SL-Class (R231) 2013 on: Discussion on the SL550

SL/R231: Replacement tires

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Old Mar 21, 2019 | 05:19 AM
  #1  
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Question Replacement tires

Hi all. New to the thread. Need to replace all four tires on my 2015 SL500. Has been running Dunlops. My priorities are quiet/low road noise and comfort/compliance. Am considering ContiSportContact, pirellis, or Michelin. Does anybody have any advice. A bad choice is expensive and will really impact my enjoyment of the car. Thx
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Old Mar 21, 2019 | 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Paukiwi
Hi all. New to the thread. Need to replace all four tires on my 2015 SL500. Has been running Dunlops. My priorities are quiet/low road noise and comfort/compliance. Am considering ContiSportContact, pirellis, or Michelin. Does anybody have any advice. A bad choice is expensive and will really impact my enjoyment of the car. Thx
I just ordered a set of Michelin ps4s non-rft, with /295s in the rear. They are great tires, but I haven't had them installed yet so I am eager to see how they are on the SL.
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Old Mar 21, 2019 | 12:53 PM
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Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+. I put a set on a 2013 SL550 with 18” wheels and they were great. Read the reviews on Tire Rack.
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Old Mar 21, 2019 | 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Streamliner
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+. I put a set on a 2013 SL550 with 18” wheels and they were great. Read the reviews on Tire Rack.
Plus one to that!

I have the 18" Twin Spoke Wheels with the Pilot Sport A/S 3's on my 2013 non-ABC 231.

I find that as long as as you keep the suspension setting in 'comfort mode', (the default setting), the ride quality and comfort is just fine. That is not to say the car will be every bit as smooth as a 231 with the ABC option, but quite comfortable nonetheless! If I use the 'Sport' setting for the suspension, I do notice the ride harshness immediately, so I always keep my 231 in the default 'comfort mode' suspension setting.

Last edited by bob55; Mar 21, 2019 at 02:40 PM.
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Old Mar 21, 2019 | 05:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Streamliner
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+. I put a set on a 2013 SL550 with 18” wheels and they were great. Read the reviews on Tire Rack.
If he was to get all seasons, that'd be the best choice!

Also, what car is in your profile pic?
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Old Mar 21, 2019 | 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Keon
If he was to get all seasons, that'd be the best choice!

Also, what car is in your profile pic?
The car in my profile photo is my dream car, that MB teased as a concept car, but never put into production. It was called the “Ocean Drive,” and I believe only the one model was built in 2007. It was a stunning, S Class, 4-Door Cabriolet. I would have pulled out all the stops to buy that car, but MB gave us the crummy (IMO) S550 & S560 2-Door Cabriolets. What a shame!




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Old Mar 21, 2019 | 09:09 PM
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Went with the Michelin Pilot Super Sport, not really concerned with the all weather aspect. Great improvement in ride quality moving from the run flat Continentals.
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Old Mar 21, 2019 | 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by TennesseeZ4
Went with the Michelin Pilot Super Sport, not really concerned with the all weather aspect. Great improvement in ride quality moving from the run flat Continentals.
I totally agree. I put the Michelin's on three weeks ago, somewhat for the all-weather safety of them, but also to further improve the ride of my SL450, which they certainly do.
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Old Mar 22, 2019 | 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by TennesseeZ4
Went with the Michelin Pilot Super Sport, not really concerned with the all weather aspect. Great improvement in ride quality moving from the run flat Continentals.
Yes indeed, that's an excellent tire choice for the 231's as well!....

(And the newer Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is a great choice too)

Both the Pilot Sport 4S and the Pilot Super Sport tires are considered 'Max Performance Summer Tires', while the Pilot Sport A/S 3+ is an 'Ultra High Performance All Season Tire'.

The Ultra High Performance A/S 3+ will have a more flexible sidewall than the (2) Max Performance Tires mentioned above, which should give it a slight edge for ride comfort, However, the (2) Max Performance Summer Tires with their 'stiffer' sidewalls are likely to provide better handling for sporty driving.

The correct tire Michelin tire choice here will depend on just which attribute is most important for your particular style of driving....is it ride comfort or sporty handling?

Last edited by bob55; Mar 24, 2019 at 03:24 PM.
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Old Mar 22, 2019 | 12:49 PM
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I'd like to add that I've had the Pilot SS tires and they are great tires, but IMO the Pilot Sport 4S is better as it looks nicer and is more modern.
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Old Mar 23, 2019 | 11:51 AM
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Just got the Pilot Sport 4S tires installed, they are great tires and going up to a 295 in the rear makes it look much more badass! I'd DEFINITELY recommend them over the Pilot Super Sport.
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Old Mar 23, 2019 | 11:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Keon
Just got the Pilot Sport 4S tires installed, they are great tires and going up to a 295 in the rear makes it look much more badass! I'd DEFINITELY recommend them over the Pilot Super Sport.
And the photos are where???
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Old Mar 24, 2019 | 07:16 AM
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Tires

The new michelin 4S is the replacement for the super sport, they have better grip overall. I put two on the back of my SL63 and I have a hard time getting them to break loose even with almost 700ft/lb torque.... this compared to my conti 5p which I could put my car sideways at 40 mph on dry pavement with TC off... they were scary sometimes.

Last edited by jfabtwf; Mar 24, 2019 at 07:18 AM. Reason: adding text
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Old Mar 24, 2019 | 02:30 PM
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Originally Posted by jfabtwf
The new michelin 4S is the replacement for the super sport, they have better grip overall. I put two on the back of my SL63 and I have a hard time getting them to break loose even with almost 700ft/lb torque.... this compared to my conti 5p which I could put my car sideways at 40 mph on dry pavement with TC off... they were scary sometimes.
They really are amazing tires! It puts the stock contis to shame. Plus, they do feel a lot better than the predecessor, with less noise, less harshness, and a **** ton more grip.
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Old Mar 24, 2019 | 02:57 PM
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Yes, and I was actually shocked how much difference there was ! I cant wait to take it down the 1/4 mile to see if my results will be better. I was losing traction with the contis, these michelins not so much !
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Old Mar 24, 2019 | 06:36 PM
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If you want the maximum ride comfort, then 18-inch wheels and tires are definitely the way to go.

While you have probably seen the 18-inch twin spoke wheel that was the standard equipment wheel on the 2013 SL 550 in the USA, there are other 18" MB wheels available for the 231 that you may not have ever seen..

For example: Check out this 'rarely seen in the USA' 18-inch (15-spoke) wheel option for the 231 - It's a genuine Mercedes Benz wheel and specifically designed for the 231.

Click on the link below to see this rare wheel, and note there are other images that show how these wheels look on the 231.. I think this 15-spoke (18-inch) wheel looks very nice indeed on the 231 SL Class.
.
http://www.alloywheelsdirect.net/mer...oke_wheel_3218

Last edited by bob55; Mar 24, 2019 at 07:02 PM.
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Old Mar 24, 2019 | 07:34 PM
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We also have the Michelin PS4s on our cars. Best tires for warm weather driving short of track tires. Also great in the rain. Just don’t go below 40 degrees...
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