Oh no, not another tyre thread...😂
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Joined: Oct 2023
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W221 S500
Oh no, not another tyre thread...😂
This isn't meant to be a full on tyre review, but rather 'What are people running on their W221s, what sizes and how do they rate them...?'
My 2006 S500 had Sumitomo 255/45/18s on the factory 8.5Jx18 wheels when I bought it, but were quickly swapped out for Goodyear Eagle F1 Assym 5s. That was about 2.5 years ago and the rears were just about done after ~19,000 miles of relatively hard driving. Just had a pair of part worn Continental WinterContacts put on in the same size as a stop gap pending a wheel upgrade to staggered 19"s. (8.5Jx19.and 9.5Jx19 with 255/40/19s and 275/40/19s respectively).
Have had earlier versions of the Goodyears on a previous W220 and R350 and have found them to be a decent performer both wet and dry and on a variety of roads with decent wear. Im leaning towards the Assym 6s for the new wheels, but both Continental SportContact 7s and Michelin PS5s are getting pretty decent reviews which muddies the waters somewhat.
What are you running, and why?
My 2006 S500 had Sumitomo 255/45/18s on the factory 8.5Jx18 wheels when I bought it, but were quickly swapped out for Goodyear Eagle F1 Assym 5s. That was about 2.5 years ago and the rears were just about done after ~19,000 miles of relatively hard driving. Just had a pair of part worn Continental WinterContacts put on in the same size as a stop gap pending a wheel upgrade to staggered 19"s. (8.5Jx19.and 9.5Jx19 with 255/40/19s and 275/40/19s respectively).
Have had earlier versions of the Goodyears on a previous W220 and R350 and have found them to be a decent performer both wet and dry and on a variety of roads with decent wear. Im leaning towards the Assym 6s for the new wheels, but both Continental SportContact 7s and Michelin PS5s are getting pretty decent reviews which muddies the waters somewhat.
What are you running, and why?
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S500
its all quite predictable these days
Goodyear's are great tyres - seem a bit vague - but still hang on bravely even at 11/10ths (but brand snobs turn their nose up, even though when you take the deliberate bias out of group tests they smash it out the park)
Michelin encourage you to try hard and then just give up in a wild crash it now sucker, kind of way at 9/10ths
Pireli if its hot and you seldom see rain
Unitroyal if Dutch and like driving in the rain
Continental if German, deaf, get free discs and pads, and drive like you want a new front bumper
Goodyear's are great tyres - seem a bit vague - but still hang on bravely even at 11/10ths (but brand snobs turn their nose up, even though when you take the deliberate bias out of group tests they smash it out the park)
Michelin encourage you to try hard and then just give up in a wild crash it now sucker, kind of way at 9/10ths
Pireli if its hot and you seldom see rain
Unitroyal if Dutch and like driving in the rain
Continental if German, deaf, get free discs and pads, and drive like you want a new front bumper
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
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S500
when I swapped back from ave brand winter tyres I'd left on for 3 years - nearly fell off the world a few times in the colder temps as I had to re calibrate to the no grip of summer junk they peddle
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W221 S500
😂 Have found the GY EF1s to be pretty decent in what passes for winter around here. Have GY Vector 4 seasons on the ML and that doesn't care what the weather is doing.
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
I enjoyed Continental DWS on the 221 S-65. I'm currently running Michelin's Pilot sport thing that is a three seasons tire. No snow here in the valley of the sun. The Michelins are much better about turn in than the DWS was from six years ago.
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Joined: Aug 2014
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S500
The Official Statement
"The Michelin CrossClimate 3 tyre launched in Europe in July 2025... While the CrossClimate 3 tyre has been available in Europe since July 2025, North America will continue with the Michelin CrossClimate 2 tyre for the next several years."They go on to cite "different priorities for tyre performances based on driving style, vehicle types, geography, and climate" as the primary reason. But what does that actually mean in engineering terms?
Decoding "Tailored Construction": Why We aren't Getting the CC3
It is easy to assume that tyres are global products, but the "All Season" (or All Weather) market in North America is fundamentally different from the All Season market in Europe.1. The Mileage War In North America, drivers demand high mileage warranties. Americans expect their tyres to last 60,000 to 70,000 miles. To achieve this, the North American CrossClimate 2 uses a specific tread compound and often a deeper starting tread depth (typically around 8mm+).
In Europe, priorities are different. Drivers (and EU regulations) prioritize wet braking performance and rolling resistance (fuel economy) over raw longevity. The new European CrossClimate 3 focuses heavily on these attributes to meet strict EU environmental labels. If Michelin brought the European CC3 spec directly to the US, it would likely fail to meet the treadwear warranties US consumers expect.
2. "Sport" vs. "Touring" The launch of the CrossClimate 3 Sport in Europe is designed for high-performance vehicles that need winter certification (3PMSF). In North America, this segment is smaller; enthusiasts here are more likely to swap between dedicated Pilot Sport 4S summer tyres or ultra high performance all season tyres such as the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4, straight to the Michelin X-Ice Snow tyres. The "All Weather" segment in the US is still dominated by SUVs and crossovers like the RAV4 and CR-V, where the current CrossClimate 2 is already one of the best in the segment.
https://www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre-Tes...res-Tested.htm
Last edited by BOTUS; Mar 9, 2026 at 07:28 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2023
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W221 S500
When I get around to it, I'll go with the Goodyear F1 Asymetric 6s on the 19"s.
I'll get the original 18"s refurbished and either go with Goodyear Vectors (have these on my ML and have had zero issues with them inspite of the crap that passes for weather recently) or a set of Continental WinterContacts. The part worn WinterContacts I recently had fitted to the back seem to be pretty decent too... I ran an '11 W212 estate as a cab for a year and put over 30k on that. It had the Winter Contacts on it when I bought it and stuck with them as they performed really well, so it may boil down to price when that time comes... But it will be one of those two tyres going back onto the 18"s ready for the winter spares.
The ML is going shortly, so I may find another little project for commuting in, although the S is a very nice place to be after a 10/11 hour flight.
I'll get the original 18"s refurbished and either go with Goodyear Vectors (have these on my ML and have had zero issues with them inspite of the crap that passes for weather recently) or a set of Continental WinterContacts. The part worn WinterContacts I recently had fitted to the back seem to be pretty decent too... I ran an '11 W212 estate as a cab for a year and put over 30k on that. It had the Winter Contacts on it when I bought it and stuck with them as they performed really well, so it may boil down to price when that time comes... But it will be one of those two tyres going back onto the 18"s ready for the winter spares.
The ML is going shortly, so I may find another little project for commuting in, although the S is a very nice place to be after a 10/11 hour flight.
Last edited by AL5461; Mar 9, 2026 at 08:33 PM.
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Junior Member
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From: Europe
MB S550 2008 4MATIC (V221) M273 412Hp
"Continental All-Seasons Contact 2" 20 inch here.
Very good tyres, I've had them for a couple of months already.
Previously was also 20" all season "Vredestein Quatrac Pro", great tires too, but I didn't enjoy them much. I had a minor accident in which all 4 were damaged, along with the rims.
Very good tyres, I've had them for a couple of months already.
Previously was also 20" all season "Vredestein Quatrac Pro", great tires too, but I didn't enjoy them much. I had a minor accident in which all 4 were damaged, along with the rims.
