Hey guys ... I feel I have the original tires on my 1983 cdt ...ones starting to leak from a un-known area ...LOL
Whats the best tire for the buck ? any improving the rolling resistance ? should I stick with OEM tires ?

Thanks

greg

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1983 300cd

OEM tires? They were fitted back then with either Continentals or Michelin. So I guess you mean staying with the stock size? You are going to get alot of opinions, some based on fact, some just urban legends. Log onto www.tirerack.com for their recommendations. On my 81 I went up from 14 to 16 with later MB stock alloys. I made sure overall diameter was close to stock so speedo remained accurate. I like touring graded tires over mud and snow because they are usually quieter and have a high wear rating, but I live in sunny California.

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81 300CD (sold) 1972 280 SEL 4.5 (sold) 1966 250 S 4 spd (sold) 1974 450 SL (sold) 86 BMW 325ES (sold), 1973 280C (sold) 1988 300 SE.

I got BF Goodrich Momentum tires the last time I bought some and I'm not real happy with them. One thing I didn't like on the Momentums is that they have a 35 PSI max and I usually inflate to 32 or 34 so this didn't leave much of a margin. Friday I am getting some Kumho Solus KR21s for the front. These tires have a 45 PSI max. I selected these from looking at reviews and comparisons on the tirerack site.
The Kumhos and the Michelins both have around an 80k warrantee.

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1983 300SD
200000miles

I like wide sticky Dunlop's or Yoko's.

Just don't do what I did and get staggered, directional Yoko's. I'll be lucky if I get 15k miles out of these tires.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

i just got a set of Michelin Hydro Edge tires after much research. I love them. they make those "hand of god" breaks feel like uber hand of god...i highly reccomend them, and Sears had them on sale for 89$, while tire rack had em for 95, not that its a big deal.
check out the specs on tire rack.
i am not a paid endorser

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1985 300D - "Desi"
1981 300D - "Pepi"
1984 240D - "Sticky"
1985 300TD - "Flitstone"
1984 300TD - "Frenchie"
1987 300TD - "4481"

That is what I just bought for my 240/300d. I can't wait to get them mounted!

195/70r14.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I have 205/65R15 Yoko Advan H4S and I like them. Nearly 10K on them and they look none the worse for wear.

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Sharing my partner's 2012 Forte 5dr SX til I find my next 123 or 126..
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Do I miss being a service advisor ???

I had BF Goodrich tires on my car when I went for a 300 mile road trip. I ran into some traffic, and the hot tires had expanded some bulges so bad that it felt as though I was going to lose a wheel! It smoothed out over 35 MPH, but doing 5-10, it was really jumpy and wobbly. Pretty embarassing. I'm sure it was pretty dangerous, too! I had to change to a set of Michelins while I was down there. Last set of BFs my car will ever see!

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1982 300CD Petrol/Black Leather

Ive owned many sets of tires over the years. I've had coopers blow out on me, lower-end tires prematurely wear on me (even after an alignment) and all kinds of other stuff. I recommend Michelin's, hands down. Yeah they are a little pricey, but as OE equipment (now its continental) on MB's and they really allow your MB to ride as designed. Premium car= Premium tire in my opinion.

Ps- if discount tires were as good as premium tires (ie Khumo vs Michelin) then the dealer wouldn't charge for a new set of premium tires when when a MB lease is turned in with a set of discount tires mounted on them. The lease reads that tires purchased for a leased MB must be of "OE spec or better", and the reason is that premium tires are just that much better.

Buy what you will, but in terms of overall satisfaction I found Michelin's to be the best.

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". . .back before accountants designed cars"

-Current Stable-
'78 MB 450SL-C 107.024.12.020783 #3840 <Kayleen>
'85 FORD F250 6.9L Diesel <Allison>
'98 Lexus ES300 <Rachel>
Long Gone...
'74 Chevy G10...........................'99 GMC Yukon 4X4
'83 Chevy Suburban 6.2 diesel .....'99 SAAB 9-5
'90 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS............. '01 Chevy Tahoe
'98 Nissan Altima .......................'02 MB ML320
'88 Chevy Suburban V2500 4X4 6.2 diesel

I had Kumho AS 795s in my W123 car. Excellent tire.

I would look at the KR21s now?

I am shopping for new tires for my 300SDL right now, see my other thread.

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500