Replaced my Conti's with Michelin

[Micman]

Hi,

I've just replaced all 4 tyres on my C-class! Ouch - yes it hurt my wallet a bit, but it just happened that the front and rears came to wear out at around the same time.

It was running on Continental Sport Contacts but this time I decided to make a change as wasn't convinced by the Conti's.

Looking at previous opinions on this site along with my own research I have gone for Michelin Pilot Sports.

Front - 225/45/R17
Rear - 245/40 R17

I did the fronts a couple of months ago and then the rears last month to spread the cost, but have to say so far really impressed!

I haven't posted this to start a long debate on 'which tyres are best', just to share my feedback really.

I chose the Michelins as the general concensus and reviews seem to be they have the longest life span. (I got 18k out of my Conti's so hoping for more from the Michelins)

In terms of a difference on my car - they are noticeably quieter tyres than the Conti's were. Also, the feedback/feel through the steering seems much more precise.

Yes they cost a bit more each than the Conti's equivalent but so far well impressed. Would seriously recommend them to anyone thinking of trying something different from the Continental's on their car.

 

[Xtractorfan]

Yes I absolutely agree they do improve a cars feel and driving pleasure ...

 

[dave.robbo]

Is it ok to use different sizes front and rear?

What about the ASR and ABS? And cruise, come to think of it?!

 

[whitenemesis]

It's a MB fitment on the Sport pack option. Rears are 1" wider with lower profile tires to maintain the rolling diameter

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

Yes, if you use a wider rim and offset for the rear wheels. Trouble is Pilots for the rear are 150+!!!

 

[whitenemesis]

I've found price difference, front / rear, is minimal

 

[Rory]

It's a MB fitment on the Sport pack option. Rears are 1" wider with lower profile tires to maintain the rolling diameter

It's actually part of the Avantgarde package, at least on W203, but I think on pretty well all MB's.

Sport pack bumps the sizes up even more.

The set up looks good, but it's a real money waster with the way the tyres wear (edges at the front and centres at the rear) that they can't be rotated.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Yes, if you use a wider rim and offset for the rear wheels. Trouble is Pilots for the rear are 150+!!!

Price or Speed?

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Price or Speed?

Having now read the reply PROPERLY - it's obviously the price - D'oh

 

[whitenemesis]

It's actually part of the Avantgarde package, at least on W203, but I think on pretty well all MB's.

Sport pack bumps the sizes up even more.

The set up looks good, but it's a real money waster with the way the tyres wear (edges at the front and centres at the rear) that they can't be rotated.

I've not suffered from edge or centre wear. The two sets I've had were replaced after ~22k miles. Fronts and rears seem to wear equally. True, gets a little expensive changing all 4 together. Actually last lot were cheaper than the ones before! :-D

 

[Rory]

I've not suffered from edge or centre wear. The two sets I've had were replaced after ~22k miles. Fronts and rears seem to wear equally.

From my own experience, and plenty of other comments on here, I think to see them wear evenly, both across the tread and front to rear, is unusual.

I've still got the original Bridgestone Turanza ER30's on the front at 36K and the centres still have 4mm left but the shoulders are almost bald. The rears were changed at 20K due to bald centres. I now run the fronts slightly overinflated and rears slightly low - only 2-3lbs, and the rear centre wear is less pronounced. but it's still there.