SL/R231: Tire Recommendations
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 70
Likes: 14
SL550
Tire Recommendations
Hello all,
I hope everyone is doing well. Just wanted to see if anybody could share some recommendations on new tires? I currently have the factory installed run-flats and don’t want them anymore. Anything good from Michelin or Pirelli?
Thanks!
I hope everyone is doing well. Just wanted to see if anybody could share some recommendations on new tires? I currently have the factory installed run-flats and don’t want them anymore. Anything good from Michelin or Pirelli?
Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,643
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From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
I just purchased a set of Continental DWS06+ in the stock 19" sizes. VERY pleased with them. Ride is much improved and I'm looking forward to driving safely in sub freezing temperatures. I had the previous version of this tire on my C7 Corvette and they gave me over 25k trouble free miles. Bought the tires from Discount Tire Direct and had them shipped to my local MB dealer who mounted, balanced and reused the TPMS sensors with no damage to my AMG 5 spoke wheels. I am a happy camper.
Last edited by rmorin49; Sep 12, 2021 at 01:25 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 380
Likes: 100
From: Orlando, FL
2017 550SL - 2018 560S
Replaced run-flats with Michelin Pilot Super Sports Front 255/35ZR19 Rear 285/30ZR19. The new rider is quieter, smoother and I now actually have a visible sidewall that greatly lessens wheel rash. I live in Florida, so I specifically chose to not get the All-Season version. Been caught in a few torrential downpours on the interstate and the summer treads performed exactly as I had hoped. The run-flats were giving me a noticeable thump, at higher speeds at 8,000 miles. Tried alignment and re-balancing - they were still thumping. Switched to the Super Sports, goodbye thump, hello smooth.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 278
Likes: 118
2017 SL450, 2017 Ford Expedition, 2007 CLK 550, 2019 Buick Enclave
Got rid of Pirelli RF tires. Replaced with Michelin A/S 3+ tires 19 inch. Have had them over a month. They made the car very different in noise, ride and handling. I researched a long time before installing the tires.
We wanted an all season tire. We will normally have the car in moderate weather but some trips will take us in cool temperatures at night. I could not understand limiting us to a summer only tire. You just never know the future or a future road trip. We have been Michelin customers for decades and they have been great tires. The AS 3+ was a good choice for us and a proven tire they have manufactured for years, although I believe it is being discontinued.
We wanted an all season tire. We will normally have the car in moderate weather but some trips will take us in cool temperatures at night. I could not understand limiting us to a summer only tire. You just never know the future or a future road trip. We have been Michelin customers for decades and they have been great tires. The AS 3+ was a good choice for us and a proven tire they have manufactured for years, although I believe it is being discontinued.
Last edited by Panama; Sep 15, 2021 at 11:37 AM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 526
From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
Got rid of Pirelli RF tires. Replaced with Michelin A/S 3+ tires 19 inch. Have had them over a month. They made the car very different in noise, ride and handling. I researched a long time before installing the tires.
We wanted an all season tire. We will normally have the car in moderate weather but some trips will take us in cool temperatures at night. I could not understand limiting us to a summer only tire. You just never know the future or a future road trip. We have been Michelin customers for decades and they have been great tires. The AS 3+ was a good choice for us and a proven tire they have manufactured for years, although I believe it is being discontinued.
We wanted an all season tire. We will normally have the car in moderate weather but some trips will take us in cool temperatures at night. I could not understand limiting us to a summer only tire. You just never know the future or a future road trip. We have been Michelin customers for decades and they have been great tires. The AS 3+ was a good choice for us and a proven tire they have manufactured for years, although I believe it is being discontinued.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 70
Likes: 14
SL550
Hi all,
Just following up on this. I ended up getting some Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires on the car. Didn't seem like there was a lot to choose from (some of the tires I wanted where backordered). All in all, pretty happy with these so far
Just following up on this. I ended up getting some Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires on the car. Didn't seem like there was a lot to choose from (some of the tires I wanted where backordered). All in all, pretty happy with these so far
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 70
Likes: 14
SL550
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,579
Likes: 3,690
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Performance Summer tires 
The higher the speed rating of the tires the harder the rubber when cold. Even during normal use, the tires need to warm up for maximum traction.
When cold the ride may feel more bumpy for the first few minutes…
The higher the speed rating of the tires the harder the rubber when cold. Even during normal use, the tires need to warm up for maximum traction.
When cold the ride may feel more bumpy for the first few minutes…
Last edited by Wolfman; Oct 1, 2021 at 09:34 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 526
From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
On a cold, sunny winter days I would sometimes drive my C7 Corvette with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. It would take up to 30 miles at highway speeds for the cold tire warning to go out. After several instances losing traction I ditched them and switched to a set of Continental DWS06s. I also have them on my SL. Great tires.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,579
Likes: 3,690
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
On a cold, sunny winter days I would sometimes drive my C7 Corvette with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. It would take up to 30 miles at highway speeds for the cold tire warning to go out. After several instances losing traction I ditched them and switched to a set of Continental DWS06s. I also have them on my SL. Great tires.
I think the Conti's are only good for soft suspension, non high-performance cars. In case somebody needs an almost unused set of 20" tires
Last edited by Wolfman; Oct 2, 2021 at 12:48 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 278
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2017 SL450, 2017 Ford Expedition, 2007 CLK 550, 2019 Buick Enclave
We never know the weather for sure months in advance, and we surely don't know our future destinations. A summer tire would not fit us. For example, this fall we are planning a trip to tour the bourbon and whiskey facilities in Kentucky and Tennessee. We have no idea what the weather will be at night that time of year.
I don't understand limiting yourself to mainly driving at warm temperatures when you don't have to. That is why we went with All Season tires. We cannot predict the future or our use of the vehicle next year or the year after. It won't see snow and not a lot of rain, but it might see some cooler temperatures on a trip we take.
I don't understand limiting yourself to mainly driving at warm temperatures when you don't have to. That is why we went with All Season tires. We cannot predict the future or our use of the vehicle next year or the year after. It won't see snow and not a lot of rain, but it might see some cooler temperatures on a trip we take.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,579
Likes: 3,690
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
This was obviously my personal experience that the tires performed differently on different cars and climate conditions.
On our S-Class it was a year round tire and performed well throughout. On our AMG they were only used as winter tires in MN winters and did not.
But it has to be understood that any all-season tire will not match the capabilities of a high performance summer tire or a dedicated snow tire.
On our SL’s we immediately removed the RFT’s and used the Michelin PSS and PS4s and Pirelli Sottozeros for snow.
This was the best approach for MN weather.
On our S-Class it was a year round tire and performed well throughout. On our AMG they were only used as winter tires in MN winters and did not.
But it has to be understood that any all-season tire will not match the capabilities of a high performance summer tire or a dedicated snow tire.
On our SL’s we immediately removed the RFT’s and used the Michelin PSS and PS4s and Pirelli Sottozeros for snow.
This was the best approach for MN weather.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 563
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From: Nothern Georgia, U.S.A.
'17 SL450, '25 Lyriq, '25 Sonata Hybrid, '96 Corvette GS coupe
Even now living in the Atlanta area, I would have already switched my R-Fs for AS3s or AS4s...if they made the rears in 295s, which they don't. It drives me crazy that the standard rear R-Fs are 1/4" shorter than the fronts are. I don't realistically have need of the Michelin road/track tires that do come in 295s, so I'm stalled out on what to do.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 278
Likes: 118
2017 SL450, 2017 Ford Expedition, 2007 CLK 550, 2019 Buick Enclave
I put the same size tires on there as Mercedes put on there.... except not RF.
My thoughts are that if there was a better size tire for the car that MB engineers would have specified them. I am not going to redo something MB engineering did....except the RF part..
and I needed tires. The AS3+ tires are a game changer on the car.
My thoughts are that if there was a better size tire for the car that MB engineers would have specified them. I am not going to redo something MB engineering did....except the RF part..
and I needed tires. The AS3+ tires are a game changer on the car.
