Cheaper, Lower Mileage Tire Recommendation - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

shertex · #1 06-22-2011, 07:51 PM

(Yes, I'm sure this should be over in Wheels and Tires....but DD is where the traffic is, right?).

Over the years, I've been partial to Bridgestone Turanzas as an all-season touring tire....just put a set of Turanza Serenitys on the 91. But, with two daily drivers, tires will experience dry rot before tread wear becomes an issue....especially on the 92 that has snow tires four months out of the year.

So, if I like the Turanzas, what would be a good substitute that's significantly less expensive and would last, say, 30,000 miles?

Thanks.

NJ300sdl · #2 06-22-2011, 08:58 PM

Kuhmo tires are worth considering.

oldiesel · #3 06-22-2011, 09:11 PM

I second the Kuhmo tires Had 4 on my Jetta for 4 yrs before i sold it and have them on both my MBs. They all balanced up with very little weight and seem to be holding up just fine. Don

JimmyL · #4 06-22-2011, 09:56 PM

I 3rd Kuhmo. Put them on the '85 wagon and they were fine. It is all one of these need really......

layback40 · #5 06-22-2011, 10:10 PM

At the fear of getting flamed, You may consider second hand tires. If they come from a reputable source, they can be cheap & you dont keep them so long.

ashedd · #6 06-22-2011, 11:14 PM

Call me crazy... but I have had 3 sets of BF Goodrich tires from sams club on various cars. Good traction, high mileage, cheap, ride nice, good performance. They always have my size in stock. BFG periodically runs specials with Sams, last set we got(3 months ago) had free installation and balance. I have had them on a MB, SHO, and Galant. They are...... BFG touring T/A pro series. W123 size are $77 ea.

ashedd · #7 06-22-2011, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

especially on the 92 that has snow tires four months out of the year.

My '87 has snow tires on it. I need to buy a new summer set. in the mean time, I just drive with the snows. I hope they are hard enough not to wear out too prematurely.

tangofox007 · #8 06-23-2011, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

So, if I like the Turanzas, what would be a good substitute that's significantly less expensive and would last, say, 30,000 miles?

What price would you like to pay? And what size tire?

shertex · #9 06-23-2011, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangofox007

What price would you like to pay? And what size tire?

Tires are 195/65-15. I can get Turanza Serenitys for $107....although last set I bought I got a $100 rebate from Bridgestone, which made them $82 per tire. I was thinking something in the $60 range...but that may be unrealistic.

FYI I'm trying to get one last season out of the Turanzas currently on the car. But tires were manufactured in 2003 and I'm beginning to see dry rot cracks. So I mainly use it for puttering around town.

tangofox007 · #10 06-23-2011, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

FYI I'm trying to get one last season out of the Turanzas currently on the car. But tires were manufactured in 2003 and I'm beginning to see dry rot cracks. So I mainly use it for puttering around town.

Just had an '02 Michelin LTX disintegrate last week. Still had another 10k left on the tread. Fortunately, it happened a mile from home and not on the serious-driving trip to the mountains that had taken place the week prior.

odie · #11 06-23-2011, 10:03 AM

for cheap tires I'm partial to Wally World...usually the Douglas X-trac tires are their cheapest and I've run them on lots of my daily driver cars and even Jeep Wrangler (almost never take it off road)...Bought them for years and no complaints and seem to perform fine

plus you can find a walmart on every corner when you need tire service...

really...are you driving 100+ ? VR & ZR rated tires may have bragging points but most people drive around the speed limit.

Now my 944S..yeah I kinda gotta spend $$ on performance tires

rs899 · #12 06-23-2011, 10:33 AM

I am not a huge fan of the Douglas X-tracs ( although I have some on my little VW) because the sidewalls seem to be very thin (although that may vary with the actual tire involved).

I do however think the Goodyear Viva2, which is a Walmart only tire is a decent one. I just took a set off that must be 10 years old off (worn out anyway) and they were just fine.

tangofox007 · #13 06-23-2011, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs899

I just took a set off that must be 10 years old off (worn out anyway) and they were just fine.

Old tires often look "just fine" right up to the point of failure.

vstech · #14 06-23-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs899

I do however think the Goodyear Viva2, which is a Walmart only tire is a decent one. I just took a set off that must be 10 years old off (worn out anyway) and they were just fine.

could you explain better what you are saying with this statement?

I think you mean that the tires did you well for the 10 years you had them. not that the 10 year old tires are fine for use...

rs899 · #15 06-23-2011, 11:04 AM

^^ Yes, I retired them after 10 years. And yes, they can still look good after 10 years and be bad. I tried to use a set of 9 year old tires I had on an old VW Cabriolet and each one started slipping belts....