mbatlanta

I have a 2008 R320 with 18" tires. My Michelin Lattitude's bit the dust at 32,000 miles. In previous years of car ownership, my default brands were Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental and sometimes Pirelli.

On this car, I decided to go with someone else besides the above mentioned. The tire chosen was the General Grabber HTS (not the UHPs) I have always thought General tires were a piece of crap, but since Continental bought them several years ago, they have started designing and producing some top rated tires at a very attractive price.

After many recommendations from tire dealers and reading many technical and owner reviews, I hesitantly decided to try a set. They were only 155.00 each mounted and balanced. Chump change compared to the Michelins at $260+each. The Generals have a slightly higher load index rating (109H) than needed, and the highest speed rating is H, but that is what is spec'd for R320/350 18 inchers.

After driving on them for the last 2000 miles, they are impressive tires. Handling is crisp, wet grip is very good, the ride is compliant with no tread noise, and if they wear according to their DOT wear rating of 640, my car will belong to somebody else before they need replacement.

They also balanced up well with a minumum of weights added, which usually indicates tight manufacturing tolerances, a trait Michelin is famous for.

I still hate the "Grabber" name; but I do love this tire.
I don't own any Continental stock, but if they keep making tires like this, I may purchase some!

bzliteyear

good to know...i was thinking of trying out some sumitomos from wheel works. i saw them on tirerack and ratings seemed ok, and local wheel works offers lifetime balancing/warranty if gets nails, etc. Any thoughts?
Patrick

FrankG5

I second your recommendation of the Generals. I also replaced my OEM tires with the General Grabbers and am also extremely happy with them. I barely got 24K miles out of the Contis that came on the car. The General is a great tire at a great price and I'm hoping to get a lot more treadlife out of them than the OEMs.

bzliteyear

Just got a set of 18" Sumitomos for front of the R500...driving to Tahoe today, but driving home from store they seemed pretty good/smooth.
$129 each.
Patrick

Mort

Thanks for the write up on the General Grabber HTS. I was checking out tires on Tire Rack and they are well rated in their class. I think I will try a set.

Our Conti 4X4 only lasted 33425 kilometers ( 20891 miles) and are almost to the wear bars. Only 3/32 tread left or less is some spots.

bobo529

Does anyone know which tires are considered "MO" tires for a 2007 R350 235/65/17 besides the continentals and if there online source to look up if a particular tire is MO? For example would the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza be considered an "MO"? I have read that Mercedes will charge upon a lease return if the tires are not "MO".

Thanks

lkchris

MO will have to molded onto the sidewall, and Michelin is a pretty good bet.

The only tires likely to be MO are those seen at dealerships on new R-class vehicles. Perhaps someone who's been looking lately can advise which brands have been seen.

Alabama Mercedes have been fitted with Dunlops and Pirellis recently, but it's a particular model not just any that might be Mercedes Original equipment. That is, I know more about GLs than Rs.

Dealer's parts department knows, too, as they have a special tire catalog.

Scotsman

Just replaced my Bridgestones today with the same as they've lasted 35,000 miles. Almost £200 each here though. Came with Bridgestones from the factory.

boochi101

What exact model of Bridge stone and what size?

Scotsman

BRIDGESTONE 255/50WR19 BR ER30 M0 103W

sivajenny1

i had bought this for my lease vehicle which i was planning to keep but ended up returning, so am left with these brand new tires. can be shipped by UPS for around 60bucks.

tires were for a 2007 r-250 17" 235/65/r17 has warranty and all receipts and paperwork from original purchase.

asking $300 for four.

let me know
thanks

boots21

Great to hear guys! I was just on www.tirerack.com (awesome site) and was convinced. I just bout them for my R500. BTW Conti Cross Contacts suck! People were laughing at me at how load they were.

chow3630

Based on cost and others’ reviews – I went with Bridgestone - Dueler H/L Alenza, but immediately after I drove it out of Costco I felt the tires weren’t gripping as much and even more road noise as compare to my previous Michelin - Latitude Tour HP. Even though, I had at least another 6 months to go on the Michelin - Latitude Tour HP, I switched them in Dec 2013 and kind of glad I did b/c of the harsh winter we experienced in the NE. Nonetheless, the next day I called Costco to have them returned and switched back to Michelin - Latitude Tour HP, but I was told that wasn’t possible to switch from Bridgestone to Michelin, only Bridgestone to Bridgestone and a week later my flat tire signal came on and I went back to Costco to compliant further, but they still wouldn’t switch the Bridgestone tires to Michelin. They didn’t find anything wrong with the Bridgestone tires and just reset my flat tire signal after 1 ½ hrs of waiting. Few weeks later, I drove 8 hours north to attend a funeral and unfortunately my front left tire went flat at the funeral house. Had my R350 towed to Costco for a replacement, but initially the tow service only wanted to place on the spare tire instead, but he realized it was more of a hassle to place on the spare since the R350 spare tire had to be air pumped prior to replacement (I didn’t know - until this scenario). When I was at this Costco, I was told the flat was a result of air leak and I explained my issues and they said there’s a 30 days return policy. After I returned home, I called Costco to further compliant and explain my horrible experience with the Bridgestone - Dueler H/L Alenza and told them what the other Costco told me (30 days return policy) and I was advise that I COULD RETURN THE BRIDGESTONE, BUT NOT SWITCH FROM BRIDGESTONE TO MICHELIN. Therefore, I now returned the Bridgestone - Dueler H/L Alenza and brought the Michelin - Latitude Tour HP at Costco. (I have another word for people playing with semantics, but not going to say it here). Though, it was shortly passed the 30 days return policy, I had an override from someone above the tire center manager to make it work out. In addition, the weekend prior to getting the Michelin’s I went to another city nearby, 2 hrs away and the tire signal came on – so I filled it up with air. I never had to ever fill up air on my prior Michelin - Latitude Tour HP that lasted for 65,000 miles!!! So, after all there’s a reason why Michelin - Latitude Tour HP cost more than Bridgestone - Dueler H/L Alenza.

gforaker

I recently went through the tire decision and bought Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrical All-Season tires. I am very happy with them. They give excellent winter grip and yet are quiet and responsive in the dry.