I brought my 2007 Mercedes Benz CLK 350 in for service inspection as the "brake pad wear" light came on recently. During the inspection, I was informed that the rear tires on the vehicle needed to be replaced.
All four of the tires on the vehicle are Michelin Pilot Sport AS 4 B
225/45ZR17 94Y XL Michelin Pilot Sport AS 4 B
245/40ZR17 95Y XL Michelin Pilot Sport AS 4 B
I was shocked by the news that these Michelin tires needed to be replaced, given that the vehicle is driven less than 4,000 miles a year, and the vehicle is almost never driven on the freeway, and is rarely driven above 35 mph on surface streets.
I have now confirmed that these Michelin tires were installed by Big O Tires on December 7, 2020, at which time the mileage on the vehicle was 90,415. The December 7, 2020 invoice from Big O Tires states that these tires come with a warranty ("Minimum Mileage Warranty: MFG45"). This past week, on Monday, May 12, 2025, the odometer mileage was recorded as 105,606.
Assuming these odometer readings are accurate (which they appear to be), this means the vehicle has been driven a total of only 15,191 miles in the 53 months since these Michelin tires were both recommended and installed on the vehicle in December, 2020. This is under 3,500 miles per year.
I have never heard of tires lasting only 15,000 miles, and I certainly did not expect this of a supposed "quality tire" bearing the Michelin brand. Honestly, I thought that I was buying the best possible tires for this vehicle - and, in any event, these were the tires that were recommended by Big O Tires.
During my second trip to Big O Tires on Monday, May 12, 2025, I asked about whether these tires came with a warranty, or whether the dealership (Big O Tires) or the manufacturer (Michelin) would stand behind the tires and admit the obvious - that these tires are not supposed to wear out within 15,000 miles of ordinary driving.
In my discussions with Big O Tires on Monday, May 12, 2025, I was given the clear impression that there was nothing that could be done for me at the dealership (Big O Tires), and that I was free to take the matter up with the manufacturer (Michelin). This seems strange to me, since these tires were recommended and installed under a warranty by the dealership (Big O Tires), and it is the dealership that promotes the Michelin tire brand.
I have now done some basic research on the internet, and it seems that many other customers have complained about these tires wearing out prematurely. The loudest complaints seem to be from customers who likewise cannot believe that Michelin tires would last as little as 15,000 miles.
Conclusion
The more I consider what has transpired, it is unlikely that I would rely on Big O Tires or the Michelin brand in the future, or recommend them to others.