tires

[J. M. van Swaay]

An encounter behind a Miami scrap metal truck has resulted in me needing 4 new tires for the E500..... Car currently has Michelin Pilot Sports(?) but these are no longer available.

Any recommendations for an upper mid grade summer radial? I don't need the super top of the line, just a good quiet cruising tire with just enough stickiness for an occasional tight turn or two.

I have no brand preference, I don't mind spending a little money but I don't like to waste it.

Thanks,

J. M. van Swaay

 

[Klink]

What size tires are you running?

 

[Roma_500E]

Depends on size ?

I would go with something from Yokohama or Michelin.
Continental DWS is ok tires too but Yoko and Michelin are the best.
Pirelli is nice but it might be overpriced.

 

[Klink]

Depends on size ?
.

Well, it does in my case. My recommendations will vary a little with the size. If I know the size, I can make some recommendations specific even to the model of the tire, not just the brand-name. Some of the tires that I like in a certain size aren't even available in the other possible sizes that he may be running. I love Michelin Pilot Super Sport for the 18 inch sizes for example, but that recommendation won't help if he's running the original 16 inch wheels...

 

[Hollybrook]

I have been running Toyo T1 Sports on my 500E on 18" staggered rims. So far, I like them very much, but I don't really put a lot of miles on my car. They are NOT a winter tire, but that is fine as I mostly use the 500E three seasons only.

If you decide to go with the Toyo's, look carefully at the tire sizes. I was not paying enough attention to them and bought the usual sizes for staggered tires on my rims. I could have (and should have!) bought one size larger. When these tires need to be replaced, I will go up to the next front/rear size.

 

[Roma_500E]

Well, it does in my case. My recommendations will vary a little with the size. If I know the size, I can make some recommendations specific even to the model of the tire, not just the brand-name. Some of the tires that I like in a certain size aren't even available in the other possible sizes that he may be running. I love Michelin Pilot Super Sport for the 18 inch sizes for example, but that recommendation won't help if he's running the original 16 inch wheels...

I am sorry ! Of course it does ! I misprinted question mark . Sorry ...

Michelin PSS are the best performance tires so (IMHO).

 

[J. M. van Swaay]

Thanks for the comments, car is almost 100% original, tires are 225/55/R16.

J. M. van Swaay

 

[Klink]

Thanks for the comments, car is almost 100% original, tires are 225/55/R16.

J. M. van Swaay

These are recommendations in that size from personal experience: for sharpish handling without spending a fortune the Continental Extreme Contact DW works very nicely. If there's any chance you're going to operate it in the snow, perish the thought, you might consider the DWS version of this tire but I greatly prefer the DW. It has straight unbroken tread bands very reminiscent of the Michelin pilot HX MXM that these cars were often fitted with when they were new. It's behavior is also reminiscent of that ancient high-priced paragon.

If you don't care how much you spend initially, and you would like the dynamically "roundest" tires available, and you value a little extra ride quality along with your handling, that original European Michelin MXM's true modern descendent, the "Primacy HP" is sublime. It's what I would by with my own money despite it's eye-watering price.

Those are my picks based on personal experience: Continental EC DW if I care what it costs, Michelin Primacy HP if I do not.

Obviously there may be other good picks that I simply haven't experienced. I have experienced a lot of terrible ones and I am not mentioning any of those. Overall I would avoid any all season tire unless I knew I was going to get caught in the snow or ice, and if you are going to get caught in the snow or ice in your 500E, I know it isn't nice to even think, much less say, but I actually do hope you get stuck...

Be extremely careful reading online tire reviews. If you read enough of them you will notice that the pattern tends to be the cheaper the tire the better the reviews. This is because people like to think they got a "deal". They usually didn't. There are almost no "bargains" in tires for these cars, The Conti that I mentioned is one of the extremely rare exceptions.

 

[gerryvz]

I'm running the Conti DW on the rear of my SEC and I **LOVE** them.

 

[gsxr]

I have the Conti DW on three of the 036's right now, so far I have been impressed with them. I have Conti DWS (all-season version) on the wife's daily driver.

They are all at 70-90% tread depth, so check back with me in a few more years to see if they behave down to the wear bars. I've had a couple of previous tires which started out great but became terrible as they wore... IIRC, the Pirelli P7000 S/S were one of those, good when fresh, but awful (loud and slippery) near the end. That was around 14 years ago though. I too would probably buy Michelins if I were independently wealthy. Until then, I'll be spooning on the Contis, until something better comes along. Doesn't help that the Pilot S/S are not available in some of the sizes we want/need.

 

[Klink]

I have the Conti DW on three of the 036's right now, so far I have been impressed with them. I have Conti DWS (all-season version) on the wife's daily driver.

They are all at 70-90% tread depth, so check back with me in a few more years to see if they behave down to the wear bars. I've had a couple of previous tires which started out great but became terrible as they wore... IIRC, the Pirelli P7000 S/S were one of those, good when fresh, but awful (loud and slippery) near the end. That was around 14 years ago though. I too would probably buy Michelins if I were independently wealthy. Until then, I'll be spooning on the Contis, until something better comes along. Doesn't help that the Pilot S/S are not available in some of the sizes we want/need.

I have experienced both the DW and DWS until worn out and neither one got unbearably noisy or frighteningly slippery as so many do. Holy cow, your experience was par for the course with the P7000 SS. We actually had them as OEM on late 210 V8s After about 70% worn they were horrible. And of course being directional, there was little you could do to mitigate the noise formation. That's something I left out of my post. I would avoid any directional tires. They are almost always developing some kind of noise or wear issue. I have no trouble with asymmetrical tires.

Keep the rubber side down! ("RSD" = GSXR traction control!)

 

[alabbasi]

I have experienced both the DW and DWS until worn out and neither one got unbearably noisy or frighteningly slippery as so many do. Holy cow, your experience was par for the course with the P7000 SS. We actually had them as OEM on late 210 V8s After about 70% worn they were horrible. A)

Funny, I put continentals on my first 6.9 when I bought it (215/70/14) and they never failed to send me arse backwards at least once every time it rained in Atlanta. They really put me off the brand.

 

[Maui]

I have DWS on my SL and 500E. So far I have no complaints.

 

[J. M. van Swaay]

Thanks for all the comments!

Ordered the Continental Extreme Contact DW, should have them installed next week.

Turns out my two other 124's will need tires soon as well, size is 195 65 R15. Any recommendations for this size?

J. M. van Swaay

 

[jeff0093]

Conti DW over Michelin Super Sports? Wait what size were we talking about again? The BFG Sport Comp 2 is a great tires also if you are on a budget.

 

[KarlC]

I'm running the Conti DW on the rear of my SEC and I **LOVE** them.

I have the Conti DW on three of the 036's right now, so far I have been impressed with them. I have Conti DWS (all-season version) on the wife's daily driver.

+1 Got them on mine

Glen has been saying this for years, the Conti DW are great and on the light weight side also !

 

[Klink]

Conti DW over Michelin Super Sports? Wait what size were we talking about again? The BFG Sport Comp 2 is a great tires also if you are on a budget.

He is running the original 225 55 16.

 

[jhodg5ck]

IME experience, Michelin is consistently the roundest manufacture out there.

The super sports for the EVO II wheels aren't bad...around 200/per. Based on their performance window on the E55 these tires will handle Everything an 500E can throw @ them. They remind me of an R compound tire from 10 years ago....the only limiting factor is how much harder are you willing to push the pedal through what ever corner you're presently navigating..;-)

Now if you're running a Really wide rear, ie 9+ then you are SOL on the Super Sport...I haven't played with/found a tire I really LOVE on the Wide setup, but once I do I'll chime in!

jono

 

[TRAKCAR]

I like SS on our 2011 BMW 535I with 19" and 2011 911RS, but for my daily driver CL550 I went Continental DW because its softer side wall and quieter.
I think I will put the same on the 500E as well, the loudest thing on the car is the tires now that I fixed all the rattles.

Continentals are also a bit cheaper in the AMG Monoblock size: Tire Size Front: 245/40-18 | Tire Size Rear: 275/35-18 $688.00 On Tire rack

 

[Hollybrook]

I think the Toyo T1 Sports are overall better than the Conti DW for about the same price. The Super Sports are nicer just about all over, but at a premium price.

It would be fun to have all three on the same car the same day and get to run them hard in differing conditions. Where do I sign up to do tire tests!

 

[vatc5637]

The PO of my car put Bridgestone RE760 Sport tires (summer) on the OE rims. I have had no issues with them, comfortable ride, grippy in the dry, composed in the wet, plus not unusually noisy. IIRC price for stock 16" size was very reasonable, around $115/ea.

 

[richardhilton590]

Based from the number of tires I bought all these years, I could say that the best tires are bought from Michelin. Continental Extreme Contact DW seems like a good choice too. How's your driving experience with it, so far?

 

[Hollybrook]

Every major tire manufacturer has multiple grades of tires. The absolute worst tires I have ever owned were Michelins. After replacing a couple of them under warranty, I just gave up and went to another brand.

I have also had some really great Michelins. The bottom line is that you have to look at the individual fitment and select the best tire for your needs, not just what someone else tells you is the best tire of the day.

While I have never raced on Toyos (I was sponsored by Hoosier), I have had the T1's on a number of high performance street cars that saw some track time, and they have worked well for my aggressive driving style. So far, I am quite impressed with their performance on my 500E with a staggered setup, though I have yet to take them on the racecourse.

 

[gerryvz]

We had some MAJOR rain here in Houston last week, and my Conti ExtremeContact DWs on the rear of my SEC (despite the short 3.07 gearing and no ASR) did a wonderful job of staying planted and not skidding/peeling out. These tires continue to impress me and I believe I would consider them as "next tires" for my E500.

 

[texas993]

I recently put the Conti Extremecontact DW on my '85 911. Cheap and a very nice tire.

 

[gsxr]

We had some MAJOR rain here in Houston last week, and my Conti ExtremeContact DWs.

Is that DW (plural) or DWS (different tire)?

Although I like the tires (both of 'em), someone at Conti marketing needs to be

 

[gerryvz]

Sorry for the confusion, I have the Conti ExtremeContact DW tire on my SEC.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ExtremeContact+DW

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=MP


NOT the ExtremeContact DWS.

 

[texas993]

DWS have some ugly tread. I am anal enough to prefer an "attractive" tread pattern.

I recently saw a Hummer with flame tread. Making an already lame vehicle more so.

 

[cole67]

I'm on my second set of DW on the 500E and have been impressed with traction and wear. Little noisy toward the end of their useful life but overall it's a great tire.

 

[Maui]

DWS have some ugly tread. I am anal enough to prefer an "attractive" tread pattern.

I recently saw a Hummer with flame tread. Making an already lame vehicle more so.

I like the tread on the DWS and they work quite well up here in the PNW. I'm going to try Michelin on my wagon just for a change of pace.

 

[texas993]

I like the tread on the DWS and they work quite well up here in the PNW. I'm going to try Michelin on my wagon just for a change of pace.

Oops! I just that is the only thing we disagree on!

 

[jhodg5ck]

You'll love the Michelin...
I've got them on damn near everything and they Never cease to Impress.

Even the track car runs Pilot Sport Cups...They tolerate 3500lbs admirably well!

Jono

 

[Trae]

Just put Michelin Primacy HPs on the 93'.

We live on twisty back roads, but also have lots of freeways.

The Michelin Primacy HPs are much better tires in all circumstances than my Continental DWSs. (So far.)

I'll let you know more after 30k mi.

Set of four was $833 out the door.

 

[jhodg5ck]

Just put Michelin Primacy HPs on the 93'.

We live on twisty back roads, but also have lots of freeways.

The Michelin Primacy HPs are much better tires in all circumstances than my Continental DWSs. (So far.)

I'll let you know more after 30k mi.

Set of four was $833 out the door.

Rock! Glad they are working out for you...! Next time when you have some 17's or 18's that need rubber spoon some Super Sports on there and you're going to love those twisties yet again!

Jono

 

[Klink]

Just put Michelin Primacy HPs on the 93'.

We live on twisty back roads, but also have lots of freeways.

The Michelin Primacy HPs are much better tires in all circumstances than my Continental DWSs. (So far.)

I'll let you know more after 30k mi.

Set of four was $833 out the door.

LOL, you aren't going to get 30K miles on those unless you drive like Grandma Moses! Those have actual tire tread rubber on them, not diamond! Life is too short to spend on the same set of tires. Still, I know you're going to love them, you just aren't going to love them quite that long...

 

[Klink]

Rock! Glad they are working out for you...! Next time when you have some 17's or 18's that need rubber spoon some Super Sports on there and you're going to love those twisties yet again!

Jono

So true, that!

 

[gerryvz]

How do people feel about Continental DWS vs. DW ?!?

 

[oaklandw124]

Just put Michelin Primacy HPs on the 93'.

We live on twisty back roads, but also have lots of freeways.

The Michelin Primacy HPs are much better tires in all circumstances than my Continental DWSs. (So far.)



I'll let you know more after 30k mi.

Set of four was $833 out the door.

I have them on my 93 as well with EVO II rims. Great tire!

 

[gsxr]

How do people feel about Continental DWS vs. DW ?!?

If you occasionally drive on snow: DWS
If not: DW

 

[Trae]

The Contis were a great tires, but I cannot get over the difference in ride and handling of the Primacy HPs.

I am like a kid with a new pair of shoes. . . I like them that much, even if they don't last as long as the Contis.

 

[gerryvz]

High Praise - Thanks Trae !!

 

[gsxr]

The Contis were a great tires, but I cannot get over the difference in ride and handling of the Primacy HPs.

I am like a kid with a new pair of shoes. . . I like them that much, even if they don't last as long as the Contis.

The trick is remembering how the Contis performed when new. It's not entirely fair comparing any new tire to an old tire on the wear bars. That said, I'd expect the Michelins probably still have the edge comparing new vs new. If I could afford 'em, I'd likely have Michelins on all my cars. The root cause of the problem is too many cars...

 

[Hollybrook]

The root cause of the problem is too many cars...

I never thought of that as a problem!

 

[Klink]

The root cause of the problem is too many cars...

LOL, been there, still am...

 

[jhodg5ck]

I never thought of that as a problem!

I've been told its a sickness....but best I can tell it's genetic....!


Either way, I fully embrace my base pair induced proclivity for multiple automobiles...

Jono

 

[Stevester 500E]

It's a genetic predisposition to the sickness.

I've been told its a sickness....but best I can tell it's genetic....!


Either way, I fully embrace my base pair induced proclivity for multiple automobiles...

Jono

 

[Trae]

This board is, at least, partly responsible for the spread of the disease!