Goodbye Runflats! (Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+)
#26
MBWorld Fanatic!
For the record, here are the Mercedes fuel flap pressure recommendations:
18" - 42/33 F/R
19" - 36/33 F/R
These pressures are for runflat tires, lightly loaded and measured cold. Cold means 20C or 68F.
After driving a very few miles the tires will warm up regardless of the weather and the pressures will increase. Mercedes certainly knows this and sets their cold recommendations accordingly.
18" - 42/33 F/R
19" - 36/33 F/R
These pressures are for runflat tires, lightly loaded and measured cold. Cold means 20C or 68F.
After driving a very few miles the tires will warm up regardless of the weather and the pressures will increase. Mercedes certainly knows this and sets their cold recommendations accordingly.
The OEM 18 Conti RFTs are marked M + S. They’re the same tires equipped on C300 Sport models.
My C43 gas cap instructs 36 F, 35 R for M + S marked tires.
Coincidentally, those are the same recommended values for the C300 fitted with the same tires.
#27
I was thinking about selling the 2018 Coupe and was already test driving a new Porsche. I switched to Michelin AS and that transformed the car. I can't believe how much of an improvement this made. The old wheels would not stand up on their own. Mercedes wheels and Conti run flats are really bad.
#28
Member
Did you get the H/V or W/Y rated tires?
Has anyone run them for a good amount of miles and can tell me about the treadwear?
I'm thinking about going the non-runflat route and maybe even summer/winter tires, but I feel so confused on this.
Has anyone run them for a good amount of miles and can tell me about the treadwear?
I'm thinking about going the non-runflat route and maybe even summer/winter tires, but I feel so confused on this.
#29
I am in the market for non RFT's also, and have heard good things about Yokohama Advan A/S tires. I know the manager really well at a local Discount Tire and he said for the price they are incredibly hard to beat. Decisions...
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Jujigatame (06-24-2019)
#30
Senior Member
I got these for my c63s and I love them. Great for all weather conditions. Even drives pretty good in the snow. We didn't see a lot of snow in NYC this past winter but I was just fine in the little snow we had. You can't go wrong with the A/S 3+
#31
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Orange County, CA
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GLA250 4Matic, 911 Carrera S, R1250 GS Adv.
I'd expect new tires to perform better than old tires, but are new Michelins better than the new runflats? Put differently, can we justify dumping runflats when they're nearly new? It would be very costly, I know, but maybe worth it if the Michelins would last 25K miles.
#32
I'd expect new tires to perform better than old tires, but are new Michelins better than the new runflats? Put differently, can we justify dumping runflats when they're nearly new? It would be very costly, I know, but maybe worth it if the Michelins would last 25K miles.
#33
Member
My tire guy is really hesitant about going non-runflats around here without a spare. He just sees so many blowouts. He'll do it, but he doesn't think it's a good idea. FWIW though, when I told him about my brothers 911 not having runflats or a spare and just a compressor kit and slime, he was like "yeah, that's true", and then pointed at the 911 up on his ramp.
I think I'm going to take the risk and go with the A/S 3+, but I am really nervous about it. Hearing that you're in the area and having good experience with it really helps, so thanks!
#34
MBWorld Fanatic!
I swapped fronts only at first. I'm at about 16,xxx miles on my AS3+s and have loads of meat left. My Conti's were toast after 14k. Only 2500 or so miles with the rear in the mix. Worth the expense whether you own or are leasing.
edit: missed the word "rears." Rears were finally shot at 30k
edit: missed the word "rears." Rears were finally shot at 30k
Last edited by RichardCranium3; 06-26-2019 at 08:54 AM.
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Jujigatame (06-25-2019)
#35
Member
#36
Senior Member
I'm in northern NJ and go to the city all the time. Have you had any issues with potholes? How are they wearing? When I bought this car, I didn't expect to have to replace the tires almost yearly!
My tire guy is really hesitant about going non-runflats around here without a spare. He just sees so many blowouts. He'll do it, but he doesn't think it's a good idea. FWIW though, when I told him about my brothers 911 not having runflats or a spare and just a compressor kit and slime, he was like "yeah, that's true", and then pointed at the 911 up on his ramp.
I think I'm going to take the risk and go with the A/S 3+, but I am really nervous about it. Hearing that you're in the area and having good experience with it really helps, so thanks!
My tire guy is really hesitant about going non-runflats around here without a spare. He just sees so many blowouts. He'll do it, but he doesn't think it's a good idea. FWIW though, when I told him about my brothers 911 not having runflats or a spare and just a compressor kit and slime, he was like "yeah, that's true", and then pointed at the 911 up on his ramp.
I think I'm going to take the risk and go with the A/S 3+, but I am really nervous about it. Hearing that you're in the area and having good experience with it really helps, so thanks!
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Jujigatame (06-25-2019)
#37
I made the move today to the Yokohama Advan A/S tire...all I can say is wow. Much quieter than the Conti RFT, takes significant edge of the constant crashing over bumps, and all my interior rattles have magically disappeared. Not bad for $650 installed and balanced!!!!
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#39
Super Member
Info Requested
I'm considering replacing the RFs on my coupe but want to have some emergency backup before I do.
Thanks!
#41
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GLA250 4Matic, 911 Carrera S, R1250 GS Adv.
Based on experience, I'd recommend testing the pump (and 12v connections) before storing it away in your trunk - to make sure it can actually inflate a tire.
#42
MBWorld Fanatic!
Any auto parts store...Walmart... Target...Amazon...etc... it looks like this...
https://www.amazon.com/Slime-50107-E..._ob_title_auto
https://www.amazon.com/Slime-50107-E..._ob_title_auto
The Slime bottles or patch kits can be sourced at Walmart or any auto parts store (autozone, advance, o'reilly, etc)
#43
Member
Well, I made the switch to the A/S 3+'s yesterday and drove about 100 miles today.
I am SO happy with the tires at the moment! They are so much smoother and quieter.
The car ride is MUCH less harsh, yet it's still firm.
I have to be honest, I don't think they "transform" the car as I thought it road great before, but it is a DEFINITE improvement.
I haven't really put them to the handling test, and I doubt I will, I don't push it to the extremes.
I have 18" rims and luckily they were not bent or cracked and still true.
I'm still a little nervous about getting a flat, but I have Slime "Thru Core" and a good compressor as well as some tire plugs.
Hopefully, that's all I'll need.
If you're on the fence like I was, I'd say go for it.
I am SO happy with the tires at the moment! They are so much smoother and quieter.
The car ride is MUCH less harsh, yet it's still firm.
I have to be honest, I don't think they "transform" the car as I thought it road great before, but it is a DEFINITE improvement.
I haven't really put them to the handling test, and I doubt I will, I don't push it to the extremes.
I have 18" rims and luckily they were not bent or cracked and still true.
I'm still a little nervous about getting a flat, but I have Slime "Thru Core" and a good compressor as well as some tire plugs.
Hopefully, that's all I'll need.
If you're on the fence like I was, I'd say go for it.
#44
Member
Thread Starter
Ok, quick 1,000 mile update.
The ride is much better than stock Contis. I agree with previous poster that it does not transform the car—the fundamentally stiff nature of the car remains, but is quite a bit better.
Fuel economy is better with the AS3+ than the Contis.
On inflation, here is gas cap:
My dealer always filled the Contis using the upper numbers for 18s, XL load.
This time for the first 600 miles I ran M+S light load pressures as set by dealers. Truly excellent but felt like maybe a bit of pressure would do some good. So went to M+S max load. Ride quality did not change much, can feels a bit more agile but some loss of on center feel, car is a little less planted.
The ride is much better than stock Contis. I agree with previous poster that it does not transform the car—the fundamentally stiff nature of the car remains, but is quite a bit better.
Fuel economy is better with the AS3+ than the Contis.
On inflation, here is gas cap:
My dealer always filled the Contis using the upper numbers for 18s, XL load.
This time for the first 600 miles I ran M+S light load pressures as set by dealers. Truly excellent but felt like maybe a bit of pressure would do some good. So went to M+S max load. Ride quality did not change much, can feels a bit more agile but some loss of on center feel, car is a little less planted.
Last edited by Snarfalus; 07-09-2019 at 06:56 AM.
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zibby43 (07-02-2019)
#45
I just replaced my Pirelli Cinturato P7 all Season run crap tires with some Firestone Firehawk Indy 500. I really don’t get why car companies keep using run flats. They are horrible, noisy, hard etc. the Indy 500 are really nice, grip like hell, quiet and better steering feel.
#46
Member
Ok, quick 1,000 mile update.
The ride is much better than stock Contis. I agree with previous poster that it does not transform the car—the fundamentally stiff nature of the car remains, but is quite a bit better.
Fuel economy is better with the AS3+ than the Contis.
On inflation, here is gas cap:
My dealer always filled the Contis using the upper numbers for 18s, XL load.
This time for the first 600 miles I ran M+S light load pressures as set by dealers. Truly excellent but felt like maybe a bit of pressure would do some good. So went to M+S max load. Ride quality did not change much, can feels a bit more agile but some loss of on center feel, car is a little less planted.
I think the proper pressure is somewhere between light and max M&S load and is a matter of feel and preference.
I do think if you have runflats, get them off. The car likes these tire.
The ride is much better than stock Contis. I agree with previous poster that it does not transform the car—the fundamentally stiff nature of the car remains, but is quite a bit better.
Fuel economy is better with the AS3+ than the Contis.
On inflation, here is gas cap:
My dealer always filled the Contis using the upper numbers for 18s, XL load.
This time for the first 600 miles I ran M+S light load pressures as set by dealers. Truly excellent but felt like maybe a bit of pressure would do some good. So went to M+S max load. Ride quality did not change much, can feels a bit more agile but some loss of on center feel, car is a little less planted.
I think the proper pressure is somewhere between light and max M&S load and is a matter of feel and preference.
I do think if you have runflats, get them off. The car likes these tire.
According to the manual, we should use the fully laden tire pressures designated by rim size if we're traveling with a full load of passengers and cargo OR running at high speeds...
#47
Member
Thread Starter
The M+S pressures are ONLY for Mud and Snow tires with the "Three Peak Mountain Snow Symbol" imprinted on the tires, not for all season tires like the PS A/S 3+'s (even though they're marked "M+S").
According to the manual, we should use the fully laden tire pressures designated by rim size if we're traveling with a full load of passengers and cargo OR running at high speeds...
According to the manual, we should use the fully laden tire pressures designated by rim size if we're traveling with a full load of passengers and cargo OR running at high speeds...
Frankly now I am not sure how to set it up.
#48
Junior Member
2018 C43 Sedan. After 20,000 miles on the stock Contintential Pro Contact (SSR) 18 inch runflats there is plenty of tread left for lease turn in, but I have had enough of the stiff ride and simply mediocre grip. These tires held up well but were no where near as good as the Pirelli Cinturado P7s that I had on my old C300 in terms of performance.
This weekend I am having Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ non runflat all seasons put on. I really do not want to go to dedicated summer and winter tires. 2 year road hazard warranty from TireRack does not hurt either.
I will report back.
This weekend I am having Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ non runflat all seasons put on. I really do not want to go to dedicated summer and winter tires. 2 year road hazard warranty from TireRack does not hurt either.
I will report back.
Now the down side: the 10K mile tread life is nothing to be giddy about (I’ve already put 25k miles on my car). However, I haven’t had to deal with this downside too much thanks to Chicago’s potholes causing my tires to explode (happened 3 times since owning the car).
Buying the tire and wheel warranty is a Godsend. I’d recommend eventually switching to summer tires just so you can fully experience the car’s handling.
I was thinking about selling the 2018 Coupe and was already test driving a new Porsche. I switched to Michelin AS and that transformed the car. I can't believe how much of an improvement this made. The old wheels would not stand up on their own. Mercedes wheels and Conti run flats are really bad.
#49
Member
I never drive with the car loaded up (hell it's a Cabriolet, good luck getting anyone in the back seats!), but I do drive pretty fast.
For light loads my gas cap recommends 41F and 33R. 33 seems way too low to me, but maybe it won't eat the tires up at that pressure?
Right now I have it set at 41F and 40R, but the Michelin website recommends 38 all around!
I'll probably do what Michelin recommends, but I'm so confused! Michelin even says check the vehicle placard.