R129 500SL extra load tyres?

[Motorrad]

I'm just about to get rid of the Kumho Ecstas the previous cheapskates put on my 500SL.

I'll be fitting either Michelin Primacy 3, Dunlop SP Sport Bluresponse or Continental Premium Contact 5, speed rating W. I am not going to bother with 'MO' rated tyres as they all seem to be older patterns (ie Primacy or Contact 2s).

I wonder if anyone knows of any benefit to fitting 99XL (extra load) rated tyres rather than the more common 95?

I've done a bit of reading but have found no definitive answer to this question and I don't think XL tyres existed back in 1991 so my owners manual so that sheds no light either.

Any comments on that or my choice of rubber would be of interest!

[r129sl]

I've got Michelin Pilot Sport 3s on my SL500; these are only available in "extra load" 99 spec. The only difference is in the stiffness of the sidewall but I cannot tell any difference (extra load tyres are stiffer, goes the theory). I like the feel of the Michelin Pilot Sport tyres on the car but I found the PS2 (which is no longer available) to feel nicer than the PS3.

[PositronicRay]

I can't really help but I'm in the same boat so would be interested in the replys.

I'm looking @ Uniroyal rainsport 3's

[Motorrad]

I would love some Pilot Sports but cannot find them in the correct size 225/55/16 should have added that piece of info.

Re: the Uniroyals I know they're highly regarded (and a sub-brand of Continental) but I can't help being drawn towards the 'correct' brands specified by Mercedes.

I suspect they're a very good tyre but the saving over Contact 5s or the Michelins isn't great.

Edited by Motorrad on Thursday 12th February 19:14

[r129sl]

The Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetric 2 is available in that size and is a very well-regarded performance tyre. Not OE but then the Conti, Michelin and Dunlop offerings seem a bit comfort-orientated.

[harrykul]

+1 on the Goodyear, run them on my r129, and they're hard to fault.

[TimboL]

I've had Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 95s on my 1999 R129 500 for more than a year. The wheels are 245/45/17 'Sadors'. It seems to handle OK.

It came with Dunlop SP something-or-others on it when it was new, and those seemed to be the closest match to the factory originals that I could find.

Edited by TimboL on Tuesday 17th February 23:26

[Motorrad]

First thanks for all the replies.

I read a bit about the SportMaxx's suggesting accelerated wear although I'm sure it's an exaggeration.

In the end I went for the F1s. I'll report on them when fitted and road tested next week some time.

Price was a very reasonable (I think) 405 quid for 4 fitted.

[Motorrad]

Managed to get the Goodyears put on today.

The improvement over the Kumhos is marked. After running them in grip levels are much higher and under hard acceleration from rest I get very little intervention from the ASR, previously it was squirming all over the place with the light blinking furiously. It also rolls a lot less in corners, I presume due to the much stiffer 99 rated sidewall. I think they suit the R129 very well.

I also got the garage to change the steering damper while it was up on the ramps. It had what I presume was the original Stabilus part on there- marked 'Made in West Germany'. It was in surprisingly good condition and wasn't completely wrecked as I've read posts about. However the new unit has really tightened up the steering feel and removed a slight vague sensation when the wheel was centered. It cost me 23 euros for another Stabilus item from 'WS-autoteile.com' with delivery taking a couple of days. I'd really recommend anyone to get it done while their car was up on the ramps as it was about 10 mins in labour to change and it's made a big difference to the way the car drives.