Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Replacement Time - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

timreid · #1 12-06-2005, 11:30 AM

Its time to replace the Michelin Pilot Sport A/Ss tires, 205/55/VR16 on my 1992 400E.
The Michelin’s have been a very good tire for the MB’s 124 body, they provided an excellent ride comfort on my 400E (best tire for ride comfort, I’ve owned), very good handling in the dry and wet. The only down side to this tire is noise, not to bad when new, but nosier as they wear, however in my opinion the 400E is not the quietness car for road noise and so the Sports A/S just emphasizes the noise.
So I’m looking for a summer or all season tire that will provide the same good characteristic as the Michelin’s A/S Sports, but with less noise.
From the Tire Rack’s excellent site, the tires that I found and may be a good choice for this application is the Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2, the Bridgestone Turanza LS-V, or the Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S?????
Appreciate your opinion, advice about these tires or any other tires, thanks, Tim

Two560Two · #2 12-08-2005, 03:46 PM

Why dont you try out the MXV4 Plus

timreid · #3 12-09-2005, 08:55 AM

Several years ago I had a set of the mxv4p tires, and fortunately I purchased them at a local tire store, which had the 30 day ride return policy. These tires on my MB were like driving on ice when it rain, well maybe not quite that bad, but close. Some of the Tire Rack review comments still verify that this is not a good wet driving tire, and we have a lot of rain where I live.
thanks tim

Ali Al-Chalabi · #4 12-09-2005, 10:44 AM

How about the Michelin Hydroedge if they make it in your size. Never tried it but it has outstanding tread life and have heard that it handles pretty good in wet weather.

You are right about the noise of the Pilot Sport A/S. They get really loud especially after they get older.

timreid · #5 12-09-2005, 01:33 PM

Ali Al-Chalabi, did you own the Mich AS tires, wonder what you thought of their performance?
And I never thought of the Hydro Edge tire, by Michelin, so I went and took a look. The tire has good reviews, but it comes only in a t speed rating, I looking for a v + rated tire. Also I noticed this tire has a directional tread just as the sport AS, many of my friends claimed their directional tires became noisy after usage. I’m not sure if a directional tire is nosier because of its design, but I’m going to stay away from them this time around.
Anybody owned the Bridgestone’s LS-V tires??
thanks tim

tryan · #6 12-09-2005, 03:49 PM

luke hooked me up with 16x7.5 rims et38 with turanza rubber for a 95 e300d. i should get them mounted and break them in tonight. (40 or less mph and no potholes for the first 200 miles.) noise might be a relative issue over the hum of the diesel motor.

Ali Al-Chalabi · #7 12-10-2005, 12:23 PM

I have a set of 17 inch Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires ony my car right now. I can say that I do like the performance and the main thing that I like about the tires is the long tread life out of a 17 inch high performance tires. Right now they have 30,000 miles on them and have a lot of tread left (probably around half). Treadwear rating is 400 and they look as though they would get the same life as about any other treadwear rated 400 Michelin tire.

Only drawback is that they seem to get a little loud as they wear. They are a little noisy and I swear they were not this loud when they were new. All aside, when I do shop again for another set of tires, I would probably get another set of these. I have been pretty happy with the decent grip and long tread life.

I have heard and would bet that the Michelin Hydroedge is not as quit as the MXV4.

Holson Adi · #8 12-11-2005, 08:21 PM

I had Yokohama Avid V4s on my 944 before it got stolen. They were quiet, decent in snow, and rode well (the 944 is not a comfortable car by any means). The only thing I didn't like about them was handling. The 944 felt soggy with the Yokos.

MXV4 Plus is hopeless in snow and rain. But, they are so quiet.

Ali Al-Chalabi · #9 12-11-2005, 11:03 PM

And I have just about finished squeezing over 80k miles out of a set of MXV4s. Finally the tread has worn out, but the tires are still smooth, round and quiet after 5 years and 80k miles, you can't beat that.