Tyres for CLK wheels 7x16 and 8x16

[esprit200]

Hello Chaps

After 3 months of driving around on (admittedly fantastic looking) 19 inch wheels, I have come to the end of my tether with the constant threat of kerbing, potholes, scuttle shake and crashing and jarring ride.

Accordingly I have sourced an original set of 6 spoke clk alloys, freshly refurbished with a chrome/silver powdercoat finish, which is extremely handsome.

My question is, what tyres? They are to go on a 2000 clk cabrio. I am thinking 205/55/16 on the front, but what about the rears? 225 or wider? Also appreciate suggestions for a grippy tyre that is also quiet.

Regards

Jon

 

[br0ke]

These sound like my winter wheels for the CLK.

They are 7J 16H2 ET37 for the front and 8J 16H2 ET32 for the rear.
I have fitted 205/55R16 94V Hankook IceBears all round (I know they are wrong for the rear but they haven't given any trouble yet)
The rears are meant to be 225/50R16 92V

I use these during the winter and then switch to 18" for the summer. The ride is marginally better in the winter but isn't as bad as you describe for the 19".
It would wallow a bit more on the 16" and crash/tramline a bit more on the 18" but only really noticable when pushing hard which I try not to do any more.

 

[mykulmerc]

These sound like my winter wheels for the CLK.

They are 7J 16H2 ET37 for the front and 8J 16H2 ET32 for the rear.
I have fitted 205/55R16 94V Hankook IceBears all round (I know they are wrong for the rear but they haven't given any trouble yet)
The rears are meant to be 225/50R16 92V

I use these during the winter and then switch to 18" for the summer. The ride is marginally better in the winter but isn't as bad as you describe for the 19".
It would wallow a bit more on the 16" and crash/tramline a bit more on the 18" but only really noticable when pushing hard which I try not to do any more.

Interesting you quote 8J 16H2 ET32 for rear for winter tyres. My CLK 209 handbook says to use 7 inch rims for winter tyres, but I'd rather stay with my existing 8 inch not very good rims for winter, then get some better rims for next summer.

How do you go on the wider rims in the winter?

I had Toyo winter tyres on a 202 Estate last winter. No problems at all and very good value. Got KU31s on at the moment. Will go for either KU31s or Toyo Snowprox soon for the winter.

 

[br0ke]

My CLK 209 handbook says to use 7 inch rims for winter tyres

I know. Mine is the same, but I bought these as genuine 16" MB from Ebay. Back then I didn't realise that they were different sizes front and rear. Anyway my tyre fitter couldn't find 225/50/16 winter tyres so he suggested trying the 205/55's and they worked out just fine.

 

[clk270]

Hello Chaps

After 3 months of driving around on (admittedly fantastic looking) 19 inch wheels, I have come to the end of my tether with the constant threat of kerbing, potholes, scuttle shake and crashing and jarring ride.

Accordingly I have sourced an original set of 6 spoke clk alloys, freshly refurbished with a chrome/silver powdercoat finish, which is extremely handsome.

My question is, what tyres? They are to go on a 2000 clk cabrio. I am thinking 205/55/16 on the front, but what about the rears? 225 or wider? Also appreciate suggestions for a grippy tyre that is also quiet.

Regards

Jon

If you want a tyre which won't break the bank, is quiet, comfortable and reasonably sporty in all weather conditions then the fallen ziex 912 takes some beating. Not the best tyre for hard driving as the side Walls are a bit soft and therefore cornering feedback is a bit delayed, but they work reasonable well in cold temps unlike their sportier fallen fk452 brothers.

Pretty cheap via blackcircles currently too