Bode

Put this on the W211 forum as I want to get model specific feedback:

So got a nail in the outer edge of the tire thread the other day. Went on Firday to Discount Tire and they said they could not fix it "safely" due to the location. Good thing is that the tire is holding pressure normal (so far), but really need to replace soon.

The car (2006 E350 Appearance - 5 spoke 8.0 x 17" wheels) has currently Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 245/45 R17 95H tires on it. Have 24900 miles on the car and these tires. I probably could have done another 5000 to 10000 miles based on the thread left, but the nail in the wheel is going to force me to buy at least one new tire.

I am strongly considering changing all four as I actually do not like much the OE michelins on the car, they are to noisy for my likes.

The "only" good thing about these michelins is that the car does not pull to the right (beside tread life which seems to be holding up OK), although the W211 - 2006 model may be different with regards to that issue compared to the early model years, I am not sure why though.

So what do I want to get out of a "better" new set. On some of the typical cirteria I have ranked what is most important (1) to what is for me least, or not important (7):
1) No pulling to the right...
2) Ride/Noise Comfort
3) Vbiration free, staying balanced
4) Treadlife
5) Dry Handling
6) Wet Handling
7) Snow Handling

As the car is speed limited to 130 mph (for the US market) the OE michelins are H rated. That is probably a good thing based on what is important for me (see above).

So going through the tire rack website and looking what is available from Discount Tire, I am planning to get:
- Continental ContiProContact's - 245/45 HR17 *99H *XL - $150.88 each

Also considering:
- Yokohama AVID H4S's - 245/45 HR17 95H SL - $156 each
- Continental ContiExtremeContact's - 245/45 ZR17 *95W *SL - $159 each
- Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position's - 245/45 ZR17 *95W *SL - $171 each

Please give me feedback on:
- the ContiProContacts, in specific on any pulling to the right and road noise
- the other tires mentioned
- anything you are using on the 5 spoke 8.0 x 17" which fits very well what I am looking for
- brand/type tire with pulling to the right problem on E350 2006 model, so which one to definitely prevent

Very much appreciate your input.

Bode

KosherBenz

Goodyear GS-D3's

Randy B

I have been using the extreme contacts and love them, especially in the rain. You can certainly do better on the price for these by buying from the Tirerack. They were about $119.00 each when I bought them last year.

Randy B

LAZARU5

ditto on the Conti Extreme Contact tires. I replaced the OE tires with these at 44K miles and I am very happy with them after 16K miles on my E500 4Matic. Winter driving was no sweat with these tires.

Kar don

Contiextremecontact has had a lot of noise complaints as well as out of round problems.

How bout Dunlop SP5000? Continental Contisport 2 have a good smooth ride. Also michelin pilot sport 2. Stick with an all season tire if you want good tread life.

Bode

Ended up buying 4 x Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position's, 245/45 ZR17 95W, based on the very positive feedback on the tire rack website (ranked no.1 of the Ultra High Performance All Season Tires).

My initial impression is very, very good. They are across the line better (yes, in absolute terms!) than the Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 245/45 R17 95H which came with the car and I "suffered" on for the first 25000 miles. The Bridgestones in specific with regards to road noise, handling/cornering and smooth run over concrete seems and humps is standing out. According to Tire Rack consumer feedback they hold up well over time as well, so I hope that will be the case.

It seems like Michelin may not allways be the best solution, in specific for those with 17" x 8.0 wheels, although I noticed there are several width/height 18" Potenza RE960AS Pole Position versions as well.