126 Tire Recommendations - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jcantor · #1 03-21-2003, 04:11 PM

A quick check of the current rubber on my '87 560SEL tells me that sometime this summer it will need new tires. Currently it's wearing GoodYear Eagle HP 205/65R15's which have been fine except in wet weather.

I believe for this car I should stick with at least an H rated tire and I've always bought GoodYear shoes for all my cars with very good success so I'd like to stick with them. When G-Y first came out with their Aquatred's I got a set and was VERY impressed with their wet/dry AND snow performance. Does G-Y make an appropriate Aquatred type tire for my car? What else should I consider?

Thanks
jlc

ck42 · #2 03-23-2003, 09:44 PM

I know you said you want to stick with G-Y but I'll go ahead and throw in a much researched vote for Bridgestone Turanza LS-H.

So far, I'm very impressed with the Mich MXV replacements

Robert W. Roe · #3 03-23-2003, 10:06 PM

I've had good luck with Michelin Pilot XGT H4's on my '84. $89 each from Tire Rack, in 205-65R15.
It took about two years of wear before my 123 hp could even begin to spin the rear wheels on a wet takeoff. Wet braking and handling was excellent, IMO.
They're not too bad even in snow, as long as it's not really deep.
I liked them a lot better than the Toyo Proxes H4's I had previously. The Toyo's were much more willing to slide, spin, and break loose in wet weather.
The only drawback of the Michelins? They are a bit noisy.
Hope this helps, Bob

#4 03-24-2003, 07:14 AM

For your sake I'm pleased to hear that you've had good luck with Goodyears. My luck has been QUITE the opposite. For me, I'd put a wagon wheel on my car instead of a Goodyear tire.

The French might not know how, or have enough courage to fight a war, but they definitely know how to make tires. I am glad there are some other alternatives, because I will no longer buy French made products.

I have had very good luck with Continentals. They are a tire that uses the same Radially Sectioned Mold methods as Michelin. Some others I have seen with such mold methods are; Perelli, Yokohama and a few Goodyears, but very few.

Good luck,

Aaron · #5 03-24-2003, 07:30 PM

My first recommendation would be the Michelin Energy MXV4.

Second would be the Yokohama Avid dB.

dmorrison · #6 03-29-2003, 11:45 PM

My experience.

I have Michelin X ones on the wagon and the SDL. I really like them
I have had Michelin XGT4's on the wagon before and they lasted 70,000 miles
I have, and have had Michelin MXV4's their OK but don't last, and I don't like them on wet roads.
I just bought Bridgstone Tauranzas upon a recomendation on another web site and by the Costco tire manager. He said try them, If I don't like them I can return them for a full refund. That's Costco for you. They are also the only performance tire with a 50,000 mile warrantee. Well I have to say I am impressed by them. They have excellent dry and WET road grip. They are a little noisier than the MXV's but I really do like them. At the end of the summer, I hope the current MXVs last that long, the SL will need new tires. I plan on buying the Tauranzas.
I have had Goodyears twice and I hated them. The first set on a Ford Taurus wagon. The sidewall blew out at 500 miles. The second set came on the 99 E300 the side wall blew out at 5000 Miles. I have not found them to be reliable. I have never had a Michelin blow out on me, knock on wood. Well except the time my wife hit a real deep pot hole. Cut the sidewall on 2 tires. We had a discusion on pot holes and the advantage of AVOIDING them.

Dave

Luke@tirerack · #7 03-31-2003, 08:08 AM

If you want to stay in the Goodyear family you have 3 choices
EAGLE HP 75.00
EAGLE RS-A 106.00
EAGLE GA 99.00

out of these the HP would be my choice

Luke@tirerack · #8 03-31-2003, 08:10 AM

since it was brought up I thought I would post this message from Michelin that was sent to me from Michelin North America

Michelin has been listed as the subject of a boycott because of it's connection to France. Below is information from Michelin with an explanation of their strong connection and commitment to the US.

"The difference of opinion within the United Nations between the United States and France is creating some cause for concern among some of our customers and no doubt, some of your customers. Boycotts of French products are being suggested as a way of demonstrating the frustration. It is always best to have facts when confronting criticism and dispelling misunderstanding. To help you understand the facts and explain them to your customers, we offer the following information.

A boycott of Michelin products in the United States would not be a boycott of French products. It would be a boycott against American products, made in 17 U.S. factories, located in 7 states. By rejecting the Michelin brand or other brands within the Michelin family of brands they would not only deny themselves products that have won their patronage, but they would also hurt American workers. Michelin North America, Inc., an American company with its corporate charter issued by New York State, employs some 20,000 people in the United States.

Michelin first came to this country as a tire manufacturer in 1908. Today, our employees are the leaders in their communities in giving to the United Way, Special Olympics and the American Cancer Society, just to name a few of the charities Michelin supports. Thousands of Michelin employees volunteer across the country in local school enrichment programs, Meals on Wheels and other vital non-profit services.

Perhaps you should know that in 2001 when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the Michelin Group responded the next day by donating $1 million to provide aid to the families of the victims. Michelin employees from around the world contributed to this fund as private individuals and Michelin North America also provided a quarter million dollars in tires and services to rebuilding efforts in New York City and Washington, D.C.

As a supplier, Michelin North America has among its customers every branch of the U.S. armed forces. We supply more than half of the tires for the Army’s heavy tactical trucks. Michelin and Lockheed Martin provide total supply chain management for U.S. Navy aircraft, delivering tires anywhere in the United States in two days or less and anywhere in the world in four days or less. In support of our reservists and guardsmen, we recently extended the benefits of those Michelin employees who have been called to active duty in the Iraq crisis.

We value your association with our company and we are proud to be your tire supplier. We hope the facts presented in this letter will help you understand and explain the very American nature of our business dealings in this country and the international scope of the Michelin Group worldwide. Countries and their citizens determine politics. At Michelin, our united goal is to bring you, our customer, uncompromising quality with the best possible tire at the best possible price in each market we decide to serve.

Sincerely,

Michelin North America"

artpb · #9 03-31-2003, 07:08 PM

Ditto on the LS-H's.

jcantor · #10 04-01-2003, 01:26 PM

Thanks for everyone's feedback. I had meant to reply to some of the suggestions earlier but I've been dealing with the probably replacement of my wife's car and haven't had the time.

Tires for the 560 will probably be a mid-summer investment and the G-Y HP's are the most likely candidates.

Luke - I find it interesting going through the reviews on tirerack.com for several of the possible contenders. It seems that for every extremely positive comment posted, there's an equally negative one. Is there an source for independant, objective testing results? I'm talking about good statistics on stoping distance dry and wet and skid pad results (again dry and wet) for each model of tire (obviously the tests would have to be done with the exact same vehicle in order to be meaningful)?

Thanks
jlc

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