I need to buy new tires today, and I'd like to know the best size to put on my '84 300D turbo with the "bundt pan" alloy wheels. Existing tires are 185/70 on the front, and 195/70 on the rear. All advice welcome.

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Matt
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Grey/black '84 300D, 194K

I'd put Michelin Energy MXV4 GreenX on with 195/70/14 all around.

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1988 Mercedes-Benz 260E
Euro Headlights
1994/1995 Turn Signals and Taillights
16" x 7J 8-hole (Authentic MB)
Michelin Pilot HX MXM 205/55ZR16 89W
Sportline Suspension
Debadged

Agreed. The Michelins are the best tires for these cars. I had them on my W116 300SD until recently when I had to put a new set on. I made the mistake of getting the Bridgestone Turanza Revo H (Luke's suggestion--over the MXV4s), and don't like them nearly as much as the Michelins. While the Bridgestones do have an excellent wet traction rating, they ride hard and are pretty noisy compared to the MXV4s. I put a new set of tires on my '81 240D before I sold it, they were the Pirelli P4000 Super Touring model. While I only had a month or so to live with them before the car sold, I found them to be pretty decent. Luke told me that they don't like cold rain and have a tendency to cause hydroplaning, but if you live in warm weather all year round, they are a great tire. And at around $50 each, you can't go wrong. If I didn't have to deal with Ohio winters, I'd probably have gone for the Pirellis again. BTW, the reason I didn't put the Michelins back on my 300SD was because I didn't think it was necessary to spend $400 on a new set of tires which will surely outlast the body on the car. I would suggest to look at http://www.tirerack.com and see which tires are suitable for you price wise and performance wise. Good luck!


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Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
Precision Motorcars, Cincinnati, Ohio
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'80 300SD
'85 380SE
'86 420SEL
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8
'74 Jensen Interceptor Mk.III
'81 DeLorean DMC12
'84 BMW 745i Turbo

I agree, stick with the same size all the way around... 195/70/sr(hr)14.

I prefer Michelins over all other brands, but have had good luck with Pirrelli and Yokohama tires. Yokohama are comparable to the Michelin ride and traction in all weather conditions, while Pirrelli perform best in warmer conditions.

Just a suggestion, but when in doubt and price does not factor, by Michelin for best performance and wear.

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William
76 240D (W115) - 550K miles
78 300D (W123) - 200K+ miles

I've been through all kinds and sizes of tires on 123 cars. What I want is well balanced, round, long lasting tires because I drive 50k ot 60k miles per year 95% or more at highway speeds.

I prefer Michelin 195/75 14 regular passenger car tires, I have gotten as many as 85k miles out of them. The 75 series tires are cheaper, and harder compound for longer wear.

Regardless of the brand or size, the most important thing on these cars is to ENSURE that the #@%$&#! people at the tire store set up their machine for and put weights on the inside AND the outside of the wheel. I have to watch them like a hawk. I don't know how many times I've made a big deal about this and they still put weights only on the inside of the wheel. Their reason is that "most people don't want weights on the outside because they look bad". If you don't have them balanced this way on one of the computer balancers, or the person doesn't recheck the balance after installing the weights, you will have minor nagging problems and decreased tire life.

The front end on these cars are sensitive to this. If the tire is not balanced radially AND axially it will never feel right.

If you put on a good set of Michelins regardless of size and have them balanced properly, these cars will run at 100MPH (unless it's a 240D, then we'll say 90) as smooth as silk.

Absolutely insist on weights inside and outsided of the wheels.

Good luck,

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 523K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

Thanks, guys. I went with the Pirelli P400's.

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Matt
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Grey/black '84 300D, 194K