Hi experts, I need help please. My car is a 1987 300E. The rear tires have been wearing out real fast. Yokohama AVS Sports 205/55/16 lasted only 7,600 km; Falken ST115 205/55/16 lasted only 9.800 km; Yokohama Aspec db 205.55/16 have been wearing at a similar *fast* rate. The front tires are OK. The Yokohama AVS Sports 205/55/16 have lasted 25,200 km. I have since changed the rear springs (original), rear shock absorber (original) and lower arm bushes, but the problem seems to be still persistent. Tire pressure is correct, according to the specifications. Note that the tire wears are EVEN, no particular signs of wearing inside or outside of the tires - so it doesn't seem to be an alignment problem.

Any suggestions would be really and greatly appreciated.

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Edwin Li
1987 W124 300E Auto right-hand drive

Post note: I don't drive hard nor negotiating corners hard. I do normal city and highway driving. As shown by the front tires, the same Yokohama AVS Sports had lasted 25,000 km (these tires are supposed to wear fast), so I don't think the fast rear tires wearing problem is due to my driving style ....

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Edwin Li
1987 W124 300E Auto right-hand drive

stop doing burnouts!!!.

just wondering, do u carry anything the the trunk? or is your car level? i have no idea so sorry i am of no help, but i would like to find out whats wrong tho.

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198? 300D ???K - Future DD
1989 300TE 285K - traded in '12
1984 300SD 186K - Sold in 08
1978 300SD 330K - Died in 05

Thanks for the question. No, I don't carry anything particular heavy at the back. AND, most of the time I don't have passengers at the back! As to the "level" issue, if I look at the car at the side, it occurs to me that the back of the car is actually slightly higher than the front, if not level. So, I have ruled out that the "weight" is the cause of the problem.

HELP! ALL suggestions and probing questions are welcome!

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Edwin Li
1987 W124 300E Auto right-hand drive

Have you taken your car to a Mercedes alignment shop.? An alignment shop that specialises in Mercedes.? Your Toe settings may be off after the lower control arm bushing changes.

Yes, I have done alignment after the lower arm bushes change. For curiosity, if the toe setting is off, should the wear be either inside or outside of a tire? In my case, the wear is quite even. So it is literally "burning rubber" ....

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Edwin Li
1987 W124 300E Auto right-hand drive

I would think that adverse camber settings would cause uneven wear on the inside/outside, but if it's just the toe, it would wear evenly straight across.

If you're going through a set of tires every ~5000 miles, your toe setting must be WAY off.

Ed:

Agree with comments that you need alignment performed to ensure your rear end is right. I believe you are located in Asia where highly trained independent tech isn't available round the coner. I will advise you take your car back to the dealers to get it measured properly. The low end equipment some of these techs have are not enough to do a proper job. Perhalps not the case for 124 but definitely for 140. They can't even do the wheel balance properly.

Hi Ed:

I had the same problem with using softer compound tires like the Bridgestone S-03's and Toyo Proxis T-1S. It only lasted about 10,000 miles each set then I needed a new set.

Handling and braking was great but I couldn't afford to keep changing tires. I went to the Bridgestone RE-950's and so far I have almost 22,000 miles on it and looks like I have half the treads left. Personally, I am happy with tires right now. Especially in the pocketbook.

I hope this helps.

Aloha,
Eric

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1987 260E Charcoal Grey 157,000 Miles
1987 260E Forest Green 120,000 Miles

If they are wearing evenly, you have a heavier foot than you think that you do. Do you drive almost entirely in the city? If so,
this is not surprising. Harder compound tires will help treadwear. The Sport tires are soft compound performance tires and won't last long even with a light trigger finger.

Good luck,

Thank you for all the questions and suggestions. I really appreciate this forum very much. Let me try bringing my car to another workshop for wheels alignment and I will report the outcome at the right moment.

Further suggestions/comments/questions are still welcome. Cheers.

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Edwin Li
1987 W124 300E Auto right-hand drive

I would think that if the toe were off, the wear would be uneven.

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1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.

Correct. If toed in, tires will wear on the outer edge, if toed out, tires will wear on the inside edge. If tires are wearing evenly, alignment cannot be at fault.

BTW, I looked up the particular Yoko Sport that you are running. They have a treadwear index number of 180. That is very low. These are gumball tires. I'm sure they grip like there's glue sprayed on them, but they will NOT last very long, even with moderate throttle application. They are meant for someone who wants maximum grip and are willing to pay for it not only in increased tire cost, but also in rapid treadwear.

Good luck,

Larry:

That must be my problem...I am monitoring (on the W124) what I consider premature rear tire wear, but at the same time, complete dissapearance of the outer edges of the tread on all four corners!

I'm due for an inspection anyway, can the dealer correct this?

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Gbenz,
That could be toe-in. Good bet, but could also potentially be a camber problem.
I would have to say that camber problems from worn suspension components usually cause inside treadwear problems. Not a given, just the nature of things. Gravity and all...

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1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.