Got new tires this weekend, now there's a whine from the front driver tire... it starts at 30mph or so, continues to higher speeds, worst when the car is going straight, stops immediately if I touch the brake or turn the wheel slightly. This is...?

__________________
1980 300SD 220,xxx
somewhere, nc

Wheel bearing may be the problem.

Maybe a bearing. Maybe a bad tire.

Easiest way to check may to be swap sides for the tire. If the whine follows, look at the tire; if it stays, probably something with the hub/bearing.

Going away with the touch of the brake sounds a bit odd though. Maybe jack up the car and untorque/re-torque the lug nuts. Of course, you'd also do that by swapping sides.

On the way home this evening, the sound was absent. My brake pad light flickered, though. Could this be a worn brake pad?

__________________
1980 300SD 220,xxx
somewhere, nc

I have the exact same problem with my TD. It has had 3 different tires up front... still there. 2 alignments.... still there. I suspect the wheel bearing.

__________________
08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D

Oh and my brakes are absolutely positively shot on my TD. If it's still there after new brakes then I guess I am replacing bearings.

__________________
08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D

have you been beating it?

or post a video or sound clip?

sounds like typical break noise from really worn pads. change, clean, grease, and flush new fluid through the lines, and you should be good to go.