Looking for quieter tires for 500E - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tom woolner · #1 10-01-2002, 12:08 AM

My trusty steed is currently shod with Dunlop SP 9000's on 17" AMG wheels. They are a bit too noisy for my taste. Any suggestions for a good compromise of handling and quietness?

Tom

zrusny · #2 10-01-2002, 08:16 AM

Tom: I have the Michelin Pilot Sports and they are wonderful tires. Handling is excellent and they are quiet. I've also heard some really good things about the new Goodyear Supercar F1 tires.
Gary

Jim's500E · #3 10-01-2002, 08:20 AM

Tom...I recently put Sumitomo HTR-ZIIs on my 17"s...I think they ride great, are relatively light,are very quiet and dry handling is good enough so far...although in the wet they aren't top notch but that's OK since most high performance tires have much to desire in the rain...price was unbeatable , around $100 each. Check em' out and the reviews people gave them at the Tire Rack.

ke6dcj · #4 10-01-2002, 02:09 PM

BF Goodrich KDWS G-Force on the stock wheels have been great for the street. Quiet and strong.

They are a "W" rated all-season tire with a wear-rating of 400. They resist hydroplaning (I'm running 245's) and wear evenly and well for such a heavy & powerful car.

I keep the stickier tires on 17-inch rims for special occassions . . .

BTW- the KDWS is *very* different than the KDW.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

Willie · #5 10-01-2002, 03:17 PM

When you say the KDW is very different from KDWS, can you pls clarify? I've evaluating them along with the new Yoke ES100.

ke6dcj · #6 10-01-2002, 04:38 PM

The "KDWS" is an ultra-high performance all-season (D)ry, (W)et, and (S)now, "W" rated tire with mud & snow "M&S" ratings and wear rating of "400" against other BFG tires. Its tread blocks are balanced to provide "bite" into snow while pumping water out, and still provide good dry grip.

The "KDW" is an ultra-high performance (D)ry and (W)et radial with a wear rating in between 200-280. The tread block is a balance for pumping water-out and dry weather.

The "KD" is an ultra-high performance (D)ry only radial with a wear rating between 150-220. This tread block is ONLY for dry weather and will hydroplane when wet.

As an everday daily tire, the "KDWS" is will wear upto 2X LESS than a "KD" or "KDWS" tire.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

Michael · #7 10-01-2002, 04:43 PM

Michelin Pilots are real quiet, as are the older MXX3s.

Willie · #8 10-01-2002, 04:45 PM

Thanks Neil...btw, the new issue of Grassroots Motorsports has their annual tire test. The KD is highly rated.

aldedmon · #9 10-01-2002, 04:54 PM

Its a new tire that (unfortunately wont be oficially out for another quarter) is supposed to offer performance and be really quiet. I had a write up on it, but somehow deleted it. I have an email off to the good folks at Kumho requesting that they resend me the info. The KH11 is not even on their web site yet its so new

ke6dcj · #10 10-01-2002, 05:04 PM

Anyone heard anything about the performance of the Kumho ECSTA "MX" line of tires? Looks like a Bridgestone SO-3 copy.

BTW- here's a picture of the Kumho KH11 from Romania, and a review from Kumho's Eurpoean division. Looks like an evolved Yokohama A008.

http://www.kumho-euro.com/news/

:-) neil

need2speed · #11 10-05-2002, 02:08 PM

Do the math: Michelin + expensive / quiet = worth it? Answer: you bet!

Cheers,

c43amg · #12 10-07-2002, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jim's500E
Tom...I recently put Sumitomo HTR-ZIIs on my 17"s...I think they ride great, are relatively light,are very quiet and dry handling is good enough so far...although in the wet they aren't top notch but that's OK since most high performance tires have much to desire in the rain...price was unbeatable , around $100 each. Check em' out and the reviews people gave them at the Tire Rack.

I have the HTR-ZIIs on my C43 AMG and have been very happy with them (replaced Michelin Pilot Sports) -- I thought that they are better in the rain than the Michelins (esp after 10,000 miles or so, where Michelins seemed "light" during heavy rain) but gave up a little bit at the edge of the envelope dry performance. All in all, well worth the price differential. Not available in all wheel sizes.

If quietness is the dominant criteria, I would suggest that you look at the Yokohama AVS Db -- $100 per tire at TireRack in 500E stock 225/55-16 size with "W" rating. We are using the Db on an '88 420SEL and the tire handles the weight very well and is remarkably quiet.

#13 10-07-2002, 10:52 PM

The Kumho ECSTA Supra 712's are very quiet, but they are not as good a handling tire as the Michelin Pilot Sports I am coming from. Not sure how they would compare with the Dunlops?

run.exe · #14 10-09-2002, 10:29 PM

I swear by (not at) my 245/40YR-18 Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position tires.

To each his/her own; however, I LOVE THE SHIITE out of them!!!