stock replacement tires - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

kanadary · #1 02-04-2003, 03:12 PM

I have a 1987 190E2.6 and currently am running stock185-65/15s. I need new tires but don't want to pay the $122 per tire MXV4 prices. i was wondering what would be a good alternative, its my daily driver so i am not looking to race or rally the car at all, just need good tread life and good traction in the rain. thanks Ken

Chiragp · #2 02-04-2003, 09:26 PM

Do what I did on my first tire change, and get out of that size. Their are no real good tires made in that size, and not many options to choose from. Also the lil extra added width doesn't hurt the ride at all, and truly helps the road feel.

I would go 195/60/15s.

http://paspeedo.com/calculator.htm

Add 185/65/15 as your first tire size, and do 195/60/15 as your second tire choise. Put 100 as the speed in MPH so thats it easy to see the tire's differences percentage wise. you will notice that it equates to a 1% change, which is deff in tolerance, especially on the 190E as the only electronics on their are ABS, and that means the max your speedo will be off is 1 mile at 100mph, and less then that at speeds less then 100.

First and dominant choise to recommend for GREAT RAIN traction, and something nice and affordable with a 50,000 mile warranty is the Dunlop SP Sport A2s @ $53

Dunlop SP Sport A2 @ TireRack

They are H-rated, handle well, ride well, great in Rain and have a UTOG of 420 AA A. The 420 means this tire will wear about 4.2 times the industry standard's tire (however, each tire company does their own testing, so this figure can mislead a little) The AA inthe first number is the highest marking available and stands for wet traction. The second A stands for the temperature rating...A is the Highest value.

This is an H-rated tire (which means its good for upto 130 mph) and is still All-Season. I would recommend NTB or Sears if you have a problem ordering these tires from TireRack and then seeking an installer. NTB is where I usually buy my tires, and I have them price match TireRack's prices plus the additional cost of S&H ($10 each tire usually.)

They also make this tire in 185/65/15 if you feel you don't want to risk changing sizes, all though they might not be as readily in stock...and just in case in a few years if they discontinue this tire size or somethign else....its always easier to find a 195/60/15 then a 185/65/15. Realistically though, the 195/60/15 has a higher load rating, handles better, and really feels much more precise then the 185/65/15 would.

I recommend the 195/60/15 Dunlop.

The next tire I would recommend is directional which narrows the possibilities of rotation to only front to back, and can't be swapped side to side. These tires however, are very nice and are a great set as well, however are priced at $72 at Tire Rack and come with a lower mileage warranty. This tire is a little more performance bias in my opinion, and probably the Dunlops are the best choice for you. That is also available in the standard size.

They always said wider is better...it holds true for most cases except rain and snow...however going from 185 to 195 isn't a problem...its going from 205s to 225s or 245s that are.

Again, as a 190E owner who still (until I put the SL600 brakes in the back) used this size as well as 205/55/15s, but those weren't the best for snow.

Good Luck.

#3 02-05-2003, 07:37 AM

I agree with chiragp regarding searching for similar sizes in order to expand your choices. I'm afraid that I don't agree with the Dunlop choice. I have seen a lot of road force variation complaints regarding Dunlops, particularly the A2.

These tires are made using the old fashioned clam shell molds. Your better bets are tires that are made in radially sectioned molds. These molds come together like pieces of pie, rather than like a waffle iron. This provides more consistent belt placement, thus a more uniform tire.

To spot a tire that is made in a modern, radially sectioned mold, look for flashing going from the tread toward the rotating axis. The flashing will break up the tire in pieces of pie. The old fashioned clam shell molded tires can usually be recognized by the flashing going around the outside of the tire at the center of the tread.

Michelins have been made using this method since right after world war II. In the past few years, more and more manufacturers have started copying Michelins mold methods. I have seen these in Continental, Yokohama and some Pirelli tires, but there are more and more tires from many MFG's being made this way. There are some of these that are pretty affordable, such as the Yokohama and Continental.

I have been running mostly Continentals for the last few years with great success, but I'm sure there are others that will give you a good, radially section molded tire for an economical price.

Good luck,

Chiragp · #4 02-05-2003, 03:05 PM

Hey Larry...I've seen you post on thie subject alot...but I think I need a visual depiction. So far, I've just found tires that look good, have good specs, and good reviews...I haven't had any porblems with out of roudness or vibrations. But even if they are...thats why I suggest NTB as I've had those problems with BFGoodrichs.

Either way...until I'm better educated...I guess I'm stick with the A2s since they haven't done me injustice and acutally I wonder if they handle just as nice as the 215/40/17s for the summer

kanadary · #5 02-05-2003, 03:28 PM

thanks for the info. i was planning on using 195-60/15s. I also heard great reviews on the A2s in the tirerack website, the only thing and this seem weird is that of the reviews that talked about trend life they said that it was toast after 25K. I have MXV4 on it now and also on my other cars and i'm sure they lasted more than 40K miles and Michelin says they are rated at tread wear 400. there were a few complaints about the tires being hard to balance which it sounds like is the issue with the manufacturing process. I bought some Bridgestone RE930i from costco, 195/65-15s the 195-60s they had don't have a high enough weight limit. i haven't installed them yet so i can return it. they were $59 each with the $60 off coupon. have either of you heard anything about those? thanks for the info so far. WHat is NTB? Ken

yal · #6 02-05-2003, 03:43 PM

Try the Yokohama Avid Touring in 190/50/15. You don't sound like someone who is looking for a performance tire in any form. This tire has an 80k thread life (620) and if not the best ride qualities out there despite its price. Great cruising tire. Its an 112mph S rated tire but don't let that fool you...no S rated tire behaves like this one does, personally I think its a typo.
I can't use this tire because I drive way too fast

but I wish I could. Get it from tirerack at $46 a pop. Picture courtesy of Tirerack.

#7 02-05-2003, 05:05 PM

To help visualize, click on the Tire Rack advertisement at the top of the page and shop by size. Select Continental in 195/65 15. Go to the Continental picture and click on it to enlarge. Notice the flashing ACROSS the tread. This is a tire that is obviously made in a radially sectioned mold.

Now go back to the size box, select 225/75 15 and select General. Pick the Ameri G4S. Then click on the picture to enlarge. you will see flashing in the very center of the tread going around the perimeter of the tire. This will be mostly vertical in the picture. This tire was made in an old fashioned clamshell mold.

Hope this helps,

Chiragp · #8 02-05-2003, 10:05 PM

I finally got what your saying Larry. Thanks. As for the A2s, I dunno I'm still partial to them because I've never had nothing but good luck with them.

Hey Ken, 195/65/15s are just too tall. 195/60/15s. Also, the 195/60/15 have a higher load rating then 185/65/15. I mean if Costco got a $60 off coupon, I'd try and take advantage of that. But I personally wouldn't go under an H-rated tire.

NTB Is actually owned by Sears. It stands for National Tire and Battery and Use to be National Tire Warehouse. I use to goto Costco, just didn't appretiate the selection. Same with BJ's Tire center.

Also, NTB offers a 30 day ride guarantee. And witha 50k mile warranty, if you get only 25k but maintain your rotations and alignment then you get half off your next tire. Trust me, I put 30k miles a year between cars...miles matter...but I also need something thats will last more then a year by my standards.

Thanks again guys, I guess you learn something new everyday...I do recommend changing the tire size to 195/60/15, not 195/65/15...and if you really want I can sell you a 185/65/15 for real cheap as its brand new from my spare. but still I wouldn't recommend a 10 year old tire on any car.

Anyways...Good Luck. If NTB doesn't work, then try Sears.

Charlie.