Tyre brand - do I need to fit certain brands ?

[mash]

Hi

we have a 2004 Mercedes C180 kompressor on a lease and the tyres need replacing. Do I have to fit the same brand tyres as came with the car or can I put other brands of tyres on the car - for example a budget / unbranded make - so long as they are correct size and speed rating ?

I'm concerned that the fitting of other brand tyres may affect the manufactures warranty or contravene some sort of stipulations from Mercedes and cause possible disputes should the car be involved in an accident or anything?

Any help appreciated.

Cheers

 

[grober]

Fit a reputable brand.

Hi

we have a 2004 Mercedes C180 kompressor on a lease and the tyres need replacing. Do I have to fit the same brand tyres as came with the car or can I put other brands of tyres on the car - for example a budget / unbranded make - so long as they are correct size and speed rating ?

I'm concerned that the fitting of other brand tyres may affect the manufactures warranty or contravene some sort of stipulations from Mercedes and cause possible disputes should the car be involved in an accident or anything?

Any help appreciated.

Cheers

I would be inclined to stick to the Michelin or Continental brands but there are many other good substitutes. If you have any problems with tracking wheel balance, vibrations etc in the future running budget tyres is a convenient "get out" for any dealer and might also be true!! Running a sophisticated 21st century car on budget/unbranded tyres is false economy IMHO.

 

[Rory]

I went through this with a leasing company a few yrs ago. Their view is that it's their car and they fit whatever they like. They said the lease cost is based on them replacing tyres with the cheapest possible. I did say that it might be their car, but if they expected me to look after it nicely then some co-operation would be welcome. I used to be good to my company cars, but I ceased caring as the lease company became more and more awkward.

I spoke to the manufacturer (Peugeot) and they said that the car was tested with a certain type(s) of tyre and anything else could affect the performance of the ABS and the cars handling / roadholding. They wouldn't put anything in writing though.

I went back to the leasing company with this info and they said, OK, so what happens when a certain type (model) of tyre is unavailable, or ceases production? Fair point, really.

I raised this as a health and safety issue at work, stating that we ought to cover ourselves (the company) and not use budget tyres. Our cars are subject to hard use and we should only fit first quality, OEM standard tyres. Eventually we got the lease company to agree that would replace like for like, wherever possible.

One trick which used to work, was to go to the tyre place on a Sunday. Our lease company wasn't open so the fitter would put on whatever you asked for. They clamped down on that though, by only allowing emergency work to be done on the cars at weekends.

Looking at the age of your car, is it just coming to the end of its lease? It could be that they simply don't want to spend a lot on the car if it's shortly going back? In a fit of pique with the leasing company, I did get all 4 of my tyres changed on a car once, just a month before it was being returned.


I would also add, that I've 'opted out' of my company car, but I *much* preferred the feeling of strolling into the dealer without a care in the world about how much the service was going to cost. Now it's my car, the whole ownership thing is *much* more stressful.


Anothe point is that some manufacturers do MO (Mercedes Option) tyres, and apparently the tyres are marked with this. Mine aren't and I replaced with standard tyres as MO were not available in both the sizes used on my car. But if you happen to have MO tyres, you might be able to insist on getting the same re-fittted. MO tyres are 'characterised' specifically for MB cars (no-one really seems to know what this means in practice, even Michelin - I asked them).

 

[scumbag]

Anothe point is that some manufacturers do MO (Mercedes Option) tyres, and apparently the tyres are marked with this. Mine aren't and I replaced with standard tyres as MO were not available in both the sizes used on my car. But if you happen to have MO tyres, you might be able to insist on getting the same re-fittted. MO tyres are 'characterised' specifically for MB cars (no-one really seems to know what this means in practice, even Michelin - I asked them).

The conti's on mine are marked as such.

probably they gave the best deal for them to have them fitted for repeat purchase. It wont be getting them again. they are not the best tyre for all round use.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

Tyres are an important aspect of vehicle safety. I'm surprised lease companies are like this. In my experience with company cars the leasing company has always fitted what was already on the car on a like for like basis. If the specific 'model' of tyre wasn't available e.g. Pirelli P6000 Mk I then they would go for the Pirelli P6000 Mk II.

Our current firm 'own' rather than lease their cars. Our fleet purchase agreement with one of the major tyre fitters insists on Michelin tyres be fitted where possible so no complaints or worries there for us regarding budget tyres.

 

[mash]

many thanks for all the useful info.

The tyres have only done 18,000 miles and all four are worn out already - particularly on the outside half of the tyres - again all four, so not just the fronts. Our previous model Merc did the same - again even the rears wore on the outside half meaning the tyres have to be written off prematurely. Now before I get accused of racing round roundabouts !! I have to say it is the wifes car and she drives very sedately as we have two young children. I have seen this criticism elsewhere on the C-class, so one can deduce it is caused by the geometry of the suspension ?

Thanks again for the replys, I think I will go with Branded tyres.

 

[niva441]

The conti's on mine are marked as such.

probably they gave the best deal for them to have them fitted for repeat purchase. It wont be getting them again. they are not the best tyre for all round use.

Tyre manufacturers do tune tyres specifically to suit a vehicle manufacturers requirements. It's not something most users would notice, but experienced development drivers insist there are important differences.

 

[portzy]

MO = Mercedes Original (equipment?). All the Michelin + Pirrelli tyres that have been on my Mercedes, including the ones on my accessory wheels bought after the car/s, had these two letters on them. There is something in the back of the handbook which relates to MO & safety issues, ABS, ESP, etc.

Strange, but when I have looked at the same make and model/type of tyres in Quick-fit etc I have not seen the MO designator. There must be some truth about this, unless its a way to charge over the odds, but I got quite a good deal on mine at MB Bradford so who knows?.

Portzy.

 

[DieselE]

MO = Mercedes Original (equipment?). All the Michelin + Pirrelli tyres that have been on my Mercedes, including the ones on my accessory wheels bought after the car/s, had these two letters on them. There is something in the back of the handbook which relates to MO & safety issues, ABS, ESP, etc.

Strange, but when I have looked at the same make and model/type of tyres in Quick-fit etc I have not seen the MO designator. There must be some truth about this, unless its a way to charge over the odds, but I got quite a good deal on mine at MB Bradford so who knows?.

Portzy.

Are you sure that it was MB Bradford who fitted your tyres? When my car was in for service, I had a call from xxxx at Mercedes saying that my rear tyres were near the legal limit (they actually had a minimum of 3mm so while they might be at the recommended limit it was not a legal issue). Xxxx finally admitted that he actually worked for the local Quick Fit not the dealer. I got my new tyres elsewhere.

 

[Rory]

MO = Mercedes Original (equipment?). All the Michelin + Pirrelli tyres that have been on my Mercedes, including the ones on my accessory wheels bought after the car/s, had these two letters on them. There is something in the back of the handbook which relates to MO & safety issues, ABS, ESP, etc.

Strange, but when I have looked at the same make and model/type of tyres in Quick-fit etc I have not seen the MO designator. There must be some truth about this, unless its a way to charge over the odds, but I got quite a good deal on mine at MB Bradford so who knows?.

Portzy.

When I changed my tyres, the MO option (sometimes referred to as Mercedes Fitment) where the same price. No-one (inc Michelin) could explain the difference in spec. Some people suggested that they're better riding (softer sidewall?) but I'm doubtful. Special fitment tyres are available for several makes of car, esp MB, BMW and Jaguar. My guess would be that it's more of a branding exercise than anything else.

 

[Rory]

...particularly on the outside half of the tyres - again all four, so not just the fronts. Our previous model Merc did the same - again even the rears wore on the outside half meaning the tyres have to be written off prematurely.

That sounds a bit strange - I can't say I've heard of that before.

The normal wear on Merc's (and all RWD cars) is the centres wear on the back and the edges (both) wear on the fronts. And that's exactly what's happening on my C Class.