Hello,

I am new to this forum. My 06 C230 needs new rear tires at 19K miles. I would like to replace the OEM ContinentalSport Contact 2 with another brand; either Michellin, Dunlop or General. Ialready looked at tirerack.com anddiscoun tire.

My question: is it ok to use a different brandfor rear tires? The front tires are still in good condition from the OEM Continental SportContact 2.

Thank youin advance for your suggestions.

Herdi

 

Yes. It is ok. Not great but ok depending on how you drive. It is not really ideal to have different traction characteristics front to back or side to side for that matter. You do not want to go into a corner and have one end stick and the other not. It is nicer to lose traction at the same time, more predictable.

Its a little tacky too, after all this is a Mercedes.How much longer do you think the fronts willlast? I would change all four.

-Eric

 

By the way, "General's" are kinda funny. Sounds like the tires Cooter would have put on Sheriff Taylors Chrysler back in Mayberry?

-Eric

 

Ok I checked out your Generals. I have no comment on them besides my previous kidding. For a low end tire I would prefer a Kumho to a General. I have had great success with Kumhos on a Miata and a Honda Pilot and will likely put them on the C230 when my Michelin Pilot Primacy's wear out:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....&minLoad=S

 

By the way the Michelin Pilot Primacys are a freightening $250 ea on the rears from Tirerack. The Kumho is less than $100.

 

Also your Generals are a Summer Tire. Can you really put a summer tire on this car or do you live somewhere where you might need some wet traction? I keep All Seasons on the MBZ and High Performance Summers on the Miata. The Miata is quite freightening to drive in the wet - no grip with Summer Performance Tires in the rain. Not sure if you have a second car you drive in inclement weather?

 

Hi Eric,

Thanks for your advice. The reason I selected General is that this tire & Continental is manufactured/imported by the same company, and the reviews on tirerack.com are not bad. Anyway, I live in Los Angeles, CA so I think summer tires are ok. My second car is VW Passat and it has BF Goodrich Traction T/A tires. The MB dealer here has Continental Sport Contact for $185, but I willstill shop around. You are right, Michelin Pilot is so expensvie at tirerack.com.

Best,
Herdi

 

Herdi-
Check out the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Positions or the Falken FK452. The Falkens are billed as a Luxury tire so they offer a quieter ride and Bridgestones are all-season with excellent reviews. Falkens are around $160 and Bridgestones are around $200.

 

I have a set of Michelin Primary Pilot on the rear of my C230 (245/40/17) and wanted to know if I could put a set of 255/40/17. It is a 2007.

 

I have a 2003 C230 Sport Coupe, and I have several sets of tires on it, the absolute best have been my current tire, Pirelli P4, they are quiet, and handle wonderfully and are very good for tire wear.

I recommend them highly.

Good luck

Trygve