Finally sold my 850 volvo, and can now upgrade to a 16" AMG style wheel (From Bekkers) for my '95 wagon.

Tire size - will a 225/50/16 be the best choice?

Tire make - here's where I need the help. I'm in Boston, and I plan to get a set of snows and mount them on my 8-hole 15" wheels. I'm looking for a good tire recommendation for 3 seasons that won't break my bank. My priorties are: Ride, wear, handling, and looks (in that order). Recommendations???

Thanks - H

Go with a 205/55/16. For your snow tires, do Michelin Pilot Alpin in stock size (195/65/15). For your summer tires, I'd probably go with the Michelin Pilot XGT Z4. They meet your criteria perfectly. Any more performace oriented tire is gonna wear about three times faster. If you reconsider the wear, go with Michelin Pilot HX MXM.

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1997 Mercedes-Benz E420 (W210)
1997 Mercedes-Benz C280 (W202)
1988 Mercedes-Benz 260E (W124)

Or if you want to save a bundle and get 95% of the performance, keep the stock rims, and buy a set of Michelin Pilot SX-GT's in a 205/60VR15. They work really well. They look really cool. They wear rather well. And they aren't too expensive ($113/each).

I run 225/50-16 on my W124 wagon with no problems...and puts a nice-sized contact patch in touch with the road, better than my 205-55-16s did (in the same model tire).

I recommend Toyo Proxes FZ4-great all-around tire, wears reasonably well (V-rated and should last 40-50k if rotated properly), and great in the rain. Big-time quiet, too.

Toyo and Michelin are pretty much all I'll run, IMHO.

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Best regards, Michael
'92 500E
'88 300TE

Most of the previous posts are recommending all-season tires. I wouldn't sacrifice wet and dry traction in order to gain snow traction, if you are planning on having snow tires mounted to your factory wheels. I would suggest that you take a good look at performance tires that offer a great amount of ride quality. You mentioned noise and comfort as being important. With that in mind I would recommend the Dunlop Sport 9000 or the Michelin Pilot Sports. We also do carry the AMG wheels that you mentioned and would mount & balance your tires at no charge. We would also include the proper lug hardware for you at no charge.






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Luke Pavlick
Performance Specialist (ASE Certified Master Tech)
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