ML320CDI tire wear
 

My 2008 ML320CDI factory standard 19" tires were showing 1/2 life at about 11K miles. M-B dealer comment, "That's it folks, 15K to 20K depending ......."
Now at 19K+ looks like I might get 21K or 22K. And yes, they have been rotated. For what I regard as a basic grocery getter, this is unacceptable. What brands have others had good tire life from?

You have a misconception as to what kind of car you own.

The ML, GL, and R-class are all Autobahn tested and Autobahn ready just like any other Mercedes. Consequently, they are fitted with performance tires, H-rated in fact, which means safe to 130 mph.

These are not 40K mile tires. That would be Toyota stuff.

ML320CDI tire wear
 

Ken, thanks for your comment. Maybe I was thrown off by M-B referring to the ML as a "light truck" which hardly conjurs up images of track days. Fact of the matter is, economy of operation was just one of the purchase factors. Speaking of which, in an unloaded car on mostly flat roads, if I stay under 65MPH (2000RPM), I can see 29-31MPG. Problem is that in FL with 70MPH posted and traffic going +5 of that, running with traffic means operating above 2000RPM which pulls the mileage down as the speed goes up. Just finished a 400 mile roundtrip and averaged 24MPG while running with traffic around 75MPH. Have you ever seen a chart showing MPG/RPM?

Continentals, right? My 07 ml350 that I bought certified with 23k on the odo had the fronts replaced by the dealer at purchase as they were shot, and the rears were at 1/2. Now at 34k, the rears have about a 1/4 and the new fronts are at a bit over 1/2. I am told it is the tires, and the Michelin and Bridgestone both make tires in the OE size for the 19"s in the sport package, and that they do much better wear wise.

I got 30K on the 17" OE Contis. I replaced them with Michelin Latitudes. Those Michelins now have 17K on them, and don't look like they go more than 20K.

Tires rotated every 5K and pressures checked regularly. I'll probably go back to the Contis when these Michelins are done.

All helpful responses are appreciated. And yes, OE inflatibles were Conti's. Based upon the experience of others, I will likely try another brand at the next pit stop. Everything considered, I like this ML which is our 4th M-B, but it is quirky. Like why should I have to remember to turn the radio on first in order activate the backup camera, while other brands seem to be satisfied with the transmission simply being shifted into reverse. Or how about the very weak (AND SEPARATE) "panic" horn which would hardly wake a sleeping baby, was there something wrong with just employing the regular, loud horn for this duty?

I also have had poor experience with the mileage on the 19" Conti's. I got about 22k front and a little more rear (no rotatation). My mileage also sucked compared to my '07 Gl CDI (at least 4 mpg less) so I decided to go back to the 18" wheels and tires (Michelin) like was on my '07. So far I can't tell about tire wear, and the mileage has improved but not by very much.
I was told by several knowledgable people that all the 19" wheel/tires are considered 'performance' tires and are NOT made for good mileage. I also asked several dealers about mileage warranty for the 19" tires and they said there isn't any.:eek:

National Tire & Battery (NTB) has given me and honored a tread life warranty on my SLK even though fronts and rears were of different size and therefore unable to be rotated. I have found that their "understanding" differs from dealer to dealer. Asking for expressed clarification at time of purchase seems to work to the buyers benefit.