SL/R129: Need New Tires...Size? Kind? Help, please.
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Need New Tires...Size? Kind? Help, please.
I need new tires for my '02 SL500 Sport. I'd like to go with 285's on the rear and 245's on the front - anyone else done that? If so, what type of tire?
If not, and I stick with the stock set-up, what are the best tires. I'm looking for a mix of good ride, good handling, and quiet.
Thanks.
If not, and I stick with the stock set-up, what are the best tires. I'm looking for a mix of good ride, good handling, and quiet.
Thanks.
Last edited by chipshot; Mar 6, 2006 at 04:05 PM.
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Anything really expensive will work. Seriously these cars need a tire with a stiff sidewall. Which is going to cost ya. Pilot Sports are great, I just got Eagle F1 DS and oh my god I am in love with those tires. Really incredible handling, wet or dry. Very predictable, quiet, comfortable ride etc. I bought them because I wanted something like the Michellin PS but wanted more life out of my tires. It may be tempting to get a Potenza or Kumho but they really can't handle the duty.
As far as tire size - what sizes are on the car now?
As far as tire size - what sizes are on the car now?
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It has 275 rear and 245 front, but I wanted to go a little wider on the rear. I've been told that the best tires I can get are the Bridgestone Pole Position, but I also hear that their life span is very, very short.
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From: NJ
2009 SL63 AMG
I have '05 AMG wheels on mine, and was going to go with the Eagle F1 GSD3, but the sales rep at the Goodyear shop advised me to go with the Dunlop UHP 9000s...his professional opinion was that they were better and he even printed out a comparison...the Dunlops rated higher. Once on, I immedietly noticed a smoother ride than stock. The car has a harsh ride, but these tires helped alot. They have excellent grip and I can push the car when turning and it will hold its ground. I recently put them on so I cannot give you a long term review. The rep said they were good for 40K miles, which I think is excellent. They cost me about $1200 for the tires, another 150 for complete install. My wheels are 18/8.5F and 18/9.5R. I use 245F/275R. I doubt 285s will be the right way to go on 9.5 inch wide wheels. 275s work great. Good Luck!
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some
Originally Posted by chipshot
Thanks, guys. I appreciate your help. Does anyone know anything about the Bridgestone Pole Position tires? What about the PS2's?
PS@ is a waste of money,
i would go with Nitto, i have them and they are AWSOME.
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A lot of people prefer Toyo Proxies T1S. I swear by them on my Corvette. They actually hook up better the Nittos and there a lot like the Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 – only they are cheaper around $50 less per tire. Plus I also know a lot of people who have had sidewall problems with the Goodyear tire. Around 5 people who drive $100,000 sport cars that came up to me asking about my tires, and I told them the only thing better in my opinion was the GSD3 and half of them had that on there car right now. Downsides are really soft rubber compound, so they don’t last too long and there not the best in the rain (pretty much exactly the same as the GSD3 because they have almost the same exact tread pattern). I think the Toyo’s are the best bet for the money and less of a hassle concerning side wall problems.
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From: Fort Worth, Tx
97 SL500
I had the S-03 Pole Position on my 01 M3. It's far and away my favorite current street tire and I've driven on lots and lots of different max performance tires and most saw some track "testing" at Motorsport Ranch. They last about as long any max perf tire could be expected to last 10-20K miles depending on your driving style. They are a tad noiser as they age then the Dunlops or Michelins. I have the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx on my SL and I think they are average at best and won't buy again. So the question is, what do you want??? Max performance dry with good wet grip but stiffer ride and more noise??? Max Performance with not so good wet grip, even more noise??? Good performance with softer ride and less noise??? Max wet grip, decent dry grip, low noise, soft-comfortable??? Etc, etc. You can't have it all, there is a compromise to made with every tire decision and only you can tell us what your priorities are...then I will be better qualified to help you choose the right tire for you. Tires are like shoes, the same thing doesn't work for everyone.
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From: Fort Worth, Tx
97 SL500
As much as I hate to say this you will probably like the Michelin PS2 the best. I haven't driven on the Goodyears yet and friends tell me they really like them, so if you can verify that they have low noise and good ride this option would save you some money over the PS2. The Conti is good tire, I've only driven on the original sport contact (OEM) on my 01 M3 and 02 M5...the original had lots of grip until hot and then they got slippery.
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I've had S03's on several cars since about 2000. They are a good choice. They last far longer than they should. You will get some noise and tramlining on a grooved concrete surface, and on certain other abnormal road surfaces. They are very good in both the wet and the dry.
The PS2's are very hard to beat. They have replaced the S03 as my preferred tire on my cars.
The GSD3's the jury is still out on -- I have almost tried them three or four times, but actually haven't tried them yet....
The new Conti's are supposed to be a huge improvement over the original 1's -- perhaps you want to give them a try and let us all know what you think about them?
I am sure that any of these tires will serve you very well - although I do think that you will be taking a little bit of a chance with the GSD3's and the new Conti SportContact2's....
For sure the S03's and the PS2's will do better than the SP9000's if that is what you will have to compare them with.
The PS2's are very hard to beat. They have replaced the S03 as my preferred tire on my cars.
The GSD3's the jury is still out on -- I have almost tried them three or four times, but actually haven't tried them yet....
The new Conti's are supposed to be a huge improvement over the original 1's -- perhaps you want to give them a try and let us all know what you think about them?
I am sure that any of these tires will serve you very well - although I do think that you will be taking a little bit of a chance with the GSD3's and the new Conti SportContact2's....
For sure the S03's and the PS2's will do better than the SP9000's if that is what you will have to compare them with.
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From: Kingdom of Bahrain
R129 500
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2005 SL500
I just installed my 4th set of tires on my 99 SL500 Sport - 245/40/18 front, 275/35/18 rear. The previous 2 sets I used were the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 , and I loved them. However, after much consideration, I went with the Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 this time around - to try something different, and also to hope for a little more mileage out of them since they have 1/32 more tread. It's too early to report on the treadwear (only 1200 miles), but I love the handling and roadnoise is equal to the Michelin's. I also expect the wet performance to be better.
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From: So. Cal.
SL500 2001 Formula 1 Edition;
Tires questions and answers . . .
Okay, Car and Driver Rated the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 as the # 1 all around; Just short of best in test for dry cornering; and by far best in wet corning (wear rating 280)
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 were # 4 (wear rated 220), and finished near the top in almost all catagories.
I put the wear ratings in because when you are spending this kind of money, it might be worth it to spend more to get more tire life, right?
So, Michelin has a new tire -- Michelin Pilot Sport A/S wear rating is 400; so in theory almost something like 75% to 50 % more tread life, supposedly.
All ZR rated, I think.
The Michelin website rates the Michelins, as almost identical except for the wear and noise catagories. the PS2 gets a "10" in quiet ride and a "6" in tread life. The A/S gets an "7" in quiet ride and an "8" in tread life.
They cost around the same; about $300 each for the rears.
At $300 each, it is hard to pass up that extra tread life, no? But how can you tell how noisy they are going to be?
And why not just buy some cheap Kuhmo's for $180 -- if they don't last as long -- well, hell -- they cost a lot less.
Okay, to one of you engineer types out there -- you are assigned to do come up with a formula to consider ride, performance, tread wear, comfort, noise, and everything else -- to determine the best tire for the money.
I'd like the definative answer, please. By tomorrow. The perfect tire for everyone.
I think I'm going for the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S -- I'll just turn the stero up louder to cover the noise.
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 were # 4 (wear rated 220), and finished near the top in almost all catagories.
I put the wear ratings in because when you are spending this kind of money, it might be worth it to spend more to get more tire life, right?
So, Michelin has a new tire -- Michelin Pilot Sport A/S wear rating is 400; so in theory almost something like 75% to 50 % more tread life, supposedly.
All ZR rated, I think.
The Michelin website rates the Michelins, as almost identical except for the wear and noise catagories. the PS2 gets a "10" in quiet ride and a "6" in tread life. The A/S gets an "7" in quiet ride and an "8" in tread life.
They cost around the same; about $300 each for the rears.
At $300 each, it is hard to pass up that extra tread life, no? But how can you tell how noisy they are going to be?
And why not just buy some cheap Kuhmo's for $180 -- if they don't last as long -- well, hell -- they cost a lot less.
Okay, to one of you engineer types out there -- you are assigned to do come up with a formula to consider ride, performance, tread wear, comfort, noise, and everything else -- to determine the best tire for the money.
I'd like the definative answer, please. By tomorrow. The perfect tire for everyone.
I think I'm going for the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S -- I'll just turn the stero up louder to cover the noise.
Last edited by mebeJOE; Mar 30, 2006 at 02:53 AM.
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From: So. Cal.
SL500 2001 Formula 1 Edition;
Originally Posted by Lincoln
Wear ratings are useless for comparing different brands of tires, it's not a standardized measurement. So a 280 from one company might be worse then a 220 from another.
Alright . . . but if Michelin gives on of its tires a 220AA, and another a 400AA, that should be pretty indicative of the 2nd tire lasting a lot longer, correct?
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From: Fort Worth, Tx
97 SL500
Originally Posted by mebeJOE
Alright . . . but if Michelin gives on of its tires a 220AA, and another a 400AA, that should be pretty indicative of the 2nd tire lasting a lot longer, correct?
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1996 SL 600
I love my Falken tires! http://www.falkentire.com/tires_st115.htm This is the 1st set I put on the car after removing the stock 16 inch wheels. I've had no problems with them and the ride is very nice. Only lost traction a couple times when punching the V12 from the start, but the ESP kicked in and I was on my way. Looks like the widest they make is 275 though...
