I'm putting 17" AMG Aero II on my 400E and trying to decide which tire to use. I like the looks of the more aggressive treads, but am unsure of the performance issues. I'm trying to decide between the P7000, the HTR Z II (your recommended tire with the 18" AMG) and the S-02. Is it all a matter of style, or is there an appreciable performance difference? How is this tire in braking and summer rain? I won't be racing, but don't want to give up braking performance and wet handling over the current (15") Michelins.

The P7000 is a good high performance tire. I've enjoyed them thus far.

The S-02 is another great tire. Naturally, the S-02 Pole Position would be the ultimate -- it has a special layer of rubber in the tire so that as it wears down, the tire will still perform like new. These are expense.

Check out Tirerack's reports on these tires. I hope this helps.

Eric

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'00 E430 w/ Solaris H-7's
Brabus 19'' Monoblock V, 2 piece
H&R Sport Springs

'99 SLK230 Sport

The tires that you have mentioned, which all have some good points, are pretty hard to compare. The SO-2 Pole Position is a maximum performance tire while the P7000 and HTRZ II are a class of tire a little bit lower. The SO-2 is the best tire available at this time. While the other 2 do have some caost benefits they can not perform as well as the SO-2.



Another tire you might want to consider is the Sport 9000 from Dunlop. It has a 280 tread wear rating, which is very high for a maximum performance tire, and a "AA" wet traction rating. It also has very nice ride characteristics.



I hope this helps
Luke


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Luke Pavlick
Performance Specialist (ASE Certified Master Tech)
The Tire Rack
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I'll put in a good word for the S-02's. Have a set on the C36 (for about 10K miles now) and they are most impressive. Especially in the wet. Though I have not actually tested it with the GTech yet, it feels as if there is very little (if any!?) grip lost to wet conditions. Have yet to have them really hydroplane on me even in the worst ATL rain. They are much quieter and more comfortable (even at 32/34+psi F/R) than the OEM Bridgestones. Dry grip is very progressive and easy to read. I don't know how the overall grip compares to the Pilot Sport but it is more than acceptable as-is. Treadlife seems to be doing pretty well. On the non-rotateable C36 the tires will probably last 20K miles provided I don't kill the hell out of them at the dragstrip. My only complaint is that the handling feel of the steering wheel is much lighter/less effort than the OEM Bridgestone SO1's. (feels like there is more power steering boost) Since that is a pretty objective and personal opinion I can't really "fault" the tire for it. Cost no object I'd definitly recommend the S-02 PP's or the Pilot Sports. If you want something that is one notch down on the handling scale and one notch up the comfy/quiet scale go with the SP9000.

Hope this helps....Lee

PS Stay away from the P7000's, having talked with people who have owned them its about a 10:1 ratio of negative comments to positive ones. There are too many better alternatives...