My local dealer is allowing me to swap out my BF Goodrich Traction T/A V's for a different set of tires. 18k of mostly highway miles and 6 balancing (3 roadforce) and they keep coming out of balance after 600-1200 miles and vibrate at 75+ mph.

So I'm looking at either the Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S or the ContiExtreme Contact - anyone have an opinion?

Also does anyone think that going from the stock 205/65/15 to the 225/60/15 could be what is causing the (out of) balancing problem on my 300 SEL?

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(2) 1988 300 SEL W126

I know the Exalto A/S is fantastic. Top-rated on the Rack. Haven't tried the Conti's.

Raybo

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2001 Golf GLS TDI 5-Speed Reflex Silver 244K 46 MPG hwy Mobil 1 ESP 5w30 (VW 507.00 MB 229.51), Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S (mine)

2010 TDI Jetta Sportwagen DSG White Gold Metallic/Corn Silk 7K miles | Panoramic Roof | iPod kit | Mats+Splash Guards kit | built 11/09 | acquired 12/20/09 (hers)

'88 300E Sold

I have a new set of Pilot Exalto's on my '92 300E Sportline. They are fine tires, but I don't know if they would be a good choice for a W126.

I just bought an S class '97 S 320. I see some people who are running ContactExtremes. However, the tire I at going to buy for the S class is the
Bridgestone Turanza LH or maybe LV. These really receive rave reviews for quietness and comfort. Have a couple of internet friends that switched from Michelin to these on their S's. They rave about them. For my car Extremes are $97 versus $139 for the LV's. There has to be something in the construction that makes up the 50% markup over the other.

So Pilot line to me = sporty , responsive, aggressive and they are. S class says highway cruiser , quiet, smooth, yet still plenty of grip.

Just food for thought.

Steve

The Bridgestone LS-H is a good tire - I had these on our 300E (recently sold). They are long lasting, and are great in wet cornering, but not as great for hydroplaning. You will take a MPG hit.

I also had the LS-H on the '01 Golf TDI, and now I have the Michelin Exalto A/S (always in stock 195-65-15 91H). The Michelins are far better in dry cornering, just as good in wet, and fantastic in standing water - they cut right through. They are also a bit better for MPG.

Ray

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2001 Golf GLS TDI 5-Speed Reflex Silver 244K 46 MPG hwy Mobil 1 ESP 5w30 (VW 507.00 MB 229.51), Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S (mine)

2010 TDI Jetta Sportwagen DSG White Gold Metallic/Corn Silk 7K miles | Panoramic Roof | iPod kit | Mats+Splash Guards kit | built 11/09 | acquired 12/20/09 (hers)

'88 300E Sold

Yes, but that's what you would expect. Pilot more sporty.

MPG hit. Possibly true, but so what? The actual dollar variance is trivial in my estimation. Let's say it's 1 MPG. Assume 20,000 miles per year at 20 mpg for 1,000 gallons of premium gas. 19 mpg = 1,053 for a 53 gallon difference. 53 gallons x $3.00 per gallons = $159.00 or $13.25 per month.

Unfortunately, tires are not like shoes. We don't get to try this one, and then that one. Actually, we can it's just that it can be a couple of years in between trials.

Steve

my son had the conti's on his 300e.... 205-55-16.

they were great tires..... if you can afford to replace them every 25k... as i have stated, we switched over to michelin harmony's

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

Well, it's more than "Pilots are more sporty" than LS-Hs.... The Pilots Exalto A/S tires are safer, because if they can handle off-ramps and hard turns on rough surfaces without squealing, jumping, and losing grip, then they can handle any emergency situation more safely. Also, resistance to hydroplaning is not "sporty" - it is safety.

Here in Flordia, where nobody seems to slow down in torrential summer rains (80 MPH on I-75), I appreciate the safety.

Ray

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2001 Golf GLS TDI 5-Speed Reflex Silver 244K 46 MPG hwy Mobil 1 ESP 5w30 (VW 507.00 MB 229.51), Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S (mine)

2010 TDI Jetta Sportwagen DSG White Gold Metallic/Corn Silk 7K miles | Panoramic Roof | iPod kit | Mats+Splash Guards kit | built 11/09 | acquired 12/20/09 (hers)

'88 300E Sold

Well, if you get 40K on the tires, even expecting that gas will not go up in price, then you are talking over $300 - not trivial, about 2/3 the cost of replacing the tires. Besides, a 4% or 5% mileage hit is not trivial, given that people are dying for oil.

Raybo

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2001 Golf GLS TDI 5-Speed Reflex Silver 244K 46 MPG hwy Mobil 1 ESP 5w30 (VW 507.00 MB 229.51), Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S (mine)

2010 TDI Jetta Sportwagen DSG White Gold Metallic/Corn Silk 7K miles | Panoramic Roof | iPod kit | Mats+Splash Guards kit | built 11/09 | acquired 12/20/09 (hers)

'88 300E Sold

Thanks for the replies guys. I had thought about going the Turanza (Grand Touring) route but after getting used to the cornering and handling abilities of the Traction T/A, I wanted to stick with the "sporty" models.

I have the Kumho ASX on my other 300 SEL and even that is a drop in cornering performance compared to the Traction T/A.

I went ahead and ordered up the Pilot Exaltos and I'm hoping they will be a combination of the handling of the BFG's with the slightly more cushy ride of the Kumho's.

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(2) 1988 300 SEL W126

I will qualify my assessment of trivial. As with everything, it depends.

To me $300 or $500 per year is trivial. To others it's not. If I were really
worried about that amount of money, I sure wouldn't be driving MB's. I'd probably be driving a Toyota. That would save 20 cents a gallon by using regular versus premium and get better mileage.

I'd rather die than drive something that boring.

Steve

Not if it has the words Celica GT-FOUR, Supra TT or Landcruiser on the back of it My W126 are cheap to maintain and drive compared to those things.

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(2) 1988 300 SEL W126

Yeah, I meant Toyota Corolla and a cheap as I am it would be a used one.

Steve

softconsult -
Well, I suppose it could be considered silly to worry about fuel economy on this forum. However, if a product performs well and also gets better economy, what's wrong with that? Give the money saved to your favorite charity or cause - or to me.

Whatever oil and other resources we can save, even while driving heavier European sedans, the less we have to purchase from third world regimes. A 5% decrease in oil consumption would not be trivial to the commodities markets. It can actually feel good to do something postive....

Noting that you have enough disposable income to be able to waste $500 - that was not really the point.

Ray

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2001 Golf GLS TDI 5-Speed Reflex Silver 244K 46 MPG hwy Mobil 1 ESP 5w30 (VW 507.00 MB 229.51), Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S (mine)

2010 TDI Jetta Sportwagen DSG White Gold Metallic/Corn Silk 7K miles | Panoramic Roof | iPod kit | Mats+Splash Guards kit | built 11/09 | acquired 12/20/09 (hers)

'88 300E Sold

Ok, I get it, Raybo.

You are into mpg, little cars with diesel engines, and the oil conservation thing. That's fine. Good for you. I think the issue is
SUV's more than the slight variation in mpg relative to different tires.

I wouldn't be caught dead in one ( VW TDI's that is). Might die in one. Squashed like a bug by a massive SUV. I had them in the past. '68 Beetle, 2 VW Dashers. That was back when I thought I was immortal.

I like my Mercedes Benz cars. Safe. Mpg about 22-23 on premium gas. I don't really check it because once you have the car the mpg is a moot point. You can't really change it.

I drive my car 95% on business. Sitting in a cramped car for 9 hours at a pop would ruin my image, my day, my back and my next day's performance. I always buy good tires. I always change them out well before they start to get close to the legal wear limits.

Also, it just a fact, my car expenses are tax deductible and every business mile I drive is charged to the customer at the current Federal rate. So I don't care as much about the expense.

Off my soapbox and off this subject.

Steve

Amen, I do 15 hours straight and step out of the car feeling like Ive been in a recliner all day. Doing that 10 years ago in an Acura Integra my body would leave me rolling around in the bed with a combination of restless leg syndrome and a numbing road vibration shock that would last well into the night.

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(2) 1988 300 SEL W126