyear_Tyres_Car_Goodyear_Eagle_F1_Asymmetric_5_-_225_45_R17_91Y_FP_TL_Fuel_Eff_:_E_Wet_Grip:_A_NoiseClass:_2_Noise:_70dB

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m54b0s18p167648/Goodyear_Tyres_Car_Goodyear_Eagle_F1_Asymmetric_5_-_245_40_R17_91Y_FP_TL_Fuel_Eff_:_E_Wet_Grip:_A_NoiseClass:_2_Noise:_71dB

Works out at £310 a set delivered

 

[Chrishazle]

E-A-2 (71Db) whereas from memory the Efficientgrips come in B-A-1 (69Db) and the Assym3's very similar!. However, I take your point about load rating!

 

[Chrishazle]

Looking a little deeper into this, the cost of changing the 4 tyres is £375 fitted, whereas buying a set of aftermarket 16's with tyres is £563 - £188 more.https://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/k...selected_tyre=R-234549&selected_rim=TTZP8SA35

Tempted to get the 16's and either sell the 17's (rears still have decent tread left but fronts are close to needing replaced due to outer shoulder wear), which would reduce the cost to less than the 4 x 17" tyres. Alternativly, if I don't like the 16's I cold sell them effectivly brand new but be £100 out of pocket.

Edit - prices corrected, Mytyres P&P is £9.90 per rim with or without tyre!

 

[JBell]

E-A-2 (71Db) whereas from memory the Efficientgrips come in B-A-1 (69Db) and the Assym3's very similar!. However, I take your point about load rating!

Always better to have a full matched set,My Uniroyal RS5 are 72Db, my mother has GY EA3 on her W204 and they are quieter but not much such is the amount of sound deadening in these cars.

17" Front tyre wise on a 91Y

GY EA3 - E A 68Db
GY EA5 - E A 70Db
GY EG - B A 69Db

17" Rears

GY EA3 - E A 68Db
GY EA5 - E A 71Db
GY EG - Not made

So a set of GY EA3 would be quieter on a 91Y load rating
​

 

[Chrishazle]

Just about convinced myself (and SWMBO) that buying a set of 16's is the way to go, just haven't decided whether to buy from Mytyres with GY EG Performance 91W's or price up a set of Michelin Cross Climates. the rims alone from Mytyres are £311.20, Halfords currently show 205/55 R16 91V Cross Climates for £82 fitted so total £639.20 - £100 more than GY EG's. Decisions decisions!

Sonic, do you want first refusal on my 17's if I decide to keep the 16's - or on the 16's if I decide to sell those instead?!!

 

[Chrishazle]

All on hold ATM - was about to pull the trigger on the set of 16's linked above when I suddenly thought - radius bolts on genuine MB rims - and I have a brand new shiny set ready to fit - and quite possibly conical or taper fit on aftermarket. Webpage shows an accesory kit but cannot find details of what it includes, or whether it comes with the rims, phoned Mytyres and am waiting for an email with required info.

 

[Wighty]

All on hold ATM - was about to pull the trigger on the set of 16's linked above when I suddenly thought - radius bolts on genuine MB rims - and I have a brand new shiny set ready to fit - and quite possibly conical or taper fit on aftermarket. Webpage shows an accesory kit but cannot find details of what it includes, or whether it comes with the rims, phoned Mytyres and am waiting for an email with required info.

Have a look at a company called First Aid Wheels , they do exchanges and fit tyres for nothing . Normally they are like for like wheels , but if you ring them they are flexible .
About £300 for a set of refurbed wheels based on you exchanging your set

 

[fabes]

Hold on....

Cheapest and easiest option would be to check the pressures and drop them 2 psi or so below recommendation.

So easy and obvious, you have of course already done this though.....?

 

[Wighty]

Hold on....

Cheapest and easiest option would be to check the pressures and drop them 2 psi or so below recommendation.

So easy and obvious, you have of course already done this though.....?

That’s a good thought buddy

 

[Blobcat]

All on hold ATM - was about to pull the trigger on the set of 16's linked above when I suddenly thought - radius bolts on genuine MB rims - and I have a brand new shiny set ready to fit - and quite possibly conical or taper fit on aftermarket. Webpage shows an accesory kit but cannot find details of what it includes, or whether it comes with the rims, phoned Mytyres and am waiting for an email with required info.

MyTyres should supply the “fitting kit” new bolts and hub centric rings as part of the deal (they did when I bought my winter wheels)

 

[Chrishazle]

Talking to a local garage this afternoon, he's a Michelin agent and to my surprise can get Cross Climates in the size required for the rear of both our cars - 245/40 R17 - direct from Michelin France. They're not listed as available on Michelin UK, but he always orders direct from Michelin France as that guarantees he gets brand new tyres not ones that have sat on someone's shelf for a year or three! We already have these tyres on the front of the S204, with currently GY Eagle F1 Assym 3's on the rear, and they're fine, so I'll call him tomorrow and get a price for changing all 4 on the SLK to CrossClimates! Having previously searched online for 245/40 R17 all season tyres and found none, I was amazed when he checked the Michelin France site and found he could get them - so I know where to go when the S204 rears need replacing.

There's nothing on the MyTyres site that says they supply a fitting kit, even at checkout, just the note on the web page for the rims that a certain accessory kit is required.

Bad me, have not checked the tyre pressures since I got the car back, must do that soon, not sure I have enough acess while she's in her garage, it's a bit of a tight squeeze!!

 

[Wighty]

Talking to a local garage this afternoon, he's a Michelin agent and to my surprise can get Cross Climates in the size required for the rear of both our cars - 245/40 R17 - direct from Michelin France. They're not listed as available on Michelin UK, but he always orders direct from Michelin France as that guarantees he gets brand new tyres not ones that have sat on someone's shelf for a year or three! We already have these tyres on the front of the S204, with currently GY Eagle F1 Assym 3's on the rear, and they're fine, so I'll call him tomorrow and get a price for changing all 4 on the SLK to CrossClimates! Having previously searched online for 245/40 R17 all season tyres and found none, I was amazed when he checked the Michelin France site and found he could get them - so I know where to go when the S204 rears need replacing.

There's nothing on the MyTyres site that says they supply a fitting kit, even at checkout, just the note on the web page for the rims that a certain accessory kit is required.

Bad me, have not checked the tyre pressures since I got the car back, must do that soon, not sure I have enough acess while she's in her garage, it's a bit of a tight squeeze!!

Try 32psi all round

 

[AnthonyUK]

Talking to a local garage this afternoon, he's a Michelin agent and to my surprise can get Cross Climates in the size required for the rear of both our cars - 245/40 R17 - direct from Michelin France. They're not listed as available on Michelin UK...!!

That is great info regarding that size. I’ll look to get some for the rear of mine when required as I’m currently running the same size as on the front. Not a massive issue but great to know this size is actually available.

BTW - I didn’t notice any difference moving from 16" to 17" on Avantgarde suspension.

 

[Blobcat]

That is great info regarding that size. I’ll look to get some for the rear of mine when required as I’m currently running the same size as on the front. Not a massive issue but great to know this size is actually available.

BTW - I didn’t notice any difference moving from 16" to 17" on Avantgarde suspension.

SLK hasn’t got a lot of suspension movement in the springs as it’s so small. Reducing sidewall height and increasing sidewall stiffness really affects comfort.

 

[Wighty]

Not sure which wheels you have at the moment , but first Aid Wheels have some R154’s for exchange £312

 

[Chrishazle]

17" genuine MB orignal fitment code R52 5 double spoke.