SL500 new tire suggestions?

[spinedoc]

1996 SL500 looking for new tires. Originally bought Michellin Pilot Sport (not the A/S) for a staggered AMG setup. Was VERY happy with the ride. But after 24k miles of easy driving (no peeling/cornering) the tires are shot with belts showing, I will never buy Michellin again.

Anyone have any good luck with any particular tire? I would prefer a summer performance tire, but will consider an all season performance tire if I am not giving up too much. Rain handling is very important, but snow handling is not an issue since I have a truck.

[G-Benz]

I just replaced my OE Michelins with some Fuldas. They are a directional tread, so not much leeway with routine tire rotations.

Rides a bit harsher than the Michelins, and since they are only a few months old, I can't comment on wear...but I started seeing the radial belts showing through the Michelins after 40K miles.

Michelins are definitely a better tire, but it's hard to justify the premium price. For the light-use-grocery-getting-kind-of driving my wife does, it wasn't worth the expense.

[spinedoc]

Just got off the phone with Tirerack, ordered their new Michellin Pilot Sport A/S. I guess my Michelins were actually only rated at 20k, sheesh what was I thinking last year. The A/S are rated 35-40k, much better, and dont give up much in grip. My old ones were slipping quite a bit in the rain, so hopefully the A/S will be better.

[speace]

Doc,

I read somewhere on this board that MB had published a bulletin warning that they did not support the Pilot A/S because the tread design affected the handling.

Doews anyone else recall reading that?

[jjrodger]

The best tyres I had on mine were the original fit Michelin Pilot MXX3, closely followed by the Pilot Sports I replaced them with. In my experience Michelin tyres have always been better than the other brands, albeit they are more expensive and sometime wear out sooner. In particular Michelins are less likely to be out of round, or ar less out of round than other brands.

You may find the attached chart useful, too. And here is a TSB from Mercedes apout the Pilot Sport A/S:

Tires - Michelin Pilot Sport A/S(R) Tires Not Approved

Date: January 16, 2004

Order No.: P-B-40.10/43

Supersedes:

Group: 40

SUBJECT:
All Passenger Models Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Tires

Please be advised that the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S (all-season) is not an approved (nor certified) Mercedes-Benz tire for any Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicle. Use of the above mentioned tire can cause vehicle tracking issues which MBUSA will not attempt to correct. MBUSA will not perform warranty wheel alignments on any subject vehicle which has any non-approved wheel/tire package installed. For any question as to approved wheel/tire packages please refer to WIS and EPC.

Note : This should not be mistaken for the Michelin Pilot Sport, which is approved for many Mercedes-Benz applications.

[spinedoc]

Thanx guys, this bulletin was aimed at the older Pilot A/s, tirerack has a new A/S that solves this problem and are acceptable by MB. I really like the traction and ride of the Michellins and hope to get close to that with the A/S. Getting installed right now, and 3 of my rims were bent!!