Tyre Suggestions

[moosehead]

My C230 seems to eat rear tyres and my independant specialist informs me that this appears to be a feature of the 7G gearbox.

The original set of Continental Sport Contacts lasted 15K miles and the Kumho KU19s which replaced them will probably do well to make 12K. I have been running Kumho's on the wifes SLK for the last 4-5 years and she manages to get 20K from a rear set. I used to acheive just over 20K using Kumho's on the front of my V6 Cougar.

Does anyone have any suggestions on a reasonably priced longer life tyre?

Most of my driving is on the motorway which you would think would be kinder on the rears.

 

[Blobcat]

I would have thought it would be more of a feature of your right foot than the 7G box, however I maybe wrong ;-)

 

[Rory]

I have Michelin Primacy HP's on the rear of my C270CDi and they still almost new after 10K miles. Previous Bridgestone Turanza's were bald in the centre's at 20K.
I really only use the car for very gentle motorway cruising, though.

 

[moosehead]

Right foot is very light. Would be interesting to hear thoughts from other 7G owners.

 

[moosehead]

Rory, have you got the 7G setup?

 

[Blobcat]

I have 7G 14.5K miles and tyres look great.

 

[television]

Kumho do use a soft compound, and never do as well as most others on the wear test

 

[moosehead]

Thanks Malcolm. Sounds like the Kumho's are a bit soft. Blobcat - you don't mention what you are running on your 'E' to have acheived 14.5K? I'm really looking for some suggestions that will give me a cost effective alternative to the Sport Contacts.

 

[Blobcat]

Michelin Pilot Premacys although I don't think they will be cost effective as they are ~£130 a hoop.

 

[television]

Do a few searches for prices and post some of the results, this may give a better indication of Price V lasting and comfort.

 

[Rory]

Rory, have you got the 7G setup?

No - I'm struggling to see the logic that would cause the box to make any difference though.

I always drive in S mode. I would imagine that C would be even easier on the tyres. Does the 7G box have c/s (or whatever) settings?

If you do want to go for Michelin, check out the prices in Costco, if you have a Costco card (or can get access to one).

 

[carabind]

also worth trying the tyre dealers on line, including www.blackcircle.com or co.uk. Someone had an offer with 25% off michelins, but this was a while ago.

I have done 25k miles from new on my e220, and tyres about 50% worn - have swapped over front to rear to even them out. should get 45, even 50K before replacement is needed Gentle motorway driving is the key . It has a 5G box, but 5/7G shouldn't make that much difference in theory!

If you reckon your right foot isn't to blame, it might be worth thinking about a 4 wheel tracking test - the rear tyres might be scrubbing and accelerating wear.......have you had the car from new?

 

[seabadger]

Hi Moosehead,
I agree with Carabind I dont think the gear box is the problem.
My guess is the rear tracking is out. I have a W211 and have fiddled about with most of the suspension settings front and rear with good results.
You haven't said where the tyres are wearing - is it right across the tread pattern or on the edges? which edge?
I have had reasonable results from Falken FK451's and have done 20K miles on the current rear set. These are the cheapest tyres I could get - 245/45ZR17. I have about 4 mm tread left. They have a nice tread pattern as well!
My problem is the camber angle is wrong on the back and the inside edges wear out first. The wheels lean in too much. Mercedes do correction bolts for the front which I've fitted with sensational results, they dont do them for the rear. I think I've got to fit spacers under the rear springs to pick up the ride height to correct the saggy rear suspension in order to adjust the camber angle.
A tape measure check front and rear of the tyres about 150mm off the ground will indicate whether the wheels are toeing in or out. They should be parallel or toeing in about 1mm. After adjustment you will see on your trip computer (MPG) if you've improved or made it worse.
Regards
Seabadger

 

[moosehead]

The car was just less than a year old with 7K miles when I got it. It had the original Contis fitted which I replaced at 15K with the Kumhos. The tyres are wearing very evenly with no sign of scuffing or alignment problems. The o/s rear has marginally more tread left than the n/s. I drive the car in C mode and 75% of my miles are on the motorway.

As I mentioned it looks like the Kumho's will do well to get to 12K at which point do I switch back to Contis (£116 from MyTyres) or find a harder tyre? The front has the original contis and have done 25K. They will probably need replacing at 30K. Unfortunately I can't swap front to rear, etc. because they are 245s on the rear and 225s on the front.

 

[Phil D]

having once been loaned a C320 cdi when mine was getting sorted it strikes me that the gearbox v right foot argument is probably fairly simple - 7 speeders are only fitted as standard to the highest performing cars - after that temptation takes over and more welly is applied with fairly inevitable consequences for the rear tyres in particular- I was gutted when they phoned to say that mine was sorted and I could come & pick it up

 

[grpar]

Michelin worth a look

Moosehead,

Whilst my c-class rides on very modest 205/55/R16 tyres, I too have the same problem with the Conti SportContact 2's in that they wear down to 3mm after about 12,000 miles. With a C180 Kompressor, I can hardly be a boy-racer, now can I ... !

Having researched alternatives on the web (both independent tests & consumer reviews), for your tyre size you might want to consider Michelin Pilot Sport PS2's or Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2's. These will not necessarily give you any more wear than the Conti's, but should help the car ride better compared to the Conti's. For longer-wearing tyres, the Michelin Pilot Primacy HP (not Primacy or Primacy G1) appear to last well into the high-20,000's, although the offset is a slightly harder, firmer ride.

Let us know how you get on.

 

[grpar]

Michelin worth a look

Moosehead,

Whilst my c-class rides on very modest 205/55/R16 tyres, I too have the same problem with the Conti SportContact 2's in that they wear down to 3mm after about 12,000 miles. With a C180 Kompressor, I can hardly be a boy-racer, now can I ... !

Having researched alternatives on the web (both independent tests & consumer reviews), for your tyre size you might want to consider Michelin Pilot Sport PS2's or Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2's. These will not necessarily give you any more wear than the Conti's, but should help the car ride better compared to the Conti's. For longer-wearing tyres, the Michelin Pilot Primacy HP (not Primacy or Primacy G1) appear to last well into the high-20,000's, although the offset is a slightly harder, firmer ride.

Let us know how you get on.

 

[moosehead]

Thanks grpar, have checked out the Michelin site and they claim 25% more miles for the HP's than their European competitors. The only problem with the Michelin's is that they are £130-140 per corner. I'm doing 30K plus miles per year so I'm really looking for something a bit more cost effective but at the same time delivering reasonable performance and if possible better wear than the original Contis (15K miles). The Kumho KU19s are excellent tyres but 12K is a bit disappointing considering they are £91 from MyTyres.

I also had a trawl through some previous threads and it looks like jberks ivested in a set of Federals. It would be interesting to hear how these have performed over a period of time? They are around £55 from MyTyres

 

[gworilla]

I got the best possible price from the Internet for my Goodyears printed off the quote and took it here: http://www.selectatyre.co.uk/

These guys then beat the quote and I was able to drive down there in 2 days to pick up the tyres - job done!!

I am now running the brand new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric (MADE IN GERMANY) which replace the GS-D3's (MADE IN CHINA) and so far the handling and grip are superb. I'll post back in 3 months with a wear update, but so far so good!!