JamE55

Why is it that the stock 18" tires that came with the E55 used to be Michelin Pilots and now most of the E55 i see at the dealer are equipped with Dunlop SP9000's?? Comments?

Mr. Vanos

There are still some that come with Sports. But it has to do with supply of tires as well as cost. The factoru will put on what's available at the time. However, there are obviously more Dunlops in this case than Michelins. MB has a contract with both companies and based on supply and costs, one may overshadow the other. I ended up with Dunlops (I hate them!).

JamE55

That's interesting! Agree with you on the Dunlops. When i ordered mine i specifically asked for the Pilots and that's what they gave me if not i would have probably not bought the car.

Drew

Had Pilot's on every new car I've owned in what seems like the last ten years ... except for my 'vettes (goodyear's).

My Beast came with the Dunlops ... and I anticipate having to chang-out my tires within the next few months.

Anyone have recommendations? If so, why?

JamE55

Stick with Pilots! Or the SO-3's. They're nice!

MikeC

I have used Pilots for many years (M5, Alpina B6) even my E420 has Pilots. I have not been let down so far. I think if you are going to be above 120 mph you should feel confident that you have a tires that are sticking to the surface and side wall failure are not heard of .

Thumbs up !

MikeC

E55
E420

JamE55

Right On Mike!!

Rich

I'm replacing my OEM Dunlop SP9000 rears Monday with the same. I got 23800 miles out of them, which is excellent for z rated tires. I've had the car to Vmax with them, and it felt planted. They were OEM on my 911 also (SP8000's then) and I swithced to pole position S02's at 60K. They are supposed to have better wet traction as they wear down, but I spun out on a wet road last July when I wasn't even pushing it! (The car was out of action for 7 months). I used dunlop D40M2's on an older 911 without complaint.

Darkmann

E420 [/B][/QUOTE]

This is in response to MikeC's post:
Read Rich's post. Unless you have solid evidence, I hope you're not implying that Dunlop tires have sidewall failure problem!!! I don't work for Dunlop but have driven Dunlops, Michelins, Goodyears and Bridgstones. Depending on the particular series of rubber from a given manufacturer, the ride is different. At 120, none of the performance versions of these high performance tires reveal noticeably poor performance. At xtreme handling (low speed rumbling and high speed blasts) on dry pavement, the Michelene and Bridgestones outperform anything I have ever driven on - my preference goes to B'Stones . On wet pavement, the Dunlops, I believe, are better. The Dunlops are typically less xpensive in this category. The GY's are overpriced in my humble opinion. I have found that Dunlops are very adquately priced, look good and are really for the daily driver, the above average performance enthusiast. I really don't think they are any worse than the Michelins at 120. At, 50 over a bumpy road, now that may be a different story!!!!

MikeC

Hi Darkmann,

I never said Dunlops were not good, I said you should feel confident with the tire at speeds in excess of 120 mph. I have used Michelins for many years on very fast cars and so far have not been let down. In the past I have also used Dunlops (D40Ms)and found the compound to be extremely soft causing the tires to be worn out in a short space of time, Pirellis had cracked sidewalls, Goodyears were fine.
What has worked for me are Pilots. Here in S. Fl. the weather can go from dry to wet and vice versa very quickly, so it has helped to make my confidence in this tire grow over time and until such will continue to use them.

"You will never stub your toe standing still. The faster you go, the more chance there is of stubbing your toe, but the more chance you have of getting somewhere"

Mike C
E55
E420