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#16
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The SD still has the 14" Bundts with Michelin MX4 215-70-14's. These tires have proven extremely durable and are approaching 90K. They were originally purchased when I had the W123 and I transferred them to the W126 four years ago. They are getting a bit long in the tooth due to their age. The Hydroedge are on the '86 SDL and I've got no complaints regarding them. Can't comment on the Avids. I've got two of them on the front end of the Dodge Van, but, the van never pushes it's tires to any kind of limit. I don't think the W126 is more prone to sliding the back end around. If the tires don't suit your driving style, the vehicle is going to slide more than you wish. Most 80K tires have such hard compounds that sliding them in the rain is not all that difficult to do. Can't tell you if the Hydroedge is prone to sliding.........the SDL is never pushed to it's limits.........but, I can say that I have complete confidence in the SDL during heavy rain and speeds of 75 mph. There is never the slightest feeling of sliding. |
#17
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I think my driving style (or lack thereof) has little to do with the tire slipping. It is hard to get this car started at a green light, or track correctly around a corner without fish-tailing, at all, even at low speeds in the rain. These Avids just slip and spin! It's thrilling to hear you have 90K on those MX4's. Isn't that a large size for those bundtcake wheels, or is this within normal limits? The HydroEdge does not come in a 205, or 215/70 R14 size. Garth
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2001 E320 4MATIC WAGON desert silver/tan, 169K 1986 300SDL black on black, 240K 1984 300 SDS (stick-shift) 209K.....now reborn as a 1983 300SD (stick-shift facsimile of the former 84) 274K 1982 240D (sold!) 264K |
#18
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Yep, I'm +2 on the SD. Actually, they look quite good on the vehicle.......tend to fill the wheel wells better. But, the sidewalls are huge and the vehicle has a "floaty" feeling at times. The ride is still poor. Haven't figure that one out yet. My plan for the SD is to use the 15" wheels (15 hole) from the later W126. I've got a set that I may have powder coated and then the SD will probably get the 215-65-15 Hydroedge, in similar manner to the SDL. You might consider the same approach. A set of 15" can be had on e-bay on occasion for reasonable costs. But, you can also get burned. I had to toss out two wheels on a "good deal" that I got on e-bay for four of them. |
#19
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Michelin HydroEdge Rules!
It's a rainy dreary November day here in Philadelphia. The roads are relatively slick with all those fallen leaves....
I took my SDS to the nearest National Tire and Battery, fifteen miles north, donning the pre-existing practically new Yokohama Avid 205/70 R14 tires inflated 30 pounds in front and 34 in the rear. Even though these tires were inflated to the specs inside the driver's door post, it was a white knuckle experience getting there. These tires kept spinning at intersections, and allowed the SDS to fish-tail aimlessly around several right angle turns. I began to wonder why I just bought this 23 year old car! But I was on a mission to see those Michelin HydroEdge's... After some minor negotiation at NTB, the price and trade-in of the Yokohamas seemed palatable, and the switch commensed. The HydroEdge's were selected to match the original bundtcake wheel tire size of 195/70 R14, and so they are slightly smaller than the former Yokohamas. Even so, I could immediately feel the improvement and difference in traction and handling. The new tires are smaller, but effectively have more rubber in road contact. The ride is also firmer and more responsive; better than the cushy, floaty feel of the former tires. Believe me, I tried hard to get these new tires to spin out and slip, but it just wasn't happening! Stepping on the accelerator translated into responsive acceleration even on the slickest intersection surfaces. Since the weather had not changed, I am sold! I lost that white-knuckle fear and hit the curves and corners with confidence. How these two tires could be so different is beyond me. The SDS feels like it should feel to drive, at last. So my first comparative impressions of the Michelin HydroEdge tires are a definite thumbs-up! Garth
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2001 E320 4MATIC WAGON desert silver/tan, 169K 1986 300SDL black on black, 240K 1984 300 SDS (stick-shift) 209K.....now reborn as a 1983 300SD (stick-shift facsimile of the former 84) 274K 1982 240D (sold!) 264K Last edited by Apotheoun; 11-14-2006 at 03:09 AM. |
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