I just replaced my aging 15" tires and original wheels on my '87 300E with Michelin MXV4 HR 16" tires with 8 spoke "classic" MB wheels.I paid $150 each for the tires.Did I get a good price for the tires?I was told that these tires are one notch below the top of the line Michelin Sports.The reason I didn't choose the top of the line was becuase these tires only last 18,000 miles. I live in southern Florida and the roads have a high content of coral--consequently no potholes,very hard roads, and very high tire wear.The tires I bought should last about 25,000 miles down here--I'm a fairly conservative driver, and don't "burn rubber."The slesman was pushing me to get even 17" tires, but my mechanic said the majority of 300E's only have 15 and 16" tires.Did I make the right decision in buying these tires?The salesman also said that a certain model of Nito tires were the equivalent of the top of the line Michelin, at a substantial savings, but I went with the Michelins anyway.He also said Michelins in the upper range category were superior to Pirellis in the equivalent upper range (higher performance)--is that true?Thanks in advance for answering this question.

MXV4 Plus (I hope you got the Plus at least) are one of the worst performance tires Michelin makes. They squeal constantly and don't grip worth a *****. They aren't even classified as a performance tire b/c they are a true all season tire. There are about 8 tires in between the Pilot Sport (top of the line) and Energy Plus (among the lower lines). Tire Rack sells these tires for $110 each, so, yes, you paid a much higher price.

Only thing the salesman seems to know is that Michelins are superior to everything. That he is correct about (IMHO).

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1988 Mercedes-Benz 260E

Could someone PLEASE tell me what Michelin Tires to look for, for my 1987 300E.When I went to the tire place to have my old tires replaced, I specifically stated I wanted the highest Michelin Peformance tire in 16" for my car.The salesman told me the MXV4 HR tires were one notch below the Pilots and they sold for $189, and he gave me a "deal" where he sold them to me for $150.Apparently I got rooked.Could someone list, from highest rated Pilot, to about three steps down, with approximate prices for each tire?I would greatly appreciate it. I was unaware of this forum before I went to the tire place, and forwarned is forearmed.Thanks!

I'm going to assume you are using 205/55R16, so here goes (all prices from Tire Rack NOT including shipping [apprx. $40/set])

1. Pilot Sport $195
2. Pilot SX MXX3 (discontinuted, replaced by Sport) $151
3. Pilot HX MXM $135
*4. Pilot XGT Z4 $154
*5. Pilot XGT H4 $91 (GREAT BUY)
*6. XGT V4 (kind of primitive, but still okay) $143
*7. Energy MXV4 Plus $112
*8. Energy MXV4 $124

* = all-season

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1988 Mercedes-Benz 260E

Daniel:

Wasn't the XGT V4 redone as a Pilot XGT V4 to fit between the Z4 and H4? The Pilot XGT V4 205/60VR15"s that I have on my car are advertised and sold as a step up from the Pilot H4 and a step down from the Pilot Z4. Mine have a different tread than the old XGT V4's I ran on my Accura Legend in the same size tire, (now it is almost identical in tread pattern to the Z4s), and supposedly has the same BAZ technology and other features to differentiate it from the old XGT V4s. Do they not have a Pilot XGT V4 in 16" size?

BTW, I agree with you, the Pilot H4 is a MUCH better handling tire than the old non-Pilot XGT V4s! I liked the H4s so much I am putting them on our 84 Celica GTS as well, now that Michelin is once more making a 225/60 14" tire!!! If they don't have a PILOT XGT V4 in 16", go with the Pilot H4 over the non-pilot V4.

[Edited by JCE on 01-01-2001 at 03:48 PM]

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John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

They don't make the Pilot XGT V4 in 205/55/16, thus I didn't include them. Yes, they are right in between the Z4 and H4.

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1988 Mercedes-Benz 260E

You got a good deal. I paid around $150/tire that includes installation, lifetime balancing, and all the bells and whistles.

I paid $130 + tax and balance for MXV4 plus (225/60HR/16)at Discount Tires in Houston, the Pilot XGT H4 is about $95 at both NTB and Discount Tires.

Just a tips, you can always get 5 to 10% off the regular price from any tire store. All you have to do is ask.

jack

After 14 months and 27,355 miles my 205/60x15 MXV4 were replaced no charge by NTB. They couldn't maintain balance. The Mich rep could not find any measureable wear. He told the whole customer waiting area that I was getting four new tires at no charge, natha, nothing, no dinero, that's right a freebe and what a great tire the Mich was. Nothing about the Benz suspension. A tip, always fixture the wheels on the centers not against the flat surface on the inside or the wheel. Torque the lugs with the wheels off the ground. I have my own torque wrench, carry it at all times. The new tires are super up to 120 mph. Would I buy these again, you bet. They are adequate for my driving and they are M+S. I'm no F-1 driver so the 130 speed rating is OK. Happy Trails Beep Beep from driving 12 o'clock high Houston.

Donald
check 12 on your speedo and tach

[Edited by Donald L. Swinford on 01-04-2001 at 11:47 PM]

Donald:

Maybe I'm a bonehead, but would you clarify please the sentence in your post -- "always fixture the wheels on the centers, not against the flat surface [on] the inside of the wheel"?

Thanks.

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David

His:
2003 Dodge Durango SLT
2002 BMW E39 530i Sport
1988 Mercedes 300TE
Hers:
2003 Chevrolet Suburban
1999 E430

the dunlop sp 5000 and the toyo proxes h4, will 225 60 15 be ok for a 126 that calls for a 205 65 15? any advantages to this setup? has anyone ever heard of vredstein tires are they a good brand?

[Edited by Benzo 300 on 01-09-2001 at 05:02 AM]

we sell the Energy MXV4 plus tires for $116.00 As far as them being a step below the Pilot Sports that's just plain ridiculous. Next issue is the XGT V4's which have been replace by the Pilot version which has all of the newer Michelin technology.
Luke

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Please, call me to place orders or for more info
use my name for on-line orders

The light allot wheels have two qualified surfaces for radial and lateral runout. They are where the tire seals against the wheel(notation "h" and "s" in The Technical Data Handbook, plus the lug bolts hole diameter. The only other nearly qualifing surfaces are the diameter where the hubcap fits and the opposite diameter on the inside of the wheel. The NTB shop where I have my service mount the wheel with a flat fixture to the flat surface on inside of the wheel and a centerring cone on the bore of the hub cap. The weight of the tire and wheel retards the wheel from fixturing with out radial runout. They have a rubber base fixture with 5 extensions for the lug bolt holes, but it is worse than the flat fixture. By replacing the inner flat fixture with a cone centerring tool and using the cone centerring tool as was used on the outside of the center bore, you remove the runout and get a far superior tire/wheel balance. This shop now does all M/B and BMW wheels this way. If you are not having your's fixture in this manner you may well be suprised in the difference it may make. Happy Trails Beep Beep from Houston.

Donald
Possibly I'm the B/H?

Donald:

I wonder if the tire mounting procedure you mention would calm some of the vibration I sometimes get at higher speeds on rain-grooved roadway?

As long as I'm complaining (and the reason I mention vibration), another annoying little problem I've had from time to time is the "floating 300E" problem. I've read all the threads, I think. I've had the rear links replaced, I've had the rear subframe mounts replaced (as well as the differential mounts) and I replaced the rear shocks (and I'm going to replace them again since I used KYBs when I really wanted Bilsteins). The front end was freshened up as well. Bilsteins up there and a new steering damper. Still, especially when there isn't much weight in the car, the rear end floats from time to time. Doesn't always happen, sometimes goes a day without happening, some days worse than others. I drive the same roads at the same times of the day a lot. I can't figure it out. And it doesn't happen with a full load of humans and their gear (read - four golfers and our golf clubs, shoes and extra clothes...).

Wow. Looking back at my recent posts, it makes it seem like my Benz is a lemon, when it's not....

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David

His:
2003 Dodge Durango SLT
2002 BMW E39 530i Sport
1988 Mercedes 300TE
Hers:
2003 Chevrolet Suburban
1999 E430

I am on my second set of Michelin Energy MXV4s on an 88 300E.I feel that they are an excellent tire for all around use. I found the traction on snow and ice to be so good that
I no longer put my studded snow tires on in the winter. They
work well for the occasional high speed corner and seldom do I get any squeal out of them. The only problem I see with them is life. I only got 23K miles out of the first set
and replaced them with the Energy MXV4 Plus (195 65 15) it
looks like they may make it to 30K if I am lucky. I would like to find a Tire that performs as good with a little better life.

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Dave
88 300E 250K Sold
2000 C230K Totaled @104K
2003 ML320 156K Sold
2009 E350 4Matic Sport 46K Sold
2011 ML350 60K Sold
2014 GLK350 46k
2012 GL450 55K