Hi. Just bought a 90 300SE and need tires. Also new to the area and have yet been through a winter, but understand we get occassional slush and ice. Thinking of getting a set of winter tires, but what would be best for mainly rain and slush?

Also need to know of a good summer tire, or should I just buy all-seasons and drive year round.

Thanks, Joe

MB 300SE
Audi 100CS Quattro

Well, Your Tire Size is 205/65/15 if I am correct. For Winter, most people usually keep their original wheels and mount winter tires on them, and get a new set of wheels for the summer tires. Seatle sounds like it harsh winters, with alot of rain and freezing rain. I think the Bridgestone Blizzak MZ-02 would be your tire, but I'd wait for Luke to confirm that with his tire testing results.

For your summer Tires, I'd get something like the 16x7.5 8-hole replica for $129 each. Tire that I'd pick are the 225/55/16 and probably go with the Dunlop SP SPort 5000.

But for something civil, and cheaper on the budget, I'd stick with 225/60/15 on the same 15" wheels you have and go with a tire that has good all-season characteristics. I'd go with the Firestone Firehawk SH30 which are very nice for the price.

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Chirag (Charlie) Patel

- 99 Mercedes-Benz ML 430 V8 w/custom TVs, HI-Fi VCP, Tuner, played throughout BOSE speaker system
- 93 190E 2.6 (4-sale) w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w/ stock stereo and integrated cellular phone speaker system, 400E brake upgrade, 16" 8-hole replica wheels, KYB, and lowest pad height, K&N
- Fianlly, waiting list on the new 2001 C32 AMG.
- 4 Sale, 4 16x7 7-Spoke SLK Wheels and 2 16x8 7-Spoke SLK wheels (look like the Evo II, except 7-spokes)

Joe

The W126 S-Class most definitely needs aleast a 4 season tire if it ever encounter any snow at all. Luckily we don't get much snow here. If you just want one tire for year round driving, I was able to get home in 8" of snow on a set of Dunlop D60A2. The D60A2 performs well in both wet and dry too. The SP5000 probably performs better in wet and dry, but probably not nearly as good in the snow because it does not have the sipping. There is a trade off in everything. Good luck.