Need some tires - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ck42 · #16 02-17-2003, 03:10 PM

Aaron....wondered when you were gonna chime in here

It seems you also confirm the Avid H4's elevated noise.

As for the Michelin's....their apparent weakness is wet road traction....that's one performance characteristic I weight heavily....therefore the few Mich. choices I had decided on get pushed down the list.

As for the 205....my thoughts on this were that:
I'd have slightly decreased gas mileage
Slightly higher noise level
Increased liklihood of hydroplaning.
Given the 6" wheel, more tire movement due to the wider tire on a small'ish wheel.

Otherwise, I'd love nothing more than to have a wider tire under this car....it really screams out for something a little beefier looking.

As for the Turanaza Revo's: I think that the Revos are actually a different tire ALTOGETHER. The LS-x series, from all accounts I can find, are a signifacant improvement on the Revo's.

In any case, I have a 30 day "trial" on the bridgestones. If I don't like the way they feel, I can always trade them in for one of my other choices.

Thanks for the input tho Aaron. Your opinions/advice is always most welcome

Chris
'85 300SD

Aaron · #17 02-17-2003, 03:16 PM

Chris,

Remember though, you'll have to pay for dismounting/remounting and balancing if you decide to switch. I love the way my '83 SD drives with the 205 Michelins on it. I had Pirellis on it before and dumped them after 3,000 miles. The MXV4s ride soooooo smooth and I have not experienced any problems with hydroplaning. If you're dead set on sticking with a 195, I would get the Avid H4s before any Bridgestone. They're noisy, but actually not as bad as the Pirellis I had. If the Avids were that noisy I would not have ordered them three times. And since the W126 is pretty well insulated from the road, the noise would probably not be intrusive. The Avids are directional though, and do tend to wear a little quicker.

ck42 · #18 02-17-2003, 03:53 PM

Mounting costs don't bug me too much. I can live with it.

I still don't feel comfortable going with 205's....BUT, when I switch over to 15" wheels, I DO plan on going with a 205 since the 15" wheels are a little wider.

Besides the noise issue/non-issue with the Avids, I'd choose the Bridgestones based upon what I *believe* will be better wet road handling....which like I'd said, I weight pretty heavily.

Tread wear also isn't much of an issue since I will be wanting to upgrade wheels soon anyway.

Whatever the case, I feel confident I'll be getting a good tire....maybe not the best/dollar, but good nonetheless.

Your personal experience with these tires is a great resource tho....it's really hard to find anyone who's actually driven all of these tires and can give a good description of the differences.

Chris
'85 300SD

#19 02-17-2003, 04:06 PM

Chris, you mentioned the michelin x-one tires for something like $70 per tire. Is this a NORMAL price for these tires? I have 4 of the 205 70 14 size on my 85 300d and I love them! Granted, they are NOT snow tires, however they do work well in the snow when exercising caution...

If I recall correctly, my 1st pair were aprox $125 each mounted and balanced. My 2nd pair form about a month ago were around the price that you quoted. This 2nd set were purchased with what I beleive was a SUBSTANTIAL discount via a tire store manager friend of my sister. Anyway, the x-ones perform very well in the rain with no hydroplaning involved. Any tire will hydroplane when entering deep water at speed. Again, I have been so pleased with said tires in the 205 size that my "little old 75 year old mom" has recently installed a complete set on her identical (only almost PERFECT) black 300d turbo. Enough said.

I hope that my comments have been helpful, and look forward to hearing about taht pricing. It is not my opinion that these tires are on the edge of being phased out for a newer model, but younever know. One other thing is that I have NEVER ex[erienced a BLOWOUT at speed with any michelin tire. Luck? perhaps....

Best wishes always, spo

ck42 · #20 02-17-2003, 04:41 PM

Spo:

TireRack list the X-one's at $78/tire in the 205/70/14 size....so yes, it's a fairly common price. Local DT quoted me $92/tire mounted/balanced for the X-One.

The X-One would prolly be my first or second choice of tire *IF* I was looking for a LOOoong lasting tire. The tire was designed to be as good a tire as possible while give long tread life. It apparently handles this compromise admirably.

But, since I don't need the long tread life, I can trade longevity for things like performance. That's part of the choice I made.

But like I said, if I was wanting to stick with this tire for a long time, the X-One would be right up there....if fact, it would prolly be my ultimate choice in tire.

#21 02-17-2003, 06:18 PM

I have a set of Turanzas on the E300 TD and they are really, really good in the rain and pretty good on dry pavement, although they 'give' too much in hard corners. I'm looking for safety in all conditions and these tires are great for that.

rwthomas1 · #22 02-17-2003, 07:00 PM

Am I to understand that the 205/70-14 fits fine on the standard MB 14" wheel as a replacement for the 195/70-14? That would certainly be an improvement on my 300D. RT

240 Ed · #23 02-17-2003, 08:04 PM

...'which is the best tire?' is sorta like asking the question, '...who is the most beautiful actress right now?'

I don't know the answer to either, but can make a case for Michelin, and Cate Blanchette.

#24 02-18-2003, 06:59 AM

RW,
YES YES YES...absolutely..............do it.

spo

Rick Miley · #25 02-18-2003, 09:43 AM

Folks, please note that Chris is in Atlanta, so snow is not much of a concern for him. Rain is. I've had Michelin MXV's on three different cars dating back to 1986 and they are outstanding in the rain. The softer compound means a shorter tread life, but wet and dry handling as well as noise level are fantastic. The only drawback is the $20 per tire price premium over the others you mentioned. I don't know your budget, so you may not be willing to pay that.

Incidently, my last tire purchase was on Christmas eve last year when I let the Tire Kingdom guy talk me into Fuldas. I had to have new tires because I was transporting my grandmother the next day and they didn't have the MXV's I wanted. Bad move. It was raining and the car was on the ABS and ASR at every stoplight. The day after Christmas I went straight to another Tire Kingdom where they exchanged the Fuldas for MXV's under their 30 day policy. Of course they complained, but they did it. And they did not charge me extra for remounting and balancing. So it depends on where you go.

ck42 · #26 02-18-2003, 09:51 AM

As just posted by Luke from TR in the original thread in the Tire/Wheel forums:

"I would highly recommend the Turanza LS .... it rivals the Energy MXV's in ride quality but, offers better handling, steering response, warranty, tread life, and bad weather traction all at a lower price in most sizes"

Luke

If this tire turns out to be as good as I *hope*, it looks like it will be an excellent alternative to the typical Mich. used on our diesles.....for a couple bux less.

Chris
'85 300SD

Brian Carlton · #27 02-23-2003, 05:22 PM

I agree with Aaron regarding the Michelins. I am using the MX4 for about 50K and they are quiet and long wearing. I will probably get 100K out of them. However, I have a little secret regarding getting way more mileage: The size on these tires are 215-70R14! These are actually two sizes larger than the stock 195's. The benefits: Very long wearing and lower rpm's at a given speed. The engine is now turning 3000 rpm at an actual 68 mph instead of 65 mph. The drawbacks: Less torque. You definitely feel the car not having quite the pull after you go up two sizes!! However, this become a non issue after several days use. You get used to it immediately. Just don't drive another SD with the 195's on it!!!

Brian Carlton
1984 300 SD

slowmoe · #28 02-23-2003, 05:51 PM

I have had Michelin Symetrys on my 124 for about 18K now and have been very pleased. I am not sure if they come in your size or not. I spent a long time weighing the performance/mileage-cost issue. Since I do not do much track racing in my diesel, I opted for the more economical choice.

However, I have been very surprised by how well these tires do handle in dry, wet or snowy conditions. Not only were they much less expensive, they came with an 80K warrentee, free lifetime road hazard protection, and a free rotation/balence every 7K from Walmart.

slowmoe · #29 02-23-2003, 05:54 PM

Brian,

Just curious if you can/did adjusted the speedo to reflect tire radius change?

Alan S · #30 02-24-2003, 09:33 AM

I just replaced the tires on my 300D with Yokohama Avid Touring, I must say these are one of the quietest tires I've ever owned. They handle nicely too. I switched back to 195's this time, I was running 205's. The ride is somewhat firmer and my speedometer is accurate, with the 205's it was about 4mph off at 65. I believe the engineers designed the car with 195's and that's what I will run.