SleeperX

What is the best all-purpose (excluding snow) tires for the E55? Something close to drag radials that won't be a disaster in the rain.. Looking to get the best traction off the line.

Torquey55

Pretty sure the overwhelming response to your question will be Michelin PS2. There are many threads out there on this topic. PS2 is real grippy and also excellent in the rain.

tbone

My vote is for PS2's

MB Fanatic

Pure summer tire - Michelin PS2
All Season - Michelin Pilot Sport A/S. I use these in the winter time to help out with the rain and then switch back to the PS2 in the summer/fall.

ClayJ

What he said.

AMG_55

ps2
its not bad in the rain... just more entertaining than pilot a/s

SleeperX

If I heat the tires up a little first and then floor it off the line with the PS2's will the tires still spin. My E55 is stock (for now).

MB Fanatic

The E55 is just too much power for any tire out there. So, to answer your question, YES.

SleeperX

So what is the difference between the Conti's and the PS2's. Where would I experience the difference? Off the line, in the corners, etc.

PCH_4.2

ditto...my vote is for the PS2's also.
If you don't have rain or adverse weather conditions for more than 1/8 of the year (ie. 45days or more), then go with the PS2's.

I used to be a fan of the Potenza S-03's b4 the PS2s came out.

Rafal

Using a G-Tech Meter, I got 1.0 lateral G's on Conti 2, 1.09 G on PS2 and 1.13G on R-Compound Semi-slick Dunlop Direzza 02G .
PS2 grip is closer to a race tire than Conti 2 will ever be. I would not take it to the track though, as it will not survive the heat cycles and high speed cornering by a 4000lb car, even with -2.0 deg front camber.
PS2 are also more comfortable and a lot more quiet than the Contis, especially after 5-6000 mi, when the Contis start howling and droning at speed.

enzom

Based on what I have been reading, I am about to order PS2's all aroung from Tire Rack and have my MB dealer install them this saturday while my car is in for service.

Costco is running a special, and I could have had the tires installed for less than $1,100 all in. But I was wary of letting Costco touch my car, so I am spending about $100 more to have the dealer do it.

My rear Contis are sufficiently worn at 6,400 miles to warrant replacement. May as well spend the extra $600 and get a better tire all around. I remember how much better the car felt at the AMG Track Challenge on Michelin's than my car did getting there and back on Conti's.

MB Fanatic

Enzom, I have my tires installed at Costco all the time and they do a great job. I would not hesitate if I were you. Also, unlike your dealer Costco uses pure Nitrogen to fill the tires up with.

Better gas mileage, tires stay rounder, air inside doesnt expand, doesnt leak out as quickly as oxygen, and most importantly the tires might just last longer too. Go with Costco.

Pbglas

December 05 Car and Driver did a comparison of ultra high perf tires. Goodyear eagle F1'scame out on top. Any experience with those?

Actually Contis came out number 2 and PS2's number 4.

When I change out of snow tires, I will have to get new summer tires.

ClayJ

As has been previously discussed, C&D weighted price too heavily in their rating, and that is why the PS2's were rated below the others.

If I remember right, a $21/tire difference or something like that moved them from first to fourth --

enzom

Thanks for your personal account. Good to hear. Unfortunately, I had already ordered my PS2's from Tirerack for shipment to my dealer before I caught this.

As an aside, I once had my local tire shop put tires on my sister's SLK. When they tried to remove one of the wheels, the bolt came off of the wheel assembly. The tire shop blamed the dealer for not threading the nut correctly after a recent tire rotation. The dealer blamed the tire shop for not removing the nut correctly. Ultimately, the dealer agreed to cover the cost of the part, but I came out of pocket on labor. After this experience, I was sort of inclined to let the dealer take care of this one.

WayneE

The tires stay rounder?! Better gas mileage?! Doesn't leak out?!

MB Fanatic

Hey, if the aviation industry uses it, then I am sure as hell its worthwhile in our cars.

WayneE

The benefit is more stable air pressure and no water vapor in it like you get when filling from air compressors (without water seperators). Sorry, but I found a lot of humor in your post... how would your tires stay more round?

I know a lot of racers that use it to fill their tires, but only because it is more temp stable.