Visit tirerack.com and check out the writeups on various tires. I am usinf Sumitomo HTR 2. They are the cheapest tire on the market & I regret buying them. I just liked the tread pattern at the time! - Silly me. They are OK in the dry But have no traction in the wet.

 

Also, the thread wear and road noise on them are ridiculous, replaced mine last week with Yokohama AS430...so far, so good.

 

Actually many people complain of road noise from Conti's on different brands of cars. That's what I had orignally and replaced them with Riken Raptors and they are actually quieter, handle well, have a rim protector bead, cost much less and so far seem to be lasting about the same, maybe a little longer. My Conti's lasted about 25K miles, currently the car has about 45K miles and there's still a good amount of thread left, should easily last another 5k miles, maybe 10K. When I replaced tires on my last C230, the 2002 C-coupe, I used Bridgestone Potenza RE750 and they also worked well (quiet, rim protector bead) but couldn't tell you how long they last because I sold the car before it needed tires but they seemed to be wearing well but they did not handle as well as the Riken. I would avoid Pirelli as they tend to tramline on grooved roads.

 

If you got 20k, you're doing great. I've been running Michelin Pilot Sports on a C230 Sport Coupe (driven moderately) and the best EVER was 14k. Most folks tend to see about 11k.

 

No, I am only getting 12-14k on the Continentals, and that is pushing it. I am suprised to hear you are not dong any baetter with the Michelin's... I checked some prices at Costco the other day and they led me to believe the Michelin's would last 30-45K! I am not positive it was the Pilot Sports, but they were pulling them up specific to the size for my C230 so I would assume is the same as you have...

 

If you guys are getting such few miles from the factory tires, you really need to get your alignment and suspension checked, that's not acceptable. I drive very steep winding roads as fast as the car lets me to get to my mountain home and usually take the MB unless it's snowing and my tires last about 25K miles.

 

we got 27 out of our stock pilot primacy's and now have bfg g force sports.......so far so good and quiet......cheaper too....like 650 total out the door

 

How are they wearing - even, one edge, cupping? If they are wearing even but very fast you might have a camber problem, but that should show some cupping as well. These cars are hard on tires but they shouldn't be that hard.

 

Well, I digress, I looked back and I have actually gone 29K on these tires. It seems like I bought them not to long ago, but has obviously been longer than I thought. Guess I am living up to my 'goldilocks' user ID! Sorry if mislead anyone. There is some uneven wear on the front passenger tire and they recently replaced the bushings while the car was in for its 50k checkup. I think I might try the Kuhmo's next, since they are cheaper but get about the same amount of mileage.

 

Im a Fan of the Kumho Ecsta ASX Ultra's. I'm on the second set, got 35,000 miles on the first set, the preform fairly well in our MN winters and are quiet for an all season tire and the price is hard to beat. Discount Tire also matched The Tire Racks price

 

I have run the Mich Primacy MXV4's on the Sport Coupe since it was new...and have been running the current version of the MXV4's since about 93 I think and have been very happy with them. (Mine also happened to come with the Michs new) I have run the Khumo Escta on an SLK320 and so far have been pleased with them.

 

Try Toyo Tires, I dont own c230 but I own 06 cooper s. I had the proxes4 on mine and so far I had run a little over 10k and i think i can go for 20k more. the grip is nice too just I still hydroplane a bit running over a little puddle on freeway.

 

I am shopping for a new w203. BTW hows the tire wear on the W203. I notice they run out pretty fast but is the tire wear even. on my cooper s is not even at all it wears more on the inside, alignment is right but its just how it is on the cooper. so the w203 being also european, if it will do the same.

 

Falken Ziex ZE-912


These came on the car when I bought it at 36000 miles, probably the car's third set of tires, they are brand new. Can be found at discount tire direct for $408 with shipping/no tax.

So far, VERY quiet, the quitest tires I've ever had. Dry traction is good, wet is good, but not as much. They have a 40,000 mile mileage warranty, but I don't have the receipt, so won't do me much good.
Mileage Warranty 40,000 Miles
Treadwear 360
Traction A
Temperature A
Speed Rating Z

 

DON'T GET THE BFG G-Force 5 months and 8500 miles and the belts are showing through. Looking for a better choice myself at the moment.

 

I put these tires on my C230 2006 Sport, Falken Ziex ZE-912, I love them,very smooth and quite.
Good in the dry heat and the heavy rains of Florida. Different size front and rear. Medium priced. I like the way the threads and sidewalls look to.

 

I agree, very quiet and smooth, great tire for the price. Haven't run out of traction yet either.

 

Pirelli P6 Tyres, I have never had better tyres on any car I have ever had, they are ridiculously quiet.