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Garage => Mechanicals => Topic started by: Mergyver on 14 September 2018, 06:41 PM

Title: Pirellis vs. Michelins
Post by: Mergyver on 14 September 2018, 06:41 PM
The Michelins on my 74 450SEL appear to be 10 - 15 years old. The treads are in good shape but as you can imagine the have dry rot and produce this low frequency vibration when I drive.

I am in the process of replacing suspension bushings ball joints frame mounts etc. So it is definitely time to get new tires.

So what does the crowd recommend Pirellis or Michelins? I have Pirellis on my 89 560SL and I love them. I had Michelins on my 2005 E320 CDI and loved them.

Title: Re: Pirellis vs. Michelins
Post by: mrkozzy on 14 September 2018, 10:18 PM
My car came from the factory with Continental "in the day".
Its run Michelins, most of its life.
Now I have Hankooks because of the low K's that I drive and I want to change them every 6-7 years because of the "Age" factor that affects all rubber tyres. (Cheaper to throw away).

My wifes more current model (B series) came factory fitted with Pirellis and they are still perfect and comfortable.

As to your question, I think a "coin toss' would best help solve the problem.
Title: Re: Pirellis vs. Michelins
Post by: ptashek on 15 September 2018, 06:38 AM
I have Dunlop Sport BluResponse on my W116, and they're quiet and have great grip wet and dry, but are 15" and a summer-only tire.

My W124 drives on Michelin CrossClimate's and they're great too.
Title: Re: Pirellis vs. Michelins
Post by: raueda1 on 15 September 2018, 09:27 AM
I'm running 235/60-15 Pirelli P600's.  Excellent ride, excellent handling, relatively expensive, not easy to find.   Great look, too.  At the recent M-100 group event another 6.9 driver drove the car and declared afterwards that he was getting them too.
Title: Re: Pirellis vs. Michelins
Post by: Mergyver on 15 September 2018, 12:38 PM
Thanks guys, I am leaning towards the Pirellis because the ride in my SL is so good. I may have to pull out a coin to toss.
Title: Re: Pirellis vs. Michelins
Post by: Peter on 15 September 2018, 07:11 PM
I can only agree with P600's - they have lasted extremely well and I cant fault the ride quality.
Title: Re: Pirellis vs. Michelins
Post by: marku on 16 September 2018, 09:45 AM
I did have a set of Pirellis on a car and wore them out pretty quickly but I was doing a high mileage. The leasing company I had the car from which included the servicing wouldn't believe me and used to call them in for examination. It was because the tyres were softer and more flexible and of course my heavy driving. I stuck with the Pirellis because they came with the new car. Our current car has Goodyear Eagle which we get a really good mileage and again they were on the car when we bought it new. I have always kept to the originals as I understood that the car's suspension/driving etc was set up for the original tyres fitted and so far I have no complaints. As our 116s do not do any mileage to speak of it doesnt matter that much I suppose what is fitted but I still think that something near to the original has to be the best option. Look on the datacard to see what was fitted originally ours had Continental.
Title: Re: Pirellis vs. Michelins
Post by: Mergyver on 16 September 2018, 12:23 PM
Thanks Marcu
Title: Re: Pirellis vs. Michelins
Post by: Scotty on 22 September 2018, 04:45 AM
In my experience Michelins last longer but Pirellis give better grip. That may be because of the application and choice of car for which the tyres were bought. Both will be good choices.  It's a very personal choice so it's good you have limited the choice to only two brands. But sometimes other brands can surprise. Hankooks appear on my Land Rover and I'm very happy with them. Best of luck with the choice. Post some photos if you can.

Scotty
Title: Re: Pirellis vs. Michelins
Post by: polymathman on 22 September 2018, 01:49 PM
Many times tires that sit for a bit will develop a flat spot. This will usually go away when the car is driven with slightly raised tire pressure on warm or hot roads. Makes kinda a low growling sound till the tire is reset.
Title: Re: Pirellis vs. Michelins
Post by: Mergyver on 24 September 2018, 08:31 PM
Thanks guys. I will post pictures when I get the new tires.
Title: Re: Pirellis vs. Michelins
Post by: Diesel 617 on 24 September 2018, 09:39 PM
If you want safety go for Pirelli. Unfortunately they are hard to come by in the U.S
I had Michellin Defenders with approx 55%+ tread left and they constantly slid when it was slick out (light misting rain) I couldn't get rid of those horrible tires fast enough They were 205 70 14

I have  Hankook Optimo H724 195 75 14 right now and they are faring better than the Michelin but I noticed they slid a little the other day in the rain, I'll be getting the tread checked soon and update this post then

I think next time I am going to try is the new Hankook Kinergy ST H735 they have both 205 and 195 I am going to try the 205s again or the  Kumho Solus KR21 205 70 14 I had them years ago and was very pleased with them But I didn't keep the car long enough to see the tread go past 75%
Title: Re: Pirellis vs. Michelins
Post by: Mergyver on 25 September 2018, 06:46 AM
I have been hearing more about the Hancock tires. I will look into them. Prior to this thread I have never given them a second thought.

I am not surprised about the Michellin Defenders slipping. I  use them on a heavy truck. I think they have a very hard compound because I get close to 60,000 miles out of them. I am thinking harder compound would lead to slippage on a wet road.
Title: Re: Pirellis vs. Michelins
Post by: Squiggle Dog on 25 September 2018, 12:17 PM
I have Hankooks on my 300SD because they were cheap and someone was selling them as "shaved whitewalls". I've been very impressed with the tires and I'm still running them even though one of the tires is ten years old now and I've put many miles on them on a daily driver. I'd say they are as good as one can expect from a budget tire, and then some.
Title: Re: Pirellis vs. Michelins
Post by: Mergyver on 25 September 2018, 02:01 PM
Thanks Squiggle, definitely going to check them out.
Title: Re: Pirellis vs. Michelins
Post by: s class on 26 September 2018, 01:53 PM
I have tried the kumho kr21 in 205 70 14.  Pretty decent grip, smooth enough ride, but I've had two of them delaminate for no particular reason, while they were less than 5 years old.
Title: Re: Pirellis vs. Michelins
Post by: Diesel 617 on 27 September 2018, 12:14 AM
Quote from: s class on 26 September 2018, 01:53 PM
I have tried the kumho kr21 in 205 70 14.  Pretty decent grip, smooth enough ride, but I've had two of them delaminate for no particular reason, while they were less than 5 years old.
On discount tires website they are reviews lower than the H724s which is why I figured Id go for the new Hankook Kinergy ST H735. Just another reason to avoid the older Kumohs.  Thanks!
Title: Re: Pirellis vs. Michelins
Post by: Diesel 617 on 03 November 2018, 09:08 AM
an update on Hankook Optimo H724 195 75 14 purchased at 268k miles tread re checked at 280k mi

FR 5/32 FL 7/32 RR 6/32 and RL 7/32. I think these tires will make it another 13k miles (70k mile warranty, will last about 35k mi). The uneven tread wear is due to bad tie rod and worn shocks and lots of right tuns. So far I can recommend these tires.