Comfy tyres

[Luigi123]

Loads of threads on here about grip etc but what about refinement.

Currently I have 17" 7.5j rims (F&R) with 235/45's front and 255/40's rear (yes I know the rears are too wide for the rims)

I'm thinking of either 225/50's or 235/45's all round on a "94" Merc SL. (weighs about 1800kg with a top speed of 149mph) and only does around 7000 miles P.A.

I would prefer to pay up to £100 per corner, what do the PH masses reckon?

ETA currently the car has 3 oldish Kuhmos and 1 newer Nexan on it.

Edited by Luigi123 on Monday 12th January 09:14

[ging84]

i reckon this thread isn't going to go too well

[TA14]

Is this the Merc originally on 225/55/16s? If so 235/50/17 would seem to fit the bill for rim width, rolling radius and comfort: http://www.willtheyfit.com/index.php?width=225&amp... e.g.: http://www.toyo.co.uk/tire/pattern/proxes-t1-sport

[kambites]

Eagle F1 Asymmetrics are pretty good from a ride quality and noise point of view. £85 on Camskill for one of those sizes.

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m54b0s312p109616/Goodyea...

Edited by kambites on Monday 12th January 09:29

[Luigi123]

TA14 said:

Is this the Merc originally on 225/55/16s? If so 235/50/17 would seem to fit the bill for rim width, rolling radius and comfort: http://www.willtheyfit.com/index.php?width=225&amp... e.g.: http://www.toyo.co.uk/tire/pattern/proxes-t1-sport

Thanks
Yes the original fit is 225/55/16 I hadn't considered Toyos. I thought they were more of a track day tyre.
I may go to 235/50/17s but 45's seem to give more choice.

Edited by Luigi123 on Monday 12th January 09:45

[TA14]

Luigi123 said:

TA14 said:

Is this the Merc originally on 225/55/16s? If so 235/50/17 would seem to fit the bill for rim width, rolling radius and comfort: http://www.willtheyfit.com/index.php?width=225&amp... e.g.: http://www.toyo.co.uk/tire/pattern/proxes-t1-sport

Thanks
Yes the original fit is 225/55/16 I hadn't considered Toyos. I thought they were more of a track day tyre.
I may go to 235/50/17s but 45's seem to give more choice.

the 45 profile is a slightly smaller rolling radius compared to the original whereas the 50 is slightly larger; I suggested the 50 out of the two because that would give the more comfortable ride but there isn't a lot in it.

I can see that I wasn't clear on the Toyos because in this instance I was providing the link for sizing purposes and like you think that the T1-S may be too soft as would be the F1 mentioned above. The Michelin PS3 would be the default choice - how's that for price?

[BritishRacinGrin]

With comfortable ride and low noise in mind I'd probably recommend Michelin, Goodyear and then Uniroyal, in that order.

[hornetrider]

The Uniroyal Rainsport 3 is a relatively 'soft' tyre I found, after switching from Continental Sport Contact 5.

[Luigi123]

Uniroyal rainsport 3 are a good price and I can see are well thought of. They don't make 235/50/17 though so would opt for 225/50/17 or 235/45/17s oddly 235/45/17s seem to be cheaper

Anyone any experience of Nexans? Priced well with a good range of size options.

[TA14]

Dunlop http://www.camskill.co.uk/m54b0s312p109609/Dunlop_...
or Continental http://www.camskill.co.uk/m54b0s312p112748/Contine...

[BritishRacinGrin]

Which Nexens? those N-blue thingys or the older N8000 or whatever they're called?

[TooMany2cvs]

If you want a bit of ride quality and refinement, have you considered going back to 16" rims?

[hornetrider]

TA14 said:

or Continental http://www.camskill.co.uk/m54b0s312p112748/Contine...

The Sport Contact 5 is not a comfortable/soft tyre.

[TA14]

hornetrider said:

TA14 said:

or Continental http://www.camskill.co.uk/m54b0s312p112748/Contine...

The Sport Contact 5 is not a comfortable/soft tyre.

Even with a heavy Merc on top?

[hornetrider]

Yes.

As above, I had them on my 5 series touring and they were a lot firmer than the uniroyals which followed them. Not that it's a bad thing of course, depends what you want from a tyre. Merely giving my feedback in the context of the op.

FWIW the Uniroyals are a bit soft for me, so I'll either change next time or go for one with a higher load rating.

[TA14]

hornetrider said:

As above, I had them on my 5 series touring and they were a lot firmer than the uniroyals which followed them. Not that it's a bad thing of course, depends what you want from a tyre. Merely giving my feedback in the context of the op.

FWIW the Uniroyals are a bit soft for me, so I'll either change next time or go for one with a higher load rating.

Fair enough. Uniroyals or Dunlops then.

[Luigi123]

TooMany2cvs said:

If you want a bit of ride quality and refinement, have you considered going back to 16" rims?

I'd considered 16" rims but quite like the look of my current 17s (shallow I know)
Nexan n blues don't have a decent speed rating so n8000s possibly

Local place has a good deal on Avon ZV5s for £81 or Uniroyal RS 3's for £84 (fitted)

[Sheepshanks]

BritishRacinGrin said:

With comfortable ride and low noise in mind I'd probably recommend Michelin, Goodyear and then Uniroyal, in that order.

I've got a 2004 C Class which came new with Bridgestone Turanza's and they felt more like iron rings than rubber tyres. Rears wore first and put Michelin Primacy HPs on and was disappointed that it didn't make any obvious difference.

Then I changed the fronts for the Michelins and it made a world of difference to ride and noise. Odd really.

I'm currently running All Season's: Vredestein Quatrac 3 on the front and Kumho Solus Vier KH21 on the rear (no manufacturer does both front and rear sizes in All Season). I can't tell any difference between this set-up and the Michelins. These tyres were about a third cheaper than the Michelins.

Edited by Sheepshanks on Monday 12th January 10:48

[CMYKguru]

Pirelli P6000

[BritishRacinGrin]

Luigi123 said:

I'd considered 16" rims but quite like the look of my current 17s (shallow I know)
Nexan n blues don't have a decent speed rating so n8000s possibly

Local place has a good deal on Avon ZV5s for £81 or Uniroyal RS 3's for £84 (fitted)

Uniroyals- sorted. £16/corner under budget.