Tyres on the C32 AMG
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Newbie
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 11
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From: Australia
C class W203
Tyres on the C32 AMG
I have a set of Michelin tyres on my C class 235/45 17" front and 245/40 17" rear. Shortly I will have to replace them, can I get some advice on what tyres are the best. I like the Pilot SX's is there anything better or are these the way to go.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Los Angeles, CA
2020 GT R Pro, 2019 GT3 RS, 2018 GT3 Touring
Bridgestone S03 Pole Position
I think the new Bridgestone S03 is one of the 3 best tires on the market. And with the current price point, it wins hands down. We run the S03 on just about every car.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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S03 receives high appraisal since the day they're launched, but personally I have no tried it yet cause they dont make my size. I'm using Toyo T1-S now and I think they're very good, price-wise and performance-wise. I've used up 3 sets of PZero before but they wear out so fast & were very poor on wet. I've also tried Michelin Pilot Sport, they're not as good as PZero on dry but better on wet. However, I think they're a bit over-priced. I would highly recommend T1-S. Since I've no experience with S03, cant make that as my first choice. You cant go wrong with either one though.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
I saw a new in-stock 2002 C32 at the dealer yesterday that came from the factory with Pirello PZero Rosso tires. The tread design is awful looking but they probably stick well.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: San Francisco, CA
1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
the pilot sx is a mid-90s tire, the new michelin pilot sport is supposed to be just as good in dry but provide a little better handling in the wet. i have a set of potenza s-03 on the rear of the c36. a lot grippier than the expedia s-01... will c if they flat spot easily as the car is only driven like 2 or 3 times a month (s-01 never flat spotted, lasted only 20k).
as for pzeros...they seem to be better the bigger (wider) they are. the skinny a$$ 205-45-17 oem ones on my volvo were too prone to bulging and popping and felt squirmy in wet. had 4 blown because of pot holes. granted, the straightline launch and stopping was pretty good, but i switched those to bridgestones s-02 and the handling was much grippier dry and wet.
i guess an easy way to test how much a tire squirms under different circumstances is to try stopping semi-hard downhill with a stop sign. when approaching the downhill stop sign, try to time the stop a few cm after the "stop" painted on the ground. if the tires are not grippy during straightline performance, u'll hear it complain when it hits the paint (easy to do if u've got like enono car or some cheap all-season tires). the pzeros never said a thing, the s-02 occassionally will complain ever so softly. oh, and i guess trying out what rpm each brand of tire lights up from stop is a good test too
as for pzeros...they seem to be better the bigger (wider) they are. the skinny a$$ 205-45-17 oem ones on my volvo were too prone to bulging and popping and felt squirmy in wet. had 4 blown because of pot holes. granted, the straightline launch and stopping was pretty good, but i switched those to bridgestones s-02 and the handling was much grippier dry and wet.
i guess an easy way to test how much a tire squirms under different circumstances is to try stopping semi-hard downhill with a stop sign. when approaching the downhill stop sign, try to time the stop a few cm after the "stop" painted on the ground. if the tires are not grippy during straightline performance, u'll hear it complain when it hits the paint (easy to do if u've got like enono car or some cheap all-season tires). the pzeros never said a thing, the s-02 occassionally will complain ever so softly. oh, and i guess trying out what rpm each brand of tire lights up from stop is a good test too
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Joined: Mar 2002
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S03, Pilots and Toyo
E36 M3 owners swear by the Bridgestones and that is the same exact wheel dimensions as the stock C32. I ran Pilot Sports on the M3 and have them on the C32, Pilots are pretty good tires, but they are not cheap and their treadwear is not great on a high performance car. Their strong suit is their effective sidewall stiffness which helps them turn-in faster than most others. The C32 can use a little turn-in help so the Pilots are a pretty good choice for it.
I also ran the Toyos Proxes T1-S on my M3, and after the Michelins I was just slightly disappointed with their turning quickness and sidewall stiffness, but other than that they were better in every regard: cost, smoothness, quietness, treadwear, wet handling. I even think they launch better.
I am running 17" on the AMG, so I can use the "stiffer" tire. The Pilot or S03. If I was running 19" and lowered, I would seriously consider the Toyo, because the price difference and treadwear difference on a big tire is astromomical, also extra sidewall stiffness isn't as much of a plus on a large diameter.
I also ran the Toyos Proxes T1-S on my M3, and after the Michelins I was just slightly disappointed with their turning quickness and sidewall stiffness, but other than that they were better in every regard: cost, smoothness, quietness, treadwear, wet handling. I even think they launch better.
I am running 17" on the AMG, so I can use the "stiffer" tire. The Pilot or S03. If I was running 19" and lowered, I would seriously consider the Toyo, because the price difference and treadwear difference on a big tire is astromomical, also extra sidewall stiffness isn't as much of a plus on a large diameter.
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Newbie
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7
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From: Manchester, UK
CL55, ML55
My car with the Michelins as stock & the car would not handle. Replaced the tires with the Pirellis (as advised by AMG direct) and the car changed into a sports car!
Had SO2's on my previous C43 & thought they were excelent although a bit hard
Had SO2's on my previous C43 & thought they were excelent although a bit hard
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