OEM tires vs the other tires...

[A930Rocket]

Time to buy tires for the wife's MB R350. Tire Rack (and others) have the OEM tires and other tires in the same size to fit. Obviously the OEM tires are more money, but are they REALLY worth it?

I'm looking at 235-65-17 tires.

Your thoughts?

[stomachmonkey]

It's an opportunity to purchase a tire suited to the weather in your area and your driving style/needs.

[89911]

OEM tires come down to which company offers the best prices or promotions to a car company. I am sure the Continental likes being sold on BMW's because it promotes the image. That being said, I could care less when buying new tires on a car. I think there are usually better deals out there, you just may not as familiar with them. Some OEM tires are also real bad. Read some of the reviews of OEM tires on TireRack and see.

[cbush]

I like the ability on Tire Rack's web site to compare the different tires- wear, ride noise, cost, performance. I tend towards OEM because it is a known quality, but there are a lot of options out there now. I am a believer in that you usually get what you pay for...

[Tobra]

The OEM tires on my Integra really sucked ass. Loud, no grip, all season tires that sucked in all conditions. Got yokohamas and the car was transformed.

Tires that came with the car were a compromise, as above, you can get some getter suited to your conditions and driving habits

[A930Rocket]

Thanks guys.

My wife had some type of Cooper tire installed last time. They've lasted about 33-34k miles, but the car must weigh a 4000 lbs. It's a tank. Still I think they should have lasted longer, as they have dry rotted as well (car is always garaged).

Prices at Tire Rack range from $105 for Sumitomo's to over $200 for Michelin's. I hate to go cheap, only to have it ride like Fido's hiney on the highway, but you just can't tell what they are going to do from the reviews on a heavy car. Around town, just about any tire will work. We don't need a performance tire, just a round tire that's smooth and quite.

BTW, we are in coastal SC, so no snow, etc. Mostly dry weather and some rain.

[EarlyPorsche]

In my experience, Mercedes puts good tires on its vehicles. I would get some Goodyears. They are pretty well rounded tires and usually Made in the USA so you know you're not getting some Philipino or Chinese tire like other brands

[john70t]

I wish tire distributors would have better ratings available for the consumer (i.e. test vehicle weight, specs of tire, test conditions, etc...).

In this modern day-and-age, there is no excuse.

For example:
1). Traction dry in x-conditions 1-10
2). Traction wet in x-conditions 1-10
3). Sidewall thickness at top/botttom/midpoint. 1-10
4). Sidewall response time rim/tread to horizontal loading. 1-10
5). Rubber chemical consistency disclosed throughout. 1-10
6). Steel band web standardization. 1-10
=
7). "AVERAGE GRIP IN SLALOM CONDITIONS". 1-10
8). "AVERAGE GRIP IN SLALOM CONDITIONS" 1-10
9). "AVERAGE WEAR IN ALL CONDITIONS". 1-10

[A930Rocket]

Goodyear was one if the tires I was looking at. Not too cheap, nor too expensive.

In my experience, Mercedes puts good tires on its vehicles. I would get some Goodyears. They are pretty well rounded tires and usually Made in the USA so you know you're not getting some Philipino or Chinese tire like other brands

[Steve Carlton]

I'm a believer in Michelins. Also, compare treadwear ratings.

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

My wife had some type of Cooper tire installed last time. They've lasted about 33-34k miles, but the car must weigh a 4000 lbs. It's a tank. Still I think they should have lasted longer, as they have dry rotted as well (car is always garaged).

How long were they on the car? Expect cracks after 5-6 years... ozone is what attacks the rubber AFAIK, and being garaged will only minimally enhance longevity in that regard.

33-34K is not bad on a 2-ton car... even if it was kept in good alignment and rotated every 5K.

[A930Rocket]

They were installed maybe +/- 2 years ago I'm guessing. We have been buying tires at a small shop that has great service, but is limited on what tires they can get I guess, with all the new national tire dealers that have popped up in recent years.

I don't know who makes Cooper tires, but with a lot of highway miles, I thought they would have lasted longer as mentioned.

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

How long were they on the car? Expect cracks after 5-6 years... ozone is what attacks the rubber AFAIK, and being garaged will only minimally enhance longevity in that regard.

33-34K is not bad on a 2-ton car... even if it was kept in good alignment and rotated every 5K.

[Heel n Toe]

I guess it's remotely possible that those tires were 3 or more years old when they went on your car if that shop bought "seconds" somewhere... there should be a manufactured date on the sidewall... check and see.

I've run Cooper Cobra GT's on my Chebbie forever... really happy with 'em.