Once again I have found another tire that tire rack says is comparable to the XGT V4 of Michelin. This Dunlop is brand new and not even in the newest Tire rack ads, but it is on the website, however with no price and size chart for it. In a 205/60/15 it costs $63, compared to $109 for the michelin. The treadwear is 340 on the dunlop and 300 on the michelin, so what do y'all think would handle better, and how much better, the dunlop or the michelin? Thanks!


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Chris
'87 300E

Chris,
I'm aware of the SP5000. Its tread design looks like you cut a SP9000 in half (from the center of the tread) and turned one half the tread backwards. (then cut a bunch of little sipes in it to give it the snow/slush aka "all season" traction) This would keep similar handling on the outside shoulder and allow for unidirectional mounting/rotation. If what I remember reading is correct it sounds like it shares (or is at least loosely based on) the SP9000's internal structure.

Even if it handles just as well as the SP9000 (which may be a bit of a stretch) By what I've read and driven puts the handling of the SP9000 in about the same overall level as the XGT V/Z4. Michelin's UTQG's seem to be a bit more treadlife vs Dunlop's UTQG's. The XGT V4/Z4 is rated at 300, the SP5000 is 340. If you really want treadwear get the XGT H4 that is Michelin UTQG'd at 400. The Pilot XGT H4 also costs significantly less than the Pilot XGT V4/Z4.

It all comes down to what you find most important. The Michelin XGT V4/Z4 is a proven performer with a good track record. (michelin's reputation aside) The Dunlop SP5000 is new and nobody really has much experience with it. The experience people have had with the SP9000 suggests that they are quiet, ride well, but don't win any autocrosses vs other tires in its class. Dunlop is trying to play in the Max performance category with the SP9000 against hardcore tires like the S02, P-Zero, MXX3, Pilot Sport, and AVS Sport. We have yet to see how the SP5000 does, but the SP9000 doesn't quite handle as well as the other tires in its class. It is a slightly more "touring" biased tire. While not a problem and still a good tire, that just isn't "max performance". I'd still say the Michelin is your best choice, but it sounds like the SP5000 is a good 2nd/alternative.

Hope this helps....Lee

Any updates as to your thoughts on the Dunlop sp500? I was considering getting some 225/50/16's for my 400e.
Thanks

I decided to take a risk and go with the Dunlop Sp 5000, and I came out well. They handle great, far better than the Michelin MXV4 I previously had, and they were quite affordable. They are great in rain and are very quiet in speeds in excess of 120 mph. The only thing yet to be seen is how long they will last. But for the price, it should be sufficent. Hope this helps.

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Chris
'87 300E

In our testing the Pilot XGT Z4 against the Dunlop Sport 5000 the tire performed very welll in the snow. I found the Dunlop tire was better in all aspects off snow performance and wet traction but the Michelin was quieter and more comfortable riding when on dry streets. If cost is an issue the sport 5000 is the tire for you. If ride quality is the most important thing to consider you can'y do better than a Michelin

Thanks, Luke


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Luke Pavlick
Performance Specialist (ASE Certified Master Tech)
The Tire Rack
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to visit Tire Rack)

We, at the TireRack, have tested the Dunlop SP5000 vs Michelin Pilot XGT Z4 vs BF Goodrich Comp TA ZR4. You can find the testing results at http://www.tirerack.com/tires/index.html
The first link on the upper right hand side is Tire Testing. Click on that and the third test is the one on the Dunlop SP5000. I hope you find that to be useful.


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Shane Hickey
Performance Specialist
The TireRack
(Click the banner at top of page to visit TireRack)
Shane@tirerack.com

I did a little more reasearch in response to this question and although I personnally felt that the Michelin was a more comfortable tire in ride quality and noise level some of my fellow tirerack personnel felt that the Dunlop was quiter the test results show that the Dunlop is somewhat quiter.
Luke

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Luke Pavlick
Performance Specialist (ASE Certified Master Tech)
The Tire Rack
(click banner at top of the page
to visit Tire Rack)

I have the Dunlop SP5000 in 205/55/15 on my car right now, and they seem to wear better then the Pirelli P6000 Sport Veloces I had on them while handling in wet and dry is much better. The w-speed rating really hold true and you could feel the car corner much better. I haven't tried the Michelins, but knowing the price, I avoided them. I prefer the savings over the michelin tires anyday as long as Dunlop can keep making these in 205/55/15.

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Chirag (Charlie) Patel

99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
93 190E 2.6 w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
2001 C-Class - Maybe

TireRack:

On the Dunlop SP Sport 5000. Why does the 235/50/16 cost so much more?