Which Tyre? R230 SL350 - changing from 17" to 18" wheels

[Alastairp]

I have OE 17" 5-twin-spoke wheels on my 2011 SL350 which I think are a bit "heavy" looking and difficult to keep clean due to the slot.



I have just pulled the trigger on a set of used 18" 5-spoke wheels (8.5 & 9.5 staggered) which I believe were an OE extra cost option:


I intend to have these refurbed, although I don't have them yet.

I believe that tyre sizes would be 255/40 R18 and 285/40 R18.

Is there any advice/ experience of current tyre recommendations for general (occasionally spirited) road use - i.e. no track antics - and general summer leisure cruising miles (no winter use).

I have read that the ride is compromised on Pirelli P-Zeros and that Kumho PS71/91 can be slightly out-of-round causing imbalance vibration a few hundred miles after balancing.

I will also need to work out if TPMS system will work, assuming sensors are still fitted on the used wheels - tyres are still on, but will be getting replaced anyway.

Thanks in advance.

 

[AMGeed]

The rear tyres need to be 285x35x18 to keep the rolling radius correct.
As shown in the diagram below showing your alloy and tyre combination.

18" Mercedes 5 spoke wheels in 9765 Titanium Silver - Alloy Wheels Direct (58229)

Buy 18" Mercedes 5 spoke wheels in 9765 Titanium Silver for your Mercedes SL Class R230 Roadster. Worldwide Shipping from Alloy Wheels Direct (Part No. B6647429464 & B6647429664)

www.alloywheelsdirect.net

I can recommend Falken FK520 tyres for a good mid price tyre.

Falken Azenis FK520

Will the Falken Azenis FK520 suit your car? Find the best tyre for your car read 29 reviews for the Falken Azenis FK520 and compare to other Ultra High Performance tyres at tyre reviews

www.tyrereviews.com

I'd choose Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 6 given the choice of all tyres. They were superb on my E63.
Look at Asda tyres for a decent price whatever you choose. All in price and you choose a local fitter.

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

Will the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 suit your car? Find the best tyre for your car read 126 reviews for the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 and compare to other Ultra High Performance tyres at tyre reviews

www.tyrereviews.com

 

[Monkey Wrench]

I have OE 17" 5-twin-spoke wheels on my 2011 SL350 which I think are a bit "heavy" looking and difficult to keep clean due to the slot.

View attachment 82240

I have just pulled the trigger on a set of used 18" 5-spoke wheels (8.5 & 9.5 staggered) which I believe were an OE extra cost option:

View attachment 82241
I intend to have these refurbed, although I don't have them yet.

I believe that tyre sizes would be 255/40 R18 and 285/40 R18.

Is there any advice/ experience of current tyre recommendations for general (occasionally spirited) road use - i.e. no track antics - and general summer leisure cruising miles (no winter use).

I have read that the ride is compromised on Pirelli P-Zeros and that Kumho PS71/91 can be slightly out-of-round causing imbalance vibration a few hundred miles after balancing.

I will also need to work out if TPMS system will work, assuming sensors are still fitted on the used wheels - tyres are still on, but will be getting replaced anyway.

Thanks in advance.

I too prefer to cruise around in summer, (Captain Slow they call me ), preferring a 2001 Toyota Rav4 for the rougher weather etc. I have same size wheels, but my rears are 35, not sure why, bought it like it, but does make her look level, replaced the rears last year with Yokohama Advan Sport, they feel polite with low rolling resistance and repond when asked to get a grip, tyre just proud of the rim and only small weights needed to balance them. Pleased with my purchase.

 

[Alastairp]

Rears do indeed need to be 35 profile - sausage finger typo!

Will look again at Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 6 - didn't think they were available in 285/35/18 when I was browsing earlier

 

[Alastairp]

Falken FK520 also don't seem to be available in 285/35/18, although 510 may be

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Rears do indeed need to be 35 profile - sausage finger typo!

Will look again at Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 6 - didn't think they were available in 285/35/18 when I was browsing earlier

I would have gone for the Eagle A1's, but I couldn't find them at 35

 

[Alastairp]

Falken & Goodyear not available in the required 18" rim size for both front and rear.

Current choices available in required sizes are as follows:

Kumho PS71 Ecsta front & rear £494.10

Kumho PS71 Ecsta front & PS91 rear £506.10

Uniroyal Rainsport 5 front & rear £562.70

Pirelli P-Zero front & rear £670.00 (MO)

Yokohama V105 Advan Sport front & rear £723 (MO)

Any advise/ recommendations from the above or any others that might be available would be appreciated.

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Falken & Goodyear not available in the required 18" rim size for both front and rear.

Current choices available in required sizes are as follows:

Kumho PS71 Ecsta front & rear £494.10

Kumho PS71 Ecsta front & PS91 rear £506.10

Uniroyal Rainsport 5 front & rear £562.70

Pirelli P-Zero front & rear £670.00 (MO)

Yokohama V105 Advan Sport front & rear £723 (MO)

Any advise/ recommendations from the above or any others that might be available would be appreciated.

Check out the tread wear rating, a big difference might help you choose

 

[Alastairp]

Bugger!

Wheels just arrived - all four are 8.5J not 8.5J & 9.5J as described.

Just packing them up now to send them back.......

Back to the drawing board.

Maybe the twin spokes will just have to do for now.

 

[JBell]

Uniroyal Rainsport 5 front & rear £562.70

These are excellent (I run them)

The Goodyear is amazing but at a price

 

[Alastairp]

Looking here:

https://www.wheel-size.com/size/mercedes/sl-class/2011/

.....it would appear that 8.5J x 18 ET35 front and rear was a standard OE fitment, so I don't need the staggered setup with 9.5s on the rear.

This would make tyre selection easier and wheels could be swapped around if necessary.

Anyone running this arrangement?

 

[Alastairp]

So, on the basis of 255/40 R18 all round the choice seems to be as follows (in ascending cost order):

Kumho PS71 Ecsta £452.40 - Labelling: D - A - 73dB

Uniroyal Rainsport 5 £523.20 - Labelling: C - A - 73dB

Pirelli P-Zero £663.00 (MO) - Labelling: D - B - 73dB

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymetric 5 £687.00 (MO) - Labelling: A - B - 71dB

Continental Premium Contact 6 £715.20 (MO) - Labelling: C - A - 73dB

Yokohama V105+ Advan Sport £726.40 (MO) - Labelling: E - A - 73dB

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 £812.60 - Labelling: C - A - 73dB

My head is spinning with tests & reviews.

Based on experience, where would your money go?

 

[Gazwould]

 

[sonic]

So, on the basis of 255/40 R18 all round the choice seems to be as follows (in ascending cost order):

Kumho PS71 Ecsta £452.40 - Labelling: D - A - 73dB

Uniroyal Rainsport 5 £523.20 - Labelling: C - A - 73dB

Pirelli P-Zero £663.00 (MO) - Labelling: D - B - 73dB

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymetric 5 £687.00 (MO) - Labelling: A - B - 71dB

Continental Premium Contact 6 £715.20 (MO) - Labelling: C - A - 73dB

Yokohama V105+ Advan Sport £726.40 (MO) - Labelling: E - A - 73dB

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 £812.60 - Labelling: C - A - 73dB

My head is spinning with tests & reviews.

Based on experience, where would your money go?

I have used Kumho in the past a good tyre but wear quickly.
I am currently on Rainsport 2's on the front & 5's on the rear on my E350CDI, very pleased with both.

 

[JBell]

Looking here:

https://www.wheel-size.com/size/mercedes/sl-class/2011/

.....it would appear that 8.5J x 18 ET35 front and rear was a standard OE fitment, so I don't need the staggered setup with 9.5s on the rear.

This would make tyre selection easier and wheels could be swapped around if necessary.

Anyone running this arrangement?

The rear wheels will sit a long way into the arch

 

[JBell]

So, on the basis of 255/40 R18 all round the choice seems to be as follows (in ascending cost order):

Uniroyal Rainsport 5 £523.20 - Labelling: C - A - 73dB

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymetric 5 £687.00 (MO) - Labelling: A - B - 71dB

My head is spinning with tests & reviews.

Based on experience, where would your money go?

One of these 2

 

[Alastairp]

The rear wheels will sit a long way into the arch

The 18s I am fitting are the same offset as the existing 17s - ET35.

The only difference is the wheel diameter and tyre profile.

Having watched the review video above, albeit on a front drive car, I am leaning towards the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 for price and rim protection reasons. Performance wise, there doesn't seem to be a big difference.

 

[JBell]

The 18s I am fitting are the same offset as the existing 17s - ET35.

The only difference is the wheel diameter and tyre profile.

Having watched the review video above, albeit on a front drive car, I am leaning towards the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 for price and rim protection reasons. Performance wise, there doesn't seem to be a big difference.

They both have good rim protection.

I have used both and recently went back to the RS5 from Eagle F1 Assy 5 on the rear. The RS5 is better in cooler conditions and the wet.

There is now an Assy 6

 

[sonic]

They both have good rim protection.

I have used both and recently went back to the RS5 from Eagle F1 Assy 5 on the rear. The RS5 is better in cooler conditions and the wet.

There is now an Assy 6

I drove through Austria a couple of years back on very wet & smooth tarmac roads. The front RS2's were fantastic.

 

[Alastairp]

There is now an Assy 6

Yes, but not available as 255/40-profile in R18 - only 255/35 or 255/45.

So you would recommend the RS5 over the Assy 5, notwithstanding the saving of more than £40 per corner.

We only have cooler conditions and wet up here in Scotland.

Thanks for your input JB.