Yokos For W140c - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

albert champion · #1 04-10-2003, 03:38 AM

perhaps this issue has been addressed.

if it has, i can't find it.

so, school me. i have this 1997 s500c. it has michelin mxv4 235/60hr16 tires.

i run yoko avs db's on my w126c. love them.

i wanted to fit this tire to this 140. however, yoko has withdrawn the avs db's in advance of issuing the successors, AVS db S2. unfortunately, only available as 225/60 wr16.

will not be out for another few weeks.

this has almost the same revs per mile to the michelins that i want[that i must replace] to replace.

i have always considered benz'es as being undertired by the factory. i would prefer to stay with the 16 inch wheel.

am i going backward to use a 225/60 when the factory fitted a 235/60?

any other suggestions?

all ears

KenP · #2 04-10-2003, 09:44 PM

Albert,
Went through a similar decision process on my '96 S500 Coupe recently... didn't care for the original Michelins.
Bought a set of Kumho KH11 in 235/60/16. They are W rated (much more than you need for your Coupe), and are terrific so far. Good handling and stick like crazy in the wet.
Very reasonably priced at Tire Rack.
Good luck with whatever you decide,
KenP

albert champion · #3 04-13-2003, 08:21 PM

issue for me is downsizing from 235/60 to a 225/60.

any negatives with doing that?

the forthcoming yoko avs db s2 in a tire diameter almost identical to the 235/60 mxv4 michelin's is a 225/60.

and the highly regarded michelin pilot sport a/s has a virtually identical diameter but once again in a 225/60.

i don't see a problem in that reduction. does anyone else?

all ears.

Chiragp · #4 04-15-2003, 01:38 PM

Mercedes (and even BMW) would have stayed with 225/60/16, but the issue for the long wheel base models became load carrying capacity. Which is why they bumped the size up. In all honesty if it were safe to stay on 225, MB would have just kept 225s for the standard and long wheel base cars, but they didn't. I don't see why 235/60/16s should be changed for 225s. Maybe they don't have the Yokos, but I'm sure you can find another tire in its size.

Depends on how aggressive you are:

Dunlop SP Sport A2s are H-rated (130mph) and have a 50k mileage warranty. Ride pretty nice, great in snow. Michelin has Pilot XGT H4 which are vey nice tires too, but I belive they are more expensive and accomplish what a Sport A2 would.

-fad · #5 04-15-2003, 02:11 PM

I'd choose the most heavy duty tire available in OE sizing- paying close attention to increase maximize load capacity--

the W140 is a heavy weight and benefits from the added strengths

-fad

albert champion · #6 04-15-2003, 10:28 PM

thnx. i hear you. and that is what ntb says.

the mxv4's are about the highest weight rated tires around.

but i find them noisy and imprecise.

i have loved the yokos on my 560sec. and nothing has ever surpassed my xwx's on my 6.9.

i have michelin pilot xgt h4's on my 560sel. not whelmed.

i drive my cars hard and fast.

the w140c needs better shoes than the mxv tread design and compounding.

not a great braking tire. not a good road feel tire. it limits the performance of this coupe, imo.

in fact, it is one of the mysteries of this car. it reminds me of my old b model baron. it never wanted to slow down to land. this s500c doesn't want to slow down unless the brakes are applied. totally unlike all my other benzes[and i have a few] that slow when the accelerator is undepressed[so to speak].

any comments?

all ears.

Chiragp · #7 04-16-2003, 01:29 AM

Most of the Load Indexes have a rating of 99 in that size. Michelin's Energy MXV4+ has a rating of 100. However Nitto carries a 104 load rating. However, I've never like their tire in that size. That said. Dunlop Sport A2s are very sporty.

might be the key to the stock OEM size.

albert champion · #8 04-26-2003, 10:14 PM

what i really want is a more high performance tire. i live in texas and i do not need a m&s. what i need is dry and rain.

the michelin pilot sport a/s would seem to be a great tire. short-lived perhaps, but that does not really matter to me. unfortunately, this tire is not available as a 235/60-16. and as a 225/60-16 it does not carry the weight rating[1764 lbs] that the oem mxv4's carry.

in this tire, the only way to get to that weight rating is to increase the tire size to a 285/40yr17. that will skew my speedo, of course. and will mean new wheels.

any thoughts?

-fad · #9 05-01-2003, 02:32 PM

appears that you'll need a higher performance tire for your driving and perf tastes

a tire and wheel upgrade will surely pay-off especally based upon your requirements and the characteristics of a plux one or plux two upgrade

If possible- choose Bridgestone S-03 for Max Perf tire- you will be amazed with this tire's performance
best regards
-fad

albert champion · #10 05-02-2003, 10:18 PM

NEVER THOUGHT OF A BRIDGESTONE.

examining the specs, it would appear that the tire to acquire is the 235/50YR18.

IT IS IDENTIFIED AS REINFORCED. i have never seen that description before. can anyone tell me more?

so, if i elect to use that tire, what size wheel, with what offset spec, should i decide to use?

all ears.

Chiragp · #11 05-03-2003, 06:34 PM

anything in an R18 requires an 18" wheel. I'm not sure I understand you. You are trying to find a sporty tire. Try the A2 on the stock wheels. They have cured many people's problems without going through the extra cost.

If you want sport and an upgrade, like a plus 2...Then go with 18s. 255/45/18 front, and 285/40/18.

No sense upgrading to 18s, and then getting skinny 235s. The wider the better. Load rating matters too...but a change on 1 rating...is not all that matters.