Continental or Michelin?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 731
Likes: 1
W210 W140
Continental or Michelin?
Fellas,
I'm going to skip the really long story about the vibration problems with my Yokohamas and how my tire show refused to replace them. The short story is that after complaining for the past 25,000 miles about major vibration with my yokohama's the tire store is finally deciding to do something about replacing them. Here are the two scenarios I'm being offered:
#1
Continental ExtremeContact DWS
235/45 17"
Cost: $420, including tax, lifetime mounting/balancing, replacement/refund/repair warranty, etc
#2
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus
235/45 17"
Cost: $620, including tax, lifetime mounting/balancing, replacement/refund/repair warranty, etc
I'm pretty sure I'd like to go with the Michelins. I've had them before on my benzes and really like them. Plus I like my Michelin snow tires. Any thoughts on the Contis? Should I not get the Michelins and look for something else? Thanks for any real world experience comments on these options.
I'm going to skip the really long story about the vibration problems with my Yokohamas and how my tire show refused to replace them. The short story is that after complaining for the past 25,000 miles about major vibration with my yokohama's the tire store is finally deciding to do something about replacing them. Here are the two scenarios I'm being offered:
#1
Continental ExtremeContact DWS
235/45 17"
Cost: $420, including tax, lifetime mounting/balancing, replacement/refund/repair warranty, etc
#2
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus
235/45 17"
Cost: $620, including tax, lifetime mounting/balancing, replacement/refund/repair warranty, etc
I'm pretty sure I'd like to go with the Michelins. I've had them before on my benzes and really like them. Plus I like my Michelin snow tires. Any thoughts on the Contis? Should I not get the Michelins and look for something else? Thanks for any real world experience comments on these options.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 19
From: SoCal
98 Brilliant Silver E320 Wagon
I would first determine that the suspension is in good shape. Second I would make sure that the car has had a 4 wheel alignment at the dealer or independent with the proper MB equipment. Both of these are designed to make sure it's the tires. Otherwise, you may not be happy with your new tires no matter which brand you pick. 
When you are ready to choose, find a shop which can do 'road force' balancing. It's about $5 extra per tire but ensures that the tire is mounted at the best possible position before weights are added. Only some balancing machines can do that. Check out the installers on the TireRack website for road force balancing in your area.
When you are ready to choose, find a shop which can do 'road force' balancing. It's about $5 extra per tire but ensures that the tire is mounted at the best possible position before weights are added. Only some balancing machines can do that. Check out the installers on the TireRack website for road force balancing in your area.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: toronto
92 mercedes benz 500E,91 corvette ZR-1,90 mercedes benz 300CE AMG body pkg.
ive ran both , and its Michelin all the way !!!. the conti's for me were good when new , but i cant believe how bad they get after a while . three out of the four i had on broke belts inside and half thr tire on the tread balloned ... when i asked my mechanic about the contis , he said he has seen tons that all fail in this manner . i wish i took pics to show you guys how bad they were ... and there was atleast 60 % tread life left.
personally , i would never buy the contis again. ... but thats my opinion.
personally , i would never buy the contis again. ... but thats my opinion.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: the Netherlands
'01 W210 E320 CDI
The Conti's wear faster and in my experience Michelins get no aquaplaning until the profile gets really minimal. My current summer tyres are Michelins Premacy HP (High Performace) they are the Mercedes homologation tyres for most W210/211/212 overhere in Europe.
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 56
Likes: 1
From: South Carolina
2014 E350 4matic, 2015 Acura TLX
I'm very happy with Michelins, but don't just take my word for it. I conducted my research of the Tire Rack website. The Michelins were rated higher for mileage and were smoother riding and quieter than the Conti's. As for all out handling, I can't say. I hope to get another 15 years out of my car, and I won't get that pretending I'm driving at Daytona.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 5
From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
My ContiProContacts were shot after 18,000 miles but when they were new I really liked them. I replaced them with BF Goodrich and they ride much harder by comparison. I know they are $200 more in your scenario but I would try the Michelins. I only wish I had.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 5
From: Pittsburgh,PA, Cambridge, Ontario, CN
2003 S210 3.8L Brabus wagon
Check TireRack.com reviews for both tires and select the reviews that match closely your car. Then decide. As mentioned in earlier posts make sure you resolve all other issues like checking the rims for balance and out of round or bent rims first. Get your alignment specs as well and match against an ideal and see if you are off. The tires should be the last item to check. I have run Yokohamas without any issues in the past using the S Drive model. They have great grip in the rain and dry. I am also considering the Conti Extreme Contacts for the next set based upon TireRack reviews of performance versus cost. An awesome tire for the price is the General Exclaim UHPs. Fantastic grip, quiet and great rain adhesion. Very highly rated by TireRack and a steal for the price.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 731
Likes: 1
W210 W140
I would first determine that the suspension is in good shape. Second I would make sure that the car has had a 4 wheel alignment at the dealer or independent with the proper MB equipment. Both of these are designed to make sure it's the tires. Otherwise, you may not be happy with your new tires no matter which brand you pick.
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Newbie
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2
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E430, E420
I have the Conti's DWS on my E430. Overall I love them. They have a high mileage warranty. I had two that lasted exactly 20K miles and I got another set prorated ($89 taken off the cost of each tire).
These tires have great traction, are very quiet, love high speeds, have fantastic resistance to hydroplaning - a big deal here in the Pacific NW - and in snow they actually work.
My buddy in Colorado just put these on his C280 4Matic and I drove it through some awesome "twisties" in the back hills of Wyoming and Colorado at very high speeds and these tires rock!
KK
'00 E430
'95 E420
These tires have great traction, are very quiet, love high speeds, have fantastic resistance to hydroplaning - a big deal here in the Pacific NW - and in snow they actually work.
My buddy in Colorado just put these on his C280 4Matic and I drove it through some awesome "twisties" in the back hills of Wyoming and Colorado at very high speeds and these tires rock!
KK
'00 E430
'95 E420
