I am looking into options for replacing the tires on my '84 TD. At the moment it has some 16 inch wheels, W/ 205/55R16 M+S tires on it. I am interested in a tire that will give good tread life, low noise and be fairly responsive in terms of performance.

Is there really much difference between a M+S tire and a Summer tire? (winter tires will go on in november) and could I get away with a 215 sized tire? Thanks,
Jason

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46 WDX Power Wagon

84 300TDT daily driver

Bridgestone RE950

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David
1986 300E Anthracite + ECodes + MB Mileage Award

I just ordered a set of Michelin Energy™ MXV4® S8 for my car in the 195 65 VR15 size. They're supposed to be super comfortable and quiet. Treadwear is rated at 440. It's my first time trying this tire so we'll see how well they do with time. They should actually arrive tomorrow.

Here is a link to the few sizes they offer this tire in:

http://www.michelinman.ca/assets/pdfs/doc_energymxv4s8.pdf


I have heard that Bridgestone makes a great tire. The Tire Rack endorses the heavily also.

Good Luck!

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1989 300CE Astralsilber/Schwarz
1992 300CE Schwarz/Schwarz

Just got the tires installed and balanced today! I got an alignment too. That only took 20 minutes since the car was almost straight.

Here are the results of the alignment. The printer wasn't working so I had to write down the results:

Before

Front
Caster Left +10.25 ___________________Right +9.84
Camber Left - 0.08____________________Right -0.72
(In the Green Zone)___________________(In the Red Zone)

Rear
Toe Left +1/16_______________________Right +1/16
(In the Green Zone)___________________(In the Green Zone)


After

Front
Caster Left +10.24 ___________________Right +9.84
Camber Left - 0.08____________________Right -0.04
(In the Green Zone)___________________(In the Red Zone)

Rear
Toe Left +1/16_______________________Right +1/16
(In the Green Zone)___________________(In the Green Zone)


Here are some upclose pics of the tires. I haven't cleaned them yet. They are the Michelin Energy™ MXV4® S8 in the 195 65 VR15 size. Driving home they felt good. I only drove 4 miles so I don't have a full impression yet.

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1989 300CE Astralsilber/Schwarz
1992 300CE Schwarz/Schwarz

You can also try Kumho ECSTA KH11. I have my second sets those Kumho tires 195/65R15 VR on my 1988 260E.
Superb and cheap

I second these tires. They have performed surpurbly and are very inexpensive. I just got back from a 3000 mile trip. Going through Nevada (twice), I had the cruise control set at 92 mph. The tires through the twisty Oregon roads were awesome. The only drawback to these sticky tires is their treadlife. The UTQG is 280, so they wear pretty quickly. I'm down on the wearbars on my tires after driving on them for two years, minus the winters when I was riding on snow tires. But shorter tread life is the trade off for all that grip.

My next set is going to be Kumho ASX ultra high performance all-season tires, with a UTQG of 420.

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On the plains of hesitation bleach the bones of countless millions who at the dawn of victory, sat down to wait, and waiting -- died

I have Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 in 205 55 16 on my 94 C280 and I love them. The grip is amazing, and you would not believe how good the car feels in the rain.

Best tires I've ever owned.

I have your exact car and I am in need of new tires. I was searching the forum to see if a 50 or 55 series tire, with OEM wheels, would fit without problems. What has been your experience?

Also, if you can snap any kind of pic and email it to me, I'd love it. Send it to brookspw(at)comcast.net. Thanks

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1994 C280, dark green metallic
105k miles

1991 190E 2.6, Black
191,500 miles
(sold to another forum member)

2003 Chevy Tahoe LT, Redfire Metallic
105k miles

1989 Mustang GT Cobra Convertible
43k miles

Before switching to the 16 inch rims, I did run a 205 55 15 tire on the stock 15 inch rims. There was definitely an improvement over the OE 195 65 15 tires. However, I found that there was a better selection of performance tires when you move up to a 16 inch rim. I got mine on Ebay about 2 years ago, and I think I paid $430 USD plus shipping for the set of CLK rims with tires on them. The tires weren't great so I changed them, but it was a great deal.

Sorry, no pics to share.

Jonathan

What was the look? The diameter was less -- how did that look? How was the handling? No rubs at all?

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1994 C280, dark green metallic
105k miles

1991 190E 2.6, Black
191,500 miles
(sold to another forum member)

2003 Chevy Tahoe LT, Redfire Metallic
105k miles

1989 Mustang GT Cobra Convertible
43k miles

Michelin Pilot Sports.

I have them, they are nice and quiet at highway speeds, great on damp roads, good ride comfort, great steering response, good grip, good looking tread and sidewall. My only complaint.. is the hum that it makes as low speeds and they wear out kinda quick.

Will probably replace them with Pilot Sport 2s on the Mercedes.

I put Avon M500s on the Porsche 944 (cheaper tires) and they are great! Definitely recommend them for the money.

http://24.60.114.248:2000/summer05/waxy951/pages/IMG_2207.htm

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe

you could fit 215-55/16 tires, as for the tire brand depend on your budget

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divino2much