You're absolutely correct, the top speed on my car is around 125 so technically a Z rated isn't needed. I'm just used to purchasing Z rated by habit after owning a '96 Impala SS for years. That car could do 150 (barely) I realized the silliness of looking for a Z rated tire shortly after I posted this.

One reason I do like Z rated tires is that in my past experience, they come with a more precise balance from the factory. I also live in Florida, so road heat is a huge factor. I like the idea of a tire designed to handle the heat of high speed driving, even though I don't really ever drive that fast any more. My general philosophy as an engineer is to use parts that are over-spec'd for any given application, but I agree an H rated tire is perfectly adequate for my needs.

Incidentally, sorry for not posting this in the tires section, I didn't realize at the time there even was a tire forum here.

I guess I'll give Costco a call and see if they have the right sized tire.


Thanks for all your input!

I agree on the Z rated feel, but they also wear fast. The ones I had on my old '01 C5 and '98 Z28 lasted MAYBE 20k miles. I have some V rated Michelins on the 560 (MXV4 I believe) they are nice. Handling is crisp with the SLS and Comforts up front. I think you'd be pleased with the life of them and handling. I've had a few sets on my Mother's LS400 (don't worry, it's sold now ) and the MXV's lasted for a LONG time. 55-70k easily with regular rotation.

If you want a big jump in handling, swap in the Bilstein HDs... my 300sel handles fantastic for a vehicle with cheap tires with soft sidewalls. Ride quality on them, to me, is how the W126 should be. Firmer, without being harsh.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Primacy MXV4 is prboably the right Michelin for your W126, but I ended up with Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS on my 300SDL and my moms 126 as well. Like them a lot. Quiet and handle good, nowhere near as good as the KH11 Kumhos but still very good, I would say better than MXV4...

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500

Michelin Primacy MXV4
circa $125 each, installed at Costco. and right now you get $80 off the set. price is all inclusive; mounting, balancing, new rubber valve, disposal of the old tires, inflating the tire with nitrogen, road hazard warranty.
then you get FREE lifetime tire rotations, rebalancing and flat repairs as well. costco has a great tire package.

in my experience, the michelins are a lot more money, but the quality remains for most of the life of the tires.
other tires start to get noisy or rough, or lose wet traction etc as they get older. and michelins tend to be more fuel efficient to boot.

im sold on michelins. im sold on costco.

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'O=00=O'
bmw 2002.
long live the legend

This is a little bit off the topic, but I hope you did not replace your W126 motor mounts with inexpensive Chinese replica/imitation ones to save money

It is false economy as there have been reports that they only last about a month before collasping

Your best bet is to go with factory OEM Mercedes Benz ones for security, but even with these, don't be surprised if they need to be replaced at about 50,000 miles, as a consumable item

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

I've got about 14,000 miles on Yokohama AVID H4S' and they're fine. Still look like new and I run them at 38 psi.

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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 ???

Hi--re:tire for w126--I've researched this alot and for the best value buy as a F(x) of Cost, Noise level, Rolling resistance, High curb weight of my 300sel,and moderate weather (Oklahoma--i.e., little snow/ice), I only use goodyear assurance.
Purchased through walmart online as most stores wont stock your size and shipped to local store(faster delivery vs them ordering and you still can purchase rd haz/war). Cost is approximately $110 and since they are 80K tires and they wear out at approximately <50K(as most all tires do--including michelins), the trade-in credit allowed by walmart on the next set is worth considering. FYI--I also went one size taller to lower RPM(revolutions per mile) and coupled with less rolling resistance(vs avg competing tire) of this tire my mpg is maximized. See Tire Rack for ratings and research/comparisons and good luck.

"A problem is just a lack of Ideas"

When those Goodyears give the vehicle the typical back and forth sway at exactly 7 mph and then offer up the light vibration at 65-75 mph..........please be sure to report back on this thread..........because they will.........and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.

Michelin makes round tires..........Goodyear makes black ones.

There are some exceptions when you pay upwards of $175 for each Goodyear tire........at that price point, they actually meet a quality standard.

Good point Brian.

Sad but I have seen gross inconsistencies with Goodyears quality. I bought a set of Fortera Tires for my Navigator and they couldnt balance. I took them back after fighting with the store manager and ended up with Bridgestone Dueler HL ALenzas..

FWIW, I paid under 100 ea for my RE960AS Pole Positions.

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500

I had an interesting discussion with the retailer of the Tire Store where I do business.........a totally down to earth fellow who knows the tire game very well. He fully understands that many of the tires that he sells are not round. The question is whether the customer will realize this or not. For the European sedans with a "discerning" driver, he'll steer the customer to the Michelins or the Bridgestones where he's fairly confident of decent roundness. If the customer is not satisfied, it's the retailer that must eat the cost..........the tires are within manufacturer's specifications. He'll just remove them and sell them as partially used tires, if the customer complains.

BTW, you can get a perfect balance on an out of round tire........it will still shake when you put it on the vehicle if the suspension is intolerant.

Yeah, I stood there and watched, First spin, was around 6 ounces of weight, and then you could see the out of roundness of the tire. The guy that I always request looks at me...."Why did you pick the Forteras?" Thats when I knew it was time to change the game plan.

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500