C43 Tyre Recomendations

[angus falconer]

I have bought a 2000 W C43 AMG and need to put some new tyres on it.

My preference is for grip and feel especially in the wet and not mileage. I am prejudiced against Michelin as on previous cars I have seen pretty awful wet performance (compared to sticky Yokohamas or Bridgestones)and nasty breakaway in all weathers.

My questions are;

(1) What was originally fitted at the factory? (I was told Continentals and Michelin

(2) Has anyone got good or bad experience of these or of other tyres on a C43.

(3) is it advisable to mix Conti SportsContacts? At the moment I can only find SportContact 2's for the rear and SportContacts for the front.

Thanks for any feedback

 

[sgregory124]

I used to own a Audi A4 2.8 Quattro, I tried both Potenza S-03's and Goodyear Eagle F-1s and I have to say, the Goodyears were better in the wet...EVO Magazine rated them the best overall a few issues ago.

I've got a C36 now and i've got Kuhmo Ecstas...(WHO?), they seem to be lasting quite well although everytime I leave a junction they get smaller by about an inch...LOL When it comes to changing them i'll be opting for the Eagles unless I can stretch to a set of Pirelli P-Zero Rossos....

Anyways, I hope that helps a little....

Simon

I have bought a 2000 W C43 AMG and need to put some new tyres on it.

My preference is for grip and feel especially in the wet and not mileage. I am prejudiced against Michelin as on previous cars I have seen pretty awful wet performance (compared to sticky Yokohamas or Bridgestones)and nasty breakaway in all weathers.

My questions are;

(1) What was originally fitted at the factory? (I was told Continentals and Michelin

(2) Has anyone got good or bad experience of these or of other tyres on a C43.

(3) is it advisable to mix Conti SportsContacts? At the moment I can only find SportContact 2's for the rear and SportContacts for the front.

Thanks for any feedback

 

[AlexSR]

Hi Angus,

I recently faced the same dilema having purchased a '99 V C43. In the end I opted for four Bridgestone Potenza S03s - going for a balance of performance and reasonable wear. I've just done 2000 miles to the Swiss Alps and back and they are great so far. They coped well with high speed motorway and the mountain passes - three up with luggage (raised the pressures accordingly). We had torrential rain on the return journey and the wet weather performance was amongst the best I've tried. At the time of fitting I had the geometry checked - it's got to be worth it when parting with the cash for four new tyres. The only thing I'd mention is that the tyres seemed to take a while to scrub in / settle down.

Regards,

Alex

 

[grayb]

Angus, re the Sport Contacts: We have a mix of Sport Contacts and Sport Contact 2's on our C43 Estate - I queried this with our local tyre specialist and was told that Continental had designed them to be compatable and that there was no problem. I must say that we find the grip and handling quite ok with these, with much less tramlining than we used to get on the XJR or Fiat Coupe which both had P-Zero Assymetricos.

I did read in Autocar that they tested tyres on M3's and found the P-Zero Rossos to be vastly superior to the Michelins. They subesequently fitted them to their long term M5 as well. However, when they published the test they did say that they couldn't get the new Sport Contact 2's and perhaps these might have given the P-Z R's a better run for their money.

Decisions. decisions!

 

[Tinyflier]

On my C43 I have tried Goodyear F1, Pirelli P7000 and Michelin Pilot Sport.

For outright grip the Goodyears were excellent. I didn't like the P7000 at all (low in grip, noisy and sidewall too soft for good consistent feel). I currently have Michelin and find these pretty good. Consistent in grip and feedback, not too noisy and good wear qualities. Note also that I am running 18" wheels.

BUT each of us will have different driving styles and requirements and therefore choice of tyre.

David.

 

[angus falconer]

Hi and thanks for all the feedback.

In the end I had a set of Continental SportContact 2's fitted at Victoria Tyres in Acton.

I have good feedback from this BB and also for BB's for BMW and Porshe plus some word mouth and my conlcusion was that the Contis were good for tyre noise, lack of tramlining on a C Class and pretty good wet weather performance.