i_am_amused

I have a staggered setup on my daily-driver 2004 S55 (245/45ZR18 and 265/40ZR18), and am researching all-season replacements. My two main priorties are traction in rain and light snow and eliminating as much road noise as possible. The second priority is price (isn't it always?). To quote the local indy I've visited, "these things eat tires", so it's crazy not to look for value.

Are there any possible matches that are not directional and can be switched side-to-side to promote even tread wear to help keep road noise in check?


Also, my load ratings are 101 front and 100 rear. Is that a minimum or a suggestion, and is 95 or 99 safe?

Thanks

Luke@tirerack

check out the new Continental Extreme Contact DWS and for better results run a 275 out back instead of the 265

i_am_amused

thanks for the suggestion, Luke

Tire Rack's website only shows 245/45r18 in 96 not 101 load rating, and 275/35r18 in 95 instead of 100

Benz-O-Rama

Luke,

Would you recommend this tire for a 2005 SL600 in 18" OEM staggered fitment? I love the thought of being able to rotate them. And normally, all-seasons are going to be quieter and more comfortable than dedicated summer tires. Currently, my O.E. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S have 16K miles on them and they have a very loud roar to them. The rears are close to the wear bars and the fronts are probably 50% cooked.

Keep in mind that I would need something with some grip, as I'm putting down a good amount of torque to the rear wheels.

Also, is this tire available in +1 19" fitment?

AreL11

I have a set of these en route for my e55. I will post a reveiw when I get them mounted this weekend.

Luke@tirerack

no, for your car I would suggest that you look at the Pirelli P-Zero Nero A/S

Luke@tirerack

while the OE tires do have higher load capacity it is not a requirement. The minimum load capacity for your car is 1479 lbs. and that information is based on information direct from Mercedes Benz. The Continental Extreme Contact DWS has a load capacity of 1565 lbs. in the front and 1709 in the rear

Benz-O-Rama

Thanks Luke. That tire was also on my short list. But why do you recommend this tire over the Conti?

i_am_amused

Not sure how, but I missed this post.

It's EXTREMELY interesting, and gives me many more choices.

Thanks Luke

i_am_amused

Luke,

do you have a source for this MB load rating info? I know some installers won't mount tires that don't meet mfg specs, and all the published specs I've seen are load ratings of 101 and 100, so I'd like to be able to show them that the lower ratings are OK.

thanks

Garfield01

The best UHP all season tire I can find that meets the requirments for your application is the Goodyear Eagle F1 A/S. In the stock sizes, this model has the same load index and speed rating as the O.E. tires. Goodyear has put a lot of time and technology into this tire. Although this model is directional, it is one of the best all season UHP tires on the market.

i_am_amused

I appreciate the response, but in fact that tire does not meet my requirements because it is directional (as you mention late in your post).

I'm going with a set of Continental ExtremeContact DWS, because it gets high marks in reviews and tests, and Luke's post here reduces the load ratings requirement such that the DWS's ratings are suffficient.

Benz-O-Rama

I've got the Conti DWS's on my SL600 and love em so far.

i_am_amused

that's exactly what I want to hear!

thanks

Benz-O-Rama

I'm actually running these tires at the dragstrip tomorrow.

I'm not expecting great results.

Luke@tirerack

The Goodyear Eagle F1 All-Season tires do provide competent handling and competitive all-season traction but, they are very sensitive to tire/mechanical/service conditions that can cause irregular wear which in turn generates a noticeable increase in noise level.

this condition occurs most frequently among vehicles with one or more of the following traits:

• alignments specifying significant negative camber, toe-in or toe-out
• vehicles equipped with staggered sizes preventing periodic tire rotations
• vehicles equipped with independent rear suspensions
• heavy, high-horsepower vehicles

Goodyear is currently evaluating ways to increase the tire’s resistance to irregular wear

I would not suggest that tire until the noise issues are resolved.

i_am_amused

vehicles equipped with staggered sizes preventing periodic tire rotations
STRIKE ONE!

vehicles equipped with independent rear suspensions
STRIKE TWO!

heavy, high-horsepower vehicles
STRIKE THREE! YERRRR OUTTA HEEEEERE!!

Benz-O-Rama

I was able to cut a 1.79, 1.80 and 1.82 60' on these all season tires.

i_am_amused

pardon my ignorance, but i guess that's good?

I got my DWSs installed last week, a three hour event that should have taken 90 minutes, but hey, the price was very friendly to my wallet.

I've managed to light the traction control light only two times, at WOT from a dig (I feel so stupid saying "from a dig"), they are quiet while cornering (one small squeal), and the ride is nice, with limited tire noise, so for now I am pleased.

i just hope they keep me between the lines when the flurries arrive.

Benz-O-Rama

60' times is a drag racing term. It's the amount time it takes your car to move 60 feet from a stop, the first 60 feet of the drag race. Sub 2.0 second times are usually reserved for drag radials and stickier summer tires, but I was able to stay under 2.0 seconds with these all-season tires.

Quite a feat, considering the massive torque my car is putting to the wheels.

I was basically confirming that they have more than adequate dry traction, for an all-season tire.