Are cars being fitted with low profile tyres for marketing reasons?

I used to drive a Mercedes-Benz E320CDI Avantgarde Estate but I had de-specified the tyres/suspension to the Elegance settings. It rolled slightly through corners but absorbed potholes beautifully and was completely safe from kerb damage. Now I have a 2012 Mercedes E350CDI Estate with standard wheels and suspension. The tyres are hard and you feel every pothole. I have a feeling that cars are increasingly designed by the marketing department rather than by engineers.

Asked on 27 July 2013 by PP, London EC1

Answered by Honest John

Cars are specified by marketing departments and the accountants. If it's going to cost £15,000 at ex factory prices to put a car on 16-inch wheels and tyres, but £14,750 to put it on 18-inch wheels and tyres for which they can charge more, then that's what they're going to do. The tyremakers discount the low profile tyres because they know they will much more than make up the discounts in the increased frequency of replacement and increased cost of replacement of the 18-inch tyres.

Tags: wheels and tyres low profile tyres wheel sizes

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