CL55 Tyres

[mjwk]

Hi, I'm new to this forum, having just bought my first MB - a 2001 CL55, which I love - and a much better car than all the previous V6 Lagunas that I used to have!

Although there are a few things to sort out with this CL55 (and MB in Salisbury are looking at it in a couple of weeks) my main concern is with the tyres.

It is currently running on 19" 5 spoke AMG alloy wheels and I need to change the rear tyres. The fronts are Dunlop Supermaxx (245/40 98Y R19 Extra Load) which have lots of tread left so they can stay. The rears, which are to be changed, are Dunlop Sport 9000 (275/35 ZR19).

I wonder if any of you helpful people can suggest good quality replacement tyres for the rears? I'm not into "boy racing" and am really looking for tyres that may be long lived (!) and suit a long distance comfortable cruising style of driving.

Any suggestions/experience will be much appreciated.

Thanks
V80MJK

 

[DRBC43AMG]

IMHO 19" is a bit too big (rubber band tyres). Try 18" and you should enjoy more compliant ride. But in this case you need new wheels and tyres

 

[clk270]

You're not going to find any high mileage tyres in 19" - Michelin will last the longest and give the lowest cost/mile figure of the premium brands, but you'll pay out handsomely for them in the first place. You're going to be looking at £300 each if Michelin do the size.

Dunlops will be cheaper, and the likes of the SP9000 gave good mileage - pity they're not available any longer. Matching Sportmaxx tyres are about £222 each fitted via tyres online @ mytyres.co.uk: tyre dealer for cheap passenger, summer, winter tyres. An alternative at similar money (£217 each) is the Vredstein Ultrac Sessanta, which won the EVO tyre test.

Cheaper still, and well regarded, are Falken FK452 at £169 each. How long they'd last on a heavy powerful car like the CL55 i don't know, but possibly no worse than other makes.

For the sake of an extra £100 i'd personally go for a set of matchign Dunlops - perhaps not ultimately the best tyre but at least you'd have a matched set all round and predictable handling wet n dry.

 

[Mactech]

You're not going to find any high mileage tyres in 19" - Michelin will last the longest and give the lowest cost/mile figure of the premium brands, but you'll pay out handsomely for them in the first place. You're going to be looking at £300 each if Michelin do the size.

Dunlops will be cheaper, and the likes of the SP9000 gave good mileage - pity they're not available any longer. Matching Sportmaxx tyres are about £222 each fitted via tyres online @ mytyres.co.uk: tyre dealer for cheap passenger, summer, winter tyres. An alternative at similar money (£217 each) is the Vredstein Ultrac Sessanta, which won the EVO tyre test.

Cheaper still, and well regarded, are Falken FK452 at £169 each. How long they'd last on a heavy powerful car like the CL55 i don't know, but possibly no worse than other makes.

For the sake of an extra £100 i'd personally go for a set of matchign Dunlops - perhaps not ultimately the best tyre but at least you'd have a matched set all round and predictable handling wet n dry.

Spot on that man! If you went the more cost effective route the Falkens are just £128 at Camskill
FALKEN TYRES / CAR / FALKEN FK452 FALKEN FK 452 - 275/35R19 96Y TL :: £128.50 :: Car Tyres - MPV Tyres - People Carrier Tyres - 19" :: R19" - 275/35/19, 275/35 R 19 ::

 

[C43AMG]

Yes i have just replaced the tyres on my CL55 with Michelin's PS2's lots of money and very difficult to find in those sizes. As mentioned i would go for the Dunlop's and then you would have a matching set.

As far as the Falken's are concerned i have them on the S-Class and they lasted 21,000 moles on the front and 20,000 on the rear's on 20" AMG's,a good tyre and the 500 S-Class is very big and heavy.

 

[mjwk]

Many thanks to you all for your advice. I'm now pretty much decided on the Dunlops as it sounds sensible to keep the same boots all round. Will be interested to see how long they last!
Thanks again

 

[media116]

Yes i have just replaced the tyres on my CL55 with Michelin's PS2's lots of money and very difficult to find in those sizes. As mentioned i would go for the Dunlop's and then you would have a matching set.

As far as the Falken's are concerned i have them on the S-Class and they lasted 21,000 moles on the front and 20,000 on the rear's on 20" AMG's,a good tyre and the 500 S-Class is very big and heavy.

I'm just at the point of having to replace the tyres on my 2008 S320CDi, and am thinking about opting for Falkens instead of Contis. I have to admit that this is a decision being driven essentially by cost. My car is also fitted with the beautiful 20in AMGs (one of the most attractive wheels EVER!), but boy do you pay for the pleasure when it comes to tyre replacement!

Very encouraged, though, by your experience with these tyres on your S500L. I've spoken to Micheldever Tyres who reckon they will be as quiet as the O/E Contis, but won't last as long.

Do you find them OK in the wet? Obviously, your car will have a fair bit more grunt than mine...

Regards,

Chris

 

[mjwk]

I don't suppose this will be of any help but here goes -
I opted for the Dunlops and although I haven't done much mileage on them they do seem to be good and quiet, and wet surfaces haven't been a problem. I eventually got them from Kwik Fit (!) as they matched the prices from Micheldever (and Kwik Fit were more convenient - never been a lover of Kwik Fit but they were actually really helpful and took a lot of care). Not the cheapest option mind at over £400 fitted for the pair. If you do decide to go for the Falkens then it might be worth negotiating for a price match.

 

[clk270]

I've just put Falken ZE912 on my Golf, replacing Bridgestone RE050 which came from the factory. Have to say i'm impressed after 1k miles on them - seem better in the wet and are quieter than the Re050s, even allowing for the old vs new tyre change.

At 70% the cost they seem to be a good bet. The FK452 are even more sports oriented, with a more summer biased compound.

 

[alhucoll]

Mines a 2002 CL55 AMG currently running on the Falken 452's fore (5-6mm tread) and aft (3-4mm tread). I don't see the point in changing out the fronts as they are good for a fair while yet, being a bit of a nice car I'd still like a "nice" looking tyre profile as well. Mileage, well it'd be about 6,000 a year with a "spirited" use.
In the past week the rear end has spun out on too many occasions for me to be happy with (more down to a heavy size 11), usually on damp but not what I would call greasy roads.

I'm going to be changing out the rears as I've lost a bit of confidence in them, been out and about pricing up a pair:
Dunlop SP MAXX +/- £400
Dunlop SP 9000 +/- £460
Falken 452's +/- £380
Goodyear GSD3 F1 +/- £430
Pirelli PZero Rosso +/- £470
Vredestein Sessant +/- £530

I've run the Vredesteins before on three 3ltr V6 petrol SAABs before and was very impressed - never let me down at all, so I'm tempted but the Vred prices have shot up! Still may end up going down that route though.
So, any recommendations and experiences?
How much real difference would there be with differing types fore and aft if any?

Cheers,

Al

 

[C43AMG]

Hi Chris,

Sorry for the delay.

I have found the Falken's very good in the wet, i am very pleased with the overhaul findings. Mileage, cost, comfort etc and this is the second set.

 

[mjwk]

Can't give any recommendations as to different types but I went for the Dunlop SP MAXX. Great in dry conditions and not bad in the wet. Forget any form of traction in real cold/snow.

I was in Scotland over Xmas in 1" of uncleared snow and ice and the tyres just couldn't cope - footprint too wide to grip. That said my CL55 didn't fishtail - it just didn't give good grip at the rear, but front end steering was fine. 1 hour to do 10 miles safely - better safe than sorry. The 4x4 brigade behind me were very gracious.

I'd also add that the week before I was in France (on the same tyres) when a sudden snow downfall occurred. Coming up to a roundabout the car in front got it all wrong and slewed across the road - Merc ABS did what it should but couldn't deal with ABS brake on/brake off etc. Whether it was down to the tyres or not I do not know but I was able to safely steer around the offending vehicle.

Given my experience I'm inclined towards Dunlops. Forget Pirellis (ran too many V6 Lagunas on them - loads of problems) but there seems to be a general consensus towards Falkens. May be that I'll give them a go next time?

 

[alhucoll]

Thanks for the input.
I'll be going for the Falken 452's as they do seem to have a very good write up by various folks from their experience, and the cost is quite a factor - the ragtop comes out for the better weather anyway so mileage and life isn't really an issue so to speak.

Cheers,

Al