SL55 Tyre Choices

[tigerkoi]

I have Pirelli P Zero Rossos all round. 255/40 up front, and can't remember for the rear.

I always have E-Tyres come round and they are unstintingly timely, efficient and clean. I don't feel the need to stand over the chap whilst they do their work - like I would if I went to any old tyre shop. I find that the busier the enterprise, the quicker the guys work, and the more likelihood of errors, issues and concerns to just general malfeasance. E-Tyres, so far, haven't let me down over the past four or five years of using them.

The spec of the P Zeroes are important: remember the '55 is a heavy dragon. And this summer and the last from dancing up and down the autobahn, I know the high-speed stability is very good.

[tigerkoi]

Hi Martin,

Apologies, I didn't answer all of your query...

I don't have tyre pressure sensors, but I generally check them every fortnight. Lack of sensors is one less thing to go wrong!

As for wheel alignment, well, for sure. A four wheel laser check is chump change in the whole scheme of things.

[tigerkoi]

martindesu said:

tigerkoi said:

Hi Martin,

Apologies, I didn't answer all of your query...

Hi tigerkoi, thanks for the reply. I should have mentioned that I'm in the UK - I will check out e-tyres.

I am happy with the tyres on the car at present, but I am far from a tyre (or Merc) expert, so any comments are welcomed.

As for the pressure sensors; I have three (orange little things) - is that all I would need to have installed for them to work? Either way, the tyres are the main issue at present

The car actually had laser alignment recently, though the previous owner has put a very slight toe-in on the front, for better handling (his words, not mine). I'll probably leave it until I replace the fronts...

A pleasure

Regarding the tyre sensors, from what I understand they need to be replaced every time you change the tyre, but will then need re-coding. And that's when the pain might start as the (2x) modules are known to throw faults.

And you can guess the remainder of the nursery rhyme!

Personally I'd leave it, and wait until you're next getting a Service A or B at a dealer, and leveraging them to throw in the re-code for free.

I usually find the official dealers are quite helpful, like anyone when approached in the right way. I recently 'tumble-dried' a key. So ordered a new one. But the keyless go wasn't enabled for the new key. At the next service the senior SM threw in the re-code for free.

[daveenty]

Have a look at the Vredestein (Ultrac Vorti) before you commit to a brand. I also looked at Hankook though they didn't seem to do them with the correct load rating (98) for my E63. My thinking was if they're good enough for the DTM...

The rear's on these cars aren't renowned for longevity, so you may as well get something which grips a bit and have some fun. I've got Pirelli P Zero on it now, but they're really struggling to put power down, albeit after 8,000 miles

I've just ordered a pair from http://www.event-tyres.co.uk/ who are on their way to fit them as we speak: 285 30 19 at £200 each, so similar sizing to yours, and being fitted at my house.

http://www.tyreleader.co.uk seem to have some of the best prices in the UK at the moment if you have a local fitter, though always worth asking him first as he may price match. Mine couldn't but said he'd fit and balance for £15 per wheel, which worked out a bit cheaper than having them fitted at home, but meant I'd have to take at least an hour away from work. (I work from home)

As for the TPMS, mine is fitted with it but I can just reset it via the computer menu, though I guess this varies from car to car.

[tigerkoi]

daveenty said:

Have a look at the Vredestein (Ultrac Vorti) before you commit to a brand. I also looked at Hankook though they didn't seem to do them with the correct load rating (98) for my E63. My thinking was if they're good enough for the DTM...

The rear's on these cars aren't renowned for longevity, so you may as well get something which grips a bit and have some fun. I've got Pirelli P Zero on it now, but they're really struggling to put power down, albeit after 8,000 miles

I've just ordered a pair from http://www.event-tyres.co.uk/ who are on their way to fit them as we speak: 285 30 19 at £200 each, so similar sizing to yours, and being fitted at my house.

http://www.tyreleader.co.uk seem to have some of the best prices in the UK at the moment if you have a local fitter, though always worth asking him first as he may price match. Mine couldn't but said he'd fit and balance for £15 per wheel, which worked out a bit cheaper than having them fitted at home, but meant I'd have to take at least an hour away from work. (I work from home)

As for the TPMS, mine is fitted with it but I can just reset it via the computer menu, though I guess this varies from car to car.

Hi Dave,

It's always fair to recommend other options. No doubt.

However a few things to genuinely consider:

- when comparing tyre options between the E63 and an SL55, it's not just the extra weight that may impact a traction - positive or negative depending on which car you're sitting in - differential (something like 1860kg vs 1960kg IIRC), but the fact that the folding hard top roof mechanism over the rear axle in the R230 pivots the balance enough to actually favour enhanced traction.

- the Pirellis are one of or the actual manufacturer specified tyres. The additional spec of the Rossos I think helps because in the absence of suspension comfort settings (like in other cars with Soft, Track etc etc), then the balance is right for raging performance and mooching down high streets. Road & Track in 2003 had a 575m and an SL55 on the same tyre (P Zero Rosso) spec. Whilst the 575m was slightly quicker 0-60, 4.2 compared to 4.3, it's a lot lighter, and has slightly more (515hp) power. Incidentally, the SL held onto a higher peak speed on the circuit, but that's probably down to the wealth of torque.

- consider it some sort of Daimler kaizen model, but I bet my bottom dollar that TPS management in something like a W212 is fields better than what was available when developing the R230 in 1999, 2000 etc. Module pain is not infrequent on the R230, and whilst they've made it easier to trigger a sensor relationship with a new tyre in latter models from M-B, in the R230 you're dealing with older architecture, compacted into a tighter space. Simple recipe for more finicky concerns.

Be that as it may, tyres used in DTM come with a healthy endorsement!

[daveenty]

Agree with all the above no worries, and appreciate the difference in cars. I was merely suggesting looking at a few options.

Just had my new ones fitted, took him a while as I was watching over him like a hawk, but needn't have bothered as the guy was spot on. No wheel gun used, plastic coated socket and even used my torque wrench (as it was already set) to nip the bolts up. All in all a good service, which I'd have no hesitation in recommending.

Th reason I went for the Vredestein as opposed from a manufacturers original was that the car is in no way standard, and is pushing out several horses more than it's supposed to do. I had Vredestein on an Audi I owned a while ago and loved the grip, though the wear wasn't the best. I'm just hoping that these will help with traction a bit as this is something I'm sorely missing. A folding roof over my back end may be a good thing here.

As for the tyre pressures, I can't remember my earlier Mercs, though know that this one is a simple button reset, which will be done as soon as I can get out in it to play, and I agree about the DTM thing...

[daveenty]

martindesu said:

Will I need to supply my own (OEM) jack or with they do everything themselves?

All I supplied to Event Tyres was the offer of copious amounts of tea, though even this was politely refused. They will have everything they need with them. Used an air jack on mine as a timesaver.

Oh, he did use my torque wrench, but only because I offered it as it was already set for the car.

[Dicky Knee]

Pneus Online and Oponeo are also worth a look for pricing

[DSLiverpool]

When the tyres are off look for cracks on the inner rim - quite common. This is the sidewall towards the centre of the car and usually the near side is effected.