Guys,

So far I'm on track to do the following to the Sedan this year.

1.) Clear bra & Ceramic coating (completed earlier this year)
2.) Black-out badging (completed earlier this year)
3.) Akrapovic exhaust (ordered & being installed in mid-October)
4.) Eventuri air intake (ordered & being installed in early October)

Need some advice on upgrading tires from the stock Pilot Super Sports.

I'm debating between the PS4S and Cup 2 tires. What size tires should I go with in the front and rear? I would like to with 265/35/19's in the front - but I'm not sure what that means for the rear tire... Also do I need new wheels when moving to a much wider tire...

(PS - I know the exhaust & air intake is excessive/expensive - just wasn't ready to jump to the tune, turbos, down-pipes or lowering kit yet. Still kind of nervous about those topics and how they impact the warranty, etc.)

At this point - just trying to understand the tire situation better. Thanks.

Ambitious list ya got there, enjoy the journey.

As for the tire question if you haven't seen this Thunderhill track day thread yet it is definitely worth the read. The OP has a ride similar to yours that he tracks and has provided exceptional detail and experience regarding his sessions and tires has gotten several posts. It certainly opened my eyes when it comes to understanding street performance from track tires.

Reading is fundamental but learning is essential.

The pilot sport 4S tires are superior for daily driving. If this will be a weekend car I would go with the cup2, assuming price difference doesn't matter. Sorry I cannot help you on the specific sizes.

For more power, based on your comments I suugest youcheck out the BMS JB4. It is a piggyback computer, not an ECU tune (which is an advantage in my eyes), only $900, and offers the same power and more flexibility and functionality than an ECU tune.

Since it is not an ECU Flash, a JB4 will not leave a flash record in your ECU code that can be detected by Mercedes, so it is 100% safe to remove and then take car in to dealerships warranty claims, if needed. Also down the road if you decide to do an ECU Flash, JB4 can work in conjunction with it.

Happy modding!

PS - Car looks incredible!

I just wanted to point out that the statement " a JB4 will not leave a flash record in your ECU code that can be detected by Mercedes, so it is 100% safe to remove and then take car in to dealerships warranty claims " is not 100% factual. If MB wanted too, and depending on the warranty claim, they can very easily detect that something was up.. they can see the different levels of lots of items that will show the mapping was tampered with.

Only reason I am saying this, is I had come across it, and it surprised me as well..

What about wheels?

That's an interesting list of upgrades - # 3 and #4 are as you said expensive options to start with. Btw, I see yours is an S and that means PE exhaust, right? Is the Akropovic worth the cost to the difference to the PE? I would sure recommend
- suspension upgrade/lowering -> II love my KW HAS
- wheels would be good (I also thought I would keep the AMG forged but eventually wanted better fitment wheels) -> sell the cross-spoke forged and get some wider wheels with proper offset
- tune or piggyback to take advantage of that Eventuri -> open her up for better high RPM performance where the larger intakes help the most...
- last you can start adding some splitters, spoilers, diffusers...

Firstly, nice car I love that color combo!
For OEM wheels on a sedan you can do 255/35/19 and 275/35/19 or 265/35/19 and 285/30/19. You could use the bigger sizes however the tires will look bulky and I wouldn’t recommend it based on the OEM wheel widths. I run a PS4S 255/35/19 and 275/35/19 on my car and it rides amazing. Cup 2 tires don’t handle as well in wet conditions so if this is your daily make sure you take it easy if you go with these and it’s wet out.

Thinking about the HRE P111SC Wheels - just thinking about what finish I want & how to justify this to my wife. lol

This is very helpful. Thank you!!!

HRE are great wheels - forged monoblock is a nice choice among them. These continue with your not too cheap but excellent mod's. I personally am not a fan of that particular design but we all have different taste and that is good thing.

Can’t wait to hear your impressions on the Akrapovic exhaust. Also can’t wait hear the actual exhaust. I may go this route also.

After it’s installed - I will definitely give the group and update!

I think those wheels would look pretty sweet, always nice to see something different on our cars Nice choice OP, good luck to ya!

I have HRE’s as well.

Awesome. I’m thinking these will be my “Christmas gift” from my family to me. Lol - just need to figure out where to go in DFW to order these (and tires).

Do you have a discount tire in DFW? If so, THAT is where to go

Nice list of mods! Tires are definitely a huge plus for your next mod, completely transforms the ride

Thanks - I’m going with 19X9 front and 19X10 Rear w/ 245/32-19 front and 275/35-19 rear running Cup2's in the HRE P111SC's in Frozen Polished Dark Clear. 6-8 week lead time with HRE - so probably install in late Nov or early Dec

If the wheels are made to your spec you could go a little wider on rims and tires.

What do you have done to yours?
How much difference does a nice intake make to the car at top RPM ~5,000 +?
Mine is stage two with catless DP's, and it does taper off at high RPM.... I will definitely buy an intake if it makes a noticeable difference.
Thanks

What do you have done to yours?
How much difference does a nice intake make to the car at top RPM ~5,000 +?
Mine is stage two with catless DP's, and it does taper off at high RPM.... I will definitely buy an intake if it makes a noticeable difference.
Thanks

I would suggest getting the ALP/Escort System. I have it now and its awesome.

Renntech ECU is another one to check out.

Don't mess with the black OEM wheels, they are just fabulous.

modalworks has posted some nice before and after charts. Other well designed intakes behave similar. Just helps to keep the curve up above 5k RPM. I have not dyno’d my setup but it feels it keeps pulling nicely to high RPM. Just a little extra kick. Is it huge - no.

PS: I have Velos stage 2 with Gruppe M and ZAC intakes right now.