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

SL/R230: Michelin or Continental?

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Old 03-26-2022, 04:28 PM
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Michelin or Continental?

It's time for me to get new tires. I would like to try the Michelin Pilot Sport AS 4 but they are on backorder at my local dealership. They kept pushing the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus. Does anyone have experience with these Continental tires? Should I order the Michelin tires on tire rack and deliver them to the dealership? Is that how that works? Don't want to end up losing my tires in the shuffle.
Old 03-26-2022, 06:50 PM
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The Conti’s are excellent.
Old 03-27-2022, 09:32 AM
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I've used both for years and generally prefer Michelin tires. The Michelin Pilot Sport AS 4 is really the perfect tire on the market for any car that is spiritedly driven year-round. I run these tires on my daily driver and they are excellent.

When I bought my SL, the previous owner just had a new set of DWS 06 Conti's installed. Great tire that I ran on multiple platforms with the added benefit of being less expense than the competition.

Did they work well on the SL, yes. Would I be replacing my current set with another set when the time comes, probably not (will likely go with the Pilot Sport 4S as this is a 3-season car).

That said, I don't believe the Michelin Pilot Sport AS 4 has released all compatible sizes for the R230. I just checked Tire Rack and it does not exist yet for the rear fitment of 285/30ZR19.

Also, what is the dealer quoting you? eBay has a $150 off all tires sale ending today with free shipping. These are well-known tire vendors selling through their official eBay stores.

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Old 03-27-2022, 09:44 AM
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Originally Posted by HLG600
I've used both for years and generally prefer Michelin tires. The Michelin Pilot Sport AS 4 is really the perfect tire on the market for any car that is spiritedly driven year-round. I run these tires on my daily driver and they are excellent.

When I bought my SL, the previous owner just had a new set of DWS 06 Conti's installed. Great tire that I ran on multiple platforms with the added benefit of being less expense than the competition.

Did they work well on the SL, yes. Would I be replacing my current set with another set when the time comes, probably not (will likely go with the Pilot Sport 4S as this is a 3-season car).

That said, I don't believe the Michelin Pilot Sport AS 4 has released all compatible sizes for the R230. I just checked Tire Rack and it does not exist yet for the rear fitment of 285/30ZR19.

Also, what is the dealer quoting you? eBay has a $150 off all tires sale ending today with free shipping. These are well-known tire vendors selling through their official eBay stores.
The dealership is quoting me $1,548.17 (including a $189 alignment)
Old 03-27-2022, 10:05 AM
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R230 SL63 | W220 S55
Originally Posted by MarvelouzV
The dealership is quoting me $1,548.17 (including a $189 alignment)
Not a bad price for an alignment at the dealer. Make sure you get a before/after printout for your records.

What are your tire sizes?

Old 03-27-2022, 11:34 AM
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Originally Posted by HLG600
Not a bad price for an alignment at the dealer. Make sure you get a before/after printout for your records.

What are your tire sizes?
Fronts: 255/40ZR18
Rear: 285/35ZR18
Old 03-27-2022, 01:11 PM
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R230 SL63 | W220 S55
Originally Posted by MarvelouzV
Fronts: 255/40ZR18
Rear: 285/35ZR18
Comparing current prices on Tire Rack, you could probably save ~$200 if you source the tires yourself and get them mounted/balanced separately.

If you care more about the convenience and getting everything done in one shot, not a crazy price you were quoted for the tires, mounting/balancing and alignment.

Comparing current specs, the DWS 06 tires will be 2-3 lbs lighter per corner over the Pilot Sport AS 4 options in the same sizes, which is a nice benefit.

Old 03-27-2022, 01:21 PM
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Michelin all day everyday
Old 03-27-2022, 09:19 PM
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Old 03-27-2022, 11:39 PM
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I finally bit the bullet and got Michelin PS4s a year ago. I was getting horrible inner tread wear after lowering my car 1.5 inches 3 years ago. I was using cheap tires because I had to flip them at 2.5K miles and replacing them at 5K tops. I got F1 Fabrication adjustable camber links so now I have only -1 negative camber on all four corners in the lowest ride height setting. I had -3 degrees front and -3.5 rears before the links. I haven't noticed any negative (pardon he pun) effects of loosing my race car negative camber stance.

Are the PS4s better than my General Tire Gmax and assorted Continentals I was running? I don't track my car or live in a state with lots of curvy roads but one thing is for sure, my traction light comes one less frequently when accelerating hard now even when they are cold. Also 90% of the time after I park and walk away, the bold "MICHELIN" logo is always right side up!

Here is my rear 295/30/19 on 19x11" wheel after 5,000 plus miles! Tire wear is even now! Tires are like oil, everyone has a preference and there is no wrong brand but, I have to say, the PS4s are the best tires I have ever had on any of my cars and motorcycles.







Last edited by m5zealot; 03-30-2022 at 06:50 PM. Reason: spelling
Old 03-27-2022, 11:53 PM
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Originally Posted by m5zealot
I finally bit the bullet and got Michelin PS4s a year ago. I was getting horrible inner tread wear after lowering my car 1.5 inches 3 years ago. I was using cheap tires because I had to flip them at 2.5K miles and replacing them at 5K tops. I got F1 Fabrication adjustable camber links so now I have only -1 negative camber on all four corners in the lowest ride height setting. I had -3 degrees front and -3.5 rears before the links. I haven't noticed any negative (pardon he pun) effects of loosing my race car negative camber stance.

Are the PS4s better than my General Tire Gmax and assorted Continentals I was running? I don't track my car or live in a state with lots of curvy roads but one thing is for sure, my traction light comes one less frequently when accelerating hard now even when they are cold. Also 90% of the time after I part and walk away, the bold "MICHELIN" logo is always right side up!

Here is my rear 295/30/19 on 19x11" wheel after 5,000 plus miles! Tire wear is even now! Tires are like oil, everyone has a preference and there is no wrong brand but, I have to say, the PS4s are the best tires I have ever had on any of my cars and motorcycles.


wow, m5zealot ... money shot on this picture here
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Old 03-28-2022, 04:14 AM
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Originally Posted by MarvelouzV
wow, m5zealot ... money shot on this picture here
Thanks A Michelin employee told me on my IG account the pic was worthy of their ad campaigns

Old 03-29-2022, 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by m5zealot
Thanks A Michelin employee told me on my IG account the pic was worthy of their ad campaigns
Ordered the Michelin's on Tire Rack last night and had to cancel my order this morning... the tires are backordered for months and months. They said I might get them mid June. LOL I can't wait that long, I'm in desperate need of tires. I hope these Continental ones ride smooth as butter
Old 03-29-2022, 08:31 PM
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I live in the Northeast but only drive my SL outside of winter, I purchased the best 3-season tire I could find with an emphasis on wet weather traction. Michelin PS4 NOT all season, I have found that the rears wear out in about half the time of the fronts, it was also common on my R129. Best of luck, IMHO unless you’re in snow by accident or on purpose all season could be overkill.
Old 03-29-2022, 08:35 PM
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Also I’ve used Tire Rack for probably more than a dozen full sets if tires they are very competitive, I have found that since they show cooperative installers on their site it’s worth a trip and questions as I have found that most will match their price. Again best of luck
Old 03-30-2022, 06:52 PM
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That's why I got mine for my M5 from Discount Tire. You have to pay extra for road hazard but they seem to have a good supply of many sizes. They own Tire Rack now so hopefully this will be a benefit.
Old 04-06-2022, 02:22 PM
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Nice setup, do you have a link to where you bought this links for chamber ? Guess you also have fitted a LSD ?
Old 04-07-2022, 08:01 AM
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I installed 2 Michelin P Zero’s on the rear in Spring of 2021. Drove the car approx. 13000km in 6 mos. The tires are worn down to the tread wear indicator, they’re actually in worse shape than the ones I replaced. I‘m in disbelief and frustrated. My tires lasted in longer when driving in the heat of the Middle East.
Old 04-07-2022, 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by flymetom
I installed 2 Michelin P Zero’s on the rear in Spring of 2021. Drove the car approx. 13000km in 6 mos. The tires are worn down to the tread wear indicator, they’re actually in worse shape than the ones I replaced. I‘m in disbelief and frustrated. My tires lasted in longer when driving in the heat of the Middle East.
Can you rule out a bad alignment? But many say all these crazy expensive tires are way over priced to begin and not worth it for street and highway driving. What tires did you have before?
Old 04-07-2022, 12:34 PM
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Originally Posted by flymetom
I installed 2 Michelin P Zero’s on the rear in Spring of 2021. Drove the car approx. 13000km in 6 mos. The tires are worn down to the tread wear indicator, they’re actually in worse shape than the ones I replaced. I‘m in disbelief and frustrated. My tires lasted in longer when driving in the heat of the Middle East.
Michelin "P Zero?" Isn't the P Zero a Pirelli tire, not Michelin?
Old 04-07-2022, 02:09 PM
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Originally Posted by as.thompson
Michelin "P Zero?" Isn't the P Zero a Pirelli tire, not Michelin?
Sorry, my mistake. Too much tire stuff in my head! I meant Pirelli.
Old 04-08-2022, 10:51 AM
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Originally Posted by flymetom
I installed 2 Michelin P Zero’s on the rear in Spring of 2021. Drove the car approx. 13000km in 6 mos. The tires are worn down to the tread wear indicator, they’re actually in worse shape than the ones I replaced. I‘m in disbelief and frustrated. My tires lasted in longer when driving in the heat of the Middle East.

I hear you man. One thing we forget is how heavy our cars are. I have the same brand on my 1988 BMW M5 and C450 AMG and they last twice as long. Weight and suspension settings (and driving style) are factors on how quickly tires wear. I have known this sad fact from 1st year of ownership, that SL55s loves to eat tires no matter how hard the compound is.

If you are getting inner tread wearing to quick then your car is too low and you’ll need to correct camber. I use The Camber King adjustable links and my car is lowered 1.5” on all 4 corners. Even tire wear since then.


Rear 305/25/19 tire at 8k miles wearing evenly after I was able to adjust camber to -1.0 degrees from -4.0 with adjustable links from @thecamberking. I used to have to flip tires at 4K miles to even out wear. No more.


New arms are adjustable - factory are set permanently.


Old 04-09-2022, 08:19 AM
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Thanks for the feedback. The wear is quite even, so I don’t know if the adjustments would help.
Old 04-10-2022, 07:57 AM
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Got a set of Conti’s last week and so far the ride is buttery smooth. The only complaint I have is that the sidewalls are ugly as hell lol
Old 04-25-2022, 03:42 PM
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After Michelin pilot exaltos, I replaced continentals on the car i bought with new continental extreme contacts. The road feel/comfort is excellent, great performance/handling, super quiet


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