W211 AMG Discuss the W211 AMG's such as the E55 and the E63

Time for new tires

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Nov 4, 2005 | 01:29 PM
  #1  
jrmmrj's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: California
2001 BMW 740i sport, (sold) 05 E55 Flint Grey
Time for new tires

My 05 E55 now has 15k milles, and the original Conti's are showing enough wear to justify getting some new PS2's. Can you guys tell me which tire size I should get to improve cornering ability? I want to stay with my stock 18" wheels, but would like to go to a bigger tire to handle the twisties a little better. I would really appreciate your input.

Thanks in advance,
Randy
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2005 | 01:55 PM
  #2  
merc655's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
From: S FL
a few...
If you are wanting to go the PS2 route. 245/40 ZR18s are the way to go for the fronts. Great handling dry/wet and minimal road noise. I too switched a little while back from Conti's and the traction is much better along with the ride. For the backs you have two choices. You can either get 265/35 ZR 18s or you could go for the extra .5 inch and get the 275/35s. I personally have the 275s but you can go for whichever you want. Either combo gives you great handling, with the 265s a little better for less understeer and the latter for better traction but either is somewhat variable.

PS2s: Front 245/40 ZR18 (93Y)
Rear 265/ 35 ZR18 or 275/35 ZR18 you can choose.

Hope this helps.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2005 | 02:03 PM
  #3  
enzom's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,732
Likes: 1
From: NJ
2005 E55
This month's Car and Driver has a great high performance tire test. Worth a read before choosing your tires.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2005 | 03:51 PM
  #4  
xraymd's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 0
From: NW Ohio
2008 335 vert, 2004 MDX
They picked the Contis 2nd out of 11! The PS2's are 4th.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2005 | 05:08 PM
  #5  
enzom's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,732
Likes: 1
From: NJ
2005 E55
Originally Posted by xraymd
They picked the Contis 2nd out of 11! The PS2's are 4th.
I don't have the article with me, but I think they are different Conti's. They were SportContact2. I think I have regular SportContact on my E.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2005 | 06:30 PM
  #6  
Rafal's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 3
From: Sydney, Australia
2017 S63 Coupe Iridium Silver
Originally Posted by enzom
I don't have the article with me, but I think they are different Conti's. They were SportContact2. I think I have regular SportContact on my E.
Your stock E55 tires are "Conti 2" ie. Conti Sport Contact 2. The old Sport Contact are no longer available.
I have not yet read the article, but if anybody picks the Contis ahead of PS2,
they deserve what they get! Were they driving an E55? My daughter's Golf is perfectly fine on Conti 2! These motor writers are full of s....
Their biggest problem is that they cannot afford the cars they test every week! Check out the Tire Rack survey results and see where Conti 2 are in the real world.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2005 | 06:39 PM
  #7  
Rafal's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 3
From: Sydney, Australia
2017 S63 Coupe Iridium Silver
Originally Posted by jrmmrj
My 05 E55 now has 15k milles, and the original Conti's are showing enough wear to justify getting some new PS2's. Can you guys tell me which tire size I should get to improve cornering ability? I want to stay with my stock 18" wheels, but would like to go to a bigger tire to handle the twisties a little better. I would really appreciate your input.

Thanks in advance,
Randy
Go with 245/40/18 and 275/35/18. The 8 and 9" rims actually make the tires crossection narrower (ideal size is 8.5 and 9.5" like mine SL55 wheels)
and your front tires will be 240mm wide and the rear 267mm.(on mine they stretch to 250 and 276mm, which is above their nominal size)
If you go with the stock size of 265 on the rear , it's diameter will be far too small compared to the front.
Mercedes do it for load rating on the Contis, but to reach their maximum load rating on all four corners you'd have to fill your car with cement!
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 07:24 PM.

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