For my W124's, I would always buy Michelin MX4's which were a "50,000 mile tire" that consistently gave about 32,000 miles before they needed to be replaced. I know the 50k is just a number and it "depends on how you drive".

Tired of the expense I said I wasn't going to buy MX4's anymore and set out to find an alternative. A tire guy told me to get Michelin Defenders, a 90,000 mile tire. It was only a T rated tire and I need H rated but he said I could use it on my car. I didn't believe him so I called Michelin directly and they said yes that particular tire could be put on my car. I was happy thinking even if I got 70,000 miles on them that'd be great. So I bought them and the last time I took them in for rotation the guy said "this will be the last time they can be rotated". I was like....what?? I only put about 30k on them! He said they're too low on tread. By the time they're going to be toast I will only have put about 35k on them. Very disappointing. I do tire rotations about every 6k miles and have my alignment done maybe once a year and it will be off by just a tiny bit in that time.

I already talked to Michelin and when I get new ones I will get a "pro-rated discount", but.... why give me a discount? Why should I have to pay anything? A 90k tire that gives 35k and I have to pay maybe 1/2 for a new set? A replacement set should be free!

Once I'm done with the replacement Michelin's I will look for another brand. Michelin tires can't deliver what they're supposed to deliver. What tires give longer life?

Tires on a car that has it's suspension in good shape and the owner does tire rotations every 10k.

And since your car is a 124 then what is the state of your rear lower knuckle bushing? It's worn out on almost every w124 and will accelerate tire wear.

I have never had a Michelin tire that did not exceed the mileage warranty.

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When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.

I have always had the best luck of all when using Michelins. I buy the ones rated for the highest mileage. I have gotten over 100K on my dodge truck with the LT versions. I'd say you have something causing such low mileage. Either suspension issues as noted above, tire pressure issues or hard cornering.

On my hobby cars which sit most of the time I use Hancook or Kuhmo.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I seem to have settled on General Altimax RT43 for all three of my Benzes. Excellent tire, good value.

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 159k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 178k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 145k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

19 Honda CR-V EX 75k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

I have had good results from Yokohama avid accend. Two sets wore perfectly comfortable til the end.

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Current fleet
2006 E320 CDI
1992 300D - 5speed manual swapped

former members
1984 300D "Blues Mobile"

1978 300CD "El Toro"

christuna, I have no idea what that part is but next time I'll ask the next time I get tires. I edited my original post to show that I rotate my tires about every 6k and get an alignment maybe once or twice a year (usually once) and it'll be just slightly off in a complete year.

Currently running Kumho Crugens on the Subaru and Treadwright Guard Dogs on the truck.


I've had good service from Uniroyal Tiger Paws in the past, and if I didn't have time to do research, I'd grab those and be comfortable with them. I don't know the exact miles I've gotten out of them, but with as much rain as we get here in Oregon, I'd never run tires down to the wear bars before replacing them.


I buy tires seldom enough that what's "good" seems to change between tire purchases. I re-research every time, focusing on solid all-seasons with 3PMSF rating. Lots of sipes.



Still looking for a mud terrain truck tire that's 3PMSF rated to replace the Guard Dogs on the truck, if anyone has any input on that subject.

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617 swapped Toyota Pickup, 22-24 MPG, 50k miles on swap

I've also been disappointed in Michelins lasting only about 1/3 of expected mileage. So far my cost after warranty replacement has been less than $100 each time. I like them for handling wet or dry, better construction ( I believe ), and quiet ride.

I've wanted to try one of the top rated tires from:

https://www.vredestein.com/car-suv-van/tyre-finder/tyres/

They've been rated very high for a few years now. I haven't purchased them because there are not enough service locations in case of warranty problems.

I've primarily used Michelins since they became available in the late 60's. Main reason for first set was multiple blowouts on the factory Firestones.

I've always liked the look of the Pirelli name on tires. Not really rational. Comes from having seen so many pics of Ferraris as a youngster. My understanding is that they have fallen behind the other big names in quality but are still quite expensive.

Maybe when I buy a used Ferrari it will be sporting Pirellis. I'm holding out for one of these - a '69 330 GTC. How hard could it be?

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Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

It's the lower control arm to knuckle bushing.

Alignment is only required after suspension/steering work and its not something you do on a regular basis.

only bout 3m.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Very happy with RT43's. Wear well, priced well, quiet and nice ride.

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"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer

+1

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1981 240D 4sp manual. Ivory White.

Originally Posted by tangofox007
I have never had a Michelin tire that did not exceed the mileage warranty.

-2

First set Michelin gave a new set free, second and unrelated set they offered very little adjustment so I tried the RT43's and have been thrilled.

And...I recently put Michelin's on my other vehicle years later...go figure!

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"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer