Any thoughts on either of these tires as replacement for Continentals on 2001 S500?

Try these!

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/uhpas_rd2.htm
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/uhpas.jsp
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/yoko_avs_db.html

I have had really good luck with Michelin Pilot XGT V4s on my Acura and my MB. Conventional wisdom is that MBs love Michelin tires. The only Yokos I owned (don't remember the model) was years ago for my Celica GTS. They worked well, but seemed pretty stiff and very noisey the more they wore.

[Edited by JCE on 06-20-2001 at 02:39 AM]

__________________
John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

There's a set of Michelin Pilots XGT-V4 on the E320 coupe in the pic below (205/55R15). The best tires that I've ever had.

The ride is terrific and handling is superb. Got 12K miles and there's no sign of wear! Never had Yoko tires.

__________________
Regards . . . . JimF
-------------------
'94 S500 Cpe

Visit my Mercedes Web Page

Following a tire failure (over inflation) I put a pair of AVS dB's on the rear of my '92 400e.

I only have about 1k miles on them, but am very impressed at this point. They are clearly quieter than any tire I have ever run on anything. Period. This concerned me at first as I do like to drive the car, drive with a capital "D". I have intentionally broken the rear end loose to find the limits and get a sense of the feel at the upper limits of adhesion. They performed very well and VERY predictably. I had Mich V4's on the car previously. Within the past week I moved them up to the front and the diff over the Mich's is even more apparent. I like this tire a LOT ... and at approx 60% of the cost of the Mich's I like it even more. I can't wait to replace the other 2. Which I think I will do next month, regardless.

One quick comment ... JCE mentioned that MB's seem to love Mich's. While I tend to support the thought, new technologies are at work and we sometimes cheat ourselves out of some nice bennies when we let old comfort levels dictate decisions. I would suggest that proper sizing is a key in this regard. Seems when we hear horror stories it is usually from someone who tried to go lower, wider, softer without the requisite suspension geometry adjustments, etc. to support it.

Mich sort of kept us on the straight and narrow with respect to sizing which may explain some of why the cars love 'em as JCE stated.

I really can't imagine a better tire than the Yoko AVS dB at this point. We'll see how long they last.

TOM400e:
That info on the Yoko is good to know (Yoko oh no? ). The surveys and tests seemed pretty impressive as well. If I go all season next time I may give them a try.

__________________
John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

No doubt here, if your car lives in the real world (comfort, wear noise, weather), there is no comparison. The Yoko is an OK tire, and maybe it is a bit stickier. But the XGT is far superior in the other categories. Buy em.

I read all the reviews, and after some thought decided to go with the Yokos. They're on, and I will report to the foum when I've accumulated a reasonable number of miles. Thanks to all for their opinions, which I found very valuable.

Put michelin XGTZ4's on my SL / never have had any problems and no road noise even with the top down

I have done much reserch (because I am in need of new tires) and have diecied to get the AVS db's because they seem better than any other tire (for my stock rims) in almost every aspect except for tread life. And come on they are so much cheaper. I am going to get some AVS's this week.
Just my 2 cents

__________________
Factory trained Mercedes-Benz Technician
Look At My Website
-2002 C32
(E420 has passed away)
The best way to contat me is e-mail.

TOM400e:
Thank you for sharing your experience with Yokohama AVS DB
on your 400e.

I am looking for a set of tires to replace the Goodyear
Eagle F1 GS-D2 which is the OEM of 2000 E430.
The attributes I am looking for with the replacement tires
are: Low noise, decent handling in dry, good tread wear,
good wet traction is a bonus because it rarely rain in
So Cal.

Comparing AVS DB with Potenza RE730 in size 235/45/17,
I decided to get the AVS DB mainly because of low noise,
because I am tired of road noise from the Eagle F1 GS-D2.

I may try the RE730 next year after this AVS DB.

I just mounted a set of AVS dB's (245/50-16) on my 500E. The ride is fairly plush compared to the MXX3's that I replaced. Much more quiet as well. They don't have the razor sharp turn in of the MXX3, but are still faily responsive - better than the Pirelli 6000's on my wife's car. I haven't driven in the wet but will report after I get some experience.

Thanks for all the suggestions on this forum thread. I am in need of new tires for my 300E and the Yoko Db's were one of the brands I had narrowed it down to. I'm going to go with them. Anyone have an opinion on whether to stay with the stock 15.7 rims or go up to 16"?? What kind of differences can I expect?

Trae,
Per your request, check your email. In a nutshell: you can't go wrong with the Michelins. However, they do cost. If you can't amortize the cost then I'd suggest either the Yoko AVS-db's or the Bridgestone RE950's. (provided we are talking 205/60/15 which is the OE Sportline size for your car) I've always had good luck with Bridgestone tires (as an alternative to Michelin) so I'd probably have to give the nod to the RE950's. On paper the two tires are quite close so go with what feels right to you.

Don't worry to much about rated treadlife. From manufacturer to manufacturer the rated treadlife (UTQG) is simply given a number. It does somewhat apply when comparing tires from the same manufacturer. For example, I go through Bridgestone RE730's (UTQG of 300AA/A) on the C36 faster than their theoretically shorter lived performance top gun Bridgestone S02 Pole Position's (UTQG of 180 AA/A) By the numbers the RE730's should live nearly twice as long but that is not the case. What lasts longer for hard/harder/absolutely nutso use isn't always the same as what lasts longest driving miss daisy. Whether or not that applies to your driving style, well....

Anyhow, once you get your new rims/tires on the 300E, I would recommend two other things at the same time. Go for the "thin" spring pads all around and have the car aligned to factory sportline specs. That will help with the outer shoulder front tire wear and will certainly make any tire you get feel "sportier".

Hope this helps...Lee

Hi All,

I lamented for several weeks the AVS DB vs XGT Z4 vs Pilot Sport issue, when I was looking for new tyres for my E500.

I already had (have) XGT Z4s (205/55-16) fitted on my 95 E320 and so had a good idea of the attributes of these tyres.

On the 500, I wanted a tyre which would optimize handling, noise and comfort since I also use the car as a family tourer. Hence I bought the DBs in 245/45-17

Having owned the AVS DBS for two months now, I can honestly say that they are a wonderful choice for my requirements.
I have summarized my views below


1) AVS discernably quieter than Z4a - no questions about it Yokohma advertises 1DB quieter and although I have forgotten my physics, the XGTs defintely appear to be twice as loud.
2) AVS has superior ride comfort. DB feels almost like a touring tyre
3) XGT seems to have more grip at the limit. AVS seem to slide around a little more. AVS is not less than 90% XGT.
4) XGT definitley feels as if it has a sharper turn in. Note that this is on a wagon which does not have a particularly responsive steering mechanism, when compared to the 500. Hence, the turn in difference could be greater if both tyres were compared on the same wheel/ car.
5) Fact - DB is much newer technology

The DB is some 25% cheaper than the XGT. Its at least 90% as good as the XGT if one were to assess performance across multiple categories.

In hindsight, I would not fit XGT Z4 on a car with anything less than sport suspension. The tyres are too sharp for the stock suspension and ie they go in one direction and the suspension reluctantly follows. Also, they do not match the (IMHO) the overall compliance of the suspension.



Hope this helps a wee bit...
farrukh

I want to put the Yokohama AVS Db on my daughter's '88 420SEL, but it seems that the Db is on national backorder until the end of July or so -- any ideas where I might find four 205/65/15 in the interim? Thanks.