I ordered a set a 8x18 monoblock replicas from Bekkers monday, and 245/45/18 Michelin H4 MXM4 from Tirerack. They both were delivered today (thursday), and brought up a concern. The overall diameter of the new tires is about 2 inches more than that of my stock tire(holding the new tire against the old tire on the car, the new is about 2 inches taller) i'm not sure what the stock size it is off the top of my head. I talked to Tony at Bekkers, and he told me that the tires would kind of shrink when mounted on the wheels, which i understand, but they're pretty big.

The 245/45 is the size Bekkers suggested, but Tirerack suggests 235/40 for the same 8x18 AMG Monoblock(only it's a real AMG). Did I get the wrong size tire?

Any help would be appreciated as soon as possible, I plan to have the tires mounted tomorrow afternoon.

P.S. Luke, if you read this, I missed the return policy link when I ordered the tires and I can't find it on the site. Could you let me know what your policy is?

Check this site:

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

There is over 1" diameter difference between the 2 tire sizes you list! Enter your stock (205/65 15"?) tire size in the calculator, and you will see that the 235/40 18" wheel size comes closest at only 0.1" difference.

__________________
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

Stock tire is 205/65/15, which means the 245/45/18 tires I ordered are just over an inch too large (1.27" to be exact) in overall diameter, by my calculations. I'd like to keep them, considering the only tires Tirerack offers in a 235/40 are Max Performance, and more $ than I'd like to spend.

My new question is, will the extra inch cause a problem other than neccisitating my speedometer/odometer to be recalibrated(which couldn't be that big of a deal, could it?). I know I'll probably have to have the suspension readjusted, and it'll probably wear faster , but how much of a problem would it create? Could there be a problem of the tire rubbing against the fender, etc.?

I know this is a kind of long, and probably dumb post, but I need advice. I'd hate to have to spend $400-500 extra, and sacrifice ride quality with maximum performance tires.

Thank you for any help.

For about the same price (+ or - $5/tire) you can have the Yokohama Ultra High Performance all season AVS dB, or the Ultra High Performance Dunlop SP Sport 8000E in the correct size. Either of these should out perform the Michelin, which is an all season grand touring tire. The Yokohama should also be a more comfortable and quiet tire as well!

__________________
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

I'm gonna return the Michelins that don't fit, and order the Yokohmas.

Can anyone suggest a cheap way to ship tires? I was quoted $80 to send them from here(Oklahoma) back to Louisianna, and I'd like to try to do it cheaper.

Thanks

Was that shipping quote from UPS? Try them, however, I believe FEDEX Ground (formally RPS - Roadway Package Service) maybe cheaper.

we will accept a return as long as the tires have not been driven on but, the freight is yours to pay because we did not recommend that tire size for your car. (and that size will cause many problems)


Luke

__________________

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

yes you did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks guys, especially Luke. I called FedEx and told them I refused the shipment, they picked up the tires this evening, and said they'd be back to TireRack, tomorrow morning, free of charge. I'm starting to like FedEx!

Man pimpin,sorry to hear about that but they should've been able to calculate it correctly when you ordered them (unless you just HAD to have 45's). I'm currently running several sizes for my 560SEL including 18's-20's with no rubbing problems at all. Of course the trick is to have the right size tire to compliment the wheels/ride quality. On my 18's I do the 235/40/18's and your 126 should be alright with this configuration. Good luck with your tire situation... I know it sucks sometimes, but not worth having to put a million bucks BACK into fixing crap with your car to save $1...just be patient and SAVE--will also save you headaches later.

the correct 18" tire size for the 420SEL W126 is

245/40-18 !!!!
245/40-18 !!!!
245/40-18 !!!!
245/40-18 !!!!
245/40-18 !!!!
245/40-18 !!!!
245/40-18 !!!!


Luke

__________________

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