C Class Tyre Wear

[moosehead]

I'm currently on my second set of front tyres from new (Continentals originally and now Kumho KU31s) and have found that both sets have worn as follows:

O/S front - inside edge worn

N/S front - outside edge worn

The tyres have 3-4mm left across the centres and I had the tracking done when the Kumhos were fitted.

Is this wear particularly unsual? I have the 225 / 245 17" set up.

 

[whitenemesis]

I would say yes.

I am coming up on 60k miles and my 3rd set of tyres. Wear has been pretty much even across all 4 tyres. Fronts wear slightly more than rears but not so I have to replace them before the rears. Front wear side to side is very even.

When you had the tracking done was it front and rear? By MB? It does seem like a geometry problem

 

[moosehead]

Tracking was done by Micheldever Tyres. Not sure whether it was front and rear. I've done 50K miles and coming up to my 3rd set on the front. Mines the V6 so not sure whether this would have an impact or be harder on the front tyres.

The rears wear very evenly although only 14-15K miles from the original Contis, 12-13K from Kumho KU19s (asymmetric) and 20K from Kumho KU31s (directional).

 

[wireman]

Any tyre wear that is not the same as the wear on the other end of the same axle is unusual.
You've had it occur on two sets of tyres so that puts faulty tyres out of the spotlight and should bring the suspension into focus, I would consider having the vehicles four wheel alignment checked (by MB would be the best) and inspect it for any evidence of physical damage to the underside of the car at both front and rear ends. Make sure that none of the suspensions many rubber bushes is worn or tatty.

 

[hardtop]

i would say its the camber prob upset by the bigger wheels also are the wheels the proper offset ect

 

[bigasotonuk]

Offset will make no difference to the way the tyres wear, also the 203 did come with 17" rims standard in some models to, so this in itself should,nt be an issue.
I have always had problems with my C230K, funny handling, strange tyre wear and Micheldever were the only ones that seemed to able to get it to drive right, everywhere else it always seemed to be skipping and scraping on one of the front wheels when they were on lock.
Though Micheldever have what appears a 4 wheel alignment machine they "never" ever adjusted the rear toe, and as your front alignment is relative to the rear, so it was never correct.
So after adjusting the rear toe, the front was aligned, and it was perfect, like driving a different car.
You would,nt believe the difference it made, it has never drove as nicely in all the time I have had it (nearly 7 yrs. and 115,000 miles).
http://www.pro-align.co.uk/amc/index.htm

 

[Blueserenity777]

Tracking was done by Micheldever Tyres. Not sure whether it was front and rear. I've done 50K miles and coming up to my 3rd set on the front. Mines the V6 so not sure whether this would have an impact or be harder on the front tyres.

The rears wear very evenly although only 14-15K miles from the original Contis, 12-13K from Kumho KU19s (asymmetric) and 20K from Kumho KU31s (directional).

I am due for a change on my tyres..noticed my rears were wearing more as compared to the front..I use Michelin Pilot Sport 2 for all ..Thinking of other brands now..wonder if michelin is still the best for comfort,ride,noise,grip..How are the Kúmho's

 

[moosehead]

Just had two new Kumhos fitted to the front at Micheldever. I asked them to check the rear tracking and the toe alignment was out. They have now aligned all 4 wheels so hopefully the new front tyres will wear a bit more evenly.

The Kumho KU31's on the front acheived 26K miles which was roughly the same as the original Contis. The real benefit is with the rears - Contis 15K miles vs Kumho KU31 at 20K miles. All in all they seem to perform as good as the Continentals.

 

[SQ_W211]

I have had similar wear if they are showing wear on different sides on both wheels then it might be a slightly misaligned suspension arm or bent suspension from a Kerb etc.

If you get the tracking done from a computerized center they will show you any such damage.

 

[moosehead]

It's interesting in that I checked the front tyres on the wife's SLK last night and they are wearing exactly the same. Could it possibly be down to the camber of the road that does this? Maybe the camber needs adjusting to compensate for this? That said the camber measurement on my print out for my C was well within the spefiied tolerance.