Tyres

[dougtsc]

Just about to replace the four tyres on my 2001 S Class (W220).

The tyres on it at the moment are Pirelli. Now I have a Costco coupon which gives me 20% off until the end of April.

Any thoughts on changing from Pirelli to Michelin Pilot Sport......which is the only make of tyre that Costco sell ?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Wezzel]

Look here

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?p=94190#post94190

 

[clive williams]

Just about to replace the four tyres on my 2001 S Class (W220).

The tyres on it at the moment are Pirelli. Now I have a Costco coupon which gives me 20% off until the end of April.

Any thoughts on changing from Pirelli to Michelin Pilot Sport......which is the only make of tyre that Costco sell ?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Doug,

IMO its a no brainer - go for the Michelins they are miles (literally and metaphorically) better especially as you've got a serious discount.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[Myros]

nice to see another Costco shopper

I have had two sets of Michelin Pilot Premacy on the C280, and they're fine. I'm running Barum Bravuris ( had no more coupons) on the SL and they are very good too. test better than the Continentals I was considering.

 

[dougtsc]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Think I'll go for the Michelins.

 

[SLinKyjoe]

actually try www.mytyres.co.uk

you can input your tyre size and get ratings for all tyres and prices. that will be a decent way of choosing.

for information, Michelin send there technology to Hankook. who are Korean. so yiou get the same tyres a damn site cheaper and just as good. they dont make every size tho. but the test on the tyre page will give you comparisons.

Michelin are very good tho. I would recommend them, apart from price.

Got continentals on the SLK. they are the worst tyres on earth. No grip in anything other than really warm dry days.

have even filled them up with Nitrogen, just for the sake of it. I may even get some Hankooks on the back so it gets off the line a bit quicker. but am tight. so i wont.

Its getting a lap of Silverstone in May so i shall report back what i think about the tyres then.

 

[clive williams]

actually try www.mytyres.co.uk

..........
for information, Michelin send there technology to Hankook. who are Korean. so yiou get the same tyres a damn site cheaper and just as good. .....................Got continentals on the SLK. they are the worst tyres on earth. No grip in anything other than really warm dry days.................
.

Michelins may give their technology to Hankook but don't assume that they are the same. Pirelli own Continental or is it Metzler? and all of these tyres exhibit different qualities. Tyre compounds and constructions vary depending on which market they are designed for. As we buy tyres relatively infrequently, we cannot test them back to back and rely on others subjective comments in our selection. I tend to narrow my selection down now for what its worth to european tyres from european manufacturers.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[big x]

I normally read a couple of the magazine tyre tests before making a decision.The German ones and Autoexpress can be downloaded
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/website.../tyretest2005/
The well known French tyre maker often struggle to shine due to higher prices and harder compounds affecting interior noise and ride quality scores.People who say various make are rubbish are making subjective comments...use the objective test scores and remember old or used rubber has a dramatic effect on a cars handling.The trends I notice are the Continental group products score consistantantly well,always there or there abouts.The new Premium Contact II is bound to be good in all areas.
Pirelli have some poor performers like the P6000 but some of the expensive supersports stuff is among the best available for certain cars.

adam

 

[Blobcat]

I normally read a couple of the magazine tyre tests before making a decision.The German ones and Autoexpress can be downloaded
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/website.../tyretest2005/
The well known French tyre maker often struggle to shine due to higher prices and harder compounds affecting interior noise and ride quality scores.People who say various make are rubbish are making subjective comments...use the objective test scores and remember old or used rubber has a dramatic effect on a cars handling.The trends I notice are the Continental group products score consistantantly well,always there or there abouts.The new Premium Contact II is bound to be good in all areas.
Pirelli have some poor performers like the P6000 but some of the expensive supersports stuff is among the best available for certain cars.

adam

Hi Adam - link down, page not found.
I agree that most tyre advice is subjective rather than objective. Different tyres also suit different vehicles. What could be a great tyre on a super-mini would probably not be as good on an S-class even if they made them in correct size. It is almost always expensive to try out other tyers which is why so many people stick with what the manufacturer put on to start with. Which is why of course the tyre manufactureres compete for OE fitment.
I am very happy with the Conti-EcoContacts I have on my W210 E320cdi. Even if you could still get them I could not say how they would feel, sound or last on any other model. It is also important how and where you drive as to how the tyres will react or last.

 

[SLinKyjoe]

Michelins may give their technology to Hankook but don't assume that they are the same. Pirelli own Continental or is it Metzler? and all of these tyres exhibit different qualities. .

in fairness, michelin have part ownership of the company and Hankook produce Michelin branded products for the far east. saves shipping costs. this is why they send the technology to them. its also why they only produce certain tyre sizes. no market issues. but what you will notice is that Hankook and Michelin produce startlingly similar results.

 

[dougtsc]

Thanks again everyone. I'll let you know prices etc. when I've got the new tyres.

This link should work for the tyre tests

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/website/?ae_data/special_features/tyretest2005/

 

[Rory]

Just about to replace the four tyres on my 2001 S Class (W220).

The tyres on it at the moment are Pirelli. Now I have a Costco coupon which gives me 20% off until the end of April.

Any thoughts on changing from Pirelli to Michelin Pilot Sport......which is the only make of tyre that Costco sell ?

Thanks in advance.

Does the Costco coupon require you to buy 4 tyres?

I've settled on changing my Bridgestone's to Michelin and I'm going to try the new Michelin Primacy HP which would seem to suit my mainly motorway use. However I only need 2 - my fronts have some way to go. I can't swop them as they're different sizes.

 

[Myros]

be careful just changing two

for a different make. I did that with the SL last year and ended up driving a big red fish for two days. Problem solved by replacing the other two good tyres for matching new ones.

 

[Rory]

Thanks for that. I've generally tried to change like for like, but tyre models change now and again and supply (or awkward leasing companies) sometimes dictate that you can't get the same tyre. The current Bridgestone's on my car are ER30's and they're being replaced by the ER300.
I tend to drive the car (C270CDi Estate) for maximum economy (ie very gently) anyway so hopefully it'll be OK.

 

[dougtsc]

Yes, the Costco coupon says 20% discount when buying four tyres. The coupon by the way came with my annual renewal invoice which is due to be paid next month.
I phoned Costco this afternoon and the price fully inclusive of fitting, balancing, VAT, etc, is £181.40 per tyre. After discount this brings it down to £145.12. This is for a 245/45/R18/Y Michelin Pilot Sport (Costco only sell Michelin). They have to be specially ordered.

 

[big x]

Yes, the Costco coupon says 20% discount when buying four tyres. The coupon by the way came with my annual renewal invoice which is due to be paid next month.
I phoned Costco this afternoon and the price fully inclusive of fitting, balancing, VAT, etc, is £181.40 per tyre. After discount this brings it down to £145.12. This is for a 245/45/R18/Y Michelin Pilot Sport (Costco only sell Michelin). They have to be specially ordered.

Without the coupon Costco don't seem to be much cheaper than the likes of http://www.elite-design.co.uk/

adam

 

[Rory]

Without the coupon Costco don't seem to be much cheaper than the likes of http://www.elite-design.co.uk/

They are the cheapest I've seen, apart from Costco. For my tyres (225/50R16V) they're only £4 dearer (£105 vs Costco £101) which would be perfectly acceptable. However their location is a bit limiting (unless you happen to live or work near Rainham, of course).

I've pretty well settled on get http://www.etyres.co.uk to do mine - they'll come around to the house and fit them for £112. Apart from the convenience, if I go to Costco Mrs Rory will want to come and will spend £200 on stuff we didn't know we needed.

 

[dougtsc]

.......if I go to Costco Mrs Rory will want to come and will spend £200 on stuff we didn't know we needed.

Strange....I've got a wife like that and as you say it's always £200 ??? Will be getting the tyres on my own !!!

Regards

 

[jberks]

HOw very odd - perhaps its sublimnal advertising. Mrs B manages to go through £200 on " a couple of bits".

 

[davidsl500]

I remember spending £200 on a couple of bits - boy did get that me into trouble !!

Still favour the Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 myself - good in the dry and brilliant in the wet.