[SacDave]

I’ve got a 2017 Prime w/Brabus sports package, with the original alloy wheels and Yokohama tires. At just 10,000 total miles, all four tires are still within drivable specs, but I suspect I’ll need to replace the at least the rears within the next year. The problem is with the factory spec of front 185/50/R16 and rear 205/40/R17. Based on the results I get with on line searches and calls to various local vendors, nothing is currently available for a single tire brand/model matching both front and rear size requirements.

Options seem to be:
A - change the rear wheel sizes (I really don’t want to do this)
B - change either the front or rear tires to a different width/aspect ratio, or
C - install fronts and rears using two different brands/models.

Any thoughts?

 

[jzchen]

I vote C. They are different size first of all, different contact patch, different grip. I don’t understand the need to keep front and rear the same brand/model given that…

 

[SacDave]

I vote C. They are different size first of all, different contact patch, different grip. I don’t understand the need to keep front and rear the same brand/model given that…

C was my initial thought as well. I've just received a very long, informative email response from a local shop, which carefully sets out a number of different options. He's recommending a switch to 195/50R16s's on the front, saying it's something Mercedes and BMW do all the time. I'll give it some thought.

 

[ratchetwrist]

Don't know much about the 2017 but on my 2009 I made the tires all the same size. In your case, I would look at
17's and go possibly to a 50 series if they will fit. Putting more rubber between you and the road does make my
2009 ride better especially if you use a soft snow tire.

Ratchetwrist.

 

[Mailman]

Here's a matching set for a 453 (205/45/16 Front, 225/35/17 Rear):

https://www.onlinetires.com/tires-accelera-phi-r-205-45r16-1200034470.html

ACCELERA PHI R

ACCELERA PHI R P225/35R17 86Y BSW TIRE

www.onlinetires.com

Puzzle solved

The other solution is pay $500 shipping Plus the cost of the matching tires in Europe.
I did have to do this to get the 175/50/16 - the only 16" tire that will fit on the Front of a 450.

 

[Rambo4]

Go with option "C". A year ago my wife put Kumho 205\55-15 replacing the Nitto tires in the same size. My only caution is mixing Good years with another brand on the front. (car got super squirrely with Assurance)

 

[1983JZR3W]

Here's a matching set for a 453 (205/45/16 Front, 225/35/17 Rear):

https://www.onlinetires.com/tires-accelera-phi-r-205-45r16-1200034470.html

ACCELERA PHI R

ACCELERA PHI R P225/35R17 86Y BSW TIRE

www.onlinetires.com

Puzzle solved

The other solution is pay $500 shipping Plus the cost of the matching tires in Europe.
I did have to do this to get the 175/50/16 - the only 16" tire that will fit on the Front of a 450.

I wish they listed all the specs such as overall diameter, tread width, and cross section. They just list 17" diameter, the wheel size. I am going to soon need to replace my 215/35-17 Hankooks and I need to compare these to what I have. I will have to call them I guess.

 

[twcom]

 

[twcom]

PHI R | Ultra-High Performance Tires | Accelera Tires

The Accelera PHI R is an ulta-high performance, all-season tire that offers excellent handling and stability, improved steering ability, and reduced noise.

acceleratire.com

Accelera PHI-R 185/50 16
Accelera PHI-R 205/40 17
Very quiet all season performance tire. I run 205/40 16 front 215/40 16 rear but they do list both tire sizes you are looking to replace.

I ordered mine from Priority Tire. 2 day delivery.

 

[Rambo4]

Those are some righteous looking balonys!

 

[SacDave]

PHI R | Ultra-High Performance Tires | Accelera Tires

The Accelera PHI R is an ulta-high performance, all-season tire that offers excellent handling and stability, improved steering ability, and reduced noise.

acceleratire.com

Accelera PHI-R 185/50 16
Accelera PHI-R 205/40 17
Very quiet all season performance tire. I run 205/40 16 front 215/40 16 rear but they do list both tire sizes you are looking to replace.

View attachment 72811

I ordered mine from Priority Tire. 2 day delivery.

Those are some righteous looking balonys!

I’m definitely going to check these out!

 

[SacDave]

The issue resolved surprisingly today, when I dropped the car off at the Mercedes dealer for annual service. I mentioned the tire issue to the Smart tech, and he said he’d check around. A few hours later he called to say he’d snagged a set of new Continentals in the correct sizes, and he’d have them on the car when I pick it up tomorrow. Very happy with this outcome.

 

[Warren N]

I’ve got a 2017 Prime w/Brabus sports package, with the original alloy wheels and Yokohama tires. At just 10,000 total miles, all four tires are still within drivable specs, but I suspect I’ll need to replace the at least the rears within the next year. The problem is with the factory spec of front 185/50/R16 and rear 205/40/R17. Based on the results I get with on line searches and calls to various local vendors, nothing is currently available for a single tire brand/model matching both front and rear size requirements.

Options seem to be:
A - change the rear wheel sizes (I really don’t want to do this)
B - change either the front or rear tires to a different width/aspect ratio, or
C - install fronts and rears using two different brands/models.

Any thoughts?

Try eBay, here you go:

2 Accelera PHI-R 205/40R17 84W XL All Season Ultra High Performance Tires | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2 Accelera PHI-R 205/40R17 84W XL All Season Ultra High Performance Tires at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

2 Tires Accelera Phi-R 185/50R16 81V XL AS A/S Performance | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2 Tires Accelera Phi-R 185/50R16 81V XL AS A/S Performance at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[IgorSem]

I’ve got a 2017 Prime w/Brabus sports package, with the original alloy wheels and Yokohama tires. At just 10,000 total miles, all four tires are still within drivable specs, but I suspect I’ll need to replace the at least the rears within the next year. The problem is with the factory spec of front 185/50/R16 and rear 205/40/R17. Based on the results I get with on line searches and calls to various local vendors, nothing is currently available for a single tire brand/model matching both front and rear size requirements.

Options seem to be:
A - change the rear wheel sizes (I really don’t want to do this)
B - change either the front or rear tires to a different width/aspect ratio, or
C - install fronts and rears using two different brands/models.

Any thoughts?

buy my wheels. I have wheels for sale
Put 215/35/18 tires

 

[IgorSem]

Here are some pics

 

[Smarty-rants]

The issue resolved surprisingly today, when I dropped the car off at the Mercedes dealer for annual service. I mentioned the tire issue to the Smart tech, and he said he’d check around. A few hours later he called to say he’d snagged a set of new Continentals in the correct sizes, and he’d have them on the car when I pick it up tomorrow. Very happy with this outcome.

I was Ready to suggest that VERY same thing. I purchased the EXACT car you have but it didn't have Yokohama's it had Continental Pro Contact's on the front AND rear. The fronts were 16's and the rear's we're 17's only on MY car the bozos had them reversed! I called it a 2017 Brabus flavored lemon. My mechanic called it a Smart Sandwich. It was hit in the front AND rear, maybe simultaneously? It had a gaping hole on top of the muffler causing exhaust gasses to enter the cockpit, rotted out sway bar and radiator support, swelled up front rotors (from rust), seat belt dents in both rocker panels, error codes galore! It was such a disaster that I brought it back the very next day for a FULL refund! ONLY 35,000 miles and completely RUINED by a dang idgit! It needed at least $8,000 worth of parts and labor along with a serious session with a MB frame machine and after ALL that it STILL may never be right! My Wife followed me on both trips and said that the car was going down the road crooked! 😳

 

[Telebuck]

I’ve got a 2017 Prime w/Brabus sports package, with the original alloy wheels and Yokohama tires. At just 10,000 total miles, all four tires are still within drivable specs, but I suspect I’ll need to replace the at least the rears within the next year. The problem is with the factory spec of front 185/50/R16 and rear 205/40/R17. Based on the results I get with on line searches and calls to various local vendors, nothing is currently available for a single tire brand/model matching both front and rear size requirements.

Options seem to be:
A - change the rear wheel sizes (I really don’t want to do this)
B - change either the front or rear tires to a different width/aspect ratio, or
C - install fronts and rears using two different brands/models.

Any thoughts?

Extremely limited in the US. I just replaced mine. My tire guy (Minneapolis) found a single set in LA. Wasn’t easy. You may get lucky. Find the best tire dealer you can and cross fingers. They have contacts we don’t. It can be done

 

[joegoeke]

I’ve got a 2017 Prime w/Brabus sports package, with the original alloy wheels and Yokohama tires. At just 10,000 total miles, all four tires are still within drivable specs, but I suspect I’ll need to replace the at least the rears within the next year. The problem is with the factory spec of front 185/50/R16 and rear 205/40/R17. Based on the results I get with on line searches and calls to various local vendors, nothing is currently available for a single tire brand/model matching both front and rear size requirements.

Options seem to be:
A - change the rear wheel sizes (I really don’t want to do this)
B - change either the front or rear tires to a different width/aspect ratio, or
C - install fronts and rears using two different brands/models.

Any thoughts?

have you tried Tirerack.com?