Tires for E420 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Gary Ganaway · #1 05-13-2002, 04:34 PM

Want to keep stock size, 195/65/15 and have seen on forum coments about Yokohama's and Dunlop's. I'm leaning towards Dunlops due to good reviews on tread wear and overall performance. Does anyone have experience with the Dunlop Sp A2? PO had put on Goodyear Eagle LS(?) and these are lousy, too much noise and have what feels like a grinding action at lower speeds. Average driving habits with equal time on highway and city streets.

Thanks in advance for your comments

-fad · #2 05-13-2002, 05:50 PM

I'd compare load ratings, and be sure to choose the most robust 195/65/15 tire on the market

currently the P6000 Summer has a W rated tire

then just a few V rated tires out there: Dunlop, Yoko, Pirelli- - all seem to be nearly idential performance wise

your V8 demands the most tire your can put on the car, especially in a measly 195/65/15 size....

you may wish to consider a 60 series tire on stock 15's, and trade off a bit more fender gap for a 60 series Z,W speed rated tire

hope this helps
-fad

DSinger · #3 05-13-2002, 07:02 PM

On a stock rim, I'd use the Michelin Pilot Primacy in 205/65VR15. The 400E/E420 also needed a little extra sidewall in my opinion. This will slow it down a hair, yet provide better grip (wider tread and more sidewall for better ride and handling).

blackmercedes · #4 05-13-2002, 11:42 PM

If you are considering an H-rated tire, our E300 has the Bridgestone RE950, and it is an outstanding tire. Very quiet, nice ride, pretty good dry stick, and incredible wet performance.

You might want to look for a 215/60-15, as I think there are some V-rated tires in that size. I'd probably go for a V-rated tire (like a Yokohama AVS db) for the V-8 sedan, given the torque that engine generates. As to the 215 section size, I'm not sure if the E420 has 7" wheels, which I'd prefer for the 215 size.

The other option is a 205/60-15, which is a smidgen shorter than the stock size, but VERY close. Lots of tires in that isze to choose from.

There are 195/65-15 tires, but selection is limited. Try the V-rated Michelin MXV4 Plus for a true luxury tire, with a nice ride and pretty good performance.

Subman · #5 05-14-2002, 02:20 AM

I can not speak for the other tires but.. I had the Yoko AVS db 205/60 and they were the best tires I have ever bought. I would highly recomed them. They had greatly improved traction and very very quiet. I woul call Luke up and talk to him about the rest. I wish I had the db on my 18s.
Subman

#6 05-14-2002, 07:16 AM

Michelin pioneered the radial tire. If you will look closely at a Michelin, any Michelin, you will see the mold marks are radial, indicating that the mold comes together radially, that is as pieces of pie. This construction method allows a much more consistent placement of the belts during the molding process and provides for much more uniform tire construction.

Most tires are molded with the mold coming together axially like a clam shell. With many of these tires you will see the mold mark around the tire at the center of the tread. This provides inconsistent belt molding.

The uniformity of a tire made in a radially separated mold provides two things; a well balanced tire requiring minimal balancing weight AND maybe even more importantly a MUCH MORE uniform road force around the entire tire. Road force is basically the stiffness at any point on the tire.

Road force variation is often excessive in a clamshell molded tire making the tire have stiff spots(a location having excessive road force.)

For this reason, it is important to look for RADIAL MOLD MARKS.

I have personally seen only four brands of tires with radial mold marks. Every Michelin is molded radially as I said at the beginning. Every Continental that I've seen is molded radially and I have had very good luck with Continentals, I believe they are a very good value. I have also seen, while browsing at the tire store, Pirelli and Yokohama with radial mold marks.

I believe that, for the money, the best 300E tire is the 195/65/15 Continental ContiTouring CH95. These tires have a 60,000 mile warranty, and an A temperature rating which is important in my climate (Texas) and are balanced with minimal extra weight. These tires are round, with minimal road force variation and are only $63 each at Tire Rack. The best bargain in a tire for the 124 car IMHO.

If I were to select between the two tires you mentioned, I would go with the Yokohamas because of their radially separated mold construction. And yes I would stay away from the Goodyears. I have had really bad experience with Goodyears. I personally would rather have wagon wheels on my car than Goodyears.

Best of luck,

Michael · #7 05-14-2002, 08:31 AM

Michelin. Worth the extra money. Or Continental. Bible is right on, as is Mr. Singer. I'd had Yokos on my W124 and they were not stiff enough for the weight of the car IMHO, and I messed with the pressures quite a bit.

c43amg · #8 05-14-2002, 11:42 AM

As mentioned in other posts, I have the Yokohama AVS Db on my daughter's '88 420SEL (heavier than an E420) and have been very satisfied with them -- most recently during a torrential rainstorm (including a burst of 1/2" in about 15 minutes) they ran securely at highway speeds and through standing water without a problem.

400E · #9 05-14-2002, 09:00 PM

Consider Nokian NRVs. Come in 195/65 and are reputed to be VERY nice, and run about $95. I have Dunlap Sport 5000s and am waiting for them to wear out so I can get a set of Nokians.

They were reviewed in THE STAR in the last year and got rave reviews.