Tyres for SL500
Discussion
Hello all
My SL500 (R230) needs new back tyres - it's running Michelin Pilots in 285/35/18 at the moment.
The Michelins are £250 each, but a lot of PHers really rate the Falken 452s wheich are 130 each from Camskill. That's 240 cheaper, which is a big difference. I don't expect to get Michelin-esque tyre life from Falkens, but otherwise has anyone used them on an SL, which is a lardy car?
My SL500 (R230) needs new back tyres - it's running Michelin Pilots in 285/35/18 at the moment.
The Michelins are £250 each, but a lot of PHers really rate the Falken 452s wheich are 130 each from Camskill. That's 240 cheaper, which is a big difference. I don't expect to get Michelin-esque tyre life from Falkens, but otherwise has anyone used them on an SL, which is a lardy car?
I recently put Falkens on my SL500 (R129) having seen the reviews here. I am no Michael Schumacher, but I have no complaints at all, grip and noise all seem at least equal to the SportContacts I have previously used. On the downside, it did take a hundred miles or so before they were properly 'scrubbed in' stopped losing traction as I launched from a junction.
Personally I would not go beyond Michelin, Continental, Dunlop or Pirelli which I understand to be the only manufacturers with tyres homologated for your car.
Yesterday I had Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s fitted to my 1999 SL500 at a cost of £720 and I have to say they have transformed the car. They are extraordinarily grippy, very feelsome, very quiet and roll without vibration. I will not fit anything else from now on. They replaced a set of Michelin Primacy HPs which were very disappointing and were down to 2.5mm at the back, 4mm at the front, after only 15,000 miles. Previously I have used Continental Sport Contact 2s which I found lasted very well but were prone to acquaplanning in very heavy rain. I have never tried either Pirellis or Dunlops; the Dunlop SP9000 was homologated for the SL and should suit the car's character but is hard to find; the current Dunlop and Pirelli range I suspect are too aggressive.
Yesterday I had Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s fitted to my 1999 SL500 at a cost of £720 and I have to say they have transformed the car. They are extraordinarily grippy, very feelsome, very quiet and roll without vibration. I will not fit anything else from now on. They replaced a set of Michelin Primacy HPs which were very disappointing and were down to 2.5mm at the back, 4mm at the front, after only 15,000 miles. Previously I have used Continental Sport Contact 2s which I found lasted very well but were prone to acquaplanning in very heavy rain. I have never tried either Pirellis or Dunlops; the Dunlop SP9000 was homologated for the SL and should suit the car's character but is hard to find; the current Dunlop and Pirelli range I suspect are too aggressive.
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