What's the best tire for a comfortable smooth ride in a W126 sedan? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

donbryce · #1 08-14-2007, 10:15 PM

I posted a diatribe on the tech forum regarding my attempts to get my '85 380SE to absorb and smooth out rough road characteristics using suspension upgrades.

It would appear that it now comes down to tire selection, as the W126 design seems to be inherently flawed, or old technology, and no amount of new parts is going to make a big difference.

I now appeal to the forum experience, and would appreciate yours on what tires have returned the best ride. I'm not interested in high speed handling or highway miles, so much as around town day to day commuting over less than perfect pavement, typical city street driving.

I'm currently running on Michelin All Season Rainforce MX4 tires, 205/65 R15 at pressures per the MB recommendation, 28psi/30psi, on aftermarket alloy rims. They're not a particularly 'soft' tire, rather noisy, and I'd love to hear about others' experiences....

Added Sept 01, 2007: I got a quote from 2 dealers in town on 4 Goodyear Comfortreds, and they both priced almost the same at $147.00 CDN$ each, with a total installed, extended warrantee and taxes paid price of about $760.00 CDN$. These are NOT CHEAP tires. I read the internet reviews and have almost convinced myself that they are worth it.....but again, anyone have personal experience to share?

t walgamuth · #2 08-14-2007, 10:22 PM

That is about what I would run.

but I like a firm ride and good road holding.

Tom W

lkchris · #3 08-15-2007, 12:05 PM

A Mercedes will never be a Cadillac, thank goodness.

Gurkha · #4 08-16-2007, 12:02 AM

Check out Yokohama's latest C drive, excellent ride, life and grip.

Brian Carlton · #5 08-21-2007, 08:03 PM

I'm not convinced that any tire is going to make the W126 ride well.

The SD runs the Michelin MX4's as well.........215-70-14.........and they find every slight discontinuity in the pavement. It's positively amazing. I drive down a "smooth" highway and the entire interior is finding every single irregularity in the pavement. I really pray for asphalt..........cement is positively greuling.

Lest you believe the SD is malformed in some way, the '86 SDL runs the Michelin Hydroedge in 215-65-15. It's a bit better in terms of ride, but, I really attribute this to the longer wheelbase and not the tires. Still manages to find every pavement issue on cement.

So, if anyone can find a tire that will get a W126 to have a decent ride on the typical, poorly maintained highways that we face..........please advise..........because neither of these are cutting the mustard.

The SD has over 100K on the MX4's so it's really due for some new tires. I'll switch it to 15" wheels at that time.

Michael K · #6 08-21-2007, 08:14 PM

In our 107 SL, Michilin MXV4 in the "V" rated OE size (205 65 15) made a world of differece.

300B · #7 08-21-2007, 09:12 PM

Goodyear Comfortread.

Gurkha · #8 08-21-2007, 09:26 PM

Yokohama C drive, highly acclaimed and getting good reviews, great grip on dry and wet with good long life and quiet comfortable ride.

bolzano · #9 08-25-2007, 02:59 AM

Goodyear Assurance Comfortred http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Assurance+ComforTred gave a smoother and quieter ride on my newer not Mercedes noisebox.
But not available in my size for my 300SD.

donbryce · #10 08-25-2007, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bolzano

Goodyear Assurance Comfortred http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Assurance+ComforTred gave a smoother and quieter ride on my newer not Mercedes noisebox.
But not available in my size.

Well, that's 2 votes for these tires, and after reading up on the reviews, they really do look promising. However, can anyone give some feedback on how they perform mounted on a Mercedes sedan?

LUVMBDiesels · #11 08-26-2007, 05:36 PM

I replaced my Michelin MXV4 when they wore out with Kelly Explorer tires in the factory size. These tires are much quieter and give a very nice ride with no wandering even on concrete roads in upstate NY and in NYC (80 plus MPH on the Thruway)! I also just came in from driving 780 miles this weekend on I-95 and the NJ Turnpike, to D.C and back, and I had no complaints with them.They seem to be a better all around tire than the Michelin MXV4, which used to wander on some roads, for the W126 . They were also something like 60-70 bucks a tire!

I pumped them up to 33PSI on all four tires as they have a limit of 36PSI, which I find strange.

They also seem to be good in the rain, but I will take them off in November so I will not be using them in the snow.

I would not change to larger wheels as these cars were designed for 14 inch rime. They need the larger sidewalls to help absorb bumps. If you put on thinner sidewall tires, you will feel it.

I would only go for larger diameter rims as part of a suspension upgrade such as going to coil-over shocks and the like.

Hope this helps...

donbryce · #12 08-29-2007, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUVMBDiesels

I replaced my Michelin MXV4 when they wore out with Kelly Explorer tires in the factory size.....They were also something like 60-70 bucks a tire! ...They also seem to be good in the rain, but I will take them off in November so I will not be using them in the snow.
I would not change to larger wheels as these cars were designed for 14 inch rime. They need the larger sidewalls to help absorb bumps. If you put on thinner sidewall tires, you will feel it.

The wheels are aftermarket 15" Mercedes design, http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/attachments/tech-help/47058d1187130317t-still-trying-get-smooth-quiet-mercedes-ride-my-w126-100_0363.jpg and the sidewalls of the current Michelins are almost the same width as stock. They are right down to the wear bars at 20,000 miles.

I looked at Goodyear Assurance Comfortreds yesterday, and got pricing at about $145.00 per tire (CDN), but a total of over $700.00 installed and balanced, including taxes!

Here's a breakdown of the best quote, just to share what we Canadians have to put up with:

4 tires @ 146.46 585.84
4 valve stems 12.00
Warranty 23.00
Prov. Tire Tax 12.00
Balancing 38.00
Sales Tax 94.03
Total $765.67

They had a very impressive thick tread though. The brochure states they have a "Super-absorbent layer between the tread and belt". Sounds like a maxi-pad for the road!
I'm still pondering if the investment would be worth it.