500E gang, what road tyres are you using?
 

Hi All,
Just wondering what tyres y'all are using. I am considering Michelin Pilot Sports and Bridgestone S03s.
Also, someone had posted that the S03s seem to be undersized in 245/45/17, compared to the Pilots.
Any further insights to this?
farrukh

Check my siggie.

Michelins, particularly the Pilot Sports, tend to have nice square shoulders and therefore are a nice and wide 245, whereas pirellis tend to be a bit narrow.

I can't say much about the Bridgestones since i haven't used them. I just find them too pricey and from what i've heard, too soft for the kind of driving i do. I don't track the cars and therefore don't need the super sticky stuff.

I currently have the Bridgestone SO2 Pole Positions 225/55-16, which work extremely well. The ASR only comes on when I stomp on it in a corner or from a dead stand still going up an incline.

They are stiff and wear has been excellent so far (13K So Far).

Unfortunately I think they are no longer available and the SO3 has replaced them. Although I did find them last week at Sears for $358 a tire (245/40-18) :eek:

My car doesn't see track time, mainly highway and two lane back roads. Keep us posted when you've decided.

Road & wet track: Michelin MXX3 - LOVE them
Dry track - Toyo RA-1

I'm having Bridgestone SO 3's put on next Monday. I also havew 245/45/17 wheels. Had not heard anything about their being too narrow. I had so much conflicting info about which tires to buy that I just made a decision to go with what everyone agrees seem to be very good tires.
Tom

BFG KDWS 245/50WR16 on stock wheels (16x8)for everyday driving.

Falken ZE-502 ZIEX 235/45ZR17 front, 275/40ZR17, rear on AMG 3-piece wheels (17x8.5 & 17x9.5) (these tires came with the wheels- probably Kumho ECSTA MX next time).

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

had a set of pole position so2s, and loved them.
When I went to 18inch wheels though, I got a set of pilot sports, and they seem to be doing ok so far. Only have about 6k miles on them.

Bridgestone S03
 

...by far, the BEST tires I ever have owned/used/rcommended!!!

riding on shaved S-03's

-fad

Well, I went with the Bridgestones S 03's; picked up the car late yesterday afternoon. Quite a bit of difference from the Dunlop SP 9000's. Quieter, a bit stickier. They do look a bit narrower, but that's the least of my criteria.
However, although i had a full alignment done, there was a bit of vibration in the steering wheel at 55+ speeds. They obviously did not balance the tire(s) right. So, its back to the tire shop tomorrow!

Tom

Tom- on a deserted road with no traffic behind you, make some very hard stop (activate ABS).

This will cause the tires to turn on the rim/wheel if there is still lubricant on the bead.

Then get them re-balanced.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

PS: I place a little mark on the tire where it matches the hole for the valve stem. That way, when I see the mark not in alignment, esp. after spirited driving or track days, it's time to get the tires re-balanced (and probably swapped!).

Neil,
Thanks for the tip. Will do!

Tom

Although I have not had a chance to get my tires re-balanced (Monday), I just wanted to say more about the Bridgestone S 03s 245/45/17. They are GREAT! So much better than the Dunlop SP 9000s. They do look a little narrower, however.
I've never noticed such a difference in tires before. Stickier, much quieter, feels much safer.

Tom

NITTO NT-555: 235/35/19 Front, 265/30/19 Rear.

greetings,
Mr. Banana

Bridgestone SO-3's in 245/45-17, on EVO-II rims. Very smooth, very true, very little balance weight needed. I've run them about 8,000 miles with no appreciable wear. I haven't gotten close to their limit yet. I would buy them again, or try Michelin Pilot Sports. Are the Michelins quieter than the Bridgestones?