Dunlop SP9000 vs Bridgestone Potenza SO-3
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Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 156
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From: North Carolina
S550 SL55 GMC2500
Dunlop SP9000 vs Bridgestone Potenza SO-3
If anyone has tried a different tire on their s-class (AMG wheels 245,45,18 275,40,18) and were able to get more than 20K out of their tires please let me know. The Dunlop SP900s that came with the wheels are beyond shot. I have heard some good things about the potenzas but I had rather hear it from other mercedes enthusiats. Need performance and durability, bit of an oxymoron when it comes to tires for theses magnificent machines. Thanks again for the advice.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 560
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From: FL
2000 S500 Brilliant Silver, 1990 BMW 735iL, 1971 Pontiac Trans Am 455 HO, 1976 Pontiac Formula 400
I really like my S-03's on 18" wheels on my S500. Not too noisy and handle great. I don't know yet on the wear factor, only 1000 miles so far.
I didn't like the Pirelli's on my 7 series Bimmer.
I didn't like the Pirelli's on my 7 series Bimmer.
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 116
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From: Orange County, California
'06 S430 Sport, '05 C 55 AMG, '06 BMW 330i, '06 VW Beetle Convertible
I'll need tires soon on my S 55. When the Dunlops are gone I'm replacing them with Michelin Pilots. I replaced the Dunlops on my '99 SLK with Pilots and they had better handling, ride quality and wore much better. My wife's '03 E 320 Sport has Michelins and I'm very happy with them.
William Gardner
'02 S 55 AMG
'03 E 320 Sport
William Gardner
'02 S 55 AMG
'03 E 320 Sport
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,560
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From: Columbia, SC
E300
Originally posted by apricotscrub
if u have a grunge against the french, just think that the french tire is running over the dirt and dust and garbage all over our american highways and roads.
if u have a grunge against the french, just think that the french tire is running over the dirt and dust and garbage all over our american highways and roads.
Grunge?
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 86
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From: Hong Kong
C200 Kompressor, S320
Have tried both. Here are their charactoristics:
SP9000: harder rubber compound. Great handling, Great aquaplanning proformance. Great mileage (around 20000 miles under aggressive driving)
Bridgestone: Softer rubber compound. Very grippy. Tread will melt very easily to provide exceptional grip. Tire wear will not be as good as the dunlop. Great wet handling.
Conclusion. If you want mileage, choose SP9000. If you want grip, go for the Potenzas
SP9000: harder rubber compound. Great handling, Great aquaplanning proformance. Great mileage (around 20000 miles under aggressive driving)
Bridgestone: Softer rubber compound. Very grippy. Tread will melt very easily to provide exceptional grip. Tire wear will not be as good as the dunlop. Great wet handling.
Conclusion. If you want mileage, choose SP9000. If you want grip, go for the Potenzas
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 156
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From: North Carolina
S550 SL55 GMC2500
tires
Thanks for the honest assesment. I have already ordered the Bridgestones in order to try something different. The Dunlops were great but I am excited to see what the Bridgestones are like since you say they are "grippy". I was surprised to read that you thought the Dunlops were good in wet conditions as I have hydroplaned on them before when they were relatively new. Hopefully I will be able to squeeze a little more life out of the Bridgestones. Once again, thanks for the feedback.
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Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 86
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From: Hong Kong
C200 Kompressor, S320
Be careful not to push the new bridgestone during the first 300 miles in order to have a good break in for them and they will last longer. For the dunlops, maybe you run too much air pressure resulting aquaplanning. I think 32psi front and 36 psi back is the most perfect combination. Because less pressure = more grip and you will need more grip on the fronts because our cars tends to understeer when pushed.
Have fun with your bridgestones!
Have fun with your bridgestones!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 156
Likes: 2
From: North Carolina
S550 SL55 GMC2500
The bridgestones are on and I love them. I haven't put them through the paces yet because I am following your advice and breaking them in. Thus far, the ride on them is great. We have had some big storms in NC recently and the wet handling is incomparable to the Dunlop's, straight as an arrow without and pull on the wheel. The most impressive aspect of the new tires has to be the ride. Of course I am comparing them to riding on bald tires before, but I am reminded of why I bought the car to begin with. Thanks for the advice, hope to post some pics soon.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 156
Likes: 2
From: North Carolina
S550 SL55 GMC2500
You have to excuse me. I'm just a picture posting fool today. The Bridgestones have some serious meat on them. Hope they stay that way for more than 17K. I promise, this is the last pic of tires I post.
