Just wondering if anyone has ever run Bridgestone - Protenza RE950's?
205-55-16's (or any size for that matter)
Treadwear rating: 400, Traction A, Temp A , rated for 1356#.
I have a 1992 - 400E (124) and I am starting to look around for tires... and throwing it out there for discussion - If anyone has some feedback on various tires... I'd be interested in hearing about them.
I mostly want a quiet, smooth ride, but without being too soft when I go through turns. I'd be happy to get 30-35K miles (if that's reasonable to expect) for a moderate performance tire.
Let me hear from you folks out there in Benz land!
Thanks !!
NoCABenz
It has been suggested to go maybe to a wider tire... would a 215-55-R16 be OK clearance wise, running on a 7" wheel with 37mm offset?

I would get a wider tire for that car. They have to much power (esp with no posi) for 195 tires, so I'm thinking 205 wouldnt be much better.

I have those exact tires you mention on me 300SE, and aside from being a little louder than michelins, they are great. Serious grip, especially in the rain, but Keep in mind this is a 300SE. Bet they would be perfect on a 400E if they were wider.

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'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

I saw they did offer a 215-55-R16 in this tire... Anyone know if the clearance would be an issue if I am mounting these on a 7" wheel with a 37mm offset?
I think I would be OK - but thought I would throw it out there for some feedback!
Thanks,
NoCABenz

For a 1988 300ce running on 15x7" wheels, for the bridgestone re950 what tire specs would you recommend? Thanks.

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87 300e (white/black; amg body kit)
88 300ce (red/cream; amg body kit)
93 300ce cabrio (white/blue/blue top)
93 300ce cabrio (black/grey/black top)
98 ml 320 (totaled @ 137,000 miles)
99 clk320 (black/grey/black top)

I like the Nitto 460 Premium Touring, with its treadwear rating of 460 yet they handle very well for an HR rated tire.
At $50/per for the 215-60-15 tire (recommended for the '88 300CE) you will keep some pocket change over the Bridgestones.

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

i too have a 1992 400e with toyo proxes tpt 195-65-15 m+s tires. my mechanic recommended them to me. they were reasonably priced, are quiet at speed and provide decent handling even in wet conditions. i tend not to drive my car that hard so i don't really know how they will respond when pushed. they also seem to be wearing well - i hope to get 40,000 plus miles out of them.

so there's my 2 cents.....

good luck with your decision

ron

With a 7" rim, I bet you could fit 225/50/16, which is the same diameter as stock 195/65/15. I have 16 x 7.5" ET37 wheels with 205/55/16 tires and they fit fine, except that I have a small issue with my caster right now, but I am very confident that I can not fit wider tires without the AMG spacer kit. With your slightly narrower rims, however, you should have an extra 0.25 inches (6.35mm) of clearance at the fenders. The 225s are 10mm wider on each side of the rim, compared to the 205s, and the narrower rim gives you back 6.35mm of the difference. I think the 225/55/16 would fit and with similar reasoning I think the 215/55/16 would also fit, although the issue would be that they are slightly taller than stock 195/65/15.

Stance with 205/55/16 on 16" x 7.5" ET37 AMG wheels

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I just couldn't give up on my 1995 E320.

I think it might be like always going back to that same bad relationship with an ex girlfriend.
You feel you love them too much, or you are just too stupid to know any better.



Flickr slideshow of my 1995 E320
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24145497@N06/sets/72157616572140057/