Need some tires - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ck42 · #1 02-16-2003, 08:42 PM

Not getting much response in the tire/wheel forum so I'll ask here if you good people don't mind

Looking for tires. My short list so far:

Mich X-One
Bridgestone Turanza LS-H
Yokahama Avid H4
Bridgestone Potenza RE950

Tire Rack is blowing out the Avid H4's for about $45/tire right now in my size!!!!

X-One's look like they'll run about $80/tire and the Bridgestone Turanza's about $73/tire and the Potenza's about $70/tire.

Have to say I never thought I'd be considering Bridgestones but they appear to be a pretty nice tire by all accounts.

I also realize that some of these are basic touring while others are a performance all season......like I said, it's just a short list.

Tire size will be 195/70/14 which actually rules out some tires do to unavailability in THAT tire size.

Any others I should put on the short list?
Any comments are most welcome!

psfred · #2 02-16-2003, 09:15 PM

My mechanic is touting Firestone Affinity LS 30s. I put a set on the rear of the Volvo, but haven't driven it much since then due to a cold start failure (probably a worn out battery, it's four years old). Will report on them later.

Peter

jobah · #3 02-16-2003, 09:39 PM

my $.02

I had several sets of Michelin MXL's
I had a couple sets of Michelin MX4's
I had Dunlop D60 or 65 (I don't remember) for one month
I had one set of X-one's...

from then on, I only put X-one's on my MB's.

They have been by far the best tires that I have put on any of my mb's.

Of course, I did not put them on my 911, but for MB's for all season, they, IMHO cannot be beat.

I am

240 Ed · #4 02-16-2003, 09:57 PM

My overall ratings for the companies are; Michelin, Bridgestone,Dunlop, then Yokohama. They are all super dependable and accurately made.
Michelin MXL are mushy though, but their Pilot series are great.
Personally I like the old Dunlop D2 model. Quiet, great steering.

BS Turanza or Avid. Can't go wrong.

I would spring for the Avid for $45!!!

You have selected some great tires here, and they are all close, so I dunno...!

dmorrison · #5 02-16-2003, 10:35 PM

Mich X-one replaced the XGT which I had on my 300TD. Put 70,000 miles on them. I expect the same with the X-one

Dave

190D22 · #6 02-16-2003, 11:10 PM

Well I belive the H4s will be close to my avid touring. I JUST posted my thoughts on them in the wheel and tire forum on here. In a nut shell: HORRIBLE in the snow, GREAT in the rain and dry pavement. I can corner at higher speeds than with my Toyos, and I also have less road noise.

There is NO comparison between the mercedes and the jeep in the snow. The jeep is so fun in the snow, the mercedes is a nightmare. I don't remember sliding this much with my toyos lastyear. And they needed changed when I got the car! I feel that says a lot though, OLD toyos did better in the snow than BRAND NEW yokos. I can still get around OK, I just have to go slow and I have to be careful where I park. I got stuck yesterday at a friend's house. Though, they don't get plowed at all where he lives. So I was in 12" of fresh snow (my tire tracks were the first). I do have 120lbs of sand in the back too.

I hope this helps.

ck42 · #7 02-16-2003, 11:27 PM

190D...yep, that helps.

It just seems that the more I do searches for info and discussion on these particular tires, the more uncertain I get.....the only thing I know is that no matter which one I choose, I'm going to get a good tire.

From what I can tell tho, the Avid H4's look to be possibly the noisiest of the group....among other things. So, if I *had* to elminate 1 choice at this time, it would reluctantly be the Yoko.

The more I read about people's experiences with the BS RE950's, the more curious about them I get. They sound like a fantastic tire. I'm seriously tempted to take a chance on a brand I never thought I'd even consider.

Chris
'85 300SD

mikemover · #8 02-17-2003, 01:05 AM

My girlfriend's 82 300D that we recently acquired has a nice set of the Michelins on it, and I really like them. Very smooth, very quiet. I think I want a set of them for my car.

Mike

#9 02-17-2003, 07:26 AM

Michelins have gotten pretty expensive these days, but darn well worth it. Particularly the X One. This seems to be the closest thing to the old high mileage XH 4's.

Even with their higher price, if you use the high mileage Michelins on these cars they just can't be beat IMHO. You're not going to make a road racer out of these cars regardless of what tire you use. So, you might as well go for long life and smooth running.

Regardless of what tire you mount on your wheels, you need to see to two things when they mount and balance. The new tires should be mounted with the bar code label or paint spot aligned with the valve stem. Secondly ENSURE THAT THEY USE WEIGHTS BOTH INBOARD AND OUTBOARD (Dynamic balance.) It is very common for the tire stores to static balance with weights only inboard. They do this because people complain about them scratching their alloy wheels. The suspensions on our MB's are nimble and will not tolerate static balancing only unless you just get lucky.

Good luck,

Diesel 924 · #10 02-17-2003, 08:20 AM

I bought Goodyear Regatta 2's from the tire rack and I love them. I DID buy 205's instead of 195's and they are working out well. Just a little wider and it makes it ride better. I've seen up to 215's on our cars but that is a little too wide for these rims IMHO.

mikemover · #11 02-17-2003, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Diesel 924
I bought Goodyear Regatta 2's from the tire rack and I love them. I DID buy 205's instead of 195's and they are working out well. Just a little wider and it makes it ride better. I've seen up to 215's on our cars but that is a little too wide for these rims IMHO.

I have run 225s on the rear and 215s on the front of my SD for a long time, and have had no problems. I think it looks good with the wider sizes.

Mike

rbmercedes · #12 02-17-2003, 12:18 PM

Hey Chris,

Gotta cast my vote again for the X-ones. Hard to resist the low price on the others, but consider the 80,000 mile warranty. You wont be buying tires again for a long time.

Happy Motoring

RBM

ck42 · #13 02-17-2003, 12:25 PM

Ok....I've tentively decided on the Bridgestone Turanza LS-H.

From everything I could find, and even agreed upon by TireRack, wet road traction is not one of Mich. forte's. I also don't want to buy a tire where a lot of the costs is going towards a LONG wearing tire (80K mi.) since I plan on upgrading to a 15" wheel sometime in the near future.

Turns out that the Avid H4's are prolly noisiest and also not as good of a wet road handler as others. That $45/tire price sure is tempting tho!!!

The RE950's still sound good but look like they might be slightly noisier and are NOT available in a 70 series in my size....only a 65 ( I already don't like the wheel well gap with the 70 series - 65 would just be worse).

But I have to say that for my other car, the RE950's will prolly be my 1st choice.

For the SD, it looks like the LS-H wins out unless any last second info can sway me. $73/tire price isn't too shabby either.

Chris
'85 300SD

#14 02-17-2003, 01:09 PM

Ck42,

My '85 300D has always worn Michelins (230K) I always thought it wrong/bad to even consider alternatives UNTIL my dealer suggested Toyo's Ultra 800. They've proven to be great tires so far and IMHO outperform the Michelins in the snow. Great dry tires too, noise, wear and handling very comparable. The four 195 70R14's were $316 out the door including $8.00 for state and county disposal fees.

Dave Hutch

Aaron · #15 02-17-2003, 02:57 PM

Chris,

I have the Yokohama Avid H4s on my 280SE. Very noisy but pretty darn good tires in my opinion. In all, I've had three sets of them, one set on a W123 300D, one set on a W124 300E 2.8 and the set which is on my 280SE currently. I have Michelin Energy MXV4s on my '83 300SD now and they are my all time favorite tire. I would strongly suggest you upgrade to a 205/70R-14 on your SD rather than sticking with the 195. The 205s grip better and ride much better. I had Bridgestone Turanza H Revos on my old W116 300SD. They were excellent in the rain but not nearly as quiet/smooth as the Michelin Energy MXV4s they replaced.

My choice for your car would clearly be the MXV4 in a 205 size.