Hey guys,


Its finally time to buy some new tires, and I have aftermarket wheels...

They are currently running on 225/65/15's, and I was wondering what size I should purchase this time around, as I would like better handling if possible.

I really like BF Goodrich tires, but it seems the best I can find is 215/65's for their radial T/A's...



Thanks,


Carlen

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1987 560SEL (210,000 miles)

225-60-15 Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S is your tire.

How many miles are you seeing with those tires? My friend likes to burn though them fairly quickly on his GTI.

-Jason

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

I've only got about 5K on 215-65-15's on the SD. I expect 50K out of them with ease. The SD is hardly one to push its tires.

Fair enough. He got about 20k on them... but he drove the car like a GTI.

I was thinking of getting a set of the Michelin Energy tires for my SDL. I have Toyo Proxis4 tires on both of my Jettas and really, really like them... but I don't know if the aggressive tread pattern is befitting the luxo boat S Class.

Don't know enough about them. The Hydroedge is fine on the SDL but a bit noisy. The Pilot Exaltos are truly excellent on the SD but won't match the treadlife of the Hydroedge.

Everything is a compromise..............

Those are lookin' pretty good; they might be the last thing I buy for this car as I may be selling it soon... Saddening to think about.




Thanks,

Carlen

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1987 560SEL (210,000 miles)

The fact that tire stores will sell you anything should not become part of your "culture" too.

Fit the size tires recommended by the manufacturer. The only thing "better" about bigger tires is the profit to the tire dealer.

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

The tire dealer has nothing to do with it. The larger tire is about $8.00 more...........hardly worth the discussion.

The larger tire certainly looks better on the vehicle, can offer some better cornering capability, reduces engine rpm's a bit, and definitely offers more treadlife when compared to stock.

I'll take all those benefits for the additional $8.00...........any day of the week.

Oh, boy. You're going to shoot me now. Your statement as quoted above is exactly the point I was trying to make with the OE Michelins on my 1990 300SE. For a negligible amount of money they could have put larger tires on that vehicle from the factory and the new Mercedes owners would have reaped all of the benefits of those tires that you mentioned. However, your statement was that they chose not to in order to save themselves and the consumer a few bucks on a vehicle with a price equivalent to $80,000-$90,000 today. It just doesn't make sense.

I'll agree to disagree about the reasoning for their decision. I don't think I'd change my mind unless I saw some internal documents backing up your hypothesis.

I agree with you. It doesn't make much sense as an engineer. However, as a bean counter, which M/B also has plenty of, it makes perfect sense.

The fact that the car costs $80K is notwithstanding. There are some better components on a more expensive vehicle, however, the company will still save money where they can.

Just look at what tires come new on cars today. There is definitely penny pinching going on there.

I'd love to know what tires my car came with originally. My Jettas each had Goodyears (bleh!)

-J

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.