I have a MB E350 with wider wheels on the back than the front. When I purchased it one of the rear tires was new and the other had been on there for a while. Tires are Michelin Primacy MXM4 255-35 R18. I found out that they are discontinued. The newer tire measures 9/32nds. A new one has 9.5. The older tire has 4/32nds. This size is hard to find but I found a place that has 10. I'm thinking of buying 1 to replace the older one on the rear. Then both rear tires would have close to the same tread. The front ones are wearing together. When I replace the front tires I will have to go to another type tire. Tire is $300. Think this is worth doing?
Replacing 1 tire
- Thread starter loneryder
- Start date
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
I'd just replace 1
Bear with me because I'm just thinking out loud here. But if the car has a limited slip differential, I would think you would want to keep both rear tires as close to the same circumference as possible.
This in order to prevent the clutches in the rear end from constant forced slippage, caused by having different circumference rear tires. I'm not an expert on rear ends, (except on girls), but I would think it could cause concern over long distances at highway speeds.
When these clutches are forced to slip going around corners, parking, etc., it takes place at very low speeds. And not for very long. As opposed to constant high speed driving for miles on end.
This in order to prevent the clutches in the rear end from constant forced slippage, caused by having different circumference rear tires. I'm not an expert on rear ends, (except on girls), but I would think it could cause concern over long distances at highway speeds.
When these clutches are forced to slip going around corners, parking, etc., it takes place at very low speeds. And not for very long. As opposed to constant high speed driving for miles on end.
Why not just buy 2 new rear tires and have them installed already? Keep tire headaches to the minimum and do yourself a favor. You said those are discontinued and hard to find, but you found a place that sells them. In a few years, that tire will probably be unobtainium. That remaining tire is already at 4/32" and nearing the end of its life. Keep the newer tire which is now at 9/32" and use it in rear tire rotation when the two new ones catch up in wear. It is also a spare in case one of the new tires get damaged beyond repair.
When they are very close in tread depth, it works out just fine. Can they be rotated Left to Right if necessary?
A great many cars with limited slip diffs wear the Right Rear tire faster (in countries where we drive on the Right hand side of the road) and it is rarely noticeable or a problem.
A great many cars with limited slip diffs wear the Right Rear tire faster (in countries where we drive on the Right hand side of the road) and it is rarely noticeable or a problem.
If you can afford it get 4 new ones and you'll have 3 spares.
No. RWD
They are getting unobtainium pretty quickly.
They can be rotated side to side. I've been told that it doesn't do much good. That's my thinking..to get the tread depths close so I can replace them as a set down the road. The rear tires seem to wear faster than the front on this car and they are a fairly soft compound.
This question brings me back to my college days. I went to a commuter school, and was living at home. I drove a 56 Plymouth to and from school. My father owned the car and paid for its upkeep.
He would replace one tire at a time. Often I would be driving on four different tires, with four brands and models, with four states of wear. At least they were all the same nominal size.
Once, I remember he bought an "Abel Label" brand tire. So that it would take up less space in storage, it was wrapped tight in an outer wrapping so that when you bought it, it looked more like a big washer than a tire. He paid $8 in 1966 for that tire, probably $40 in 2024 money. Then, he dismounted the old tire, and mounted the new one, in our driveway.
Somehow, I never got into an accident that could be attributed to odd mixing of questionable quality tires.
He would replace one tire at a time. Often I would be driving on four different tires, with four brands and models, with four states of wear. At least they were all the same nominal size.
Once, I remember he bought an "Abel Label" brand tire. So that it would take up less space in storage, it was wrapped tight in an outer wrapping so that when you bought it, it looked more like a big washer than a tire. He paid $8 in 1966 for that tire, probably $40 in 2024 money. Then, he dismounted the old tire, and mounted the new one, in our driveway.
Somehow, I never got into an accident that could be attributed to odd mixing of questionable quality tires.
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