Seeking rear tyre recommendations for my SLK-350

[frontfloater]

The rear tyres on my 2010 SLK-350 are now six and a half years old, and I'll be changing them at the next MoT in a few weeks. This is the first change I've done since owning the car.

Currently I have Michelin Pilot Sports on the rears, marked "245x35 ZR18 92Y Extra Load". The fronts are both fairly new Continental Conti-Sport Contacts marked "225 R18 92Y Extra Load", put on by the selling dealer when I bought the car.

The price difference at my local QuickFit is small - £384 for a pair of Contis, £407 for the Michelins. The only vague opinions offered by their staffer were that "it may be better to have the same tyres all round", but that Michelins were "probably a better tyre". They didn't mention any other recommendations.

I would welcome any opinions or alternative suggestions, to help me decide. I don't do much mileage (around 1000-1500 per year) and rarely drive in rainy conditions. I do sometimes give it some wellie on standing starts etc. The car has the Sport package with slightly lower/firmer suspension, and currently has fairly high road noise even with the roof up. So grip and ride quality are of more interest than durability - they will be out of date again before I get close to wearing them out.

Thanks for any advice.

[Venisonpie]

I run Conti's on my SL, tyres are huge for what it is (295's rear, 255's front). They're a good all rounder with excellent wear rate if not ultimately as grippy as a Michelin. The latter doesn't worry me as I don't drive around on the door handles like I may have done 20 years ago.

[Scrump]

I would suggest getting rears to match the fronts.
Did have different tyres front and rear for a while on both my E class and my 911. Normal town driving it was fine but I did notice things when at higher speeds. Both cars handled better when I put on matching tyres front and rear.

[gregpot2000]

This thread is spooky! 1 week ago, I got new rear tyres fitted to my 2010 SLK 350 as well! and 18inch wheels at that!

I went for Pirelli P Zeros as that was what was on the front around 300 for the pair, the rears had mid-range budgets fitted as part of me buying the car in 2022.

I wanted good tyres but also didn't want to go crazy, the car lives in the garage over winter and I only really drive on dry days....although I am taking it to The South Of France again this year in a few weeks!

[leef44]

I got Contis on my rears last year, SLK55. I considered Michelin but just wanted to keep them the same as the fronts which still had life in them (5-6mm).

I was surprised to find Halfords were the cheapest (after checking BlackCircle, Kwikfit etc). I signed up to their motoring club which cost £50 at the time, it has now gone up to £55 but it was worth it because I got £10 voucher off plus 5% discount and next MOT paid for.

Here's the link if you are interested
https://blog.halfords.com/halfords-motoring-club-y...

but check their tyre prices. It might have gone up since then.

[Dog Star]

My wife’s SLK 350 was fitted with Continental all-seasons (I forget the name blah blah Contacrs) - same size as the OP.

Worth it where we live and after watching some videos on the subject the all-seasons basically out perform summer tyres in all regimes below 15C and are scarcely worse above it. Temperatures are generally less than this, especially up north.

They also look really cool.

Worth bearing in mind.

[wyson]

No brainer. Just get the matching continentals and save yourself some money.

Its always better to have 4 matching corners.

I tried mixing tyres before, crapped myself on my first spirited drive and vowed never to do it again.

[Pent]

I love Michelin so don’t look any where else