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Michelin Pilot Sport 4S vs Continental DWS 06 Plus
I've got a 2019 S65 AMG. The summer tires are Michelin Pilot Sport 3. The front tires are 2018 manufacture and seem to be pretty hard.. They're also pretty worn out. I'm thinking about replacing them with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S but I've read a lot of good things about the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus tires. They're actually rated higher than the Michelins on Tire Rack's web site. I'm OK on the fronts, it looks like the Continentals come in the correct size for the front tires. Unfortunately, the Continentals don't come in the correct size for the rears. The recommended sizes is 295/35 ZR20. The closest size for the rear in the Continentals is 295/40 ZR20. There is also a 315/35 ZR20. So, my question is, has anyone run either of these two Continentals on the rear of their W222? Will the 40 profile screw up the speedometer or the computer? Will the wider 315mm, roughly 3/4" wider tread width on the 315mm wide tire, fit OK without rubbing. That's about 3/8" on the inside and outside of the rim. Anyway, any guidance would be appreciated.
The DWS is an all-season performance tire and the PS4S is an ultra-ultra high performance summer tire. Not sure in what regard they are rated higher, but this is an apples to oranges comparison. Either you want a dedicated summer max performance tire or you want an all-season performance tire. For normal driving the PS4S won't necessarily give you more performance, but if you start hooning it and the compound gets real hot, the PS4S will take the lead. On the other hand you'll get a longer tread life out of the DWS06, because it has a harder all-season compound.
I think there might be some confusion about PS4's vs PS4 AS tires. The PS4's are awesome tires, as are the PS4 AS tires. The continental DWS06 Plus are nice, and I absolutely LOVED them, wish I could have a set of 4 on my S63, but they don't make them in the right size for the rears. As far as rubbing or creating clearence issues by going with a wider rear tire, I can't speak to that. But since I've run PS4's, PS4 AS, and Cont DWS06+, I can tell you that it's better to go with the right size tire than sacrifice potential problems for any perceived benefit of one tire over the next. All 3 are fantastic choices! I like the DWS06+ better because they are slightly quieter and I can gind them on sale. The Michelin's never really go on sale, so the only time you can save some coin is when they offer a manufacturer's rebate, usually in the Summer and right before Christmas.
As far as only replacing 2; I think you "can" do that, but get your tread depths checked first. I think all these tires come with 8/32 tread depth, so if you're 4/32 or better you should be fine. I usually go with a set of 4, currently running a summer and winter set because I live in rainy Seattle. Summer tires aren't good for temps below 40 degrees farenheit so that's another reason I run the AS tires in the winter and summer in the warmer weather. The climate the OP lives in might not make this relevant.
Last edited by carlosinseattle; 03-30-2024 at 01:40 PM.
I currently have two S65's and an SL65. The W222 S65 originally had Conti5P's. I replaced them with Michelin PS4s tires in stock sizes, 255/40-20 and 285/35-20. The Michelins are far superior in every way. Most importantly, they eliminated the constant intervention of traction control in everyday driving caused by the poor straightline traction of the Conti's. I have never used all season tires on any of our AMG's so cannot comment on them. My A217 (Cabriolet) S65 also has Michelin PS4s tires.
On the SL65, even with the factory limited slip differential, traction control was a constant annoyance, again, the factory tires were Conti 5P's. I had them removed and put on the PS4s tires. The stock sizes were 255/35-19 and 285/30-20. We used 295/30-20 on the rear. It was done by the dealer since they had the 295's in stock. They are the standard rear tires on the E63s. It is still easy to break the rear wheels loose but no more traction control intervention. The car is much faster at low speeds with the bigger stickier tires. I could have fit 305's but they would have had to be 305/25-20's and I did not want to do that.
It looks to me like a 295/35-20 will fit on the rear of the S65, it will not cause any "computer" issues. A 305 would have to be a 30 series tire and a 315 would likely require a wheel spacer and be a 25 series tire if it will fit at all. A 295/40-20 makes no sense, it is way bigger than stock, not sure it would fit, and the rolling circumference is much larger than stock.
When I have used up the michelins on my 17 S63 I will be going to Conti dws06 on fronts and Michelin Sport 4 a/s on rear, I have used Conti on S an SL and like them a lot. I believe this is the best combo and I'm not concerned about matching brands its about my experience driving. usually just cold and light snow here, if it's going to snow a lot I'm driving the GL and not S63 anyways.
Ive had both. Continental provide a more quiet and smooth ride but less tread life than the ps4. The ps4 is more accessible in my local tire shops so i stick with those. If i had to estimate life in terms of months, i get 1yr with the ps4 vs. 7months with the continentals. Hope this helps.
Im wanting to try run flats with new 22inch rims but still debating as i have had to wait 4hrs for aaa once and didnt like that one bit.
Hoping to find a wheel protection plan so if i ever crack rim with run flats i dont lose 1k over a pothole. Never head of rim protection but i believe one exists.
I ran the Continental DWS (Dry Wet Snow) all year round on the 221 S-65. They were very quiet on nice roads... Lots of grip when being a savage on dry, wet, even in the snow. Only time I got stuck in snow was by high centering the car on the snow drift that formed across the driveway every time we had a Nor-Easter. They would make it to 20,000 miles generally. I have given the 222 S65 Michelin Pilot Sport AS4. Less grip in dry hot conditions. They will live to just under 20,000. Zero opportunity to try them in snow (live in the desert now). They make more noise than Conti. Have not got much time with them in the rain. They will get replaced with a tire more fitting here in the desert.
Run flat tires will thud over every bump. Best way to avoid wheel damage is keeping 45lbs of air in the tires and avoid roads with pot holes.
well was lookng for a all season tire solution was disappointing that DWS was not available for all four
... just found this on tire rack I really like these on my s550 and SL , michelins seem to be noisy ... its an s63 it doesn't go the track or get overly punished