interstate tire mileage

[paullovern]

Our AI came with Continental light truck OEM tires (as I am told is std with all MB branded Sprinters). Yet, I have heard several bad things about the brand. Specifically, they don't have much longevity. I saw one post that said he changed his contis for Michelin's after 6k miles. We have 10k on ours currently and they look to be in good shape. Just recently when getting a quote for an alignment from the local MB dealer, the service advisor really "went off" on the lack of mileage that the contis provide and recommend Michelin as a better alternative. So I am curious what others have experienced with their contis?

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by paullovern

Our AI came with Continental light truck OEM tires (as I am told is std with all MB branded Sprinters). Yet, I have heard several bad things about the brand. Specifically, they don't have much longevity. I saw one post that said he changed his contis for Michelin's after 6k miles. We have 10k on ours currently and they look to be in good shape. Just recently when getting a quote for an alignment from the local MB dealer, the service advisor really "went off" on the lack of mileage that the contis provide and recommend Michelin as a better alternative. So I am curious what others have experienced with their contis?

The service advisor wants to sell you a set of tires. I've got over 15,000 miles and over two years exposure to sun and rain on mine— I don't garage my Interstate and don't have a set of tire covers— with no problems at all. When I finally have to replace my tires I'll probably get Michelins, but as long as the Continentals are holding up well, I'm not going to worry.

[paullovern]

Thanks Protag!

[73shark]

I've got 17,000 miles and 3 years on my Continentals and other than riding hard, they're doing fine.

I've heard that the Michelins ride a little better and last a little longer.

[Boxster1971]

I have over 25k on my Conti's. Only issue is some extra edge wear on outer edges of front tires. It probably needs an alignment. I'll get that done next month an rotate the front tires to rear. These tires should be good for 40-50k. They even worked OK in snow on recent trip to Minnesota.

[milkfish888]

I had to change the driver side front tire (Continental Tire) at around 15,000 miles, due to severe outer edge wear. The M-B Dealer changed the tire and did the alignment. My Internstate's passenger side front tire also shows some outer edge wear but less severe, so I am keeping an eye on it.

[russ240]

My front Conti's were toast at 15k (centers still had maybe half tread but outer edges pretty worn). A pair of Michelin LTX MS2's and a fresh alignment (took out about 1/8" of toe in leaving the toe in at the factory minimum spec) closely followed by the installation of a pair of Koni front struts which provided some much needed camber reduction (from .4 positive to slightly negative camber) and about 10k miles later the front Michelins look like new ... but with 25k on them the OE rears are pretty darn worn. Not down to the wear bars or anything but well below half tread and will be replaced before I head out cross country on them. It is worth noting that I have never rotated the tires on this thing, but when I by the four new ones I will move the existing fronts to the rear outside position.

[73shark]

My MB service guy said that the alignment specs are for the standard one ton model w/o all of the extra weight from the AS conversion. Since most of the weight is to the rear, I guess it tends to raise the front end causing the front wheel camber to go more positive which would cause more outer edge wear.

He even recommended not rotating. I should have asked him if there were alignment specs for the AS version. Seems like the camber & toe-in could be adjusted to compensate for this. Hindsight is always 20-20 even w/o glasses.

[btouchstone]

I have logged 70,000 miles on the Conti's that came with the vehicle and have just reached the wear strip. That seems like a pretty reasonable life span for the tires.

[pappy19]

As far as I am concerned the phrase "Not worth a Continental" certainly rings true for the tires of the same name, IMHO. I had 2 sets blow out on me within the first 15k. The first one they replaced under warranty, but when the second one went, I switched to Michelins and have never looked back. Now that was in 2002, so maybe they are a better tire now, but I won't be able to tell you since I will never buy another Conti' .

[lewster]

Don't have an Interstate, but do run a 2011 Sprinter for my service van. OEM tires (forget which ones) were horrible and I couldn't wait to replace them at 28K miles.

Went with Michelin MX2 and they need to be replaced soon. Van currently has 83k miles, so the Michelins lasted 55K. Will probably use XPS Rib from Michelin next. They are a true 90,000 mile tire.