C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

New tire recommendations

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Old Jun 7, 2004 | 07:22 PM
  #1  
ronnie0738's Avatar
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From: Norcal
2003 Nissan 350Z
New tire recommendations

I need to change my rear tires soon. I've been running Pilot Sports for 15k and they are running bald.

I'm debating over Toyo Proxies T1-S & Goodyear GS-D3. Any experiences with these tires or other sugeestions? PS2 are nice, but a bit pricey.
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Old Jun 7, 2004 | 10:39 PM
  #2  
I1 ULOOZ
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I hear the toyo's seem to be a good tire, talk to harris
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Old Jun 8, 2004 | 12:42 AM
  #3  
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I have run both the GS-D3's and T1-S's in the same sizes; 235 40 18 and 265 35 18. If clearance is an issue, the Toyos are approximately 5mm narrower overall as fitted on the rim.

The Toyos outside tread blocks hold up better to extreme cornering than the Goodyears. The Toyos have a much rounder profile and on an 8.5" rim are stretched better for maximum tread width contact. The Goodyears had a tendency to wear more on the outside with their squarer side wall profile.

As for performance, both are top notch. The Toyo's will do marginally better in the wet, but their tread design does not hold up across the width as well as the Goodyears whose tread blocks are tighter together and offer a better dry weather contact patch. Both tires exhibit tread feathering across their V pattern when pushed hard, with the Toyos more pronounced. Vertical tread patterns are always a better design for extreme performance handling and have less block shifting during loading.

Both tires are very quite and make good alternatives to Michelin, Bridgestone and Pirelli. You may also want to look at kumos new high performance tire.

Were you happy with the Pilot Sports? If so, just buy another set and be satisfied. You won't get many more miles out of Toyo's or Goodyear's, and handling performance is negligible.
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Old Jun 8, 2004 | 01:11 AM
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From: Norcal
2003 Nissan 350Z
smgc32 - thanks for the info. the pilot sports are nice, but they are a bit pricey and seem to wear quite fast. $200+/ea for ps whereas the t1-s can be had for $160/ea.

I think I'll try the T1-S...its got good reviews and more affordable.
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Old Jun 8, 2004 | 03:42 AM
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What about Bridgestone SO3's? I have them on my car - absolutely awesome!
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Old Jun 8, 2004 | 10:02 AM
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Nitto NT555... those are great!!!!
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Old Jun 8, 2004 | 11:01 AM
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I had Toyo Proxes T1-S's, but was not too pleased with them. They didn't seem to last me very long, so I decided to go back to Michelin Sport's, and I noticed a big difference in handling, ride, etc. giving the Michelin's a big plus.
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Old Jun 8, 2004 | 11:17 AM
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06 E55 current, M5 Sold, C32 Sold, 330xi Sold
Originally posted by AMG FANATIC
What about Bridgestone SO3's? I have them on my car - absolutely awesome!
I agree with him, but you will buy new tires in 10,000 miles if you get the S03s. They stick like crazy but wear down very fast.

I have the Toyos on my car right now and they seem to do pretty well I guess they are a great bang for the $
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Old Jun 8, 2004 | 11:29 AM
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Any one has experiance with Kumho tires? I like the price ($400 for all 4 corners on stock size) but not sure about the tires. Heard some great reviews from friends. Any one experiance them here?
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Old Jun 8, 2004 | 01:08 PM
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From: Norcal
2003 Nissan 350Z
Originally posted by DL_AMG
Any one has experiance with Kumho tires? I like the price ($400 for all 4 corners on stock size) but not sure about the tires. Heard some great reviews from friends. Any one experiance them here?
I have used the kuhmo ecsta 712 on my acura and they are a good bang for the buck. Lasted about 25k miles. I might give the ecsta MX a try, but I dunno how they are on a rwd car though.
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Old Jun 8, 2004 | 02:47 PM
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Originally posted by dinko
I had Toyo Proxes T1-S's, but was not too pleased with them. They didn't seem to last me very long, so I decided to go back to Michelin Sport's, and I noticed a big difference in handling, ride, etc. giving the Michelin's a big plus.
This is the very first time that I hear someone doesnt like T1-S. I have put on 30,000 miles on my T1-S and they still have 30% tread left. I am extremely happy with the performance of these tires. I think they are MUCH better than PS. Ummm.....
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Old Jun 8, 2004 | 03:23 PM
  #12  
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From: Norcal
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30k miles??? dang, how do you drive? I can barely get 15k out of the PS.
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Old Jun 8, 2004 | 03:25 PM
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Originally posted by ronnie0738
30k miles??? dang, how do you drive? I can barely get 15k out of the PS.
Well, I have a C32, how do you think I drive? I just sent you a reply.
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Old Jun 8, 2004 | 03:54 PM
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From: Norcal
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lol.

Thanks for the reply.
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Old Jun 9, 2004 | 12:01 AM
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Da bomb!

Here is Mr Harris driving his C32 rocket car! (notice his latest mod, the ROCKET installed on top of the car and a "little" bit of neg. camber on the front tires maybe?? )



Cheers!

Wiedermann
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Old Jun 9, 2004 | 12:24 AM
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add antoher to the not too impressed with T1s's. I do like their lightness, but aside from that, they are a narrow tire that gets noisy at about 8k miles. Im going to try the GY's on the rear next

I liked my s03s but they are HEAVY
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Old Jun 9, 2004 | 03:17 AM
  #17  
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Originally posted by s4iscool
add antoher to the not too impressed with T1s's. I do like their lightness, but aside from that, they are a narrow tire that gets noisy at about 8k miles. Im going to try the GY's on the rear next

I liked my s03s but they are HEAVY
Any idea what the different tyres weigh?
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Old Jun 9, 2004 | 10:12 AM
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I have the GS-D3 Goodyears on my W208. Very quiet, and seem to give a little more comfortable ride than the Pilot Sports. Also, very pleased with the performance. After 2k mi. I am getting concerned about what appears to be excessive wear on the outside, which is consistant with smgC32's comments.
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Old Jun 9, 2004 | 10:14 AM
  #19  
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Originally posted by AMG FANATIC
Any idea what the different tyres weigh?
go to edgeracing.com to see various tire weights...itll surprise you. iirc there is about a 4-5 lbs different PER tire between an s03 and t1s or Rosso/neros
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Old Jun 9, 2004 | 04:41 PM
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I have kumho's on my car

I can't comment on the Kumho Ecsta or their other tires but I currently have the kumhho victoracers and I am very happy with these tires. I put these on for my last two track days (1 week apart) and I haven't had time to change them out yet.

I have taken short trips around town with these tires on and they feel great.

The grip is far superior to the Michelin Pilot Sports that I had. I mean so much more it is insane. Especially on the track.

If you are in a warm weather climate I would recommend these tires. Now mine are a little slippery in the wet because they are shaved but if the full tread depth was there I am sure it would be ok. BTW I don't drive aggressively in the rain or in the snow.

The treadwear may be pretty low but it is cheap too I believe it is about 150 each (or less because I upsized my stock tires).

You won't find better grip from anything other than slicks.

Prasith
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Old Jun 9, 2004 | 05:18 PM
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From: From Oxnard; living in Ocean View Hills, San Diego, CA
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Thumbs down I had the Nittos...

Originally posted by BenzoAMGpower
Nitto NT555... those are great!!!!
I had the Nittos...the were acceptable in the dry, byt absolutely suck in the wet. Went to the T1-S, after the break-in, they are they best handling to date, very light, great turn-in feel, maximum grip at the limit...and affordable too.

I have Nero's up fron, and I can't wait to dump them and slap on some Toyo meats.

Last edited by CHATMANR; Jun 9, 2004 at 05:23 PM.
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