My 350 SDL has Michelin Xone 205/65/15 tires which have worn oddly on the front. The outside treads seem to have worn from front to back on each cleat. The inside treads are fine.

Many MBs have that problem, the best thing is to chec the alignment and make sure its in place. If it has worn real bad on the outside shoulders, then I would have them remounted so that the better wear is on the outside. Another reason is that if you wear your tires down in three years on the x-one with proper maintenance, then you get a free set. Just replace a pair on a 92 Toyota Previa that we have them on, and we got close to 90,000 miles on them. They do wear very well!!

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Chirag (Charlie) Patel

- 99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
- 93 190E 2.6 (4-sale) w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
- had a 93 190E m103 3.2, 5-speed trans,
- had a 88 300E 2.6
- had a 84 300TD w/275k+ miles
- 2001 C-Class - Maybe (if 190E sells)

Your camber could be causing that problem. Have the car realigned.

a stair step wear thaat you are describing typically can be traced to a "toe-in" condition. The problem, can be corrected with a alignment. The reason for the abnormal wear is the tire is skidding or hopping not rolling.
I hope this helps,
Luke

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Luke Pavlick
Performance Specialist (ASE Certified Master Tech)
The Tire Rack
(click banner at top of the page
to visit Tire Rack)

Wouldn't this be camber rather than toe?

Most likely the camber will be off as well but, the wear that was described is more of a "toe in" type wear. A camber wear is typically shoulder wear that is smooth and even not saw-toothed or stair stepped in it's characteristics.
Thanks, Luke


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Luke Pavlick
Performance Specialist (ASE Certified Master Tech)
The Tire Rack
(click banner at top of the page
to visit Tire Rack)