W203/CL203/S203 TIRE Discussion Thread - Every question on TIRES

[benze-ply]

Originally Posted by Marky Bends Any last words of wisdom for me before I buy my tires? I'll be getting Kumho Ecsta SPT's in 235/35/19 & 255/30/19. I'm still wondering a bit if I should get 225/35 up front. I like the Falkens 452's, Hankook Ventus V4's, and Toyo 4's also but they don't have 255/30 sizes. What are everyone's opinions on mixing brands front and back? From what I've read it seems no one really has problems with 235 up front? All opinions are appreciated. Thanks a ton! i've read that mixing is generally considered bad - something about different tire thread pattern differences and tire composition differences (i think )

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[advans]

I just ordered two new rears for my coupe, another set of Falkens, upgraded from 451 to 452s, they are pretty good tires! 265/30/19 ftw!


btw, I was, and still tempted to get Verdestein Ultrac Sessanta Tires, I heard they were awesome, but the vender whom I wanted to order from, offered me a negative discount. So I ended up buying two Falkens again.

Falkens are awesome tires, but they die out quickly. But I still perfer them over the Expensive stuff, like Pzeros (I had them on my 17" amgs, I hated them)

Btw, for those who want a All-season (High performance) setup, I recommend Yokohama YK-520, they are pretty good in snow, ice, rain, but they are...a little noisy on dry roads. But for a winter setup, they are great! its just that...the tire is a little boxy, so for cars that are dropped, there might be a slight chance of rubbing...like on mine!

[pickupjason]

Originally Posted by donmega23

Yep sorry about that, I did mean the Falken 452s. There was a bit of rain this weekend too and I got to test them on wet roads and they did pretty good for me there as well.

Ordered a set of Falken 452 the other day from Discounttiredirect.com, they have a 10% off special going on, can't wait to get them so I could have them mounted to replace the worn yoko es100.

The c/p value is one of the reasons go with Falken, also I just put falken 912 on my little miata,(it's highly recommended in miata forum) and I am pretty happy with the ride/control/performance.

Jason

[rtking]

Originally Posted by TruTaing

Along these lines: How does one know if a tire has rounded side walls? Do you just LOOK?

thanks!

Sidewalls are not rounded. The shoulder of the tire (i.e. outer tread blocks) are rounded. Some tires, such as Goodyear Gatorbacks, have square shouldered tread. Some other tires, such as the BF Goodrich KDW2, have rounded shoulders.

I have 245/40-17 BFGoodrich KDW2 all around (non-staggered 17x7.5 C7 wheels.) Work great. Aggressive runs up to Lake Arrowhead and back down with zero rub issues, even when lowered on Eibach springs. Great setup, lots of adhesion, very little tire squeal.

[pepper301]

Mu girlfriend has a c240 4matic and she currently has some wheels on the car that I am not all that familiar with. The problem is the tires that came with her wheel & tire package rub when she turns the wheel. Her tire size is 225/45/18. Anyone here with a 4matic that could possibly be of some assistance?

[e1000]

Those tires are wayyy too tall. Proper size for non-staggered 18's is 225/40-R18

[ROLLNNN]

whats up guys,
i have a question about tire sizing. First off i have Falken 452's.

My rear wheel is 19x9.5 it has a 265/35 and it has a slight stretch look to it (i attached a pic below)

My front wheel is 19x8 235/35, there is no stretch on it at all. I'm thinking about putting a smaller tire so the stretch matches the rear wheel.

Should i go 225/35 or 215/35???

Thanks!!

[mlg]

kuhmo has a new tire- xs i think, internally known as " fk" or falken killer, as the falken 615 has garnered most of the market share for autocrossers. the tire is super sticky and quick, priced like 615, meaning wayyyyyy less than competing mich, toyo, bridgest, etc, i had a set of 615s on my last car and they were the BEST performing tires by far, and ive gone thru most of the max perf tires, they make u say, happiness IS the corner, anyway, im eager to try a set, anyone else?

[kirax2]

why don't you get it, try it first then tell us how you felt than starting new thread?????

[T.O_c240]

Originally Posted by mlg

kuhmo has a new tire- xs i think, internally known as " fk" or falken killer, as the falken 615 has garnered most of the market share for autocrossers. the tire is super sticky and quick, priced like 615, meaning wayyyyyy less than competing mich, toyo, bridgest, etc, i had a set of 615s on my last car and they were the BEST performing tires by far, and ive gone thru most of the max perf tires, they make u say, happiness IS the corner, anyway, im eager to try a set, anyone else?

Ive got Kuhmo Ecsta Spt's on my car right now. They're great for dry weather i find and have a nice looking tread pattern but i suspect they suck in wet weather because ive experienced hydroplaning on the highway before with them and it doesnt look like they can dissapate water very well either. Oh well they were cheap so i still like them.

The XS tire seems more like a street/track tire with a greater emphasis on track

SPT left, XS right

[drexappeal]

bump to merge.

[importz_]

So my rims just came in the today and wondering what kind of size of tires i should get i have a 2004 C230 Kompressor stock height and planning to drop the car with some H&R drop springs pretty soon. But for now just the rims upgrade


FRONT = 19x8.5 with a 32mm offset
REAR = 19x9.5 with a 35mm offset

so should i go with tire size

FRONT = 235/35/19
REAR = 255/30/19 or 265/30/19 i read that the 265/30/19 are better so i won't scratch the rim or bend them easy......

let me know what i should get ASAP because im planning on putting my car on this car show this Aug 31st

[ROLLNNN]

If you are only planning on lowering the car with H&R springs, i would go with the 265/30

what tires are you going with? remember some tires have a more rounded sidewall than others, so even if you go with 265 you might not have that much lip protection. I have a 9.5 in the rear with 265/30 falken fk452, i basically have no lip protection at all.

[importz_]

Originally Posted by ROLLNNN

If you are only planning on lowering the car with H&R springs, i would go with the 265/30

what tires are you going with? remember some tires have a more rounded sidewall than others, so even if you go with 265 you might not have that much lip protection. I have a 9.5 in the rear with 265/30 falken fk452, i basically have no lip protection at all.

Yeah I'm about to order my springs right now, hopefully they get here this friday. And the tires I'm getting are


Brand are
General UHP EXCLAIM


Heres the details on the tires that im getting.


[REARS]
Size 265/30ZR19XL
UTQGL 380 AA A
Service 93W
Supplier 15476650000
Min Rim Width 7.0000
Max Rim Width 10.0000
Outer Diameter 25.3
Max Load 1433 lbs
RPM 828
Tread Depth 10.00


[FRONTS]
Size 235/35ZR19XL
UTQGL 380 AA A
Service 91W
Supplier 15476630000
Min Rim Width 6.0000
Max Rim Width 9.0000
Outer Diameter 25.5
Max Load 1356 lbs
RPM 819
Tread Depth 10.00

[importz_]

i got my rims put on today no rub or anything so im glad, and also got my window tinted 20% all the way around.....

im about to order some H&R spring
heres the link to the springs that im getting...

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/s...792&perfCode=P

somebody let me know if i would rub if i put these H&R springs on my car

[ROLLNNN]

Originally Posted by importz_

i got my rims put on today no rub or anything so im glad, and also got my window tinted 20% all the way around.....

im about to order some H&R spring
heres the link to the springs that im getting...

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/s...792&perfCode=P

somebody let me know if i would rub if i put these H&R springs on my car

you got any pics???

taking into consideration all the specs, it seems like you should be fine... the only place i think you might rub is in the front, when turning your wheel all the way, it might rub the front inner wheel well plastic. But that would only happen when your wheel is turned all the way, like when you are backing out of a parking spot going slowly, not a big deal though. One other spot could be in the rear, you might rub a plastic piece that connects the rear fender and bumper, happens to alot of us, might have to shave that piece down, but since you are running a +35 in the rear you might be fine, could depend on the angle of your sidewall... nothing major though... in other words get the springs, and post some pics....

[importz_]

Originally Posted by ROLLNNN

you got any pics???

taking into consideration all the specs, it seems like you should be fine... the only place i think you might rub is in the front, when turning your wheel all the way, it might rub the front inner wheel well plastic. But that would only happen when your wheel is turned all the way, like when you are backing out of a parking spot going slowly, not a big deal though. One other spot could be in the rear, you might rub a plastic piece that connects the rear fender and bumper, happens to alot of us, might have to shave that piece down, but since you are running a +35 in the rear you might be fine, could depend on the angle of your sidewall... nothing major though... in other words get the springs, and post some pics....

and im about to order those springs hopefully i wont have any problem

[t1n0]

Hello all.

I was looking for recent opinions on some new replacement tires.
My C32 has Continental Contact 2, which seem pretty good, and are OEM for a lot of German sedans. I have read that the OEM tire for this car was actually Pirelli P Zero Rosso's but I'm not getting those.

I have been all over the web, and from what I can tell, the best contenders would be the Goodyear F1 GS-D3, the Michelin PS and PS2's, or maybe just go with Continental SportContact 3's.

Accepting the fact that any of these top shelf tires will give me more traction than I will exceed, more important to me among this group would be noise level and wear life.

I bought my car in Jan and the Conti's were below half life. Now 15,000 miles later, they still may have a few more thousand in them until I have to absolutely replace them, because they are not at the wear bars yet. Contis's seem to have the best mix of traction vs wear vs quiet.

I am leaning towards the PS2's, but I have heard that they wear very quickly.

Thanks,
T

[Blake P]

Originally Posted by t1n0

I am leaning towards the PS2's, but I have heard that they wear very quickly.

Thanks,
T

PS2's are great, but overpriced IMO. I'd suggest the Goodyears , Falken FK452, or Toyo T1R.

[t1n0]

They are about 195 each plus shipping for the front @ 225/45/17, stock AMG rims.

That's about 10 more than Conti 3's, and about 40 more than Goodyear F1's.

If they are good and quiet, it's worth it to me. The highways here in so Florida are loud.

[Blake P]

Originally Posted by t1n0

They are about 195 each plus shipping for the front @ 225/45/17, stock AMG rims.

That's about 10 more than Conti 3's, and about 40 more than Goodyear F1's.

If they are good and quiet, it's worth it to me. The highways here in so Florida are loud.

You can probably get a set of FK452's for about half the price.

[ROLLNNN]

I just changed my Falken FK452's 235/35/19 up front to 225/35. I did it mainly for the look since i have a 19x8 wheel, i wanted the look to match my rear wheel with a slight stretch. Unfortunately there still isn't much of a stretch look, however it does match a little more and i do like it. The only thing i was surprised about is the ride and feel. I didnt think i would be able to notice a difference, but i can. I feel the bumps alot more, its pretty surprising considering how small the drop in size is. At first i wasnt sure cuz i drove mainly on the freeways this weekend, but coming into work on the LA streets... Big difference.....

Overall, the ride is still good, tires are quiet, price is unbeatable, still

[TheDoc46]

Hi,

I have a 2007 C230 Sport, 15k on the clock, with the stock Michelin Pilot Primacy 225/45 R17 Fronts and 245/40 R17 Rears.

Anyway I think one is badly cupped because the tires are as noisy as hell. Like a harmonic thrap thrap thrap sound... Anyway cutting a long story short, it's ruining my driving pleasure.. So time to change the tires..

I could pay a place to examine each and every tire and replace the bad one / pair with the VERY expensive Michelins. Or for the same price as a pair I could go for a whole set of the much cheaper brands such as Yokohomo's or Kumho's.

To change all four to Michelins is well over a grand so that's a little out of the question.. Just to get rid of the noise..

Mind you, i don't want cheapo tires on my car.. What do you guys / girls think of the Kumho's or Yokohomo's... Are they as good as the Bridgestones and Michelins of this world? Cos they are half the price !!!! AND with only 15k on the clock I'd of expected my Michelins to have lasted longer !!!! So I can't say that I'm all that impressed with the expensive tires right now...

Advice welcolme ....

Thanks

[dnegri]

Originally Posted by TheDoc46

Hi,

I have a 2007 C230 Sport, 15k on the clock, with the stock Michelin Pilot Primacy 225/45 R17 Fronts and 245/40 R17 Rears.

Anyway I think one is badly cupped because the tires are as noisy as hell. Like a harmonic thrap thrap thrap sound... Anyway cutting a long story short, it's ruining my driving pleasure.. So time to change the tires..

I could pay a place to examine each and every tire and replace the bad one / pair with the VERY expensive Michelins. Or for the same price as a pair I could go for a whole set of the much cheaper brands such as Yokohomo's or Kumho's.

To change all four to Michelins is well over a grand so that's a little out of the question.. Just to get rid of the noise..

Mind you, i don't want cheapo tires on my car.. What do you guys / girls think of the Kumho's or Yokohomo's... Are they as good as the Bridgestones and Michelins of this world? Cos they are half the price !!!! AND with only 15k on the clock I'd of expected my Michelins to have lasted longer !!!! So I can't say that I'm all that impressed with the expensive tires right now...

Advice welcolme ....

Thanks

[Ryanr317]

Originally Posted by TheDoc46

Hi,

I have a 2007 C230 Sport, 15k on the clock, with the stock Michelin Pilot Primacy 225/45 R17 Fronts and 245/40 R17 Rears.

Anyway I think one is badly cupped because the tires are as noisy as hell. Like a harmonic thrap thrap thrap sound... Anyway cutting a long story short, it's ruining my driving pleasure.. So time to change the tires..

I could pay a place to examine each and every tire and replace the bad one / pair with the VERY expensive Michelins. Or for the same price as a pair I could go for a whole set of the much cheaper brands such as Yokohomo's or Kumho's.

To change all four to Michelins is well over a grand so that's a little out of the question.. Just to get rid of the noise..

Mind you, i don't want cheapo tires on my car.. What do you guys / girls think of the Kumho's or Yokohomo's... Are they as good as the Bridgestones and Michelins of this world? Cos they are half the price !!!! AND with only 15k on the clock I'd of expected my Michelins to have lasted longer !!!! So I can't say that I'm all that impressed with the expensive tires right now...

Advice welcolme ....

Thanks

I've had Kumho's on my previous car and have no complaints. They seem to wear a bit faster though. I recently had to replace the contnentals on my front wheels so i went with some Fuzion ZRi's. It's a reasonably priced tire. No complaints thus far but i've only had them on there for about 6 months.