Finally. Nice tire, interesting tread pattern. Reasonable priced at $660 including shipping for (2) 245/40ZR18 on 9.5" wide MK I's and (2) 275/35ZR18 on 11" wide MK I's. Had to have them Roadforce balanced but all good now.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u305/Wuffer44/Tires001.jpg

Very cool looking tread pattern. Can I ask why it seems the standard is to use 245/40 on the fronts and 275/35 on the rear? Will a higher aspect ration like 45 on the front or 40/45 on the rear be too big for the wheel well and cause interference?

for 1 if the size is un common it will cost more and 45 and 50 series are taller and will rub

i love those tires, that giguaro design for the tread pattern is awesome!

Tire rolling diameter is the reason for the sizes. The computers don't like to be far off or see differences from front to back and the strut perch on the front rubs with a taller tire.

Interesting pattern. How do they handle wet & dry?

Very cool looking tread pattern. Can I ask why it seems the standard is to use 245/40 on the fronts and 275/35 on the rear? Will a higher aspect ration like 45 on the front or 40/45 on the rear be too big for the wheel well and cause interference?

The higher aspect ratio works when you use 17" wheels. I have 245/45-17 on front and 285/40-17 on the rears. It has to do with the overall tire height and circumference.

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/TxGr8White/Esmerelda/100_0248.jpg

TX, please give your thoughts on how your R129 compares to your E31. In particular, steering dynamics and handling. I always loved the R129 and think it makes a great sister car for the 8! Thanks!

TX, please give your thoughts on how your R129 compares to your E31. In particular, steering dynamics and handling. I always loved the R129 and think it makes a great sister car for the 8! Thanks!


I agree! I would love to hear about it.

There was one for sale in my town at the same time I ordered my 8. I am a big fan of the look, I drove an older Mid 80's version of the R129 and was not impressed. What year is yours?

2000 SL500. The R129 is somewhat like the 8 in that it is low to the ground, has great pulling power (for a V8) and is somewhat of a head turner (not as much as the 850 though). The SL feels very solid in the steering, the 850 not as much - I feel like the SL is "heavier" and more "solid", but the springs are somewhat soft since the car is geared more towards comfort and luxury, whereas my 850's ride is set-up more like my Z06. The SL is missing some of the features that I like to use on my 850 like: dipping mirror when in reverse, rear sunshade, and more comfortable seats. Alot of things are similar: the window lowers 1/2 inch when you open the door, the SL tells you when a bulb is burnt out, but will not allow the infinite number of seat settings that the 850 does. If you try to lean you seat back in the SL too far, the seat bottom moves forward - seems like a pain in the ass for taller guys (and gals).
The SL rides alot better on the new 18" staggered set-up than it did on the stock 17" wheels (exactly the opposite of the 850 - due to the springs and shocks being "softer")

Overall, I like the car, but I love my 850...

...but then again the wife is driving this one.

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/TxGr8White/Mercedes%20Benz%20SL500/222.jpg

Very nice looking tyres, I was thinking of buying these last year but went with the Bridgestone Potenzas again. I'll try the Verdesteins next time around. One question - what's that rear diffusor you have there? Looks a little like Racing Dynamics

It is RD Jason, with an AC Schnitzer boot spoiler. That diffuser looks much better than the OEM sport offering IMO.

It is RD Jason, with an AC Schnitzer boot spoiler. That diffuser looks much better than the OEM sport offering IMO.


Thanks Randy, first time I've seen an RD diffusor from that angle, looks good.

Yeah, I was wondering about thet defusor too.
Looks very nice, can one still get them??

Yeah, I was wondering about thet defusor too.
Looks very nice, can one still get them??

Yes, RD in the USA:
http://www.racdyn-usa.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=1&Category_Code=e31

Currently they are out of stock on these with no firm timeline of when they will be remade.

Currently they are out of stock on these with no firm timeline of when they will be remade.

To bad, but I guess I could always go stock CSI

Randy is correct (as usual) - the spoiler is ACS and the difuser RD. Was able over the years to locate both used in good condition and have them refinished in WufferRed.
David, no update on the handling characteristics of the tires in varying weather as the tires have only been on for a short time and my #1 car doesnt get out in the wet all that often - thats WinterBimmers job. I am prepping FrankenBimmer to bring it out of hibernation for the upcoming trip to the ARRWBTT in Santa Rosa in early March. That will be a 2-2500 mile round trip in whatever weather is thrown my way so I will have some real-time data on tire performance after that roadtrip.

Currently they are out of stock on these with no firm timeline of when they will be remade.


Thanks Randy, I didn't know that.

Noggie/Jason, all is not lost if you really want to pay for it. (2-3 times as much) for a 'real' Racing Dynamics Carbon Kevlar piece. You see, the site link that Jason posted is essentially Electrodyne, which is a company that copies original designs much like RaceonUSA. Back in the day Electrodyne and Racing Dynamics of Italy were in collaboration to market RD parts. When Electrodyne copied with a different manufacturing compound (not necessarily a bad thing) problems arose, it went to court, and Electrodyne won the rights to legally market parts with the Racing Dynamics logo and name in the US. For example it's a little known fact that the famous K55 actually has an Electrodyne-produced front spoiler. Real Racing Dynamics of Italy still has a presence in the US and is all under the direction of Federico Pavoncelli and RD Sports out of California, and there are still a few new old stock (NOS) aerodynamic pieces available. Contact me offline and I'll give you prices and a direct contact number if you'd like. Electrodyne out of North Carolina currently has only the boot spoiler available IIRC and will eventually make another run of the other parts except for the side skirts, as that mold is trashed and they haven't much incentive to reproduce another given the limited E31 market of today.

Hi Randy! I am actually curious how much it goes for "OE." Feel free to PM/call me to let me know. I would call you but my phone went on the fritz and I lost my entire contact list/phonebook. :(

As always Tom - the car looks great! Have fun at the wine tour!