Fluid

I will be installing 17x8 BBS wheels on my new '04 CLK320 and am looking for advice on tires. I want either the Pilot Sports or the PS2 tires in 225/45R17 size ( no stagger ). Are there real advantages to the PS2s over the PS tires? The "looks" of the tread are not important to me, but performance, safety and ride quality are. Literature and reviews indicate the PS2s handle better, are quieter and have less trammeling, but the Pilot Sports are proven while the PS2s are pretty new - anyone care to comment? Thanks!

Luke@tirerack

the PS II's are so much better than the old version

The S-03's beat the old version in our testing

The PS II's beat the S-03 in our testing

conclusion

S-03's > Pilot Sport

PS II's > S-03's

PS II's > Pliot Sport

Fluid

Thanks Luke, that's what I judged from reading the TR website, I appreciate your answer! Any other MB drivers with experience/opininons?

awiner

I have PS2's.. Very quiet and they stick like glue.

schwarzwagen

Hey Luke,

I'm a little confused perhaps but the sticky tread you wrote gave the S-03 top marks above the PS2, now the PS2 is better?

Additionally, what specific characteristics did the PS2 exhibit in your tests? awiner says they are quiet and smooth, would you agree and how is that affected by wear? Is the grip more like that of the SX MXX3? The original PS was quite a let down in this regard after the superior dry traction of the SX MXX3.

Thanks!

FInality

Luke whats your opinion on a budget tire a step down in price (not quality)- other than the Toyo T1-Ss of course.

Luke@tirerack

I need to update that sticky .... again, I made that list before the PS2 was fully tested and it was based on some short spirited driving on normal streets around here but, after having an oportunity to fully test them I found them to be very predictable with better transtion feel and very responsive to all driver inputs and slighly more ultimate grip

Noredline

Just put some PS2's on my wife's CLK320 and we both love them. Replaced Pilot Sports with them actually. She loves the ride, and they do grip noticeably better