Sgooter

I need a new set of tires for my 08 E350 Sport. I got 30K miles on the OEM Continentals; leaning toward the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S +. Any real need for Z-rated tires, which cost around $40 more per tire? My max speed is probably 85mph in FL.

06E5004ME

If you are planning on taking a 2ton+ car with 270hp to speeds in excess of 150mph, then I'd say get the tires. I think it's silly to say the least, just my $0.02. However, IIRC most cars in U.S. are limited to 130-135mph, I know mine is.

AMGAffalterbach

No true need, no place to drive your car that fast in the US so unless you track the car often or have a deserted air strip you go to then no. Plus you're electronically limited, a restriction you can have removed but I've never had the need.

Sgooter

Your responses made me re-think the premise of my question. I mistakenly believed the OEM Continentals (which need replacing) were z-rated, but they are not. So, my original question is rendered moot. Thanks.

VII

I got Michelin Pilot Sport A/S + RFs in mine and for the money they are overrated, will not purchase again (Actually I'm slowly leaving the Michelin franchise for greener and less expensive pastures).

Sgooter

I had a new set of Z-rated Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3's put on today. The A/S 3's have just been introduced on the market, so only a couple of reviews can be found, but they're favorable, and one said they're the best. Time will tell.

boardboy330

I've hit 130 a few times and backed off of it - didn't know it was limited.

If the limit is 130...i'd say go for that but nothing more. We have put 25K miles on our tires already and they should last another 25K. As I said, I hit 130mph a few times, comfortably.

Side note...the E cannot hang with a Dodge Viper...not even close. Challenger SRT8 OTOH...seemed like a fair fight.

06E5004ME

I'm not saying it can't be done. What I meant is that in my opinion its not worth paying premium for tires that you will truly never use. I think everyone should see what their cars are capable of at least once.

I am not sure a diesel E320 was ever designed to hang with a Viper. I am sure E55/63AMG can keep up with it though.

boardboy330

Nope, I can say for sure it was NOT He was a good sport about it though. Just wanted to see what it could do.

AMGAffalterbach

With the E550 I'm able to pull on Mustang GT 5.0s on a 60mph roll. Maybe they just can't drive but it's been even every time.

Sgooter

I'm a fairly conservative driver now; did all the fun stuff many years ago. The reason I went with the higher Z-rated A/S 3 tires on my '08 E350 Sport was simply because it was difficult to find these two different tire sizes in other Michelin tire models with matching speed ratings for the front and rear tires. I confirmed that the matching speed rated tires do indeed exist in Michelin's inventory; however, they were not available nor offered at the 4 different tire shops where I live. I had to special order the A/S 3's, and they took about 5 days to arrive. I had also spoken to Michelin about mixing different speed ratings on the front vs rear tires, and they said it can be done, but not recommended because the tread wear, traction, and noise would be noticeably different between the fronts and the rears.