Tyres sizes on a 07 E220 Estate?

[Paul S4]

A pal has a 2007 ('57 plate) Merc 220 CDi estate that he bought secondhand last year.

He has recently discovered that there is a difference in the tyre size between front & rear...

The fronts are 225/55/16 ( which according to his manual are the correct size ) but the rears are 215/55/16.
I am not a Merc expert ( I have an Alfa !), but my instinct is that there has been a mistake made somewhere...!!

What effect will this have on the car; I was wondering if the speedometer reading is taken from the wheels or the gearbox/ABS etc ?

Obviously he would like this resolved soon, but is there any harm in driving it like this?

There may be insurance issues I would guess, but mechanically, does it matter ?

[Aidayboy]

I have a saloon and the fronts and backs are the same 255/55/16

A

[GTIR]

Assuming when you say mechanically whether it will damage anything. No. That's what diffs are for.

My 07 220 has 225/55 16 but if you look in the fuel cap it does list other sizes can't remember if that other size is listed.

Personally I'd get some 225 on the back.

[Paul S4]

Thanks for your replies, I shall pass them on.

[gizlaroc]

Or at least put the narrower tyre on the front.

Narrower on the rear will make the rear end come out easier, wider on the rear will make it more planted.

However, on 16" wheels with 215 vs 225 there won't be much in it, if it were 225 vs 265 you would be more likely to notice.

More of a concern is if they have put different tyres on front and rear, many RWD cars do not like this at all.