Need New Tires, thoughts?
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
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2007 E63
Need New Tires, thoughts?
Hey everyone, I know there are hundreds of threads out there on Tires. I have Kumho tires right now because they came on the rims I bought, they are complete crap, they wore inconsistently and now I have a vibration at speed, I am looking at the Bridgestone Potenza RE760's vs the RE11's. Does anyone have any experience with either? Is there a better tire for the money? Ideally I would get P Zero's but I really don't want to drop $400 per tire. I have 19" rims BTW. Thanks!
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Austin, Texas
E55
I put a set of Sumitomo HTR Z III tires on the front of my car (have PS2 in the rear) and they are surprisingly good tires. I wouldn't rate them quite as good as the PS2 but for the money, you can't beat them. I paid $119/each from tire rack for the stock 245/40-18 tires. Once the rears wear out, I will probably try a pair out back as well. I just can't see spending $350/tire when they don't last that long anyway. If I had a sports car I constantly was pushing to the edge on canyon runs, etc., then I might consider going with a more expensive tire. Good luck in your search!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
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Mercedes Benz
Go for the Pirelli. It is not cheap. That I know 1700 bucks later but its the best tire I have purchased to date. It is a tire capable of being extremely responsive yet it rides better than the PS2 did on my SL55. It is a firmer tire and I feel that in the body but its light years better in steering response and cornering stability.
Its a matter of being willing to pay for what you want. I could only get that or the Dunlop Sport Maxx GT fromthe SL65 BS in the sizes I need and the Pirelli was the only tire that was smaller or the same in section width as the PS2's I had before. My fear of adding rubbing issues led me to a great tire.
Go for it. It is a wonderful upgrade.
Its a matter of being willing to pay for what you want. I could only get that or the Dunlop Sport Maxx GT fromthe SL65 BS in the sizes I need and the Pirelli was the only tire that was smaller or the same in section width as the PS2's I had before. My fear of adding rubbing issues led me to a great tire.
Go for it. It is a wonderful upgrade.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,880
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From: Seattle
05 E55
I put a set of Sumitomo HTR Z III tires on the front of my car (have PS2 in the rear) and they are surprisingly good tires. I wouldn't rate them quite as good as the PS2 but for the money, you can't beat them. I paid $119/each from tire rack for the stock 245/40-18 tires. Once the rears wear out, I will probably try a pair out back as well. I just can't see spending $350/tire when they don't last that long anyway. If I had a sports car I constantly was pushing to the edge on canyon runs, etc., then I might consider going with a more expensive tire. Good luck in your search!
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 230
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From: South Carolina
2012 SLS AMG
I don't drive overly aggressive and the rear Conti's have lasted 13k so far and are getting ready to be replaced. I had PS2's all around and the ride sucked and the rears would squirm under hard acceleration. Maybe I got a bad batch from tire rack. Junked them after 5K miles and put 4 Conti's back on. I may try those HTR III next.......
Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 151
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From: Austin, Texas
E55
Give the HTR III a shot. I think most everyone on this forum would be pleasantly surprised. At basically $600/set, if you don't like them, just turn ESP off everywhere you go and give yourself a reason to replace them with $1600 tires 
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Member
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: North Carolina
2006 E55 (white); 2016 GL 550 (white)
Sounds like a plan to me. I think i will order these tomorrow. I can hear my wife now "why are you smoking the tires everytime you take off"? I'll reply, "I don't like them". I love it
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,880
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From: Seattle
05 E55
I have about 4000 miles on my set right now and like them so far. Road noise could be less and the sidewall isn't that stiff, but again, for the value, you can't go wrong.
Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 207
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From: North Carolina
2006 E55 (white); 2016 GL 550 (white)
No problem, I ordered the fronts. I will start to roast the current rears every chance that i get. Then i will order the rears. I even remembered to call Luke from Tire rack.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,336
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
I know a lot of people with air cooled P-cars are now using them. I have PS2s on my 993, but when they're gone I'm going to try the Sumi.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: California, USA
E63 P30, CL500 Sport
I don't drive overly aggressive and the rear Conti's have lasted 13k so far and are getting ready to be replaced. I had PS2's all around and the ride sucked and the rears would squirm under hard acceleration. Maybe I got a bad batch from tire rack. Junked them after 5K miles and put 4 Conti's back on. I may try those HTR III next.......
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 19,593
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From: Irvine, CA
Euros
I've had the HTR ZIIIs on my 964 Porsche. They were good at first, but their performance dropped of quickly/significantly. I autox the car, and I could tell that the grip levels were not the same after a couple months of owning them and using them. They're cheap, but they're also a tire I would not get again.
I went with Federal 595RSRs, and I am happy with them. The only downside for most of you guys is that they only come in 18" sizes. They're grippier than the HTR ZIIIs, last longer, were cheaper, and retain their performance longer. It was win-win all around for me!
-Don
I went with Federal 595RSRs, and I am happy with them. The only downside for most of you guys is that they only come in 18" sizes. They're grippier than the HTR ZIIIs, last longer, were cheaper, and retain their performance longer. It was win-win all around for me!
-Don
Almost a Member!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 40
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E55
I've been using PS2s for a while now and love them. I've taken them to the drag strip and to the road course a few times and they grip exceptionally well. There are a few versions of PS2s: one generic, one specific to MB, BMW, etc... Maybe they sent you the wrong one?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 9,137
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From: California, USA
E63 P30, CL500 Sport
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 9,137
Likes: 4
From: California, USA
E63 P30, CL500 Sport
I'm not really sure..... I remember seeing the letters MB at the end of the part numbers. If you call any your local tire shops and ask them, they'll give you the exact part number for the MB one. I know this because I once mistakenly ordered the wrong PS2 for my C32 and although it fit fine, it just wasn't the same.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 21
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From: South Carolina
2003 SL55
Nitto 555!!
I love my new Nitto 555 on my SL 55. sticky and no road noise problem. Hard launch with no ESP and did not smoke the tires. Awesome.
I could light up my traction control in 3 gears with my old Falken 452.
I could light up my traction control in 3 gears with my old Falken 452.
Super Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 511
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From: Orlando, FL
04 E55 AMG, 03 350z Track Built/Single Turbo
BFGoodrich KDW2's or Michelin PS2's if you want to spend some cash.
Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta if you want to save some.
Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta if you want to save some.
Last edited by taurran; Jun 2, 2009 at 10:46 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 343
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From: London
E55 AMG
I just Fitted 19's with PS2's, the difference from stock is allot, I am actually amazed with the amount of extra grip noise and comfort, drives so much better! Probably wont last as long as the conti's but worth the extra $$ for sure!
Paul
Paul
