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  #16  
Old 02-25-2001, 09:39 PM
ymsin's Avatar
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Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Malaysia
Posts: 1,645
I had a Dunlop SP9000 fitted in the W126 and regretted that decision because:
1. it lasted for only about 5,500 miles on it before I had it all changed to my present Michellin Energy;
2. the noise was good when new but loud when it touched its first 1,000 miles;
3. it couldnt support the weight of the W126 and thus developed hairline cracks around the base rim;
4. very sensitive to balancing, therefore running at 160 km/p was a nerve wrecker with all the wobbles;
5. it never gave me any real confidence; and
6. the W126 floated when driven through water patches.

I had Bridgestone fitted in before this change, but decided not to try it out again after the front left tyre exploding for no apparent reason ...

(Am lucky to share this experience as the tyre gave way at about 160 km/p).

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  #17  
Old 02-26-2001, 01:48 AM
Lim Lim is offline
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ymsin

Are you sure you were using Dunlop SP9000 and not other Dunlop series, e.g. LM701 or LM901 or Simex 9000? What tires size were you using on your 300SE with the SP9000? Most W126 in Malaysia are using 205/65/15 and I think that size is not available in SP9000 line in Malaysia.

I have recently enquired for 205/60/15 Dunlop SP9000, and was told by the Dunlop dealer that the Dunlop has not imported those 15" and 16" at this moment, and only sizes available are those in 17" and 18".

Cheers
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  #18  
Old 02-26-2001, 02:10 AM
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Lim

Hi Lim - Yes, am sure. Its SP9000. Got it last year from a dealer in Klang on the 3rd day of CNY (?) I think it was. It was on a 205-65-15. If I remember correctly, the tyres costed me RM190ea.



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  #19  
Old 02-26-2001, 06:27 AM
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Location: Singapore
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I was down at a tire shop in Singapore lately and the dealer recommended me the Dunlop SP9000 Sport for my impending 18inch rims (I'm also driving a W126). Have read reviews in car magazines also about the SP9000, and it doesnt seem to be that bad. In fact, some rated it as a above average tire, especially if you want a decent level of performance coupled with comfort.

Had a friend's friend who once tried the Bridgestone S-02 Pole Position, and the noise level became so increasingly unbearable that he later changed the rubbers. Anyone had positive experiences with the S-02?

The SP9000 in 18 inch costs about $340 each (approx. US$200) in Singapore. Will that be cheaper in Malaysia?

Mervyn
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  #20  
Old 02-26-2001, 06:50 AM
ymsin's Avatar
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Join Date: Feb 2001
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Yes, I remember reading about the tyres' performance in the Auto mag. sometime last year. Showed the article to my Rubber Uncle (who thinks nothing but Michellin) and trying to be smart with "Where's Michellin?".

I pointed out to him that the SP9000 wasnt that bad .. "look", pointing to the article. My 300se was fitted with sp9000 then.

It was certainly a glossly article. "They must have paid the magazine well", my uncle said.

Anyway, I think the SP9000 would cost about the same here, so you'd save on the exchange rate. Dunlop is, after all, made in PJ.

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  #21  
Old 02-26-2001, 10:49 AM
Lim Lim is offline
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Mervyn

I guess the tires will be cheaper in Malaysia than in Singapore, due to the exchange rate. In the good old days, tires were much cheaper in Singapore than in Malaysia, even for those Malaysian tires (due to excise taxes)

ymsin

If you claim your Dunlop SP9000 were made by Dunlop in PJ, I am pretty sure they were not Dunlop SP9000. Most probably you were using SIMEX. Dunlop SP9000 are imported Japanese tires. Sumitomo owns Dunlop, and most of their performance tires are Japanese made.

Cheers

Lim
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  #22  
Old 02-26-2001, 11:20 AM
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The Dunlop SP9000 (235 40 18) that I have is definitely made in Japan.
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2000 E430 Sport (European Delivery)
Brilliant Silver/Ash Leather
Brabus Leather/Wood Sport Steering Wheel
PowerChip
Euro Front Bumper Strips, Debadged
E55 "Carbon Fiber" Door Pillar Trim
E55 Tail lights
E55 AMG/Bilstein Shocks
Eibach Springs, #1 Pads
H & R Sway Bars
Speed Yellow Calipers
18" x 8" SSR Integral Wheels
245/40ZR 18 Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Tires

1986 Porsche 944 Turbo
88K miles
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  #23  
Old 02-26-2001, 12:20 PM
Eric
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SP9000

I spent some time in Malaysia a few years ago and remember imported tires are quite expensive there.

I bet YM Sin's SP9000 are not the same SP9000 as we have here in North America, either they're manufactured in Malaysia or just different tires with the same name.

The SP9000 we see outside of Malaysia doesn't come in the 205-65-15 size and cannot be that cheap. RM190 = US$50.

I have been quite happy with my SP9000, especially in the rain.
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  #24  
Old 02-26-2001, 07:28 PM
ymsin's Avatar
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Join Date: Feb 2001
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Tyres in Malaysia

Tyres in Malaysia are comparatively cheap IF manufactured locally. However, the imported ones, i.e. Michellin, Conti, etc .. are more expensive because of tarrifs. These tyres would cost much cheaper in Singapore.

Lim - I am very sure its SP9000 coz I asked my colleague whether its a good tyre to change and he said to go for it. I called him yesterday to confirm and he did ... strange aint it? Anyway, it was an experience. Perhaps it was imported?

Best wishes for a wonderful Tuesday, Lim ... going to the movies? (Its cheaper on Tuesday I think .. )
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  #25  
Old 02-26-2001, 11:54 PM
Eric
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locally manufactured SP9000 from Malaysia

I guess you get what you pay for, US$50 is less than half what the retail price of a regular SP9000 we see so I suppose they may well be different?
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  #26  
Old 02-27-2001, 07:46 PM
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Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
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I had VERY bad luck trying to fit Dunlop SP9000's to my E430. I had two specific problems with these tires that my Benz experienced shop said are quite typical.

First, I could not bring the tires into balance. Examination showed visibile out of round on several tires. Tire Rack replaced them, but the replacements were worse.

Second, my car tracked quite poorly with these tires.. tried several pressures. It would always drift off the crown of the road, and would not track properly at speed. Despite proper alignment, steering had very poor on center feel.

I had bought the SP9000s anticipating better wear than Pilot Sports.... but it was a mistake.

Solution was dumpin' 'em for Pilots, in my case XGT-Z4 not Pilot Sports. These are not the same performance level as Pilot Sports, but I am extremely pleased and they wear well. Both problems stated above went away immediately with the Michelins.

Now a firm believer in (as one member said...) "There are two choices of tire for this car "Michelin and Mistake".

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'99 E430 - Smoke 'n Parch
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  #27  
Old 02-27-2001, 09:45 PM
ymsin's Avatar
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Join Date: Feb 2001
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Yes Parker - balancing was a BIG problem for the 300se. In the end, it was fitted with Michellin and since then, its been good balancing ever after.
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126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.
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  #28  
Old 02-28-2001, 09:36 AM
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Location: Music City
Posts: 167
Out of round and hard to balance, eh? I would be interested to know what Tire Rack said about it when they replaced them. They are really pushing the SP9000 for my application. Did you have any trouble getting them to replace them?

What size are you running on your E430?

THANKS!
__________________
2000 E430 Sport (European Delivery)
Brilliant Silver/Ash Leather
Brabus Leather/Wood Sport Steering Wheel
PowerChip
Euro Front Bumper Strips, Debadged
E55 "Carbon Fiber" Door Pillar Trim
E55 Tail lights
E55 AMG/Bilstein Shocks
Eibach Springs, #1 Pads
H & R Sway Bars
Speed Yellow Calipers
18" x 8" SSR Integral Wheels
245/40ZR 18 Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Tires

1986 Porsche 944 Turbo
88K miles
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  #29  
Old 02-28-2001, 08:42 PM
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Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
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I bought a wheel and tire package from Tire Rack. They pushed the Dunlops for my application as well, when I desired better than normal wear, rain performance, better turn in, etc... while willing to sacrifice ultimate performance for the tradeoffs above.

The tires are just plus 1, 235/45 17's, ("sport" size).

On first mounting, Tire Rack says no problem, we will replace the defective... nice service except for remount and balance hassle. Costs a week and a minor hassle.

On second complaint, I called while the car was literally still on the shop rack after being diagnosed. Wheels true, tires bad.

At that point I asked to swap for Michelins. Tire Rack says no problem, just ship the Dunlops back... I of course did not want to remount my OEMs, send the Dunlops back, wait for Michelins, schedule appt, etc... so I asked for a cash refund on tires only. Tire Rack refused, yada yada yada. )The tires had approximately 10 miles on 'em.)

At that point (a tad frustrated, ahem), I explained to a Tire Rack manager that they had a clear choice. Either accept a return of tires alone for cash refund, or I would ship the entire package with wheels back and dispute the entire bill thru my credit card company. Tire Rack then "suddenly" agreed to the refund.

During this long dialog with the TR on my cell, my shop was calmly mounting new Michelins bought on the spot which have been PERFECT.

I don't mean to complain about Tire Rack, I think they did the best they can... given mail order.. and given the amount of returns that must be asked for -- they need a policy of sorts. I did not talk to Luke, probably should have.

At the end of the day, though, it's nice to be able to talk to your shop in person. Donnie turned me on to this shop, it's called Perfect Performance in Roswell, GA -- they do lots of MB tire and wheel work. Highly recommended.

BTW, the OZ Opera wheels with MB "star" caps have a subtle look and get lots of compliments. The tires are wearing great.
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'99 E430 - Smoke 'n Parch
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  #30  
Old 04-16-2001, 05:10 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Music City
Posts: 167
Would like to thank all of you who gave me some tire advice. Finally, got a set of 245 40ZR 18 Dunlop SP9000s mounted on 8" SSR Integral alloys. Everything looks and performs well. No problems. Thanks Luke and Tire Rack also.

__________________
2000 E430 Sport (European Delivery)
Brilliant Silver/Ash Leather
Brabus Leather/Wood Sport Steering Wheel
PowerChip
Euro Front Bumper Strips, Debadged
E55 "Carbon Fiber" Door Pillar Trim
E55 Tail lights
E55 AMG/Bilstein Shocks
Eibach Springs, #1 Pads
H & R Sway Bars
Speed Yellow Calipers
18" x 8" SSR Integral Wheels
245/40ZR 18 Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Tires

1986 Porsche 944 Turbo
88K miles
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