Affordable performance tire?
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 285
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From: New York
2006 CL55 AMG
Affordable performance tire?
Hello comrades, the rear 275/35 ZR 19 Continetal Extreme Contact DWS are worn. The fronts are good. Continentals avge $300+/tire. Any ideas for an affordable high performance brand?
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From: Florida
2008 S65 AMG, 2005 SL65 AMG, 2005 Porsche Carrera, 2011 Shelby GT500, 2001 Acura CL Type S
Hankook
I just put Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 and they are excellent - quiet and comfortable - plus they are very reasonably priced.
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bone stock E55 AMG
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Traction Grades
UTQG Traction Grades are based on the tire's straight line wet coefficient of traction as the tire skids across the specified test surfaces. The UTQG traction test does not evaluate dry braking, dry cornering, wet cornering, or high speed hydroplaning resistance.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=48
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From: Anchorage
05 CL65
Yes, I just looked at my previous post and realized I made a typo. I'm running DW's, not DWS's on my car and I was looking for real experience with how the others compare to the DW.
They are a good overall tire, wearing well so far and they do have good wet traction. I put on snow tires in winter so I do not care that they are terrible on ice and snow. My reason for looking at other tires is simply straight line traction. They just do not grip well at all below about 50mph on my car.
FWIW, sidewall traction ratings are a poor measure of real world traction and performance. I ran Hankook Ventus tiers on my Lightning and while they wore like iron, they also gripped like they were made out of iron. If I hit a bump at WOT doing 100mph they would break loose and spin until I let off. Nothing as exciting as drifting an F150 at over 100mph. The Hankooks would last me over 20,000 miles a set on that truck even though I laid MILES of rubber with them monthly but had no grip on my L in first or second gear. The past three years I just ran M&H drag radials on the rear so I could actually get grip. The CL has better weight distribution and less torque than my L did though.
Last edited by Dr Matt; Dec 16, 2014 at 05:17 PM.
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From: queensland australia
2009 C 63
Yes, I just looked at my previous post and realized I made a typo. I'm running DW's, not DWS's on my car and I was looking for real experience with how the others compare to the DW.
They are a good overall tire, wearing well so far and they do have good wet traction. I put on snow tires in winter so I do not care that they are terrible on ice and snow. My reason for looking at other tires is simply straight line traction. They just do not grip well at all below about 50mph on my car.
FWIW, sidewall traction ratings are a poor measure of real world traction and performance. I ran Hankook Ventus tiers on my Lightning and while they wore like iron, they also gripped like they were made out of iron. If I hit a bump at WOT doing 100mph they would break loose and spin until I let off. Nothing as exciting as drifting an F150 at over 100mph. The Hankooks would last me over 20,000 miles a set on that truck even though I laid MILES of rubber with them monthly but had no grip on my L in first or second gear. The past three years I just ran M&H drag radials on the rear so I could actually get grip. The CL has better weight distribution and less torque than my L did though.
They are a good overall tire, wearing well so far and they do have good wet traction. I put on snow tires in winter so I do not care that they are terrible on ice and snow. My reason for looking at other tires is simply straight line traction. They just do not grip well at all below about 50mph on my car.
FWIW, sidewall traction ratings are a poor measure of real world traction and performance. I ran Hankook Ventus tiers on my Lightning and while they wore like iron, they also gripped like they were made out of iron. If I hit a bump at WOT doing 100mph they would break loose and spin until I let off. Nothing as exciting as drifting an F150 at over 100mph. The Hankooks would last me over 20,000 miles a set on that truck even though I laid MILES of rubber with them monthly but had no grip on my L in first or second gear. The past three years I just ran M&H drag radials on the rear so I could actually get grip. The CL has better weight distribution and less torque than my L did though.
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From: Anchorage
05 CL65
They were on the car when I bought it. I would guess they are good for about 15-20,000 miles on my car based on wear so far. Having driven a 2014 C63 I'd guess they should do better than that on a C63 unless you plan on drifting or doing smoke shows a lot. 
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From: queensland australia
2009 C 63
thanks you did very well with above miles on your tyre fryer i am now looking forward to long life from the DW"s no drifting? smoke shows
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bone stock E55 AMG
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Buick T-Type, 70 cuda, S65 and a very FAST Truck!
I currently have the Hankook V12s on the car right now (S65). They are OK but I don't think I will get them again. They definitely have some good qualities, they ride very nice, are quiet and have lasted longer than any of the others I have tried. In my opinion they have some qualities I don't like also. They don't have much straight line grip at all and spin like crazy up to 60+MPH they also have a very soft sidewall and turn in is terrible (very mushy with no feedback). If you like a tire that is quiet and rides nice, it would be a good tire, if you are looking for a tire with good traction and good handling I would go for a PSS. I would also like to try a pair of Dunlop Direzza ZIIs on the back and see if they would help straight line traction since they don't make a decent (streetable) drag radial for 19s. Any one here have feedback on the Direzzas?
Please note that I am using the older generation Hankooks on my car and have no supporting data for the new updated version of the V12s.
Please note that I am using the older generation Hankooks on my car and have no supporting data for the new updated version of the V12s.
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2005 CL65
I used to use Direzza ZIIs on my twin turbo supra..Traction on them was great (although these were 18s, and only around 400whp).. In the colder weather they were not good but I never drive in the colder weather anyways.. On the CL65 I currently have Pirelli Pzero Nero tires in a 305/30/20 which I will most likely try and swap up when they need replacing.. Traction is very good above 50-60mph..
My next tire will be a Toyo Proxie T1R or I may try out the michelin pilot sport cup 2.. My options are limited on the size of my rims..
My next tire will be a Toyo Proxie T1R or I may try out the michelin pilot sport cup 2.. My options are limited on the size of my rims..
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Buick T-Type, 70 cuda, S65 and a very FAST Truck!
I would also look at the BFG Rival if I were you. They have a couple different sizes in a 20 inch wheel. I just noticed they have the 285/35/19 also available now. I think the Direzza II and Rival would make for a max grip tire on the street.
I have ridden in a couple cars with Cup 2s and they seem to have great cornering grip but they only last a couple times around the block and cost big bucks.
I have ridden in a couple cars with Cup 2s and they seem to have great cornering grip but they only last a couple times around the block and cost big bucks.
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2005 CL65
I find the Pirellis a better tire than the Direzza II that I had on the supra (again comparing tires from two different cars). I will look into the BFG Rival tires though and see what I can dig up. The tread ware on the Cup 2s doesn't seem too horrible (180).. The rims took the PO (radride from these forums) a while to get perfect with a 305 tire so I want to ensure I am running the widest tire possible without issues.
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From: Florida
2008 S65 AMG, 2005 SL65 AMG, 2005 Porsche Carrera, 2011 Shelby GT500, 2001 Acura CL Type S
tires
I would not put a Dunlop tire on any of my cars. They are loud and a piece of crap.
Best grip so far I had with Michelin AS/3 tires (Shelby) plus they come with 45k warranty - unfortunately, not available in sizes for the CL600.
On the CL, I have the Hankook V12 evo2 (rated for 190mph and "extra load" (XL), 245s in the front and 275s in the back (both 20"). I put them through the paces as soon as I had them mounted and I am very happy with them - they are not as good as Michelins but they cost only half as much. Since I am not gunning the CL through the corners, Hankooks will be more than enough.
Yokohamas are excellent all-season tires which won't break the budget. Over the years, these tires have never let me down.
Tires to avoid on the CL: "Sunny" and "Sumitomo". Horrible quality and ride.
I am sure there others which can break any budget. Make sure you budget for new ball joints and struts if you get top-dollar tires
Best grip so far I had with Michelin AS/3 tires (Shelby) plus they come with 45k warranty - unfortunately, not available in sizes for the CL600.
On the CL, I have the Hankook V12 evo2 (rated for 190mph and "extra load" (XL), 245s in the front and 275s in the back (both 20"). I put them through the paces as soon as I had them mounted and I am very happy with them - they are not as good as Michelins but they cost only half as much. Since I am not gunning the CL through the corners, Hankooks will be more than enough.
Yokohamas are excellent all-season tires which won't break the budget. Over the years, these tires have never let me down.
Tires to avoid on the CL: "Sunny" and "Sumitomo". Horrible quality and ride.
I am sure there others which can break any budget. Make sure you budget for new ball joints and struts if you get top-dollar tires
Last edited by CL600CK60V12; Dec 17, 2014 at 06:06 PM. Reason: md
Thread Starter
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From: New York
2006 CL55 AMG
Very nice tire (tyre) info. posted; thanks to all. Since the front Continental Extreme Contacts DWS are in great shape whilst the rear bald, ordered a pair of used ($115/each 40% worn) Continental 285/35 ZR19 DWS. When fronts become toast, will either go with Continental DW or those mentioned here.
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2006 S65 AMG
I use Nitto Invo tires and have to replace the rears at every oil change (10,000 miles) and fronts every other. Ride is great but they will hydroplane over a puddle. You just have to drive very calm in the rain. They stick good in a blastoff as long as you don't brake/torque a launch. A S65 AMG will spin anything in dyno mode if you try.
