SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: New Tires - What a Difference!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old May 11, 2017 | 09:07 PM
  #1  
Rudeney's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
New Tires - What a Difference!

Got rid of the old Contis and put on Michelin A/S 3+ tires today. Wow! It rides like a new car! The Contis were harsh and lacked grip (of course they were down to 3/32, so some of that is to be expected) but these Michelin's are just great. And I can't beat having a 22.5K mile warranty.
Reply
Old May 12, 2017 | 11:16 AM
  #2  
fishndude's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach, FL
Current: 2011 SL550 Previous: '07 CLK550 Cabriolet 1981 240D
How much did you pay for the fronts and rears and where did you purchase them? My Conti's still have a lot of tread, but I would love to get rid of them.
Reply
Old May 12, 2017 | 11:12 PM
  #3  
Rudeney's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
255/35/19 front - $221 each, 285/30/19 rear, $260 each. Bought at Costco, out-the-door price was $1055 which included road hazard, lifetime R&B, TPMS kit, and of course all the wonderful taxes.
Reply
Old May 14, 2017 | 12:26 AM
  #4  
fishndude's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach, FL
Current: 2011 SL550 Previous: '07 CLK550 Cabriolet 1981 240D
Rodney,

Thanks. That's not a bad price. I have gotten tires from Tire Rack online in the past to avoid the taxes, but of course you have to find an installer. Maybe I'll wear mine out a little faster than anticipated and check out my local Costco.

Steve
Reply
Old May 14, 2017 | 12:58 AM
  #5  
Rudeney's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
I thought about Tire Rack, but my preferred installer here charge $70 PER WHEEL for balance and install and that does not even include lifetime R&B. Also, a friend who had to deal with Tire Rack for road hazard warranty said it was such a hassle, he just gave up and bought a new tire locally. I've had a few road hazard claims with Costco and all were painless. In fact, one time (of many) they replaced the rears on the CLK550 under warranty due to premature wear, they determined that the tire I had was no longer made (MXV4 or something like that) , so I had to get a different (Pilot A/S) so now the fronts would not match. They offered - without me asking - to replace the fronts for no charge. My only complaint about Costco is that they are just so busy, you either have to drop the car off for most of the day, or line up an hour before opening to get the first service of the day. They do offer appointments, but they are booked for weeks. Oh, and they usually don;t stock the size I need, especially on the SL.
Reply
Old May 14, 2017 | 12:09 PM
  #6  
fishndude's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach, FL
Current: 2011 SL550 Previous: '07 CLK550 Cabriolet 1981 240D
Rodney,

I hadn't thought about the warranty issues. I know Costco is relatively hassle free when it comes to issues. I try to get up there about a hour before they close, for my other vehicles. The garage is usually cleared out by then and they have to finish by closing. :-). I had always put Conti's on my CLK550 from Tire Rack. I also seemed to go through rears tires faster than I thought I should, but thought this was just the nature of the beast. I am going to take your suggestion and pick up the A/S 3+, from Costco, as soon as needed. btw we both had the same '07 CLK550 at the same time and purchased the '11 SL550 around the same time. I remember you from the A209 board. I hope you are enjoying the SL, I really am.
Reply
Old May 14, 2017 | 10:22 PM
  #7  
Rudeney's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Hi Steve! I could not be more please with the SL550. The only time I miss the CLK550 is when I need to "carry stuff". Then I just have to go home and get the Jeep GC.
Reply
Old May 18, 2017 | 06:18 PM
  #8  
carguyshu's Avatar
Super Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 955
Likes: 127
From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
in fairness the R part of the R&B is useless on the SL since they are staggered and cannot be rotated. the warranty is also only a protating of the tread left towards the purchase of a new tire and only if the tire wear is even, which usually doesn't happen on a Mercedes...

http://media.michelinman.com/content...utmk=227688281
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 18, 2017 | 09:10 PM
  #9  
Rudeney's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Originally Posted by carguyshu
in fairness the R part of the R&B is useless on the SL since they are staggered and cannot be rotated. the warranty is also only a protating of the tread left towards the purchase of a new tire and only if the tire wear is even, which usually doesn't happen on a Mercedes...

http://media.michelinman.com/content...utmk=227688281
You are correct about not rotating, but balancing is still important. I fully understand pro-rated tire warranties. And other than one time I had an alignment issue, my tire wear across the tread of each tire and even on each axle has been very even. I have used the Michelin tread wear warranty several times on MBZ staggered wheels.

The A/S 3+ comes with a 45K mile warranty, which is cut in half for no-rotatable staggered setups. Unless Michelin has done something amazing with the "+" on the A/S 3+, these will need replacement around 10-12K, so halfway through the 22.5K, they'll pay 50-60% of the cost of replacing them. I've been there-done that a few times with Michelin and Costco. It's a good deal.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:29 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE