Query re tyres

Author
Discussion

JSPC43

Original Poster:

7 posts

Friday 1st November
quotequote all
I am looking at buying an AMG C43 from a Mercedes dealer. I have noted that the rear tyres are different manufacturers, one is a Michelin the other a Pirelli. Both tyres are the same size and rating.

My question is this ok or should the tyres be from the same manufacturer. The front tyres are Pirellis.

SlimJim16v

6,111 posts

150 months

Friday 1st November
quotequote all
It's not OK, especially on an expensive car from a dealer. Good luck getting them to do something about it though.

Baldchap

8,370 posts

99 months

Friday 1st November
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Personally I always match tyres but unless you're absolutely going at 10/10ths everywhere or maybe tracking it, I shouldn't think it would make a noticeable difference. Some vehicles are very sensitive to such things, others aren't. You pays your money and all that.

I didn't initially notice it was from a Merc dealer.

Absolutely unacceptable in that respect.

Scrump

22,939 posts

165 months

Friday 1st November
quotequote all
Ideally they should be the same but having different manufacturers tyres is not illegal.
I would be asking the dealer to fit matching rear tyres, but make sure they are not a pair of cheapo tyres. Alternatively go with the tyres as is but facto in the cost of replacing them (I suspect they won’t last long on the rear of that car!)

kambites

68,437 posts

228 months

Friday 1st November
quotequote all
Well it's legal, if that's what you're asking.

It's arguably not optimal to have different models (or even tread-depths) of tyre on the same car, especially across the same axle, because they will lose grip and different rates but millions of cars do have mismatched tyres and they aren't constantly falling off the road.

ScoobyChris

1,812 posts

209 months

Friday 1st November
quotequote all
Check what the handbook says - it might give some leverage. A quick look at the latest C-class model has this:

https://www.mercedes-benz.co.uk/passengercars/serv...

Observe the following when selecting, fitting and replacing tyres:
Only use tyres and wheels of the same type (summer tyres, winter tyres, MOExtended tyres) and the same make.


Chris

VeeReihenmotor6

2,341 posts

182 months

Friday 1st November
quotequote all
I would first ask for them to replace both so you get a new set, but would also compromise and accept them changing just 1 to match to the best of the other.

I don't think a car of value from a main dealer or specialist reseller should have mismatched tyres, regardless of whether they are legal tread wise, especially also as the dealer margins in premium cars is usually pretty strong.




RicksAlfas

13,654 posts

251 months

Friday 1st November
quotequote all
I bought an approved used Mercedes and that had different tyres on it. They wouldn't budge as they were of the correct size and MO specification. I was annoyed but the car was the spec and price I was after.

SlimJim16v

6,111 posts

150 months

Friday 1st November
quotequote all
At least check the speed and load rating is the same/correct.

JSPC43

Original Poster:

7 posts

Friday 1st November
quotequote all
Thank you everyone. They are the same spec and speed rating, but I'll have another go at them though.

JSPC43

Original Poster:

7 posts

Saturday 2nd November
quotequote all
Thank you to everyone who commented on my query regarding the none matching rear tyres on an AMG C43 I'm buying.

I've copied and pasted the relevant section from the owners manual which states tyres should be from the same manufacturer and sent it off to the dealer suggesting they need to replace the tyre - Michelin to Pirelli P zero.

The response was the sales manager is away we'll get back to you with a decision about replacing the tyre so that it matches the other rear tyre. Wow.

So, I've now got a Mercedes dealer telling me that the sales manager will decide on whether or not they are going to follow the requirements of the manual for the car in ensuring it has matching tyres from the same manufacturer.

I'm sure that Mercedes UK would have a view on this, the question is who do I contact? Is it a deal breaker, I really like the car, but this attitude from the Mercedes dealer is not good. What else are they skimping on?

andy43

10,589 posts

261 months

Saturday 2nd November
quotequote all
From a main dealer a performance car should have four matching brand tyres imho.
Wouldn’t buy it unless they agreed to match all the tyres.
I haven’t read your other thread but a Merc main dealer should tick all the boxes other dealers don’t - that’s the whole point of manufacturer approved used cars.

Arlen

174 posts

174 months

Saturday 2nd November
quotequote all
They won't match unless they put a pair on though.

The one they leave could have 1.7mm tread (fully legal but in need of replacement).

sherman

13,834 posts

222 months

Saturday 2nd November
quotequote all
Its going to purely be down to how much profit is left in the car.
The dealership will want £1500 profit roughly from a second hand car.
Depending on its inital trade in price and pdi costs they might be able to accomodate a tyre for you in their costs or you might get told no.
The sales manager will just need to check his costings.

MB wont give a hoot about a tyre as long as its the right dimensons and speed rating and still has legal amounts of tread.
Tyres arr not covered under warranty.

JSPC43

Original Poster:

7 posts

Saturday 2nd November
quotequote all
The thing that is really bothering me is that a Mercedes main dealer is not following the requirements of the Manual for the car.

sherman

13,834 posts

222 months

Saturday 2nd November
quotequote all
JSPC43 said:
The thing that is really bothering me is that a Mercedes main dealer is not following the requirements of the Manual for the car.
A dealer is not Mercedes Benz. They are a franchise.

Yes there will be a brand spec for new cars but a 2nd hand will only have to be compliant for warranty items.

wyson

2,700 posts

111 months

Saturday 2nd November
quotequote all
I didn’t know having matching rubber was a requirement anywhere? I’ve been tyre kicking on Lexus, Toyota, Volvo, Suzuki, Honda, Kia and VW forecourts. At least some of the cars there had mismatched rubber, although all the tyres looked in decent condition. Quite a few budget tyres too.

Personally, if I liked the car, I’d let it go and change the tyres myself.

Edited by wyson on Saturday 2nd November 13:02

MustangGT

12,287 posts

287 months

Monday 4th November
quotequote all
JSPC43 said:
The thing that is really bothering me is that a Mercedes main dealer is not following the requirements of the Manual for the car.
The manual is advisory in that aspect, the law is what has to be followed. The wording will be 'recommended' or similar.

andy43

10,589 posts

261 months

Monday 4th November
quotequote all
wyson said:
I didn’t know having matching rubber was a requirement anywhere? I’ve been tyre kicking on Lexus, Toyota, Volvo, Suzuki, Honda, Kia and VW forecourts. At least some of the cars there had mismatched rubber, although all the tyres looked in decent condition. Quite a few budget tyres too.

Personally, if I liked the car, I’d let it go and change the tyres myself.

Edited by wyson on Saturday 2nd November 13:02
It’s not a requirement other than it’s presumably on mercs list of things that an approved used car should have.
Imho it shows the previous owner didn’t care about the car - I wouldn’t mismatch tyres and I’d guess most PHers wouldn’t either. If dealer refuses, bid lower to cover the tyre cost and fit the tyres yourself, or walk, and make sure the head of sales knows exactly why you walked away.

brillomaster

1,396 posts

177 months

Monday 4th November
quotequote all
wyson said:
I didn’t know having matching rubber was a requirement anywhere? I’ve been tyre kicking on Lexus, Toyota, Volvo, Suzuki, Honda, Kia and VW forecourts. At least some of the cars there had mismatched rubber, although all the tyres looked in decent condition. Quite a few budget tyres too.

Personally, if I liked the car, I’d let it go and change the tyres myself.

Edited by wyson on Saturday 2nd November 13:02
this. a pair of tyres is what, £400? negotiate it off the asking price. you could even get some money back selling the nearly new one they just put on there.