MACHC5

Yesterday I attended the 1-day Basic Training, that is also provided for new buyers of AMG Vehicles after Dec 31, 2010. The weather was on and off showers with alternating dry and moist track conditions. We drove and drove the new SLK, C63, E63 and SLS AMG's during the day. The Instructor cadre was professional and very knowledgeable of getting cars around Lime Rock Park. I believe most of them came from the ranks of the on-site Skip Barber Racing School. Tommy Kendall was on-hand and giving Taxi Rides in one of the CLK63BS school cars. I got to ride in the Red CLK63BS with Tommy for 2 laps at Ludicrous Speed being more sideways at times and liked every bit of it. It was great to see what our cars can do, when you're not the owner and don't have a dime in it..!

In Closing:
I was really impressed with the current AMG breed and how much true on-track capability is in the platforms. And as I'm now needing new tires I was very interested and I looked closely at the tires they use at the Academy. They are the Continental Extreme DW, even on the CLK63BS. Guys I never felt the tires giving up or getting overly greasy and with no visible chunking of the tread. If you ever get a chance to attend a AMG Driving Academy in your area, I'd make it a "Must Do" on your Bucket List.

For the Track Heads out there... The front calipers on the AMG Academy CLK63Bs's have a very noticeable, from being heavily used, golden hue on all 3 of the cars.

Jim

AMG Dictator

Jim,

I wouldn't go with the Conti DW's for the CLK Black. They told us at RA that they were on the car because Conti didn't have anything else that would fit the car. They had almost no grip compared to the Corsa's.

It was amazing how little grip they had on the CLK Black.

Yuille36

That is so weird, because I was just at the AMG performance Drive in Monticello, NY. And all the crs there C63, E63, CLS63 and SL63 all had COntinentals Extreme DW mounted on them. And thee tires have excellent grip, even at the limit of their adhesion. I personally think that the Continentals, will last a little better then the Pirelli's.

AMG Dictator

As Conti is the sponsor, they all have Conti tires on them. The DW's have no where near the grip of the Corsa's.

At a tread wear rating of 340 it probably does produce a very progressive slide that is very easy to control but that does not mean that they will have the grip of other tires. Would be great for drifting but bad for fast times.

The SLS tires are Sport Contact 5's with a tread wear of 240 and the Corsa's on the CLK Black have a tread wear of......... 60

jenk12m

dont get the conti's

MACHC5

There's no right front Corsa's for our CLK63BS.

Jim Brady

That's correct, but there are two in Canada, make that one. I do some work with Pirelli and they had one shipped to me from Vancouver. There was one in Montreal as of last week.

MACHC5

Jim -
I'll be in Montreal in 3 weeks for the F1 and Historic F1 races.
I just wonder what the "Born on Date" of these last few tires are?

LOVEMYBS

No Corsa's, too bad. Michelin now has 265 and 295/30/19 Super Sport replacements for their PS2 but no 285 as yet. Will 295's fit my rear rims? I believe I need 10.5 to do it according to the 10/10 Tire website.

Jim Brady

Born date (0209)

jrcart

Wow, what's the deal with the Corsa's? Are they now discontinued or just a low volume tire that Pirelli only get around to producing maybe once or twice a year? They have always been somewhat difficult to find, but this sounds like a bad situation with only 1 being available in all of North America. I have two complete sets of brand new Corsa's 285 fronts and 305 rears. One set is going on the car next week, that leaves me with an extra set. If this tire is discontinued I am going to hold on to them but if they're not discontinued and more will become available in the near future I might consider selling a set to one of you "Black Series Forum Regulars" if you are in a serious pinch. Let me see what I can find out, in the mean time PM me if somebody is in dire need of a set of Corsa's in the sizes I mentioned. If I do end up selling them I would prefer to sell the entire set or possibly fronts and rears, I don't want to get into selling individual tires, too much work and hassle to deal with, like I said this would be more of a favor, I don't need to sell them.

ATL_MB

My understanding from the PL CE is that they are discontinued. I think he has 3 or 4 sets in his garage.

SMP

Jim, what a nice gesture! The only problem are the sizes you're running. With your 10 x 19 fronts and 11 x 19 rears, they are perfect. Most BS guys have the stock wheels and could only use your front 285's for the rear.

GeoGeo

Will there be a replacement? Trofeo?

jrcart

Yep, discontinued...I guess I will be holding on to mine. The regional Pirelli rep say their is a replacement R compound n the works which should boast better wet performance...translation, not as good dry performance (you can't have both IMO).