I have tried two sets of these on my 300TE (195,000 miles)and they always seem to wear on the outside edge on the front. Consequently I only get 20,000 miles before they wear out. Alignment has been checked and maintained. Front end has also been checked and maintained. Tire dealer claims this is normal mileage, and "all Mercedes wear like that because of the power steering".
Anyone else experience this? Recommendations? I am pretty tired of spending so much for such poor wear (handling is OK but not great). Wife's car now - mostly does short trips in town and the occasional family vacation.

I had a '91 300TE 4-matic with Pilot MXH4 (I think) tires and it was very hard on tires. They would wear as you describe. I did a rotation every 3,000 miles and that helped. I know a couple of other folks who also have or had 4-matics and they all have excessive tire wear. I haven't had my non 4-matic long enough to tell. Perhaps some other 300E or -TE owners will add coments....

...Tracy

My previous car to this was a 1991 230TE without the 4Matic (in England) and it wore tires (tyres over there) the exact same way. I am starting to think it is a common problem with no solution!

It's sure possible as I'd guess the suspension is more similar than different among the E class models. Have you tried a 4 wheel allignment done by a dealer?

...Tracy

I use to have that problem, I then inflated the tire pressur more, and did a balance every 1 year where the outside edge is mounted on the inside. I also replaced my worn suspension parts (shocks, struts, boots, ball joints, etc.) No problem now, don't even have to do the inside outside rotation. Honestly, the low inflation rating in the front is to offer better traction, but at the cost of wear. Trial and error in my opinion to find your setting.

__________________
Chirag (Charlie) Patel
--------------------------------------------
- 03 Mercedes S600 Sport TTV12
- 97 Acura NSX-T
- 99 BMW E36 M3 w/500+ HP
- 04 Lexus RX330
- 04 Dodge Dakota Quad 4x4 V8

4 Sale:
- 99 BMW M3 E36 Coup with Dinan SC, Upgraded to an RMS Stage 3 with Aftercooler, 12psi, and 500+hp @ flywheel.

To ChipJ and all 4matic owners,

If you have a chassis manual, read the section on tires and wheels. If you don't have a manual, it states specifically that the 4matic will cause uneven wear on the outside edge of the front tire nearest the center of the road. On USA cars, that's the left front tire. I have tried Pirelli P600s, MWV4s, and I'm now using Conti CH95s. They are a fraction of the price of the MXV4s and handle normal driving very well. I don't know or care how they compare in auto-xing, if you bought a 4matic with hopes of competing in auto-x, you're not wrapped too tight.

An MB Tech rep told me at a Merchant Tire Tech Session (I know, the ultimate hearsay..) that MB has authorized dealers to align 4matics to the outside limit of toe on the front wheels to help ease the tire wear. He said you could even go a little beyond the spec and won't see any problems except on-center steering over 100 mph. Not a prob for most 4matic owners.

I'm getting about 40k on a set of tires with the Contis and I'm very happy with their performance. The 4matic will handle any weather you throw at it, and the dry braking is superb. Something about 4400 lbs of mass holding down those contact patches works really well, I have found. 8^)).

Good luck, and enjoy your 4matics. I do!!

Mike Yox

(Not usually a wheels and tires forum reader, but I was bored at work yesterday and saw your post in this section.)

Looks like cheaper tires, higher pressure (I will try 36/40 front/rear) - I have been using 32/36, toe-in slightly beyond the spec, and careful recheck of all front suspension parts is the way to go.

I have some BFG Comp T/A VR4 on my 90 TE4Matic. They show very little edge wear and are at 20Kmi now. I am pretty happy about these tires, they will probably run another 20Kmi. They are quiet running however they are slightly stiff. The ride may not be as smooth as a Michelin, but they are also priced right. I would have a look at the lower ball joints and a 4 wheel alignment to correct the pulling problem.

__________________
90 300TE 4MATIC (124)

http://www3.telus.net/iread/

Lebenz,

Do you recommend alignment by MB dealer?

My nearest MB dealer charges $199.

Sears: $60
Pepboys: $65 with warranty.

An indi working on MB's says $60.

Another MB dealer who also sell Rolls Royce say $95.

I had this problem, but I don’t have it anymore. See my alignment information below. Note that there are 5 numbers, Minimum, Nominal, Max, Actual Left, and Actual Right. The Minimum, Nominal, and Max for the rear camber are not specified, because they are not adjustable without aftermarket parts.

An alignment should fix your problem, but I think you will have to specify minimum toe-in and –1 camber to fix it. The combination of negative camber and minimum toe-in, should take the pressure off of the outside edge of the tires. If the final adjustments are closer to the Maximum toe-in or you do not have sufficient negative camber, I am afraid that you will still have a problem. It can be within specification and still cause the problem. You will have to specify Minimum toe-in and some negative camber.


From a previous post:
"I dug out the alignment specifications that were printed out when my 1995 E320 was aligned after I added the Eibach springs. The Porsche race-tuner mechanic found specifications for Mercedes Benz, 92-95, 124.034, Sport Suspension. I asked for minimum toe-in, hoping that I would have less wear on the outside edge of the front tires and I thought the rear camber should be in line with the maximum range for the front specification. I figured the rear camber wasn’t specified because it isn’t adjustable from the factory, but I have the K-MAC rear bushings so I wanted it adjusted.

Front:
Min Nominal Max Actual Left Actual Right
Camber -1.33 -1.00 -0.83 -1.2 -1.1
Caster 9.92 10.42 10.92 10.5 10.1
Toe 0.08 0.17 0.25 0.09 0.08

Rear:
Min Nominal Max Actual Left Actual Right
Camber ---- ---- ---- -1.2 -1.3
Toe 0.13 0.21 0.29 0.14 0.15


My car has a sporty look with the slight negative camber, it handles very well, it tracks straight, and my tires do not seem to be wearing out more quickly on the outside edge like they did when the car was stock. The tire wear is so even, I don’t even have to rotate the tires."

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
I just couldn't give up on my 1995 E320.

I think it might be like always going back to that same bad relationship with an ex girlfriend.
You feel you love them too much, or you are just too stupid to know any better.



Flickr slideshow of my 1995 E320
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24145497@N06/sets/72157616572140057/