I've never deviated from factory 124 rims. The current ones are from an early 90's W124 (12 hole), the ones before that were original style.

I drove about 800 miles today, and have some new information. I hope this does not confuse the issue as I'm trying to think of anything that I notice...

1. there was noise. almost like a faint distant ambulance. there was no unusual feeling in the steering when hearing the noise. i could heard the noise going straight down the interstate off the jersey barrier (or without ). turning right (for curve) made the faint ambulance noise cycle more quickly, not louder. speed and road surface affected the noise. older road surfaces were quieter. i first noticed the noise a day or two ago going around right hand curves about 50 miles/hr. at 40-50 the noise is probably loudest heard. i did not really notice this before this set of tires, but the last set was very loud overall in all conditions (hard rubber michelin pilot)
2. there is an oily film around the center cap to the lug holes of the front left wheel. only present on this wheel
3. slowing down, or downhill w/out much load seems to make issue more noticable (first noticed this months ago, as did mechanic, but there was also a brake issue there and he did work with that - car warped two sets of rotors, he replaced rotors and left side calipers)
3. the harsher vibration did not occur today and it was hot, and I travelled the same part of I-40

Those are all of the symptons I can think of, I've ordered of how reproducable/noticable it is, starting highest first.

Thanks for everyone's help,

Brian

(edited to remove comment about tire wear)