I have changed the original tyres from Bridgestone (from lost of confidence) to Dunlop (from having fine-hairline cracks allegedly due to the weight of the car) and now to Michellin (Japanese made).

I was told that Michellin "is" the tyre for the MBW126. However, my colleague suggested to me that "Continental" would be a better fit.

I am using a 205-65-15 Michellin at the moment (inflated at 32lbs pressure), and its due for a change in about 2 months time.

From your experience, which would you think would be the best fit for the W126?

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

I always recommend switching from 205/65/15s to 225/60/15s. You get more rubber on the ground, and don't even have to change your wheels. The prices are about the same.

Honestly, choosing a tire by name is like choosing a car by name. Models very from Toyota Echos to Toyota Avalons. So I look at the Tire Make and Model. I recommend the Firestone Firehawk SH30s ($70 each) in that size. They are H-rated (130 mph) All-Season, 460 Tread wear rating (versus 400 on the Micheling Energy MXV4+s) great wet/dry tration. Smooth and quiet, and handle very well (better then the Michelins.) They are about half the price of the comparable Micheling Energy MXV4+s and 95% the tire.

Compared to the Continental ContiTouring Contact CH95, the Firestone blows it away. Compare them to the Micheling Energy MXV4+s for $123 in that size, and you make the call.

Michelin Energy MXV4+:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/michelin/mi_mxv4.jsp

Firestone Firehawk SH30:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/firestone/fs_sh30.jsp

Both tires has well over 2,000,000 surveyed miles, each!

Good Luck.

P.S. These Firestones don't blow Just like all MLs aren't unreliablie

__________________
Chirag (Charlie) Patel
--------------------------------------------
- 03 Mercedes S600 Sport TTV12
- 97 Acura NSX-T
- 99 BMW E36 M3 w/500+ HP
- 04 Lexus RX330
- 04 Dodge Dakota Quad 4x4 V8

4 Sale:
- 99 BMW M3 E36 Coup with Dinan SC, Upgraded to an RMS Stage 3 with Aftercooler, 12psi, and 500+hp @ flywheel.

A friend of mine just changed his tires on his W126 300SE to Firestone Firehawk SZ50 205/65/15 a couple of weeks ago. He had these tires for only RM190 (US$50) per piece, and he is very happy with it. He even said that the tires performed better than his previous Michelin Energy MXV3A.

I don't think the tires Charlie recomended the Firestone Firehawk SH30 is available in Malaysia. Those Firehawk SZ50 that are available in Malaysia, are made in Thailand. Personally, I believe Thailand makes better tires than Malaysia. If you look at some of the Michellin tires, many are made in Thailand, or some even China.

If you do a search on tires recomendation for W124 or W126, you can surely SZ50 being recomended.

Regards
Lim

I consulted my MB engineer on the choice of 225/60/15 as suggested by Chiragp and he summed it up as good for stability - as you'd get more contact, HOWEVER, the performance will decline and fuel consumption increase. That having said, he reckons its better to stick with 205/65/15.

As for the Firestone, that sounds very viable despite me being told that Michellin IS the recommended MB tyre.

I just hope the Firestone can take the weight of the W126 at 200km/p

ps. the current tyres are due for a change in approximately 2 months from today.

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

As long as the Firestones aren't at 26psi and say Light Truck on them, I am sure they well Anyways, fuel consumption will increase because there is more rolling resistance due to the added tire contact patch. Thats what causes the added grip AND performance. As fas as fuel consumption, well I have a 93 190E 2.6, before it had 185/65/15, replaced with 195/60/15 first tire change. No difference, then with 205/55/15s, and maybe a 1mpg difference the most. Hardly noticeable. And what really will cause you to use more gas is the more joy you will get from they added performance in handling. It just brings the aggresiveness on.

As far as handling the weight, well they will. The load rating is usually the same throughout the tire size range. So usually all 205/65/15s will have the same load rating.

Good luck on your selection, and in 2 months, I would recommend a 225/60/15.

__________________
Chirag (Charlie) Patel
--------------------------------------------
- 03 Mercedes S600 Sport TTV12
- 97 Acura NSX-T
- 99 BMW E36 M3 w/500+ HP
- 04 Lexus RX330
- 04 Dodge Dakota Quad 4x4 V8

4 Sale:
- 99 BMW M3 E36 Coup with Dinan SC, Upgraded to an RMS Stage 3 with Aftercooler, 12psi, and 500+hp @ flywheel.

Thanks for the enlightening advise. I have requested a placement order and price spec for Firestone 225/60/15.

For my affection of the 300se, I might even trade in the current tyres by the end of this week!

Bless you all ...

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

The tyre dealer just called to say they don't stock on 225/60/15. They do, however, stock (by order only) Firestone 215/60/15 which retails for RM220-00 a piece, i.e. USD 58-00 ea.

Reckon it should be about as close as I can get to a 225/60?

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

Yes, I would stay as close to 225/60/15, because a 215/60/15 is a smaller tire and will have a lower load carrying capacity. I guess continue checking around until you find a 225/60/15 and see what choices they have.

__________________
Chirag (Charlie) Patel
--------------------------------------------
- 03 Mercedes S600 Sport TTV12
- 97 Acura NSX-T
- 99 BMW E36 M3 w/500+ HP
- 04 Lexus RX330
- 04 Dodge Dakota Quad 4x4 V8

4 Sale:
- 99 BMW M3 E36 Coup with Dinan SC, Upgraded to an RMS Stage 3 with Aftercooler, 12psi, and 500+hp @ flywheel.

ymsin

Please advise which Firestone Firehawk model that you have checked with your dealer. Is it SZ50 or SH30? My tires are due for change very soon, presently looking for suitable tires.

I happened to pass-by a tire shop yesterday, and they recomended me to try out the new Japanese made Dunlop LM 701 (Le Mans) He said that the performance of the tires are slight below the Dunlop SP9000. The price that he offered is very attractive for a Japanese tire, i.e. 50% of the Michellin MXV3A.

Charlie,

For a W124 260E, I am currently having 195/65/15 Michellin MXV3A on it. Tires are due for change soon. Is it advisable to stick with 195/65/15 or change to 205/60/15? Have you encountered Dunlop LM701 tires? Any advice is appreciated.

Regards
Lim

Kim - I shall check them out for you ... but I would stay ckear of Dunlop from my previous bad experience with it. After only about 3 months of using Dunlop tyres, I discovered hairline cracks all over .... and brought it to my Rubber-Tech uncle for an inspection. One look at it and he told me to get it changed to a Michellin A.S.A.P otherwise I might be "racing to the clouds" (fancy this being the Suzuki Vitara Catch-Phrase!).

My Rubber-tech uncle swore by Michellin coz he was involved in the formulation of the Michellin technology. He did say though that Firestone's good too - just that I dont feel too great about it after all that has happened during the course of last year.

But stay clear of Dunlop no matter where they come from as they may not be able to take the weight and speed of the MB we dearly love.

Perhaps you might want to give the Tyre chap a call : 03 5162 3118 (Mr. Tan). Tell him you're a friend of Lawyer Sin.

All the best, Lim.

Charlie - I dont think Malaysia has 225/60, if I understood correctly what the Tyre Dealer said. I will try in Penang, where I am headed today.

Bless you all and safe motoring!

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.