Rear tyres for my 320 CLK

[16vWestie]

Looks like I will be neding some new rear tyres on the CLK in the next month or so. Whats the collective thoughts on the original fit Conti Sport Contacts and any other alternatives

thanks

 

[Blobcat]

A few of questions for you;
How long did the Conti's last?
How much will new ones cost?
Were you happy with the grip?
Were you happy with the tyre noise?
Were you happy with the ride?

 

[16vWestie]

new tyres

Had the car 6 months and covered 13k miles (mainly motorway). I can get new Conti's fitted for approx £140 each but I noticed that there were cheaper quality makes ie Bridgestone, Dunlop, Toyo's etc. I've never had problems with grip or tyre noise but as this is my first Merc I'm not that sure of what grip and noise levels to expect!

Thanks

 

[Blobcat]

13K miles is low for Motorway usage. However you have a poweful car and the more you press your right foot down the more rubber you leave behind .
You could try a pair of the cheaper / very cheap tyres as you will be changing again fairly soon. I had to change one of my conti's for a Viking and after a couple of K miles I haven't noticed the difference.

 

[16vWestie]

new tyres

The tyres have done more than 13k, I have done 13k since getting the car but do not know when the tyres were changed by the previous owner. I would (hopefully) expect in the region of 30k from a set of rears with the type of driving I do (or am I living in lah-lah land?!?)

Thanks

 

[Rory]

If you're happy with them, and can get exactly the same tyre again (tyre models change quite often) then I'd replace them like for like.
Different tyres can make a big difference to the car's dynamics and it's *very* annoying to get it wrong.

What size are they - £140 each is going some? Have you checked the on-line places (at least for a price comparison)?

 

[Blobcat]

If you are used to front wheel drive then 30K+ is achievable for rears. However with rear wheel drive I wear all four out at around 21-27K miles, although my Conti's (ecocontact) are harder wearing than the Sport Contacts you have.

 

[16vWestie]

sizes are 245/40R 17. The price I have posted is from Black Circles

 

[Rory]

sizes are 245/40R 17. The price I have posted is from Black Circles

Fairy Nuff.

 

[Blobcat]

Those are wide and have small sidewalls. As different tyres have varying degrees of sidewall stiffness if you get some which are too stiff the ride will be very uncomfortable. £280 + fitting & disposal (+Vat?) for a pair of tyres is expensive though.

 

[BarryS]

Seems expensive, I've just got a quote for Contisport contact 2 for the front of my CLK, 205/55 R16's, so smaller than yours but £68, I think this is fitted inc valves.

Interestingly, I did have Pirelli P7's on the back, 225/50, but after a puncture on one, found them unavailable anywhere so had to get two new tyres and went for the Contisport - seem fine for noise, grip, wear.

I didn't like the P7's - no grip but don't wear out at all. The fronts have 30k miles and still going strong but for wear due to mistracking.

 

[jberks]

Price looks about right to me. It's in the ballpark of what I was looking at for my 245/45/17's

I balked (I needed 4 and £600+ was just too heavy) and bought some premium budget tyres instead. They are Federal though Toyo and Khumo are well regarded and cost £80 each. Noise, ride and grip are equal to the Contis - too early to tell on the wear though. So far so good.

 

[BarryS]

So the moral is, if you go for larger wheels and ultra low profile tyres then in addition to the extra wheel cost and harsher ride you get whacked in the wallet at replacement time.

I never thought my car on 16-inch wheels looked under-wheeled and the ride is very quiet. My standard avantgard wheels look really nice too. So why go bigger?

By the way, a big recommendation for Bracknell Tyre & Battery for anyone near the area - cheaper than Mitcheldever, didn't charge for the tracking as it didn't need changing, and do a good job.

 

[jberks]

A wise view Barry. I was swayed by the look of mine but yes there is a price to pay both financially and in the ride. That said, the ride in mine is still pretty good and slowly improving as the miles clock up.