Helmut430

ok, Y'all,, I need to replace the Goodyear F1's that are on my 2001 E430. I only drive 5000 miles a year (car has 19,300 now) and the tires that are on it have become VERY slippery due to the hardening of the rubber. My question is then,, are there any other brands out there that wouldn't give me the same result a year or so down the road? It's winter time here in Atl, and I don't want to skid into someone with these tires on the car!!! It's getting a bit scary just driving around town .. any sugestions from you learned folks??? Thanks !

E320Star

Yokohama A430 with 50k miles, high speed rating, great grip, great traciton on snow and wet weather, quiet ride, and great price.

E320se

I am not sure about the weather in Atlanta but in terms of Max Performance tires (Tire Rack's term) Bridgestone S-03 is my top choice. I have never tried anything better in both dry and wet pavement. The only other one I would consider is Michelin Pilot PS2 if price comes down more.

Good luck...

E320Star

Michellin PS2 installed is about $750 for all 4 and only with 35k miles warrantee. Yokohama A430 is about $590 for all 4 with 50k warrantee.

prof.griff

I personally don't think it's so much the tires but rather the roads. I lived in Atlanta for 3 yrs. and when it rains or snows alittle, I see more accidents than I've seen anywhere else. For some reason, the roads are made of some type of material that grips well when dry but rain is scary slippery.

Changing your tires might help but all in all, Drive slow and carefully when weather changes.

IMO.

vraa

There is a TSB about the Michlen PS2's being on Mercedes. Something about not tracking right.

What tire sizes do you need? I can spec them out for you and get you a great deal.

After looking through a bunch of tires for the size of 235/35/17 I found the Bridgestone Turanza LS-Z for the 2001 E430.

It's got a pretty high snow traction rating of 7.4.

They are $223 retail each.

I can get them for $867.

Fast55

That doesn't make a lot of sense. The F1's (I assume you mean F1 GSD3's) rate VERY well in the wet. Better than the PS2's. Neither is any good in snow however. If it's a winter tire you're looking for, the Turanza's that R.A. suggests or the Blizzaks would be a good choice. Nothing I know of is good in the dry and snow at the same time. It's a trade off. A lot of easterners have 2 sets of wheels/tires for that reason.

vraa

Fast55, I agree with you 100%. It is a trade off, sadly, as of today's technology, it's almost impossible to have the best of both worlds.

That's why I live in Houston

andersh

The rubber in the tyres that are made for summerseason gets hard already at 40 degree fahrenheit (+5 degree celsius). Tyres made for winter has a different rubber and stays soft way beyond freezing temperatures.

Because of that, we who have two sets of wheels, should change already when is is getting colder and not wait until it starts to freeze or snow. It is a huge difference in the types of rubber summertires are crap in low temperatures, regardless of brand.

Fast55

Exactly. That, and there is a lot of siping in a snow tire that generates a lot heat in the dry, leading to chunking, especially with the softer compound to begin with.

sbarsap

I have the Goodyear F1 GS-D3's on my E430 and am very pleased with the wet/dry performance. As long as all 4 tires wear normally they are great.

vinceC

I run the SO-3 Pole Positions on my E430. I think its the best maximum performance tire you can put on that vehicle - for three season use. If you need a tire that is better in wet weather I would go for the Bridgestone RE-950. It doesn't have the ultimate grip of an SO-3, but it isn't meant to. It is an excellent wet weather tire. If you are talking about snow, I think a set of winter wheels an Bridgestone Blizzaks is the best solution. No all season tire is truly safe in the snow.

rjm

I just went through the same thing on my E-430. The original Continentals were completely worn out in 26,000 miles and were very noisy. Investigated all brands thorougly on Tiretrack.com and spoke with the managers at several Discount Tire stores in my area. Finally went with Yokohama EVS 100's and have been very happy with them. Great ride and very quiet. I originally wanted Pirelli P6's but was steered away from them after reading and hearing about weak sidewalls and bulging sidewalls. I highly recommend the Yokohama EVS 100's.

Air Marshall Eldritch

I'm running a set of Sumitomo HTR+ all-season. After about 25k miles, getting a bit noisy, but tread still good, good wet/dry/snow traction (not as good as the Eagles in the dry, but they're not far from racing slicks)
$120 per tire for 235/45/17 size. Pretty cheap.

fatchance

RJM, and others who may be interested in the Yoko AVS ES100,

They get really LOUD after about 8K. I'm running a set of 235/265 - 18s on my car and it's all terrain truck tire loud.

There's about 16K on the tires now and looks like they'll be done by 20K, woo hoo! Can't wait to replace them. Tirerack.com feedback was similiar to my experience. Great grip, just be prepared for the noise.

The tires are a great price, too bad they develop a roar after a few miles.

Probably going to check out the Goodyear GSD3's next!

enjoy!

-travis

livetodrive

I just replaced the Pirelli P7000s, which were original equipment on my 2001 E430 4Matic with Pirelli P Zero Neros. They are all season, very quiet and smooth. They received a very high rating on the Tire Rack website. The car feels like it's gliding on the road! I got 35,000 miles out of the P7000s, so I expect the same from the P Zeros.

I bought one direct from the Tire Rack when one tire blew. I kept the new P Zero as a spare until I bought the other 3 from NTB, which bought them direct from the Tire Rack. It worked out a little cheaper for me that way.

stemags

I've used the Turanza LS Z's thinking they would help in the snow,not so.They were ok in rain,ok in dry traction.When I switched to the F1's,I saw what I was missing. I also dont agree that the F1GSD3's are no good in the wet,I run them when its not winter time,and I'd give them 2 thumbs up for wet and dry traction.Like someone mentioned,the only sure way is to have a summer set and a dedicated snow/winter set.