FLYCT

I've stated this before. But here it gies again.

Yesterday I drove my wife's SC430 with Continental DWS tires. It had been sitting for 3 days. For the first 6-8 miles the steering wheel was shaking about 1/2" side to side. The shake slowly decreased and after I got on the hyway and drove about 10 miles or so it was finally gone. I also felt the shaking in the seat. The DWS tires flat spot when sitting for a few days. It was 90dF so it wasn't a temperature issue.

Today I drove my other SC430 with the Michelin Pilot Super sports to pick up a Pizza. That car had been sitting for about 7 days. That car I does not exhibit any shaking ever. There is a significant difference.

When I had run flats the car felt like I was riding on steel tires. It was horrible. Small road bumps caused the suspension to slam when bottomed out.

OBP

My CLS550 does not have the Active Body Control feature - not sure it is available on US spec CLS. I would choose my CLS over the SC for overall handling anyday but not because of how it deals with rough roads or potholes on this side of the Hudson River. More because the airmatic suspension and the staggered rear setup gives solid cornering performance in comfort mode airmatic and pretty much high end sports car cornering performance in sport mode airmatic. The softly sprung SC is no match in corners.

But it is quite unfair to compare overall car performance from my venerable old 3UZFE 4.3 liter naturally aspirated Toyota V8 to a much more modern M278 4.7 liter biturbo V8 in the Benz.

Over potholes and bumps, I think my CLS can transmit as good a jolt as my SC cos of the 18 inch rims. Both cars use Conti non-RFTs. I did not even dare order the 19 inch option when building the Benz cos I knew what I was in for given the beat up roads in North NJ.

But yes, when I had the Pirelli RFTs on the SC, my teeth definitely chattered more and my eyeballs were jigging in their sockets. I'm glad I switched to Conti DWS even if like FLYCT says, they flat spot a bit when cold. I'm good with my SC the way it is and am planning to keep this old girl in service for quite a bit longer. The SC is the oldest car in my garage and it might stay that way.

You are right on the 16 or 17 inch rims tho - ran a winter setup for the SC from Tire Rack on cheapie 16 inch rims. That thicker sidewall definitely helps absorb bumps. It just made my car look a little weird.

ahxks1

Do you have a picture of what Your SC looked like with the 16 inch wheels?

Need4Speed

Michelin Zero Pressure all the way

Yes their pricey but if that does not matter then that is what I recommend

if not

then you have

Pirelli as well which is great

FLYCT

One issue with Zero Pressure or Run Flat tires is that if you get a nail they are not repairable. If you have a half worn tire then your into buying a pair of tires to prevent pulling. So catch a nail and it could cost you over $700.

I had a nail in one of my Michelin Pilot Super Sport non-run-flats a few weeks ago. Tire store did a plug/patch and rebalance for free.