C Class Coupe 220 CDI with 225/40/18 on the front and 255/35/18 on the rear. After 76,000 miles on several sets of the Continentals fitted as standard I fancied a change. Eventually decided to try the ZZ5s and had them fitted front and back at the same time.
Initial impressions on driving with the ZZ5s were that there was a lot more feel and feedback through the front wheels in comparison to the Continentals. Cornering is improved. Whereas the Continentals seemed to cause the car to flop into the apex of a bend, on the ZZ5s the car seems to hold a better line through a corner. My perception is that I could drive the car faster through a given corner in comparison the Continentals.
In comparison to my recollection of the Continentals, the ZZ5s seem very prone to 'tram lining', particularly on the concrete sections of the M25 motorway. The ZZ5s are also noisy on these same concrete sections but quiet on the Tarmac sections. The biggest downside to the ZZ5s is a jitteriness or sense of instability in a straight line at speed of the rear tires. I don't know if the side walls of the ZZ5s are stiffer or softer than the Continentals, but it is quite unnerving when the back end of the car seems to want to point the front end in a different direction at 70 or 80mph. It certainly keeps me alert on the motorway. Interestingly, I don't get the same jitteriness at 50mph on an A or B road with a worse surface.
Fuel economy with the ZZ5s is about the same as the Continentals. They have the same rating so no surprises there.
In terms of purchase cost, the four ZZ5s were fitted for £330, which was quite a saving over prices quoted for the big brands at the time. However, I'm not sure that I would buy them them again for the C Class Coupe - that rear end jitteriness is a significant issue that detracts from the overall experience of driving on these tires.