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Car & Driver Tests 11 Performance Tires December 2005

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Old 11-08-2005, 09:37 AM
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2006 SLK55 AMG/// 2006 Porsche CaymanS 2010 135i
Car & Driver Tests 11 Performance Tires December 2005

To all:

In the Car and Driver December 2005 issue 11 high-performance street tires, labeled "max performance" were tested along with help and support of the Tire Rack. All season tires were not included however all tires were tested in 3 dry and 3 wet tests.

The tests were conducted on-site at the Tire Racks facility and included Braking tests in the dry and wet, Autocross in the dry and wet and Skidpad in the dry and wet.

This is not intended to start any arguments or flame wars it's just here for anyone who is interested in the results.

The Yokohama tested best in the dry, and the Goodyear in the wet with the overall combined results of as follows from first (best) to last.

1. Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3
2. Continental ContiSpotContact 2
3. Yokohama Adfvan Neova AD07
4. Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
5. Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212
6. Dunlop Sport SP Sport Maxx
7. Pirelli P Zero Rossa Asimmetrico
8. Toyo Proxes T1R
9. Bridgestone Potenza RE050A
10. BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KD
11. Kumho Ecsta MX

The tires were all tested on a BMW 325i. I would consider many of the characteristics of the car similar to the C-Class.

I found the entire article to be very informative, evidently this is the first tire test conducted by C&D since 1989.
Old 11-08-2005, 09:50 AM
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98 Black C43 , 08' ML320 CDI ,11 E63
Originally Posted by Marktini
To all:

In the Car and Driver December 2005 issue 11 high-performance street tires, labeled "max performance" were tested along with help and support of the Tire Rack. All season tires were not included however all tires were tested in 3 dry and 3 wet tests.

The tests were conducted on-site at the Tire Racks facility and included Braking tests in the dry and wet, Autocross in the dry and wet and Skidpad in the dry and wet.

This is not intended to start any arguments or flame wars it's just here for anyone who is interested in the results.

The Yokohama tested best in the dry, and the Goodyear in the wet with the overall combined results of as follows from first (best) to last.

1. Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3
2. Continental ContiSpotContact 2
3. Yokohama Adfvan Neova AD07
4. Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
5. Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212
6. Dunlop Sport SP Sport Maxx
7. Pirelli P Zero Rossa Asimmetrico
8. Toyo Proxes T1R
9. Bridgestone Potenza RE050A
10. BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KD
11. Kumho Ecsta MX

The tires were all tested on a BMW 325i. I would consider many of the characteristics of the car similar to the C-Class.

I found the entire article to be very informative, evidently this is the first tire test conducted by C&D since 1989.
I've driven the C-class on the Continental ContiSpotContact 2 at a MB driving event in July - I think the Michelins are WAY better!
Old 11-08-2005, 01:47 PM
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Continental ContiSpotContact 2 SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my front right one just popped on me. Ive gone into a slide at 45mph on them as well. ****ty ****ty tires.
Old 11-08-2005, 04:32 PM
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2020 BMW X3M Comp
Originally Posted by Marktini
To all:

In the Car and Driver December 2005 issue 11 high-performance street tires, labeled "max performance" were tested along with help and support of the Tire Rack. All season tires were not included however all tires were tested in 3 dry and 3 wet tests.

The tests were conducted on-site at the Tire Racks facility and included Braking tests in the dry and wet, Autocross in the dry and wet and Skidpad in the dry and wet.

This is not intended to start any arguments or flame wars it's just here for anyone who is interested in the results.

The Yokohama tested best in the dry, and the Goodyear in the wet with the overall combined results of as follows from first (best) to last.

1. Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3
2. Continental ContiSpotContact 2
3. Yokohama Adfvan Neova AD07
4. Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
5. Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212
6. Dunlop Sport SP Sport Maxx
7. Pirelli P Zero Rossa Asimmetrico
8. Toyo Proxes T1R
9. Bridgestone Potenza RE050A
10. BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KD
11. Kumho Ecsta MX

The tires were all tested on a BMW 325i. I would consider many of the characteristics of the car similar to the C-Class.

I found the entire article to be very informative, evidently this is the first tire test conducted by C&D since 1989.
I have the Goodyears and love the overall performance as well as the cool-as-hell looking tread pattern
Old 11-08-2005, 04:34 PM
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98 Black C43 , 08' ML320 CDI ,11 E63
Originally Posted by NY C32
I have the Goodyears and love the overall performance as well as the cool-as-hell looking tread pattern
Post some tread pics!
Old 11-08-2005, 04:51 PM
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Originally Posted by NY C32
I have the Goodyears and love the overall performance as well as the cool-as-hell looking tread pattern
I have them on my C55. I have about 1,500 miles on them and couldn't be happier.
Old 11-08-2005, 04:57 PM
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Originally Posted by C43AMG
Post some tread pics!
From tirerack

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Old 11-08-2005, 06:47 PM
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I am running the Advan AD07's. You just can't compare them to the Stock Conti 2's. They have much better grip, are quieter, and ride better.
Old 11-08-2005, 08:20 PM
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Originally Posted by NY C32
From tirerack
looks kinda like the T1-S
Old 11-08-2005, 08:39 PM
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Originally Posted by IdriveFast
looks kinda like the T1-S
It looks a lot like the Goodyear Eagle F1 rain tire
Old 11-08-2005, 08:45 PM
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just got my new 19" shoes today w/ Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 tires on them for my C55. will post pics and feedback of tires after wheels go on.
Old 11-08-2005, 09:36 PM
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Originally Posted by jlee-
Continental ContiSpotContact 2 SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my front right one just popped on me. Ive gone into a slide at 45mph on them as well. ****ty ****ty tires.


having had the Michelin PS on my car and then driving the loaners with the Conti's, the Conti's suck ***!

and I'm really liking my Toyo T-1S. Plus, no way the Hankook's can be ranked that "high"...
Old 11-08-2005, 09:40 PM
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i'm with you on the tread pattern, totally bad ***. the michelins just don't look cool, and let's face it, that counts!
Old 11-08-2005, 10:13 PM
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'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Continental ContiSpotContact 2 are my next tires.. I've driven on them, and I'm not sure what others don't like, but I find them over all quiet, and perform well.

Pics from tire rack.
Attached Thumbnails Car & Driver Tests 11 Performance Tires December 2005-co_contisportcontact2_ci1_l.jpg   Car & Driver Tests 11 Performance Tires December 2005-co_contisportcontact2_ci2_l.jpg  
Old 11-09-2005, 05:41 AM
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white and whiter
the contisport 2 has a soft side wall like they stated, but they grip very well in dry. Don't forget the ranking is overall, not on dry condition along. Some of these tires don't do well in dry vise versa.

if you go into a 70-90degree corner at 45mph you either A) kiss goodbye under-steer into the curb or B) rear's gonna get lose depending on how fast you take the turn and how fast you turn the steering wheel. Law's of physics or driver error cannot be blamed on the tires.


I run on GS-D3 btw. I have used pilotsport, contisport1 and 2 and the rosso.

Last edited by FrankW; 11-09-2005 at 05:43 AM.
Old 11-09-2005, 10:21 AM
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The Goodyears also last longer

I got over 15,000 miles on the rears and over 20,000 on the fronts. Good all around tire. Also I am running 255 on the rear.
Old 11-09-2005, 04:53 PM
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Wow. I was always under the impression the PS2's were hands-down the best performing tire around. Guess I need to look into the Goodyears......
Old 11-09-2005, 05:58 PM
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In my experience with the Conti's they don't do any very well but they don't do anything very poorly either. If you are happy with average they are probably a good tire for you. Me? Average just does not cut it. The Advan's simply blow the Conti's away in every measure. Much better dry grip, much quieter, etc. The only place the Conti's may beat the Advans is in tread life, only time will tell.
Old 11-09-2005, 09:23 PM
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Tirerack owner surveys rank them as such(Michelin/Goodyear):

Dry Traction 9.5/9.2, Wet Traction 8.7/9.1, Hydro Resistance 8.5/9.0, Conrering Stability 9.2/8.9, Steering Response 9.1/8.8, Ride Comfort 8.5/8.6, Noise Comfort 8.5/8.5 and Tread Wear 7.4/8.0.

AND

Tiretracks tests gave the following rankings(Michelin/Goodyear):

(STREET)Ride Comfort 6.39/6.48, Noise Comfort 6.35/6.41, Handling 7.48/7.45, OVerall Road 6.74/6.78
(TRACK-DRY) Cornering Stability 8.55/8.38, Steering Response 8.56/8.26, Braking Modulation 8.26/8.11, Handling Predictability 8.35/8.17, Overall Track 8.43/8.23
(TRACK-Wet) Cornering Stability 8.12/8.19, Steering Response 8.25/7.96, Braking Modulation 8.18/8.03, Handling Predictability 8.08/8.18, Overall Track 8.16/8.09

Slalom: Dry 4.13/4.20 Wet 4.42/4.39
Lap Time: Dry 29.75/29.98 Wet 30.78/30.69
Braking 50-0: 84.6/84.7
Cornering G's: Dry .95/.94 Wet .91/.92


So, what does all this indicate? Both the owners reviews and the tests indicate for a pure extreme performance dry tire the Michelin is better...for an all around performer or if you live in a rainy are, the goodyears are the bestg bet!!!

Given that i live in SoCal i will be getting the Michelins when the OE are worn out(i give them <7K miles since i have a problem not laying rubber stips 40ft long every chance i get!!).

Last edited by Falco; 11-09-2005 at 09:39 PM.
Old 11-09-2005, 09:59 PM
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C55AMG W203; 330i E90
I replaced stock Rosso with F225 , R255 18" PS/2 , and felt much better in sterring sharpness and responsive after ~3000km. ; surely like the PS/2 's significant reduced road noise and the 255's increased grip. Another thing is PS/2 seems to work well with C55's very stiff suspension, which there is a slight improvement in ride quality particularly there is more tire pressure.

Last edited by cntlaw; 11-09-2005 at 10:06 PM.
Old 11-10-2005, 02:19 PM
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Look at the SCCA Solo Nationals results for all the street tire classes.... Thats a MUCH better test... Its all Hankooks and Falken Azenis
Old 11-10-2005, 05:44 PM
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2005 Obsidian Black C230 Komp Sports Sedan, 2006 Iridium Silver ML350 SUV
im pretty sure all theses tire handle pretty much the same the differnece should be minimal for everyday driving... im comming to a time that i need new rear tires...
a couple tires came up in my mind,
conti sport 2, yokohama AVS sport, michelin PS2, good year eagle F1.. and after reading this maybe thinking of yokohama AD07, and BFgoodrich Gforce AT/KD
so basically im just pick form either "1,outstanding dry traction, or 2,better looking patterns, or maybe 3 treadlife" noise doesnt really bother me...

Last edited by blkc230k; 11-10-2005 at 05:56 PM.
Old 11-11-2005, 12:23 AM
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Mine 2005 C230 Kompressor, Dad's 2005 ML350
The article also stated that the % difference in results within the top half of the entrys is very small...meaning...unless you drive like them it wont make that big of a difference at all...i wish they included a test of winter tires...anyone have experience with those...i was looking at Dunlops....and in regards to the OE michelins...the Primacy that they put on the c230 are way too noisy
Old 11-11-2005, 01:31 AM
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'05 C55 AMG '15 Jeep SRT '11 G37S
Originally Posted by Falco
Tirerack owner surveys rank them as such(Michelin/Goodyear):
Thanks for the info, Falco. Wow, almost a push. Assuming cost is all that big of a factor, and it rains down here like 10 times/yr, guess I'm leaning back towards the PS2's.
Old 11-11-2005, 02:37 AM
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white and whiter
Originally Posted by Scoop55
Thanks for the info, Falco. Wow, almost a push. Assuming cost is all that big of a factor, and it rains down here like 10 times/yr, guess I'm leaning back towards the PS2's.
price difference would not drive me to anything other than the GS-D3. PS2 = $1000+ and GS-D3= $800


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