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General G-MAX AS-03 tires?

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Old Oct 11, 2011 | 10:25 AM
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General G-MAX AS-03 tires?

I'm shopping for all-seasons and was just wondering if anybody here has experience with these?

They are fairly new (previous G-MAXs were summer tires) so not a lot of reviews on them yet. Could this be a cheaper but worthy alternative to the Continental DWS?

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes
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Old Oct 11, 2011 | 11:13 AM
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I have these on my 19" BBS LMs, about 1k miles, no issues. I replaced Hankook V12's that wore out in the rear after 5k miles. Hoping to get at least 10k out of the rears of the Gmax since they are rated at 420 opposed to the 280 of the V12s. Noticeable traction difference though.
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Old Oct 11, 2011 | 01:09 PM
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Originally Posted by alboogiee
I have these on my 19" BBS LMs, about 1k miles, no issues. I replaced Hankook V12's that wore out in the rear after 5k miles. Hoping to get at least 10k out of the rears of the Gmax since they are rated at 420 opposed to the 280 of the V12s. Noticeable traction difference though.
That's nice to know. And it costs the same as the V12s too. I guess the only thing left to find out is how well it does in light to moderate snow (though it's definitely not a concern of yours seeing that your from FL :p )
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Old Oct 11, 2011 | 06:06 PM
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alboogiee, can you post pics of your tires installed. I just want to see how thick the lip guard is. Thanks.
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Old Oct 11, 2011 | 06:39 PM
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Originally Posted by CFiftyFive
alboogiee, can you post pics of your tires installed. I just want to see how thick the lip guard is. Thanks.
Don't mind the dirt...it's rained tge past few days. 235/35/19 and 265/30/19 stock suspension no rubbing...anymore


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Old Oct 11, 2011 | 06:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Chedeng88
That's nice to know. And it costs the same as the V12s too. I guess the only thing left to find out is how well it does in light to moderate snow (though it's definitely not a concern of yours seeing that your from FL :p )
Main conern was rain...the v12 were crap in the rain and tread life. I daily drive this thing...
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Old Oct 12, 2011 | 06:58 AM
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Do yourself a favor, don't buy cheap tires. They will ride bad and wear out quickly. Just buy Michelins, you will get your money's worth. If you drive in the rain the Pilot Sport A/S Plus would probably be better for you and if not the Pilot Super Sport. I've got about 6k miles on my A/S Pluses and I just took them off with 2/32s left so I'd have matching tires for my track day in 2 weeks. I'm going to put them back on later and get the rest of the life out of them. I'm sure they could go 10k miles if you don't do WOT all the time.
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Old Oct 12, 2011 | 09:03 AM
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Originally Posted by 91RS
Do yourself a favor, don't buy cheap tires. They will ride bad and wear out quickly. Just buy Michelins, you will get your money's worth. If you drive in the rain the Pilot Sport A/S Plus would probably be better for you and if not the Pilot Super Sport. I've got about 6k miles on my A/S Pluses and I just took them off with 2/32s left so I'd have matching tires for my track day in 2 weeks. I'm going to put them back on later and get the rest of the life out of them. I'm sure they could go 10k miles if you don't do WOT all the time.
I don’t think the General tires are bottom of the barrel, they are midrange significantly less expensive than Michelin or Pirelli. If I wanted to cheap out I would have picked up Triangle, Sunny, or Achilles tires at $100 a pop.

I can also comment on the PS2, they wore out quicker than the V12s and rode harder in 18” form, yes very grippy but the worst $800 I spent on 2 tires.
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Old Oct 12, 2011 | 09:59 AM
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Originally Posted by alboogiee
Don't mind the dirt...it's rained tge past few days. 235/35/19 and 265/30/19 stock suspension no rubbing...anymore
Wow thank for the pics! Are those LMs 8.5 front and 9.5 rear?
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Old Oct 12, 2011 | 11:34 AM
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Originally Posted by alboogiee
I don’t think the General tires are bottom of the barrel, they are midrange significantly less expensive than Michelin or Pirelli. If I wanted to cheap out I would have picked up Triangle, Sunny, or Achilles tires at $100 a pop.

I can also comment on the PS2, they wore out quicker than the V12s and rode harder in 18” form, yes very grippy but the worst $800 I spent on 2 tires.
My ps2's do great in the rain. I personally think it's the best $750 I keep on spending for rear tires.
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Old Oct 12, 2011 | 12:25 PM
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WOW those are some beefy tires lol the LM's look so good!
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Old Oct 12, 2011 | 12:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Chedeng88
Wow thank for the pics! Are those LMs 8.5 front and 9.5 rear?
Yessir
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Old Oct 12, 2011 | 02:01 PM
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Originally Posted by alboogiee
Yessir
Are those 235 and 265 on the front and rear respectively? Hmmm, they look a little too stretched for my liking. Is it just the LM rims, or this is how it usually looks with any 19" wheel upgrade (8.5, 9.5) with the width above?
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Old Oct 12, 2011 | 03:12 PM
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The rear says 265/30/19, I have 255 on a 9.5 and there is even more of a stretch. I think the LM lip does protrude a little though...
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Old Oct 12, 2011 | 03:32 PM
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Originally Posted by CFiftyFive
Are those 235 and 265 on the front and rear respectively? Hmmm, they look a little too stretched for my liking. Is it just the LM rims, or this is how it usually looks with any 19" wheel upgrade (8.5, 9.5) with the width above?
If you think this strech was bad you should've seen the front with 225 and rear with 255. The rim looked like it was trying to pop out of the tire... This set up looks worlds better, I think next go around I'm going to get the Generals again and up to 245/35 front and 275/30 rear if I dont lower it.

Originally Posted by AMG3.2
the LM lip does protrude a little though...
True story
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Old Oct 12, 2011 | 04:40 PM
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Originally Posted by alboogiee
I think next go around I'm going to get the Generals again and up to 245/35 front and 275/30 rear if I dont lower it.
But with that setup, both front and rear would rub right? (even at stock height/suspension).
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Old Oct 12, 2011 | 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by alboogiee
I don’t think the General tires are bottom of the barrel, they are midrange significantly less expensive than Michelin or Pirelli. If I wanted to cheap out I would have picked up Triangle, Sunny, or Achilles tires at $100 a pop.

I can also comment on the PS2, they wore out quicker than the V12s and rode harder in 18” form, yes very grippy but the worst $800 I spent on 2 tires.
Generals are bottom of the barrel in my opinion for a Mercedes. Maybe whoever you had install them didn't balance them very well because my car rides like a Cadillac even with both front wheels bent a little bit. Also, $800? I just spent only $570 for 2 Pilot Super Sports for the rear.
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Old Oct 13, 2011 | 07:12 AM
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Originally Posted by CFiftyFive
But with that setup, both front and rear would rub right? (even at stock height/suspension).
I'm being hopeful since the sidewalls are so rounded opposed to other brands I've run and rubbed with a 255 rear.

Originally Posted by 91RS
Generals are bottom of the barrel in my opinion for a Mercedes. Maybe whoever you had install them didn't balance them very well because my car rides like a Cadillac even with both front wheels bent a little bit. Also, $800? I just spent only $570 for 2 Pilot Super Sports for the rear.
Sorry, I don’t feel that I'm above certain brands just because it's a Mercedes. I don’t drive it because it's a Mercedes, I drive it because it meets all my wants and needs from a car, if I could get that from a kia I would but Mercedes is one of the few auto manufacturers that gets it right for me.

Super sports retail about $40-$50 less than PS2s.
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Old Nov 28, 2011 | 02:07 PM
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I just pulled the trigger on these Generals just because the Continental DWS is so backordered and it's about to snow anytime soon.

Got it from Discount Tire and was able to take off $80 their price by having them price match TireRack. They refused give me their $50 Black Friday discount though. I guess due to the large price match hit they took. It's okay since I also have a $100 Groupon with them, so I'm still basically getting 1 tire free.
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Old Dec 1, 2011 | 09:16 PM
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Originally Posted by alboogiee
If you think this strech was bad you should've seen the front with 225 and rear with 255. The rim looked like it was trying to pop out of the tire... This set up looks worlds better, I think next go around I'm going to get the Generals again and up to 245/35 front and 275/30 rear if I dont lower it.

I just had these installed today. No complaints so far. It's comfy and quiet. Not bad for $794 out the door installed. I like the thread pattern too over the DWS, it's more aggressive.

From the looks of it, it made me feel that I can get away with a 245/35 front and 275/30 rear setup too without rubbing. Let me know once you've tried this setup (since yours will probably wear first than mine )
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Old Feb 26, 2012 | 07:55 PM
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I just installed these on my 2009 E350, staggered tires AMG package.

I went from Michelin Super Sport and then PS2. Debated between G-Max AS-03 (UTQG 480) versus Michelin Sport A/S Plus (UTQG 500). Price was the decision breaker.

Pondered Kumho Ecsta 4x, but the G-Max was cheaper and better UTQG.

I paid about $1,000 for everything, tax, certificates against nails, etc... I have driven them for about 4 days now and immediate impressions, smoother than the Michelins, equally quiet, and these tires stick...

Good luck!
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Old Feb 26, 2012 | 08:47 PM
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Originally Posted by ppnff
I just installed these on my 2009 E350, staggered tires AMG package.

I went from Michelin Super Sport and then PS2. Debated between G-Max AS-03 (UTQG 480) versus Michelin Sport A/S Plus (UTQG 500). Price was the decision breaker.

Pondered Kumho Ecsta 4x, but the G-Max was cheaper and better UTQG.

I paid about $1,000 for everything, tax, certificates against nails, etc... I have driven them for about 4 days now and immediate impressions, smoother than the Michelins, equally quiet, and these tires stick...

Good luck!
Likewise, just replaced my worn-out Falken 452's last week with these as my current wheels will be my winter setup. Initial impression is very good! I was amazed at the improvement in cornering traction in wet conditions and they are MUCH quieter.
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Old Feb 26, 2012 | 08:59 PM
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One thing for those that own the G-Max -
Michelin in their tire warranties specifically reference staggered tire designs and cutting the warranty in half. Apparently, Kumho has the same provision. Discount Tire was unsure whether or not General (or Continental) have such provisions. I read the General warranty and nothing. So, presumably, these tires are covered for the entire 45,000 miles... Not sure though. Thoughts anyone?
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Old Feb 27, 2012 | 10:31 AM
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Originally Posted by ppnff
I just installed these on my 2009 E350, staggered tires AMG package.

I went from Michelin Super Sport and then PS2. Debated between G-Max AS-03 (UTQG 480) versus Michelin Sport A/S Plus (UTQG 500). Price was the decision breaker.

Pondered Kumho Ecsta 4x, but the G-Max was cheaper and better UTQG.

I paid about $1,000 for everything, tax, certificates against nails, etc... I have driven them for about 4 days now and immediate impressions, smoother than the Michelins, equally quiet, and these tires stick...

Good luck!

Originally, my plan was to try the Conti DWS next, but since these G-Max AS03s are turning out to be a champ, I might just get another set and save a few $$$ in the process.

I have yet to test it on snow though. I'm just too OC to take out my C55 on snowy days
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Old May 12, 2012 | 12:28 AM
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thanks for feedback
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