Which tyres should I get ?

[bolide]

The only tyre reviews I would take notice of are done by Autocar and Auto Express. Autocar do them biannually and they are exhaustive

Tire Rack test US-spec tyres which are different to ours. Their requirements are also different to ours. So their tests aren't relevant to us

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[scumbag]

Round Rubber Ones...............

.........................lol............

..........Sorry..

is them the black ones?

 

[Thmsshaun]

Dont go for the Pzero Rosso. Not too impressed with mine. Seem to have worn quickly on the rear although that could be my driving

Think I am going to try a budget brand. Been reading through some of the reviews on www.mytyres.co.uk For a saving of £100 a pair on the the premium brands I figure its worth a stab. Especially if I am seeing less than 10000 miles from them.

 

[mickl]

I've found Michelin Pilotsports to be the best all rounder for tread life and grip. For ultimate grip I'd either go for Goodyear F1s or Pirelli Pzero Rossos but expect them to last about a 30 to 50% less. Continental Sportcontacts are the most hardwearing but ultimately has the least grip.

Cheapest places for Michelins are Costco or ATS. ATS will usually match local Costco prices as ATS are part of Michelin.

 

[Chris_J]

I'd recommend the Goodyear F1, they seem to last quite well and grip very well. The Potenza RE050 have a hard sidewall, so wet grip will be bad, and I would imagine them to be noisy if anything like the RE040. I once had Contisport Contact 2 and they didn't last long at all. Uniroyal Rainsport aren't all that either.

Can you get Toyo's in the size you're after? Supposed to be comparable to the GSD3.

 

[Chris_J]

If you're close to Rugeley, then give the Alloy Wheel Centre a call on 01889 586200

 

[campbellju]

People often talk about grip on tyres when buying, I don't know about you lot but I bought my merc for luxury/quality rather than performance. I recently changed my bridgestones (Hard/noisey/wear rate) for some .... wait for it... Hankook K105's and the tyre noise, comfort difference is night and day. The car feels like how a Mercedes should do to me. Slightly less grippy in the dry when pushing on hard but on average little difference.

I first started using Hankook's when doing track days as I was going through performance tyres at a rate of knots. Compared to the goodyear F1's (another excellent tyre) they were less grippy but would always last the day and I could legally drive home on them again. They were very progressive, quiet (when not screeching) and a good wet dry compromise. I was using the K102's then, I've used the K104's since on various cars and for the Merc was looking at the new K107 (HP sports) but decided given the character of the car, the K105's (sports tourer) that are the evolution of the K102's are a better choice.

Avon's ZZ3's and Toyo's T1R (not S) I've also used and been good but Falkens I never got on with. Avoid anything called Nankang no matter how cheap it might be. Never used them, never want to, I've seen too many nightmares with them.

Another supplier worth a look, especially for trackday tyres:

http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m4b0s0p0

Just food for thought from the usual Bridgestone/goodyear/michelin performance/grip discussions.

Jim

 

[big x]

I posted this on the other forum but may be of interest:

In fact there are 3 different tyre tests...Golf size car front wheel drive class,medium size C-class and ultra performance.
Autoexpress don't actually test anything they republish the German magzine
Auto Bild which is part of the same group.
The overall results 2006 Golf 195/65 HR 15 summer tyres test;

1)Hankook ventus prime k105
2)Continental premium contact II
3)Nokian NRHi
4)Pirelli P6
5)Toyo proxes CF1
6)Bridgestone turanza ER300
7)Goodyear hyragrip
8}Dunlop SP sport 01
9)Fulda carat progresso
10)Vredestein Hi trac
11)Kleber HP2
12)Kumho KH11
13)Goodyear eagle vector EV-2
14)Wanli s-1093

Of note:
The Continental won the the dry handling section.
The Hancook the interior noise section ,wet weather braking and wet handling.
Both are excellent tyres.
The budget names designed by the well known makers but made in their East European plants or Korea do seem to have come of age.Last year a different Hankook came bottom from last but with a Michelin design first.Barum is Continentals budget brand and Uniroyal their mid-price brand.(not in this years test).
Final advice..ignore anything you read on American websites,their tyres are completely different to european spec and ignore any sites using consumer subjective ratings.The only way to compare tyres is new tyres on the same car,at the same time on a tyre testing ground with measurement instrumentation.
Tests in Autocar magazine are good for subjective handling feel.

adam
__________________

 

[bolide]

The overall results 2006 Golf 195/65 HR 15 summer tyres test;

1)Hankook ventus prime k105
2)Continental premium contact II

Coincidentally that is the tyre size for a W124 and a 2006 VW Golf probably weighs the same - if not slightly more - than a W124

When I fit new tyres on cars I fit Continental Premium Contact IIs because a) they're quiet, b) they're comfortable and c) they grip well in the wet

If you've got a car with far more torque they may not be for you but IMHO they work well on the older Mercs and the softer sidewalls suit the cars

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[gbrickwood123]

I had the Goodyears on a Mondeo ST200 and they were so much better than the Dunlop SP9000 that it came with. I spent a lot of time on www.tirerack.com to make an informed decision, they have tested many tyres in diffrent situations.

It all really comes down to how you drive and what you want from the tyre. I like to drive hard and found that the Goodyears gave amazing dry grip, they felt like slicks, they lasted 20k miles too. In the wet they outperformed anything I have used too, not a hint of aquaplaning even on uneven roads.

I have no experience of the other tyres, but suggest you look at the tirerack website for more info.

Hope that helps!

 

[CLK320Vert]

People often talk about grip on tyres when buying, I don't know about you lot but I bought my merc for luxury/quality rather than performance. I recently changed my bridgestones (Hard/noisey/wear rate) for some .... wait for it... Hankook K105's and the tyre noise, comfort difference is night and day. The car feels like how a Mercedes should do to me. Slightly less grippy in the dry when pushing on hard but on average little difference.

I first started using Hankook's when doing track days as I was going through performance tyres at a rate of knots. Compared to the goodyear F1's (another excellent tyre) they were less grippy but would always last the day and I could legally drive home on them again. They were very progressive, quiet (when not screeching) and a good wet dry compromise. I was using the K102's then, I've used the K104's since on various cars and for the Merc was looking at the new K107 (HP sports) but decided given the character of the car, the K105's (sports tourer) that are the evolution of the K102's are a better choice.

Avon's ZZ3's and Toyo's T1R (not S) I've also used and been good but Falkens I never got on with. Avoid anything called Nankang no matter how cheap it might be. Never used them, never want to, I've seen too many nightmares with them.

Another supplier worth a look, especially for trackday tyres:

http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m4b0s0p0

Just food for thought from the usual Bridgestone/goodyear/michelin performance/grip discussions.

Jim

As above do not discount anything, i have used Federal tyres on my M3 Evo for two years good balance of wet /dry grip noise/wear rate and they do evil semi slick versions, they are used on the V8 Holden race cars and used in the Targa Tasmania challenge..my local dealer does 2x225 40 18 and 2x 255 35 18 fitted and balanced for £430..:bannana: ..and My M3 never killed them ...http://www.federaltyres.com/car/ss595.htm

 

[big x]

..

 

[Pietre]

The best I have used were PZERO ROSSO but they didnt last long, I now use Goodyear SP9000 and find they give good mileage and are good in wet or dry.

 

[Will]

The best I have used were PZERO ROSSO but they didnt last long, I now use Goodyear SP9000 and find they give good mileage and are good in wet or dry.

Do you mean Dunlop SP9000 or Goodyear (something else)?

 

[Pietre]

Sorry, I meant to say Dunlop SP9000