Performance Tires for C230 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rmasteller · #1 03-21-2008, 02:30 PM

Hello. I just purchased this car a few months ago and I'm ready for the racing to start!

2006 C230
2.5 liter V-6
6-speed manual transmission
No sunroof (head room for helmet)

I have an extra set of stock size wheels (actually, from a 2007 C230 sport sedan) and I want to put performance tires on them for MBCA autocross and track events. I think I'll start the season at Summit Point on April 7.
http://www.gws-mbca.org/SummitPoint040708.html

Even though I started driving in MBCA events in 2005 and have particpated in about 8 autocross and 2 track events, I still consider myself a novice. So, what I'm looking for is advice on tires. I've been researching at www.tirerack.com and, of the products they sell, I've narrowed it down to 4 possibilities:

Extreme Performance Summer Tires
Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R ($728) - http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Potenza+RE-01R
Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD07 ($876) - http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=ADVAN+Neova+AD07

Track & Competition DOT Tires
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup ($988) - http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Sport+Cup
Yokohama ADVAN A048 ($1,010) - http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=ADVAN+A048

Question One: Which catagory of tire?
- As a novice, I can't even decide on a catagory.
- I don't want to spend $1,000 every summer on tires. If I drive in 3 track days and 5 autocrosses in a year, will the Competition catagory tires last?
- How much longer will the Extreme Summer tires last? I know the wear ratings, I'm looking for personal experiences.
- How extreme is the performance differences between the catagories? Are Competition grade tires worth the 25% price increase and reduced tread wear?

Question Two: Which tire within each catagory?
- If you had to pick a tire from each catagory, which would you choose and why?

Question Three: Do you have a favorite tire not listed here?
- Tire Rack's brands are limited. Do you like using some other brand or model tire?

Thanks for the help. I would like to call Tire Rack on Monday 3/24, so quick responses are greatly appreciated!!

I hope to see you out on the track this year; in my rear view mirror!! :p

manny · #2 03-21-2008, 04:01 PM

Does this help you:
which tires are best ???? Updated 3-22-2012

rmasteller · #3 03-22-2008, 12:28 AM

Manny,

Hi. Yes, I saw that. That's Tire Rack's opinion and it can be misleading.

First, they don't rate the Track/Competition tires on that thread. But, these ratings are just a copy of what's on their site. Let's talk "Extreme Performance" catagory. Here's their tests:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/chartDisplay.jsp?ttid=100

You can see that the Yoko wins over the Bridgestone on all performance catagories (except a very slight defeat in "handling predictability") in both the on-road and on-track tests, yet the comfort catagories bring the Bridgestone up to their #1 rating. Looking at these charts, I would put the Yoko at #1 for a track tire.

Second, I was asking for people's personal experiences who have used the tires. I'm hoping to get some first-hand feedback from owners.

Third, I'm trying to evaluate that difficult cost v. performance v. durability (tread life) equation and would like people's opinions on that. Should I spend the extra 15% - 25% on true track tires, get great safety and performance, yet have them last half as long?

Finally, Tire Rack doesn't sell every brand made. I thought someone might be able to toss another variable into the equation.

Thanks.

Luke@tirerack · #4 03-22-2008, 09:18 AM

as a novice many groups will not allow you to run with R-compound tires so, that leaves us with the extreme performance catagory.

Looking at that catagory and knowing you are a novice I would suggest the RE01R as it is very progressive when reaching its limits and rather forgiving when pushed to hard. Also as a novice you will probably be very abusive to the tires, most are, so the lower cost is also a benefit

rmasteller · #5 03-23-2008, 12:27 AM

Luke,

Thanks for the common sense feed back. That's exactly what I was looking for. An experienced driver will be smoother and get some more miles out of the tires.

Can you talk more about the Brigestone v. Yokohama differences? The Yoko wins in the Tire Rack testing when you only look at the performance tests. (see my link above).

Reading the user reviews on Tire Rack's site, I couldn't find one review saying the Yoko's were bad, but a few reviews on the Bridgestones said they had sidewall problems and a couple other little things. A vast majority of people loved them, though not 100%. Has anyone had problems with these high performance Bridgestones?

Also, since these tires are in a more agressive catagory than the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's that I used on my last car, how would they compare to those? I know they won't work in the rain as well, but on a dry track how should the "seat of the pants" experience change in braking and cornering?

And since I will be using them for both autocross and track days, does that make any one tire choice stand out above another?

I don't think our club has any rules about tires, it's pretty much drive what you got. You're probably thinking along the lines of SCCA autocross or something more official/regulated.

Thanks,