slk 171- new tyres needed- any recommendations?
Discussion
Saving a few quid on cheap tyres might not seem like such a great idea in an emergency situation. The only thing that keeps the car going and stopping the way it should is an A4 sized contact patch at each corner. There were new Kumhos on a two year old 328i coupe I bought a while back and frankly they weren't very good at all. I took them off and put some proper tyres (Michelin Pilot Sports IIRC) on after a couple of thousand miles. The cost of tyres compared to depreciation and fuel is pretty small, after all. The Michelins lasted very well on my 911 also, but they are quite pricey.
I'm concerned to hear that the rear tyres only last 8,000 miles though as I've finished running my car in, and I can get wheelspin on demand at most urban speeds even with the traction control switched on
I'm concerned to hear that the rear tyres only last 8,000 miles though as I've finished running my car in, and I can get wheelspin on demand at most urban speeds even with the traction control switched on
I actually believe that the Kumho's have picked the game up on the tyre front, a few years ago they were crap, but i've seen a marked improvement in the tyre design and manufacture of these tyres, They were cheap because they price matched on something that they didnt have in stock, so we actually got a good deal out of it. *i should have maybe added that earlier, my bag*
They've also been Vmaxxed, By my self and not once during the whole day would they break loose, despite copious amounts of trying, Traction off is first thing on do before selcting D, on the track or during spirited driving on the way up in the greasy wet conditions.
They've been at regular speeds of over 150mph, *for sustained* periods.
I *personally* think the Kumho's are a good road tyre, wet or dry, much more so than the Michelin/Avon and indeed Toyo's we've had on it previously.
All IMHO of course...
They've also been Vmaxxed, By my self and not once during the whole day would they break loose, despite copious amounts of trying, Traction off is first thing on do before selcting D, on the track or during spirited driving on the way up in the greasy wet conditions.
They've been at regular speeds of over 150mph, *for sustained* periods.
I *personally* think the Kumho's are a good road tyre, wet or dry, much more so than the Michelin/Avon and indeed Toyo's we've had on it previously.
All IMHO of course...
steve-p said:
I'm concerned to hear that the rear tyres only last 8,000 miles
Considering 3000 miles were on European motorways, the rest were done commuting and the ESP stops any 100m burn-outs, I too am a little surprised.
Also my T350 did 10k before I had to change the rears AND it was "driven like it was stolen" every day.
Yes, I'm not a Toyo fan either. Bridgestone and Michelin would probably be my first choice nowadays. Kumho could well have raised their game over recent years, though. There was plenty of room for improvement! There are a lot of tyre companies with strange Asian names nowadays at the bottom end of the market.
I know that Kumho used to have a wide range of tyres from cheap and cheerful to high performance and even race tyres, and that they are a respected brand in some parts of the world, but for some years they didn't import anything other than budget tyres into the UK. Perhaps that has changed.
I know that Kumho used to have a wide range of tyres from cheap and cheerful to high performance and even race tyres, and that they are a respected brand in some parts of the world, but for some years they didn't import anything other than budget tyres into the UK. Perhaps that has changed.
Coming up to 9000 on mine (SLK 350 - 17's) and looks like another 2000 tops left. Again, haven't booted it that much. Any suggestions would be most welcome.Forget Bridgestone, soft compound sticks like glue but will give up in 6K if the pirellis only lasted 8. Just listen to the other guys, stick with a quality brand. All the traction control in the world won't stop you falling off a wet roundabout. Toyo Proxes are the lowest to consider quality wise, TVR are using them at present on some cars. BTW I witnessed an SL55 un-stick its tyres in the dry on a test day at Thruxton - it hit the tyre wall backwards. The customer laughed, the dealer did'nt. That was with ESP on! I take it you have a 350 and not the 200K?
tonylal said:
Forget Bridgestone, soft compound sticks like glue but will give up in 6K if the pirellis only lasted 8. Just listen to the other guys, stick with a quality brand. All the traction control in the world won't stop you falling off a wet roundabout. Toyo Proxes are the lowest to consider quality wise, TVR are using them at present on some cars. BTW I witnessed an SL55 un-stick its tyres in the dry on a test day at Thruxton - it hit the tyre wall backwards. The customer laughed, the dealer did'nt. That was with ESP on! I take it you have a 350 and not the 200K?
Yes it's a 350... manual!
I've found an extensive review on another forum and their review of the Zeros was spot on (4/10 for treadwear!) top ratings go to Goodyear F1s and Michelin PS2s so I'll let the price decide.
Had the F1s on my TVR (not using Toyo anymore) and the Michelins on an M3 so I know i won't go far wrong with either.
Thanks for all the suggestions
steve-p said:
I know that Kumho used to have a wide range of tyres from cheap and cheerful to high performance and even race tyres, and that they are a respected brand in some parts of the world, but for some years they didn't import anything other than budget tyres into the UK. Perhaps that has changed.
FYI - Update
Nadine runs her 200+MPH viper on street legal, UK imported Kumho tyres, same as what i run on the Alfa (if slightly smaller and lower speed rating)
Kumho's are very underrated tyres these days...
blueyes said:
Went for Goodyear F1's at £155 + vat.
They seem much better than the Pirellis... especially in the wet!
I'll report back when I've put a few more miles on them.
.... and now I've sent them back to Goodyear and stuck pirellis back on. The F1's were fine in the pouring rain but a nightmare in the damp when the temp dropped below 10c: mega wheelspin in the first 3 gears and scary on roundabouts.
After a bit of research it appears that Pirelli make the tyre specific to the SLK and stamp a small "MO" on the sidewall. The compound is softer hence the higher wear rate but better traction.
blueyes said:
After a bit of research it appears that Pirelli make the tyre specific to the SLK and stamp a small "MO" on the sidewall. The compound is softer hence the higher wear rate but better traction.
That's interesting - I'm close to needing to change the tyres for the first time on my car, the original fit Bridgestone's wear out almost as I look at them.
I'd noticed some on-line tyre suppliers listing 'Mercedes fitment' (or 'BMW') after some tyres and wondered why.
Is this something that's well known to tyre fitters - I wonder how many people buy the standard tyre and then lose the car on a familiar bit of road?
Do you know if there is a list somewhere of 'approved' Mercedes tyres?
deva link said:
After a bit of research it appears that Pirelli make the tyre specific to the SLK and stamp a small "MO" on the sidewall. The compound is softer hence the higher wear rate but better traction.
That's interesting - I'm close to needing to change the tyres for the first time on my car, the original fit Bridgestone's wear out almost as I look at them.
I'd noticed some on-line tyre suppliers listing 'Mercedes fitment' (or 'BMW') after some tyres and wondered why.
Is this something that's well known to tyre fitters - I wonder how many people buy the standard tyre and then lose the car on a familiar bit of road?
Do you know if there is a list somewhere of 'approved' Mercedes tyres?
The boss of the local Kwik Fit told me about the "MO" when I ordered them. Not sure if it applies to all models but worth noting anyway.
Strange thing is, the original Pirellis on the front don't have the "MO" mark.
MO Denotes they where developed for Mercedes Benz,
JO Denotes they where developed for Jaguar Car's.
I'm sure there's other's.
No extra marking's mean's they where not developed for any sole Car Manufacter.
Think your self lucky you haven't got a S class Merc.
Using a different brand can lead to noise's that you swear blind is the prop.
JO Denotes they where developed for Jaguar Car's.
I'm sure there's other's.
No extra marking's mean's they where not developed for any sole Car Manufacter.
Think your self lucky you haven't got a S class Merc.
Using a different brand can lead to noise's that you swear blind is the prop.
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