Tire Replacement
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 60
Likes: 3
From: Seattle, WA
2004 E-500
Tire Replacement
I have a E-500. Michellin 245-45-17 is selling for $254. Quite surprisingly I see tires at tirerack and discounttire.com for as low as $69. There is a tire called General Exclaim UHP selling for $79 each... Is it safe to run on that tire? That is 1/3 of the price of a Michellin. Even if it wears out every 10000 miles I would still be a winner and I get to drive on new tires every year. Almost all user ratings about the tire are good. I dont see any reason why I should not buy these tires.
Any raves from folks in this forum?
Any raves from folks in this forum?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: San Clemente, CA
2003 E-500
I wouldn't touch the General tire. There are many previouse posts on this topic. Do a search and you will find them. I'm very pleased with my Pirelli P-Zero Nero M&S which I got at America's Tire Store near me for about $150 each. Look at the Tire Rack web site for a good review of available tires with test results for many
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Originally Posted by nsraja
I have a E-500. Michellin 245-45-17 is selling for $254. Quite surprisingly I see tires at tirerack and discounttire.com for as low as $69. There is a tire called General Exclaim UHP selling for $79 each... Is it safe to run on that tire? That is 1/3 of the price of a Michellin. Even if it wears out every 10000 miles I would still be a winner and I get to drive on new tires every year. Almost all user ratings about the tire are good. I dont see any reason why I should not buy these tires.
Any raves from folks in this forum?
Any raves from folks in this forum?
There is a saying that you may not always get what you pay for but you never get what you don't pay for.
BTW, cheaper tires may actually last longer than more expensive tires but they won't be as safe. I get a kick out of naive tire buyers asking salesmen at Discount Tire if there is a tread warranty
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Joined: May 2005
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From: New Jersey
things with and without wheels
There is also a saying "you get what you pay for" .Think about the reason that these tires are so cheap, perhaps because they are made in a hurry, less quality control , inferior materials, and so on and so on.If you feel safe riding on cheap tires then go ahead.Tire noise is also a big factor especially since you have e-500 , I don't think that you would like to hear road or tire noise all the time.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,161
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From: Obama Land
K Car
Although I probably wouldn't opt for a $69 "cheapy" discount tires, there are some nice, quality tires out there for much less than a Michelin.
By the way, I bet when you give them your car stats, or enter it into their website, you will find that those "el cheapo" tires are not even offered for your car.
By the way, I bet when you give them your car stats, or enter it into their website, you will find that those "el cheapo" tires are not even offered for your car.
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Joined: May 2002
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whoever said they wouldnt touch the general tire really doesnt know much about tires. The general is one of the best bang for the buck tire, check the TIRE section of the forum and luke constantly reccomends it. Fuzion Zri is another very good tire for the money.
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From: THE NAPA VALLEY, CA
Build date 2-04 E500
Originally Posted by Double Eagle
I'm very pleased with my Pirelli P-Zero Nero M&S which I got at America's Tire Store near me for about $150 each.
Got to agree with the eagle on this one..... Bought these exact tires at America also and could'nt be happier....
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From: Seattle, WA
'09 911 C4S
Originally Posted by HELL ONA HARLEY
Got to agree with the eagle on this one..... Bought these exact tires at America also and could'nt be happier....
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From: New Jersey
things with and without wheels
Originally Posted by x15jq
whoever said they wouldnt touch the general tire really doesnt know much about tires. The general is one of the best bang for the buck tire, check the TIRE section of the forum and luke constantly reccomends it. Fuzion Zri is another very good tire for the money.
Traveling @ 80 mph+ I'd like to feel more secure that my tire will not blow ,shred or fall appart. If youre happy with them that's great but if those tires are that good then there would be more owners chiming in about them
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
Originally Posted by HELL ONA HARLEY
Got to agree with the eagle on this one..... Bought these exact tires at America also and could'nt be happier....
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
E500 is a pretty expensive car and features pretty much the latest German/European technology, usually considered the best.
So then, somehow replacing high-tech Michelins with cheapo Generals or something Japanese or Korean doesn't quite fit.
To maintain that aura of intelligence that others perceive in you because of your ownership of a Mercedes, it behooves you to set aside the proper amount of dollars to keep your car maintained in the style to which it's accustomed. Others can see this.
PS: This reminds me of the 1970s when all 450SLs came with Michelin XWX, a V-rated tire that cost $150, which was an outrageous price at that time. VERY many wound up with Sears Roadhandler whitewalls at replacement time. This was best carried off by simultaneously wearing a leisure suit.
So then, somehow replacing high-tech Michelins with cheapo Generals or something Japanese or Korean doesn't quite fit.
To maintain that aura of intelligence that others perceive in you because of your ownership of a Mercedes, it behooves you to set aside the proper amount of dollars to keep your car maintained in the style to which it's accustomed. Others can see this.
PS: This reminds me of the 1970s when all 450SLs came with Michelin XWX, a V-rated tire that cost $150, which was an outrageous price at that time. VERY many wound up with Sears Roadhandler whitewalls at replacement time. This was best carried off by simultaneously wearing a leisure suit.
Last edited by lkchris; Mar 15, 2006 at 05:27 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 60
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From: Seattle, WA
2004 E-500
Updated on General UHP tires
So I went ahead and bought the General UHP and the tire handles better than the stock Continentals. The tires are bit noisy though, I have put 17000 miles on it so far and the tires still have lot of tread. May be next time I will go for better tires to see if I can get the noise to go away. I am particularly impressed with how the tires handled in snow driving. (The continentals never moved an inch when there was more than few inches of snow).
Member
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Hollywood, FL
2007 CLS550 Designo; 2009 Mini Cooper; 2011 BMW 335d
I just replaced Pirellis P-zeros Nero M-S with the Generals Exclaim UHP. Lots of good reviews all over the net, Continental makes them. They are pretty good tires, haven't noticed much difference performance-wise with the Pzeros, plus they save me a good chunk of change. My only gripe with the Pzeros was the threadlife- not that good. We'll see with the Generals.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
I have now 4 sets of tires on our E500 in the last 70,000 miles. 2 sets were pulled at 17,000 for NOISE due to cupping. 2 sets ran quiet with no wear issues. Every tire shop said,, car,, not tires,, Even tire mfg said car,, could not be my tires.
BUT
The tires made US or Germany ran quiet and wore even,, the tires made in Japan made noise and cupped.
Ok,, baited you enough,, brands
Conti Touring Factory,, quiet smooth ride even wear.
Dayton's UT1 Technology,, noise hard, cupped pulled off
Coopers premium tire,, , noise hard cupped pulled off
Michelin Pilot Sport,, ran smooth,, quiet even wear,, still same car,, only change was tires. So now convince me the car is the problem. Therefore,, I would recommend stay with Mich. or Conti's to have the New car ride and even tire wear. Or you can save a few $$ and listen to your radio with earplugs, Your choice. Just my opion based on my own observations and my car,, your mileage may vary.
BUT
The tires made US or Germany ran quiet and wore even,, the tires made in Japan made noise and cupped.
Ok,, baited you enough,, brands
Conti Touring Factory,, quiet smooth ride even wear.
Dayton's UT1 Technology,, noise hard, cupped pulled off
Coopers premium tire,, , noise hard cupped pulled off
Michelin Pilot Sport,, ran smooth,, quiet even wear,, still same car,, only change was tires. So now convince me the car is the problem. Therefore,, I would recommend stay with Mich. or Conti's to have the New car ride and even tire wear. Or you can save a few $$ and listen to your radio with earplugs, Your choice. Just my opion based on my own observations and my car,, your mileage may vary.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Huntington NY
S560
This topic always amazes me. The single most important part of your automobile is its tires. Only four little patches touch the road, everything else dynamically relies on the tires to perform. Why in God's name someone would look to cheap out on tires is beyond my comprehension. And to do it in an E500 
I can understand if it is an economy car and money is real tight, but money cannot be better spent than on a good set of tires.
I remmember my firend who listened to all those people who said toyo proxies were great. He put them on his EXT and was amazed at how scary they were in the rain, right up to the day he skidded out on an average ramp and did some decent damage to the truck. He never looked back and ponied up for a better set.
This should relegated to all of those 'why should I buy premium gas for my Mercedes' threads...
I can understand if it is an economy car and money is real tight, but money cannot be better spent than on a good set of tires. I remmember my firend who listened to all those people who said toyo proxies were great. He put them on his EXT and was amazed at how scary they were in the rain, right up to the day he skidded out on an average ramp and did some decent damage to the truck. He never looked back and ponied up for a better set.
This should relegated to all of those 'why should I buy premium gas for my Mercedes' threads...
Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 99
Likes: 6
2016 E350
So... what do you guys think about hammering on a $5 Fram oil filter on the next oil change?
This topic always amazes me. The single most important part of your automobile is its tires. Only four little patches touch the road, everything else dynamically relies on the tires to perform. Why in God's name someone would look to cheap out on tires is beyond my comprehension. And to do it in an E500 I can understand if it is an economy car and money is real tight, but money cannot be better spent than on a good set of tires.
I remmember my firend who listened to all those people who said toyo proxies were great. He put them on his EXT and was amazed at how scary they were in the rain, right up to the day he skidded out on an average ramp and did some decent damage to the truck. He never looked back and ponied up for a better set.
This should relegated to all of those 'why should I buy premium gas for my Mercedes' threads...
I can understand if it is an economy car and money is real tight, but money cannot be better spent than on a good set of tires. I remmember my firend who listened to all those people who said toyo proxies were great. He put them on his EXT and was amazed at how scary they were in the rain, right up to the day he skidded out on an average ramp and did some decent damage to the truck. He never looked back and ponied up for a better set.
This should relegated to all of those 'why should I buy premium gas for my Mercedes' threads...
Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 218
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From: Hollywood, FL
2007 CLS550 Designo; 2009 Mini Cooper; 2011 BMW 335d
We're not buying based solely on price. We did our research. There are many good reviews of the General Exclaim UHP tire all over the net, including tirerack (average above 8 in all categories surveyed with over 850 reviews) http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....el=Exclaim+UHP . In fact, the tire is ranked #1 among ultra high performance tires, above more expensive Michelins, Dunlops, Bridgestones. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...y.jsp?type=UHP
Also, the tire is being recommended by many bmw owners in forums, particularly M3 owners. A tire doesn't have to be expensive to be a good tire.
Also, the tire is being recommended by many bmw owners in forums, particularly M3 owners. A tire doesn't have to be expensive to be a good tire.
Last edited by locomercedes; Feb 28, 2008 at 02:49 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: New Jersey
things with and without wheels
So I went ahead and bought the General UHP and the tire handles better than the stock Continentals. The tires are bit noisy though, I have put 17000 miles on it so far and the tires still have lot of tread. May be next time I will go for better tires to see if I can get the noise to go away. I am particularly impressed with how the tires handled in snow driving. (The continentals never moved an inch when there was more than few inches of snow).
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 308
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From: Maryland
03 Eclass, 03 BMW 06 Porsche Cayman S, 03 Harley Davidson "bored & stroked"
I have a E-500. Michellin 245-45-17 is selling for $254. Quite surprisingly I see tires at tirerack and discounttire.com for as low as $69. There is a tire called General Exclaim UHP selling for $79 each... Is it safe to run on that tire? That is 1/3 of the price of a Michellin. Even if it wears out every 10000 miles I would still be a winner and I get to drive on new tires every year. Almost all user ratings about the tire are good. I dont see any reason why I should not buy these tires.
Any raves from folks in this forum?
Any raves from folks in this forum?
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
2003 E500 sport
;;;;;;;;;;;
well i know they are a cheaper tire but i have the truck and suv version on my escalade in a 305/40/22 and the truck handles and rides better that it did with the factory 17's with goodyears.they do seem to be a little softer in the side wall area when driving agresive but they where 130 a tire and perform great for the money. i know some one who has that tire in a 20 inch version and has has they for a wile on his truck with no problems and he is in the travel trailer bussiness like i am and pulls 25-30 ft trailers with no problems.
