Tires for a 98 SLK

[stacheman]

I need to replace the tires on my SLK. the present ones are v rated. I have been told that I can replace these with a lower rating as I do not race or rally the car. It is used as an everyday driver and for occasional speedy highway trips. I drive the car in the winter (Ontario) when there is little snow. Any advice would be appreciated!

[E55 KEV]

If you don't drive or corner hard & fast and your main concern is money then opt for lessor speed rated tires. You can even go down to "S" or "T" rating or even "no rating" if you choice.

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<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1998 MERCEDES-BENZ E430
<LI>OBSIDIAN BLACK METALLIC/BLACK LEATHER
<LI>XENON H.I.D. LOW BEAMS
<LI>DEBADGED (E430 REAR)
<LI>AMG CHROMED TIP DUAL EXHAUST
<LI>CARLSSON 1/6 Wheels/DUNLOP SP SPORT 5000 from TireRack
<LI>SLK "WREATH" WHEEL CENTER CAPS
<LI>ATP FLASH Wheels/YOKAHAMA AVS dB from TireRack
<LI>ALPINE CHM-S611 CD CHANGER

</UL>

[DSinger]

Since you do drive in snow, I'd recommend the Michelin Pilot XGT H4. Should suit your needs well.

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1988 Mercedes-Benz 260E (W124)
Euro Headlights
1994/1995 Turn Signals and Taillights
16" x 7J 8-hole (Authentic MB)
Michelin Pilot HX MXM 205/55ZR16 89W
Debadged

[Lee Scheeler]

You might want to check with the local legal verbage but I know in some areas it is not legal to mount tires of a lesser speed rating than what OEM was for your car. This probably wont cause you a problem but its worth checking out so you don't have a set of tires that nobody will mount.

That said, the H4 is a good tire but its certainly nowhere near its XGT V/Z4 brethren. I don't know what the price difference is offhand but you may want to consider going with V4's if the differece isn't huge. If its big the H4 is a good tire.

Hope this helps...Lee

[DSinger]

H4's are about half the price and 75% as good. He isn't a performance driver, so the V4 will be overkill and the Z4 will be major overkill.

------------------
1988 Mercedes-Benz 260E (W124)
Euro Headlights
1994/1995 Turn Signals and Taillights
16" x 7J 8-hole (Authentic MB)
Michelin Pilot HX MXM 205/55ZR16 89W
Debadged