'00 E430 needs another set of tires - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

HTN-E430 · #1 03-13-2003, 02:41 PM

'00 E430 currently has 235-45/17 Toyo Proxes ZR4, the rubber is down to about 3/32", so it will need a set of 4 tires in about 1k miles. I am thinking about 1 size larger 245-45/17, this size is about 0.3" larger in all dimensions compare with OE size, this means the speedo error is about 1.2%. Should I stay with 235 or upsize to 245? pros and cons for either size.

The priorities are:
1) Quiet and smooth ride.
2) Long tread life - 25k miles or better.
3) Reasonable performance in wet and dry.
4) Not too expensive.

The OE wheels is 17x7.5. I do not have any plan to upgrade to 18" for now. Which tire did you have in these sizes that you are happy with? Sumitomo HTR+ is at the top of my list now, are there any negative about this tire?

Chiragp · #2 03-13-2003, 05:13 PM

I would recommend the new ContiExtremeContacts. Just check the review.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ContiExtremeContact&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=345WR7CEC&f romCompare1=yes

or goto NTB if they have one around you, get the Sumitomo HTR+ because NTB has a 40k warranty on them, and they aren't directional, so rotations are not a problem. Besides they will match the Tireracks prices plus the shipping off course, and if you wear them faster then 40k, your prorated money back.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Sumitomo&tireModel=HTR%2B&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=345WR7HTRPL&fromCompare1=ye s

yal · #3 03-13-2003, 06:36 PM

I am in the same position as you I have about one summer left of thread on my sp5000's. I am hearing a lot of good things about the Bridgestone Turanza's, I may try them from Tirerack when the time comes, I am really tired of directional tires, what a pain they are at the end of their lives

.....

HTN-E430 · #4 03-13-2003, 08:30 PM

Anyone had negative experience with upsizing from OE size 235/45-17 to 245/45-17 ?

Yal, Turanza does not have size 245/45-17, if I upsizing to 245/45 it will be out of the list. Also, an owner of '88 560SL hates the tire for too much noise according to TR reviews for Turanza. I agreed with you about uni-directional designs, they're looked and performed very good for first half of the tread life, but the last half is not the same, also they are limited in rotation. I am more interest in non-directional tires.

Chirag, NTB does not have any dealer in So Cal. I may try Sears to see if they carry Sumitomo and have treadlife warranty similar to NTB. This is my wife's daily car, the way she drives no tire will lasted more than 30k miles. That why I do not like paying too much for tires every 1.5 years to 2 years. The car has only 35k miles, this will be the third set of tires, the fourth set of front pads, second set of rear pads and second set of front rotors.

Luke@tirerack · #5 03-14-2003, 08:24 AM

on the E430 I would suggest that you stay with the 235's on the OE wheels .....

you can search here

but, I would recommend the Firehawk SZ50 EP it is an excellent fit on your car and offers great ride quality and wet and dry grip and handling

yal · #6 03-14-2003, 10:28 AM

HTN-E430, sorry about that I didn't check the size. Unfortunately looks like a lot of the good tires in your size are uni directional except pirellis and contis

E55 KEV · #7 03-15-2003, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by yal
I am in the same position as you I have about one summer left of thread on my sp5000's. I am hearing a lot of good things about the Bridgestone Turanza's, I may try them from Tirerack when the time comes, I am really tired of directional tires, what a pain they are at the end of their lives.....

What's wrong with the Dunlop SP 5000? They are not "directional" they are assymetrical. Once mounted that tire can be exchanged or rotated side to side, left to right and will not be backwards.

Directional tires can not be exchanged from left to right or they will be backwards.

MikeM · #8 03-15-2003, 09:27 PM

I just put a set of Michelin Pilot Sports A/S on my 97 E320.
Mounted on BBS RC's 17x8's. 3 of the wheel tires required no weight, the 4th 1/4 ounce.

Guy who balanced them recehcked his machine after the second one, and then again after 4th. He was shaking his head in disbelief.

I must say they weren't cheap, but then again I've never been disappointed w/ Pilot's. 5th different set to date.

Have an older set on my Porsche now.

Treadwear is excellent , Rain grip is excellect. Little noise on concrete, but what doesn't.

I thought about the bigger size, 6 people talked me out of it

I wish I had of, there is plenty of room.
Just stay with the same size on all four wheels.

Mike Mullins
97 E320

blackmercedes · #9 03-15-2003, 11:43 PM

I wouldn't run 245's on 7.5" wheels.

yal · #10 03-17-2003, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kevin
What's wrong with the Dunlop SP 5000? They are not "directional" they are assymetrical. Once mounted that tire can be exchanged or rotated side to side, left to right and will not be backwards.

Directional tires can not be exchanged from left to right or they will be backwards.

Um Kevin relax, I didn't mean to say the SP5000's were bad. There actually quite good tires but they lose a lot of their wet handling at the half way through their lives. I need wet handling!

Flash Gordon · #11 03-17-2003, 03:55 PM

I agree with MikeM about the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S. I have them on my Acura. They are the best all season tires I have ever experienced. Great in dry, wet , and snow. I had no problem in the recent East Coast Blizzard. Pretty quiet for an all season perfromance tire. After 10K miles, it's hardly worn. It's not cheap, but you get what you paid for

blackmercedes · #12 03-17-2003, 05:04 PM

If you want long wet grip, then the only tires are Bridgestones. They have the multi-layer tread compounds that are amazing. I've run S-O2PP's, RE950's and RE930's, and their ability to retain wet traction (PP's and 950's) was unreal.

yal · #13 03-18-2003, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by blackmercedes
If you want long wet grip, then the only tires are Bridgestones. They have the multi-layer tread compounds that are amazing. I've run S-O2PP's, RE950's and RE930's, and their ability to retain wet traction (PP's and 950's) was unreal.

Thats exactly what I have heard John thats why my next set will be Bridgestones.

jsmith · #14 03-18-2003, 12:06 PM

yal,

i hear you on the wet handling. my sp5's have never been that great in the wet. when it's raining the least bit of gas gets my rears spinning like crazy. how many miles did you get out of your set? i have about 12k on mine - not a lot of wear at this point...

yal · #15 03-18-2003, 05:24 PM

Joe, I'll have to do the calculation tonite and i'll let ya know. I don't think I'm going to be getting much more than 20k, its kinda getting scary.