Sorry to use this forum, people, but I don't get replies to posts on the Tire&Wheel forum.

I need experienced advice from people with my car. I recently put on ContiTouringContacts (205/65/15-92H), and they suck.

They change in comfort from day-to-day; they get flkat spots from sitting; they seem too weak for the wieght of the vehicle. Am I crazy, or am I right-on to something?

I'd like to know the thoughts out there; and also, if I can get a recommendation (from experience with this vehicle) of a tire that is comfortable under most conditions, stays round, fairly quiest, and is CONSISTENT. If I can go cheaper that the Mich. MXV4, fine. But I want the tire that will finally perform right.

Thanks.

I prefer Pirellis and Michelins, but when going to a cheaper tire, you might try the Dunlops. Fairly even performance, especially for Euro cars.

I do think an H-rated tire is a bit low performing for a car of your caliber though...

__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Robert:

If you search thru the historical part of this sites Tire Forum, you'll find just about every conceivable opinion that could exist.

What to buy depends largely on your driving habits and weather conditions in your location. G-Benz mentioned the Dunlop brand. I put a set of their D60s on a W126 300-SEL about 20k back and am quite pleased with their overall performance. According to what's in print, H-rated tires are good for sustained speeds up to 130mph. It's hard to imagine
a sane person needing anything better than that.

The Dunlops were 1/2 the price of the high-end Michelins. I've never run the pricey Mich's so I'll never know what I might be missing. The $350.00 I saved paid for alot of other
MB parts.

__________________
Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

Thanks for responding, I appreciate your time and input.

I'm still curious, thoug. Have any others experienced these annoying traits with the Contis?

I will shortly be replacing the tires on my daughter's '88 420SEL and have decided that for the $$, the Yokohama AVS Db V-rated appear to offer the best value of price, noise comfort and performance at $70 (from TireRack) for the stock 205/65/15. However, I must be on to something as the tire is on national backorder until the end of July: in a response to a recent note from me after trying to find the tire in-stock at local dealers (they all have to order it), Luke at TireRack responded:

"At this time it looks like it will be the end July before I receive the AVS DB's in a 205/65-15 size.

Thanks, luke
800-428-8355 ext. 362"

The TireRack surveys and consumer rartings are very helpful: see http://www.tirerack.com/tires/SelectTireSize.jsp?autoMake=Mercedes-Benz&autoModel=420SEL&autoYear=1988

Her car is not in dire need, so I will wait the six weeks to get the AVS Db. Runner-up for me was the Dunlop SP5000, but I'm personally waiting for the Yokos. I would definitely go V-rated for this heavy car.




[Edited by c43amg on 06-21-2001 at 01:23 PM]

Al Lumas ran his SD up to 115mph in the Silver State Classic on MXV4s. He won't look at another tire.

I thought the Contis were the original equipment tire on these cars. I almost got the Contis, but instead got a set of Dunlop SP4000s from tire rack for something like $43 each. They're not on the car yet pending getting a vibration resolved so I can't comment on them.

I know you're looking for a recommendation on good tires. I just wanted to let you know your options on cheap tires

Sixto
91 300SE

Thanks, Sixto and friends.

I think my best bet is to go the safe route, with the MXV4's, and make sure they're V-rated. Worth spending extra dollars not to make a mistake. Right?

Well, you get what you pay for. There is not a single thing one can do to ruin the ride of car more than to use cheap tires.

Good tires can disguise tremendous suspension wear and poor tires can ruin ride of the finest of suspensions.

There is not a tire that comes close to the long range servicability of the top end Michelin tires. The most important thing a tire can do is stay stable over the life of the tread and no other tire comes close. The Dunlop tires do it but they will be wore out in half the time. Pirellis are the worst, they may make good tires for Ferraris but they make terrible 70/65/60/50 series tires.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician