New Goodyear 225/60/18

[chasb]

I still get a bit of tracking left to right, but not always like I did with the conti's

Originally Posted by Meister

Welcome back home safely, II kings. Outstanding post (your norm, BTW), and much appreciated. It's good to have a confirmed clearly superior alternative to the Contis.

I, too, find the steering wheel kick bothersome, and was disappointed to read that, though dimished, it's still noticeable. Anyone know of an aftermarket steering damper that will work on the C? Hopefully, II kings, there will be a way to eliminate it.

ChasB, or others running the Goodyear F1 Supercar tire, do you still get steering wheel kick?

Has anyone solved the problem?

`

[II kings 9:20]

Thanks Hemeee, 3000 posts is fairly ridiculous, but I can't help it.

I did not comment on the tracking b/c they did an alignment and full credit may not go to the tires. Right and left crown sensitivity was already improved after the bolt kit last year is much better with the GY, far less pressure on the wheel to go straight.

I like the idea of a better sway bar, and maybe springs, what's the damage $$ Hemeee. What I really need is perfect steering, as I said, tolerable now, much improved, but less than perfect. Funny some don't have the steering kick.

[frank29]

Originally Posted by II kings 9:20

.......3000 posts is fairly ridiculous......

It depends on the posts.....there are other forums I frequent....in one of those other forums, the "leader" is a joke and his/her posts, in my opinion, are a detriment to the forum....that is not the case here.

[II kings 9:20]

Thanks for those kind words Frank.

[Meister]

Originally Posted by II kings 9:20

...Meister, a few weeks after I bought my C (6/26/04), I contacted a supplier for steering stabilizers, no luck. My 87 300E had a steering shock absorber like some heavy trucks. This was a recirculating ball system, TMK I don't know of any stabilizer systems for R&P steering. NE1 else know about this? I think a steering shock would eliminate any remaining kick, maybe it's time for a little research.

Thanks for the input, II kings. And I've read your & others further posts about better suspension components (like HEMEEE's, for example) taking most of the steering kick out even when running the stock Contis. That's highly useful, and encouraging, information.

On the topic of tires, here's what TR user surveys say about some of the tires we see mentioned on this forum. (Tire noise is a biggie to me, BTW, as I have two tin ears from three decades of being up close & personal with jet engines. Accordingly, I've listed the tires in order from loudest to quietest, with all rated areas included.) OK, here's the list:

Tire ratings, TireRack, sorted by noise from worst to best, selected tires:

6.4 Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=Pilot+HX+MXM4

Dry Traction: 7.1
Wet Traction: 5.8
Hydro Resistance: 5.8
Snow Traction: 4.4
Cornering Stability: 6.4
Steering Response: 6.7
Ride Comfort: 6.7
Noise Comfort: 6.4
Tread Wear: 6.2

6.7 BFG KDWs: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....orce+T%2FA+KDW

Dry Traction: 9.0
Wet Traction: 8.2
Hydro Resistance: 7.9
Cornering Stability: 8.8
Steering Response: 8.8
Ride Comfort: 7.2
Noise Comfort: 6.7
Tread Wear: 6.9

6.9 ContiTouringContact CH95: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ngContact+CH95
(300C RWD OEM tire)

Dry Traction: 7.6
Wet Traction: 6.8
Hydro Resistance: 6.8
Snow Traction: 5.8
Cornering Stability: 7.0
Steering Response: 7.1
Ride Comfort: 7.3
Noise Comfort: 6.9
Tread Wear: 6.0

7.1 Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....le+F1+Supercar

Dry Traction: 9.4
Wet Traction: 6.0
Hydro Resistance: 4.8
Cornering Stability: 9.3
Steering Response: 9.2
Ride Comfort: 7.7
Noise Comfort: 7.1
Tread Wear: 6.4

8.5 Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....Eagle+F1+GS-D3
Best match for 300C: 255/45 YR18, 103Y XL, $193

Dry Traction: 9.2
Wet Traction: 9.1
Hydro Resistance: 9.0
Cornering Stability: 8.9
Steering Response: 8.8
Ride Comfort: 8.6
Noise Comfort: 8.5
Tread Wear: 8.0

8.7 Goodyear Assurance TripleTred http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....nce+TripleTred
(Not yet available in sizes larger than 17")

Dry Traction: 9.4
Wet Traction: 9.4
Hydro Resistance: 9.4
Snow Traction: 9.1
Cornering Stability: 9.0
Steering Response: 9.1
Ride Comfort: 8.8
Noise Comfort: 8.7
Tread Wear: 9.2

9.3 Goodyear Assurance ComforTred http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....nce+ComforTred

Dry Traction: 9.0
Wet Traction: 8.7
Hydro Resistance: 8.7
Snow Traction: 7.9
Cornering Stability: 8.2
Steering Response: 8.0
Ride Comfort: 9.2
Noise Comfort: 9.3
Tread Wear: 9.0

Note what an absolutely awesome tire the Goodyear Assurance TripleTred is--magnificent! But it's only offered in 16" & 17" sizes so far. Tire Rack is to let me know tomorrow when (& if) we can expect to see that tire available in larger sizes.

Of the currently available choices, I'll be putting on 255/45 YR18 Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3s in a few months. Substantially quieter than our stock tire, it is an excellent all-around performer. At an inch or so shorter than the Contis, it'll bring up the effective launch torque a bit, and every little bit does, indeed, help.

[HEMEEE]

Not ridiculous at all II k, we wouldn't want it any other way!

Hotchkis lists their sway bars at $413. However Tbyrne has a GB going right now - with 10 they drop to $330./free shipping. Last I checked he was up to 7 orders pending.
Here's the link: Group Buy

Originally Posted by II kings 9:20

Thanks Hemeee, 3000 posts is fairly ridiculous, but I can't help it. ....

I like the idea of a better sway bar, and maybe springs, what's the damage $$ Hemeee. What I really need is perfect steering, as I said, tolerable now, much improved, but less than perfect. Funny some don't have the steering kick.

[II kings 9:20]

Thanks for the info Meister and Hemeee, I really liked the specs on that Triple Tread too, a bit better than the ComforTread which was #2 among the 30 tires in the class. Proper balance is critical, it took 3 tries at GY and the fronts are perfect, I still detect a faint imbalance at the rear. My advice is to go into the big city and buy tires (or balance if mail ordering) at a place that can do "load" or "on the car" balancing. I had this experience 10 years ago with my 87 300E, once I got them balanced on the car I never balanced or rotated again for 25,000 miles or so. With only 177hp and 188tq, no worries about wearing out the rears prematurely. I am amazed at how responsive that car was, there is something special about a straight 6, BMW knows this, MB unfortunately went to the V and has never been the same, kinda like Samson getting his hair cut, somebody get us back on point next post .

["C"for me]

All great points that you make, I have just ordered the GY tires as well, should be in and installed next week. One small point, on the "C" the Conti's are the CH95 (the only ones listed as ContiSeal) and the snow rating is a 5.8 ride rating is 7.3 and noise rating is 6.9! Not a good showing no matter how you look at it. The Conti's you listed just HAVE to be a low cost econobox replacement tire. ???
I also send my thanks to "Dos Kings" for helping me make up my mind. I have had good luck, no pull, no weird tire wear, and decent tread left after 17K miles. BUT I cannot put up with the noise and jarring ride. So off with the bad and on with the good.

[Meister]

Originally Posted by "C"for me

All great points that you make, I have just ordered the GY tires as well, should be in and installed next week. One small point, on the "C" the Conti's are the CH95 (the only ones listed as ContiSeal) and the snow rating is a 5.8 ride rating is 7.3 and noise rating is 6.9! Not a good showing no matter how you look at it. The Conti's you listed just HAVE to be a low cost econobox replacement tire. ???
I also send my thanks to "Dos Kings" for helping me make up my mind. I have had good luck, no pull, no weird tire wear, and decent tread left after 17K miles. BUT I cannot put up with the noise and jarring ride. So off with the bad and on with the good.

Good catch, "C"for me...'splains why the Conti numbers were worse than I remembered.

Original post ammended accordingly.

[II kings 9:20]

Originally Posted by "C"for me

All great points that you make, I have just ordered the GY tires as well, should be in and installed next week. One small point, on the "C" the Conti's are the CH95 (the only ones listed as ContiSeal) and the snow rating is a 5.8 ride rating is 7.3 and noise rating is 6.9! Not a good showing no matter how you look at it. The Conti's you listed just HAVE to be a low cost econobox replacement tire. ???
I also send my thanks to "Dos Kings" for helping me make up my mind. I have had good luck, no pull, no weird tire wear, and decent tread left after 17K miles. BUT I cannot put up with the noise and jarring ride. So off with the bad and on with the good.

Oddly my contis had even wear and 50% tread at 11K, I still find it fascinating that tires could make a suspension so bad. I think the weight of the car and unsprung weight have a lot to do with the tire's poor performance. Either way, I have never have owned a car where tires made such a difference and that includes my dad's 72 Impala wagon with steel belts showing through the tread.