SL/R230: Best Tire for 2003 SL500 Sports Pkg
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Joined: Jun 2007
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1998 E320, 2003 SL500 Sport Package
Best Tire for 2003 SL500 Sports Pkg
Hi,
I have 2003 SL500 with sports package; wheels are staggered 255/40ZR18 (front) and 285/35ZR18 (rear) with Michelin Pilot Super Sport. I just had the front lower control arms and alignment done, but need two front tires cause they have gotten choppy. I love the handling and performance on tires, but the "noise" and "bumps" is not working for me, especially since I bought it for my wife.
I am looking at Hankook Ventus S1 noble2, Continental ExtremeContact DWS, and Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 recommended due to back tires by TireRack.com. The Hankook tires are so tempting on price and reviews, but I have always enjoyed Michelin long life. Here are my priorities in a tire
#1 - Comfort & Quiet
- it is a sport car so I do not expect all bumps and noise it to go away, but looking for better. I want to hear my exhaust more than road.
#2 - Handling and Performance
#3 - Treadlife - since I do not drive it much
My brother-in-law said something that made since, just go H-rated since you are not going to be driving over 130 mph. I do like to speed but not that fast got to 120mph and stopped. If it was not for my wife complaining about the road noise, I'd go buy more Michelin Pilot Super Sport.
Any suggestions?
I have 2003 SL500 with sports package; wheels are staggered 255/40ZR18 (front) and 285/35ZR18 (rear) with Michelin Pilot Super Sport. I just had the front lower control arms and alignment done, but need two front tires cause they have gotten choppy. I love the handling and performance on tires, but the "noise" and "bumps" is not working for me, especially since I bought it for my wife.
I am looking at Hankook Ventus S1 noble2, Continental ExtremeContact DWS, and Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 recommended due to back tires by TireRack.com. The Hankook tires are so tempting on price and reviews, but I have always enjoyed Michelin long life. Here are my priorities in a tire
#1 - Comfort & Quiet
- it is a sport car so I do not expect all bumps and noise it to go away, but looking for better. I want to hear my exhaust more than road.#2 - Handling and Performance
#3 - Treadlife - since I do not drive it much
My brother-in-law said something that made since, just go H-rated since you are not going to be driving over 130 mph. I do like to speed but not that fast got to 120mph and stopped. If it was not for my wife complaining about the road noise, I'd go buy more Michelin Pilot Super Sport.
Any suggestions?
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 376
Likes: 12
From: Atlanta, GA
SL550 Designo Crystal & Red Interior - SL55 Silver & Black Interior - E550
I've put Hankooks on my last 4 cars. SL55 AMG, Maserati Quattroporte, S550 and a E55. They are relatively inexpensive and I swear by them. Handling has always been good and I find them quiet. I don't get as much wear out of the rears that I would like but that's what you get when you can't rotate a staggered set and mostly because of my lead foot when pulling off the mark. All that torque has to go somewhere...
Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia,PA
2003 SL500
I've put 15000 miles on the DWS. Quite, tread looks new, and handles great. I can take it to the mountains on a nice winter weekend and don't have to worry about getting caught in bad weather.
Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 187
Likes: 3
From: Traverse City, Michigan
2023 AMG SL55,2015 S550 4MATIC, 2023 BMW X5
I mounted a set of Continental's DWS A/S on my wife's 2013 X5 5.0i. We have about 7,000 miles on them & they're wearing well & winter traction is quite good.
On the downside, they are noisy. There's a slight howl at freeway speeds - which is no big deal. The larger issue for me in the pinging sound coming from the tires when you hit a bump or run over seams in the road. Very annoying - sounds a bit like bouncing an overfilled basketball. I've played around with tire pressures & tried rotating the tires in an attempt to minimize or eliminate the pinging.
No luck to date.
Totally different vehicle type I know - but still feedback on the tire.
On the downside, they are noisy. There's a slight howl at freeway speeds - which is no big deal. The larger issue for me in the pinging sound coming from the tires when you hit a bump or run over seams in the road. Very annoying - sounds a bit like bouncing an overfilled basketball. I've played around with tire pressures & tried rotating the tires in an attempt to minimize or eliminate the pinging.
No luck to date.
Totally different vehicle type I know - but still feedback on the tire.
Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 123
Likes: 2
From: Hockessin, DE
2009 SL 550 Silver Arrow Launch Edition
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 Plus for me. Third set and still very satisfied. Great handling and quiet, wears well.
Last edited by josephanthony; May 13, 2014 at 08:02 AM. Reason: Listed wrong tire
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 427
Likes: 57
13 GL350, 14 SL550
I have DWS's on the back of my SL, although not in the stock size. I have aftermarket 19" rims and they are also wider.
They are great. Bang for the buck they're awesome... much better tires than even many of the higher priced option.
I haven't noticed any noise or pinging with mine. And I drive the car only in summer so the top is down 90% of the time so I'm sure I would have heard it.
No road noise even on the highway.
Will be replacing the front 2 tires shortly and I'm buying the DWS for the front also.
They are great. Bang for the buck they're awesome... much better tires than even many of the higher priced option.
I haven't noticed any noise or pinging with mine. And I drive the car only in summer so the top is down 90% of the time so I'm sure I would have heard it.
No road noise even on the highway.
Will be replacing the front 2 tires shortly and I'm buying the DWS for the front also.
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 376
Likes: 12
From: Atlanta, GA
SL550 Designo Crystal & Red Interior - SL55 Silver & Black Interior - E550
Maybe the wrong question was asked... If we find a brand we like, we enjoy good wear and have no serious issues, we're probably going to recommend. Perhaps the question should be, are there tires that I should not consider for my car? At least that way we'd build some kind of consensus on what to avoid.
