I currently have a mishmash of different tires on my '89 190E 2.6. I would like to replace them all. I have Borbet type H wheels.

I don't want to spend alot (like you haven't seen that before) on good all season touring tires. I will see my fair share of snow and ice in Michigan. I don't want soft ones that will only last a couple of seasons. I was looking a GY Regatta 2's but don't know anyone who has them. Are there other tires that can fit the bill?

I have found that this car is extremely sensitive to tire balance. If there is any tire/wheel not in balance the car will shake all over at 55-65 mph. Has anyone else noticed this?

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Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

If you see your fair share of snow and ice, and you have a Rear Wheel Drive MB with no ASR, its over without snow tires....I've learned from a few spin outs. Also anything that can bite in snow, sucks around turns, and doens't last long either.

The only tire I would have used, which has a really good tread life, great touring, handling, wet dry, everything, but really only light snow use, is the new Dunlop Sport A2 for $56 each.

I used 195/60/15s instead of 185/65/15s, because more tires choices where available. the same tire is $54 in 195/60/15s. I usually recommend at least an H-rated tire especailly for MBs.

In 195/60/15s, you can find the Firestone Firehawk SH30s with better snow handling the then Dunlops, and still good touring characteristics for $58.

Here are the 2 tires:

Dunlop Sp Sport A2http://www.tirerack.com/tires/dunlop/du_sp_a2.jsp

UTOG: 420 AA A (Great wet handling...)

Firestone Firehawk SH30
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/firestone/fs_sh30.jsp

UTOG: 460 A A


Also, if you have any good pair of tires that are the same tire, I would keep them and rotate them in if you really want to save money without altering your driveability.

goto tirerack.com, and read through some of their tiretech notes. You will learn a great deal about tires.

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Chirag (Charlie) Patel
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- 03 Mercedes S600 Sport TTV12
- 97 Acura NSX-T
- 99 BMW E36 M3 w/500+ HP
- 04 Lexus RX330
- 04 Dodge Dakota Quad 4x4 V8

4 Sale:
- 99 BMW M3 E36 Coup with Dinan SC, Upgraded to an RMS Stage 3 with Aftercooler, 12psi, and 500+hp @ flywheel.

We put Bridgestone RE950's on Dad's 190E 2.6. They are NOT all-season tires, but you shouldn't really use anything short of a pure snow tire on an MB that sees snow anyway.

The RE950's are superb in the rain, great in the dry, and VERY smooth and quiet.

__________________
John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

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