Interesting Tire ranking .. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

haasman · #1 08-03-2003, 09:00 PM

Stumbled upon this tire survey by TireRack. Yes it is not all-inclusive but just interesting for what is listed.

I focused primarily on Would Buy Again and Tread Life columns.

Haasman

dtf · #2 08-03-2003, 09:08 PM

I've had two sets of Sumitomo on the '94 wagon and will probably buy another set especially at ~$49/ tire. Good in the rain but struggle to get to 35,000 miles with anything left for tread. It's funny that Bridgestone almost 'book-ends' the list with the Potenza models. I have Turanzas on the '99 TD and like them much.

haasman · #3 08-03-2003, 09:14 PM

I've been running the Bridgstone RE950s on the 300E and 95 E320 wagon. They are very sensitive to alignment (go to a Mercedes dealer, use a spreader bar) and then they are great! Long lasting, very very good in the rain, amazing actually, good in the snow etc.

Haasman

blackmercedes · #4 08-03-2003, 09:17 PM

We had RE950's on the E300 and they were much better than the MXV4's that they replaced. Wet traction is astounding.

nthach · #5 08-04-2003, 03:29 AM

i still have MXV4s here

#6 08-04-2003, 07:26 AM

Thanks for the compilation of data.

To me, by far the two most important tire criteria are what I will call "balancability" and treadwear.

"Balancability" means that I can make them run smooth at any speed. I don't understand why there is not some such category in these surveys. Maybe it is implied under ride comfort, but I really feel that some of these categories are nebulous.

Thanks again,

miktvk · #7 08-04-2003, 08:27 AM

RE950s also on our wagon, twin to haasmans, cannot say enough good things about these tires. older, discontinued RE910s on our BMW, also very good, excellent in the wet- outstanding longevity -- 36K miles and still plenty of tread left.

AMG · #8 08-04-2003, 10:06 AM

I have the RE950's on my 190e and I absolutely love them. They handle very well and they are astounding in the rain.

dan

Zoonhollis · #9 08-04-2003, 01:52 PM

I'm glad this data was posted; now I feel confident in buying the Yoko Avids in a few days...

...and by the way, AMG, I had that avatar FIRST!! Get a different one! D'oh!

AMG · #10 08-04-2003, 01:56 PM

haha, I'm glad we share the same interests in Homer!!

1991300SEL · #11 08-04-2003, 07:05 PM

I find the tire ratings at Tire Rack in general to very interesting.

In many cases it's a 50/50 split. For example, take the Michelin MXV4. About half the people who rated them thought they were great; the other half though they were awful.

Same deal for many other tires.

A guy who lives in upstate New York is likely to feel quite differently about a tire than a guy in Dry Gulch, Arizona.

Temperature/rain/snow/sleet/driving style/road conditions/etc. all make a difference.

You are never going to know what YOU think of a tire until YOU drive it on YOUR car.

What some other guy thought may not apply to your situation.

blackmercedes · #12 08-04-2003, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 1991300SEL
What some other guy thought may not apply to your situation.

Very true. However, the sample sizes are pretty huge, so there is some validity to the rankings. The rigging might come in the questions.

There are folks that swear by a certain brand of tire. I have had five sets of Michelins go very bad in the last few years, and will probably not buy another of their tires for some time. I have had great luck with Bridgestone, and will continue with that brand until something goes wrong.

However, it depends on your priority. I had some excellent Toyo snow tires, so I bought a summer tire of theirs. Hated it! It was a very popular tire, and many folks couldn't figure out why I was so chuffed. It's rain performace was lousy and it was really noisy. Those are two things I rank high.

I personally feel the MXV4 is an overrated overpriced tire that sells only thanks to the Michelin name, and many people are realizing the reality that there are excellent tires to be had for 20% less dough.