Pair of New tyres - Should they go on front or back?

[Goldfish11]

Went to get a puncture fixed yesterday turned out the rear tyres are right on the markers. Got 23,000 miles out of the Continentals. The fronts however are still fine and will do a good few miles more.

I have a W211 E Class - Wheels are 245/45 R 17.

I wanted to get away from the Conti 2's as they are not great as we all know and have decided to go for the Bridgestone Potenza RE050. (Jimmy will be pleased ) My main issues in choice was road noise and comfort and these have been recomended. Also found they came top on a customer review site. http://www.reifentest.com/cgi-bin/autotest.pl?103z103z147&&&EN and even beat the Michelin. (This tyre test website is excellent as it is consumers who place the reviews so you get lots of opionions plus it is pan European.

Anyway now for the question. If these tyres are quieter than the Conti. Where should I put the pair in order to get the most noticeable difference to cabin noise? On the front or on the back or does it not matter?

It is rear wheel drive of course, with a front wheel drive vehicle I always put quieter tyres on the front to get the benefit but does the same principle apply with a rear wheel drive?

EDIT - I have been to the tyre place today and have been bombarded with loads of literature from the tyre manufacturers (including Michelin and Pirelli) saying NEW tyres should always be fitted to the rear of both front and rear wheel drive vehicles. This is for road holding and other safety reasons. However imagine if you had new tyres on the front and new tyres on the back but one pair had more road noise than the other. Where should the quietest tyres be fitted? This is the question I am trying to answer. The Bridgestone's are now on the rear, have only done 0.5miles so can not comment on performance yet.

I have taken a big step and set up a poll above. So cast your votes

 

[GrahamC230K]

Forget cabin noise, put them on the back anyway.

 

[Goldfish11]

Forget cabin noise, put them on the back anyway.

So thats a vote for the back

Recognise this is probably best for driving dynamics but the car just goes straight down the M1 each day and does not do many bends , I just want to be sit back and hear nothing apart from my CD's!

 

[Brian WH]

The other MAIN Question is - Do MB recommend them for your car???????

 

[Steve_Perry]

I'm sure I saw an old episode of Top Gear where they discussed safety issues of having new tyres on the front and worn tyres on the rear Was a long time ago though and I think the issue only arises when driving in the wet. Maybe I've got it the wrong way round, can't remember the details. Either way, I usually keep fresh rubber for the back as they are the driving wheels.

S.

 

[Anders]

Regardless of FWD or RWD, the best tyres should always be on the back.

Lack of traction from the front tyres will just be understeer, lack of traction from the rear tyres will be oversteer/back trying to overtake the front, which is more difficult/impossible to control if not expected.

Are you sure you use 245/45/17 all round? Is it not a staggered set-up?

 

[GrahamC230K]

So thats a vote for the back

Recognise this is probably best for driving dynamics but the car just goes straight down the M1 each day and does not do many bends , I just want to be sit back and hear nothing apart from my CD's!

I know two people that have aqua-plained (spelling??) and left the motor way whilst driving in a straight line. One car was a write off, the other repairable.

That reminds me, time to get dressed and go take some pics off the odd tyre wear on my car!

 

[PJH]

I remember the episode of Top Gear that Steve Perry refered to above,
the biggest difference will be in the wet.
If your rear tyres are worn more than the fronts you are more likey to spin.
Under heavy braking there will be a lot less rear end grip.

 

[Goldfish11]

Not sure about MB recomending for vehicle but the Bridgestone blurb says that they are OEM fit on BMW, VW, Audi and Daimler-Chrysler. and the Potenza RE050 are fitted to the Ferrari "Enzo" (So maybe my E220 will go faster now )

I have taken the plunge now with tyres fitted to rear so I will let you know how I get on, with noise and grip.

 

[Benzowner]

I just want to be sit back and hear nothing apart from my CD's!

So just pump up the volume :bannana: :bannana:

 

[fuzzer]

Are you sure you use 245/45/17 all round? Is it not a staggered set-up?

New W211's are coming with 245/45/17's all round now.

 

[Goldfish11]

New W211's are coming with 245/45/17's all round now.

Yes mine is 245/45/17 all round. Have done 400 miles on the Bridgestone's Potenza RE050, they are excellent its like having a new car and they are quiet and its like driving on rails.

 

[Aletank]

EDIT - I have been to the tyre place today and have been bombarded with loads of literature from the tyre manufacturers (including Michelin and Pirelli) saying NEW tyres should always be fitted to the rear of both front and rear wheel drive vehicles. This is for road holding and other safety reasons. However imagine if you had new tyres on the front and new tyres on the back but one pair had more road noise than the other. Where should the quietest tyres be fitted? This is the question I am trying to answer. The Bridgestone's are now on the rear, have only done 0.5miles so can not comment on performance yet.

I've just been to Costco, i remember my Dad buying tyres from them about 2 years back and they said they HAD to put the new ones on the rear.
Anyway they had a Michelin leaflet in store today called "New Tyres To The Rear" explaining why - Here's a link to their web site explaing what the leaflet says - CLICK ME