Yokohama Avids or Bridgestone RE950: Which should I buy? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

EricSilver · #1 07-16-2003, 04:23 PM

Does anyone have any experience with Yokohama Avid H4/V4 and Bridgestone Potenza RE950 tires?

I need to replace my Michelin Pilots this weekend -- after 60,000 miles -- and I have been hearing and reading very good things about both the Avids and RE950's.

71280SL · #2 07-17-2003, 09:19 AM

I have 10,000 on a set of 275-60-15 on my Silverado...they are wonderful..however if U are going to buy them from Tire rack becareful on shipping costs...I was told they were too big to tape together so it costs me $100. for freight. (Del. to Pa.) I have already found out that this was not true and other members purchasing this size got them for only 50.00 total for the same distance...

#3 07-17-2003, 02:59 PM

Just put a set of the Yokohama AVID V4's on my wifes C230 and they are excellent so far. We've got about 5k miles on them and they still ride and look new. Great in the rain, quiet on dry pavement and they balanced out with hardly any weights.

Do look at one other tire though because I think I'm going to try them from the excellent responses, they are the Continental Extremes. Everyone that has written a response about them on Tire Racks web site just raves about them and they're real inexpensive. I think I'm going to try them on my car instead of paying the extra money for the Michelin Energy's.

DieselHead · #4 07-17-2003, 03:49 PM

I've had all three. First I had the Bridgestones from Costco, then I had the Avid Tourings for about 5000 miles, then I had the ContiTouringContact for 3000 miles, and now I have the Extremes which were mounted this morning. The problem with judging tires is that by the time the tires are worn out, anything is much better and the new tires probably feel great no matter what they are. The Bridgestones were okay. They were a little noisey and wore out really quickly (35K miles) but had pretty good handling. The AvidTourings were great (I only had them for 5000 miles because I switched wheels). They performed well, had decent bad-weather traction, were super quiet, and looked like they were wearing very very well; I've heard of people getting up to 60K on them. The ContiTourings are lousy. They were used when I got them, but I still think they're lousy. The Extremes are great (but going from the worn and crappy ContiTourings, I guess I can't give a fair judgement). They seem quiet and handle very very well. The tread depth seems a bit shallow and the compound is soft so I don't know how long they'll last, but for dry weather driving (haven't been in the rain with them yet), they seem amazing for the price (205/55-16, 4 tires shipped for $317 from tire rack). If you don't need an aggressive tire, go with the Avid Tourings (my 2 cents). If Yokohama made them in 205/55-16 I probably would have bought them over the Extremes.

Alex

richard28 · #5 07-17-2003, 03:50 PM

Check the sizes carefully, as they do not fit 195/65/15, the oem size on a w124.

EricSilver · #6 07-17-2003, 04:08 PM

Folks, thanks for all the good feedback.

I am currently on Michelin Pilot XGTV4's. They lasted 3 years and 60,000+ miles. In fact, I am replacing only the fronts. The rear I'll do by end of summer.

These tires have performed great, and I think have lasted so long, despite my hard driving because, at 215/60/15, they are 2 sizes larger than OEM.

I plan to keep the fat tire size in the rear, but drop back to 205 in the front for better steering response.

I just read the ContiExtremeContact info and reviews and I am sold. It is second only to the Pirelli P-Zero. I am especially impressed with its unusually high snow traction rating, because it does not take much snow to turn my car into a sled. (This past winter I experienced my first 180 degree spin on a snowy road.)

The Conti's look and sound great, and I can get them for $90/each installed from TiresPlus, but I am still looking around for a better deal. Even at that price, it is not bad for an ultra-high performance all-weather tire. (Did I mention they look great too?)

My only concern is cosmetic now. The 205/65 which I will have up front is actually a few millimeters larger in diameter than the 215/60's I will continue to have in the rear. I doubt it will be noticeable, but I defintely do not want my car to look as if it is wearing clogs.

#7 07-18-2003, 01:26 PM

I just purchased a set of the conti-extremes today from the tire rack along with new wheels from the Wheel Exchange. I'll let you know how they work out. I hope to be one of the many satisfied Conti-Extreme customers!! This was for my 95 E320 and the size purchased for the new wheels are 205/55/16.

Luke@tirerack · #8 07-21-2003, 12:49 PM

the basic differences between the 2 are

RE950
better steering response
better dry grip
better bad weather traction

Avid H4
better ride quality
lower road noise

tier search

EricSilver · #9 07-21-2003, 01:42 PM

So based on Luke's comment, I can conclude that the RE950 is a superior tire.

I am prepared to order the ContiExtremeContact from TireRack, but I see it is back ordered until 7/26. I assume this means I have to take a number behind all the other folks who are also waiting for those. But what concerns me is what happens if they run out of their allotment before my order is filled. Would I have to wait a couple more weeks for the next warehouse delivery?

EricSilver · #10 07-21-2003, 01:51 PM

And.....

Because the ContiExtreme is out of stock I am looking also at the Yokohama AVS dB S2.

Comments?

EricSilver · #11 07-24-2003, 04:08 PM

Well, the Yoko AVS db S2 on all four corners it is. (From Tire Rack).

The ContiExtremes are no longer available and, more important, in looking at the TireRack test results, the Yokohamas appear to be better, overall, than the Continentals.

#12 07-25-2003, 01:43 PM

The conti-extremes are no longer available?????? Are you referring to not available in your tire size?

I know it's too early to say much right now but I'm on my second day with the new extremes and oh my God!!! What a nice riding tire. Very grippy on dry surface, haven't had any rain in the past couple of days so I'll report more on that later but my initial impression is downright awesome. They seem to have a good amount of sidewall flex too so it doesn't feel like your riding on 4 rocks (namely pirelli's).

I bought the 205/55/16's and had them mounted on new wheels and had an alignment done just today. What a difference folks, I hope they hold up well over time!!

jcantor · #13 07-25-2003, 02:26 PM

I had placed an order with TireRack for the ContiExtremes last month in 205/65/15 size when they were predicted to be in on 7/26. This week that changed to backordered so I spoke to Luke. He indicated that Continental has had such a high demand for these tires compared to the expectations, that they haven't yet started making them in the smaller - ie 15" - sizes. Therefore I've selected the Dunlop Sports instead.

If you're looking for something in a 16" or larger size, the ContiExtreme's are available, I believe, and would be an excellent purchase.

jlc

EricSilver · #14 07-25-2003, 02:38 PM

Yep -- not available in 205/65/15.

From what I see, the ContiExtremes are definitely great tires. Nonetheless, the TireRack tests showed that the Yokohamas excelled in the "crisp handling" that matters most to me, since I spend a lot of time taking evasive action against road obstacles, i.e. slow or crappy drivers.

The real test will be in the snow. This past winter, my Michelin Pilot XGTV4's were practically useless. Then again, they were pretty near the end of their life, so that may be too harsh a judgment.

The Pilots do not get rave reviews at TireRack, but they have nonetheless performed very well in the (long) time that I have had them. I never slid or spun a wheel with them, and never met an exit ramp I could not take at high speed. Their sidewall flex, however, made the car feel a bit too "floaty." Still, I am not buying them again. I guess I just want something sexier.

EricSilver · #15 07-29-2003, 02:11 PM

Well, the Yokohhamas (AVS db S2) are on the car and they look and feel great so far. They seem softer and smoother than the Michelin Pilots I had for the past three years. (Part of me is still wishing I was able to get the ContiExtremes though. People really seem to love them.)

The Tire Rack reviews were correct -- the Yokohama's handling is very crisp and these tires are very sticky. I plan to give them a thorough workout once I acclimatize to the new feel in a few days. (Although I wish I had them yesterday when we had torrential rains, to see how they handled in the wet.)

FYI: I definitely recommend “taller” tires for aesthetic reasons. The extra diameter makes a noticeable impact by more thoroughly filling the wheel wells. This gives the slight illusion of a lowered car, and is an overall more elegant look. (Think of Bugatti, Rolls-Royce or any elegant vehicle; all their wheel wells are quite full.)

I use the “Fist Test” as a guide: if my clenched fist can fit between the top of the tire and the fender, there is too much space and I need a bigger wheel and/or tire. The 205/65’s do not allow my fist to fit, whereas a 205/60 or 215/60 would. (The 205/65 is a larger diameter than both of those). The slight, but not unsightly, bulge of the 205 sidewall on the 6.5” width OEM rim also helps to protect the rims from curb damage. (My 215/60’s also did, but they bulged too much – which is fine on an SUV or dump truck, but not a Benz.)