Hello all,

My R230 SL500 needs new back tyres - it's currently running Michelin Pilot Sport 285/35/18s.

I know that these are without doubt the best tyres, however they are GBP250 each (that's the best online, fitted, VAT inclusive price I can find - Blackcircles).

However I've heard lots of good things said about Falken 452s - I can get these for GBP130 each - that's a total difference of GBP240 - quite a lot of money. I'm not the sort of person who likes different makes on the same car (I've got brand new Pilots on the front) - but with that kind of saving I'm prepared to forego my principles, especially if the Falkens are as good as I've heard.

Does anyone have experience of these tyres on an SL? Any good? I'm sure that the grip will be fine, I'm more concerned about the weight of the car - SLs are heavy beasts.

 

Car and Driver did a performance tire comparo in the most recent issue and used the Pilot Sport as a benchmark. The Hankook Ventus V12 Evo came second for about USD108 a tire (225/45 x 17) against USD 192 for the Michelin. The Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec came first at USD 137. A Kumho Ecsta XS came third at a price between first and second. I have Sumitomo HTR Z IIs on my '01 SL500 Sport (staggers) that receive very good reviews from Tire Rack and are about the price of the Kumhos.

I have always used Michelin tires on my MB vehicles, but they have always been sedans. I think any of the four mentioned would suit for a better price. If you can lay hands on the August 2009 issue of Car and Driver, you can see the comparison.

 

Oh, the Falken Azenis RT-615 came 7th of the nine tires in the test.

 

Thanks DrJfrmLA. I'm not too keen on the Kumhos - I've had them on a previous vehicle (Toyota MR2 Spider/Roadster (whatever you call it in the US)) and they were positively dangerous. This may however be a result of the weight (900kg) and distribution of the weight on the car.

How are you finding the life of your tyres?

 

Interesting your experience with the Kumhos. I had a set on a Lexus ES300 and got 40k miles from them with nary a problem. It may be their quality control is spotty.

I can't say about the life of the Sumitomos. They have a greater tread wear rating than the Michelins, but I have not had my R129 long enough to know whether they will wear longer. My foot is heavier in the roadster than in my W220 sedan, so I expect shorter tire life. The life of any V-rated tire is going to be relatively short, so I don't expect what I get from my H-rated MXV4 Michelins on my sedan.