[yeldogt]

Recently picked up a nice 01 C240 w/60k. I'm using it at a vacation property as a second car. It needed tires soon and the rims had more than a few curb and pothole encounters. Tirerack rated the Serenity Plus #1 -- it is a new version LRR tire that they gave a very good wet rating. With my wagon in a similar tire/rim situation I decides to order two rim/ tire sets.

The new tires transformed the C240 into a different car and the wagon is so much quieter -- the tire are extremely smooth and the one big storm I drove through they were very good with lots of water on the road.

So if they hold up and stay quiet -- I will be happy.

I had compared this to the MXV4, MXM4, Conti Eco. Have used both Michelin tires never the Eco.

 

[Yacht Master]

I got 25,000 miles out of the Bridgestone Turanza, 3 rotations and fronts have few miles to the wear bars but the rears are at the wear bars.
This tire is smooth and quiet, at least to 21,000 miles for me, and that is good considering my E 430 sport requires a 245/35/17 ZR and they tend to make more noise.
I will be replacing these with the newer serenity tire.

 

[Musikmann]

Thanks for the tips guys. I'm due for tires too and I was decided on one of the Continentals. I'll check TireRack for those Bridgestones.

 

[yeldogt]

When I purchased my 02 Wagon it had 74K on it and the previous owner had recently put two new Hankook tires on the car to match those on the front. They were very conventional tires and I thought I would have replaced them last year -- the car has 109k on it now and the older tires are still way above the marks -- but with winter coming and the condition of the original rims -- I decided to go with new tires ..... I was actually pleasantly surprised with the Hankooks.

Neither of these cars are what one would call sporting -- so I wanted a predictable tire with good rain characteristics -- the LRR is a plus.

My problem with Michelin tires has always been with the rain performance and somewhat firm ride - they are always quiet and you normally can not kill them -- but I was a bit concerned about putting a firm tire on the wagon. The Continentals always get decent reviews -- I have never been lucky with them and many have had sidewall problems -- so when I saw these new Turanza tires a figured I would give them a shot.

 

[Musikmann]

My pre-owned sedan came with new Continental ContiProContacts and those matched the spare so were therefore most likely the same as the original tires. They didn't wear well and I replaced them before 20,000 miles. The dealer parts guy recommended BF Goodrich Traction TA and I have never liked those tires. They had a harsher ride and became too noisy. Now my sidewalls are rotting and the tech said to replace them soon. There is a lot of tread left on them.

Based on the handling characteristics of the Contis I decided to go back to them, even though they didn't last that long. They were quiet, handled well in dry and wet conditions, and the ride was better. I don't know anything about the Ecos but before I buy anything I will check reviews on all of the Contis and compare with the Bridgestones.

 

[yeldogt]

When you look you will see some of the newest all-season tires are LRR -- the newest ones provide better grip and handling than before and they do work.

I happen to also own a Prius that we use at the office -- and those that replace the LRR tires with more conventional loose about 5 MPG.

The ECO is Continentals Pro Contact LRR tire.

The Turanza also has a long tread life.

Who knows -- we will see. I will say that once again Tirerack proved to be a great place for a tire/rim package ... They came in two days ...both sets in perfect condition and properly balanced with the correct hardware. My wagon still had the original lugs - so that was another plus for the new rims.

 

[magna steyr 210.282]

I went with the H rated MXv4 on the factory 16 rims. I have a pair of them on the car now that ran 40K and are in good condition for summer but not cool for this winter. It's a very heavy 4wd wagon so the mxv4 won over the others because it is a little harder composition and will last longer. The difference in rain/snow was offset by the longevity of the tire. The 4matic could probably do well on slicks with a good driver.

I got them at costco for 140 bucks and they knock off 70 on the install till nov 7

 

[kurtismayfield]

I have a MY06 E320 CDI and had a set of Turanza Serenity PLus tires installed
2 weeks ago. The tires are very quiet and responsive enough for me. I am a touring
driver and like quiet and comfortable.

I have original wheels, 225/55/16, bought them from TireRack.com and had them
shipped to my local installer. Tires were $137 each and shipping was $47.50.
No TireRack in Ohio so no 7% sales tax :beerchugr:
Total $595.50 plus normal mounting and balancing.

No problems driving in rain at 75-80 mph. Feels very planted on the road.

There is no 'info' on the TireRack surveys but there is testing data there!:thumbsup:

Cheers

 

[99EBenz]

I've always been an MXV fan but with the cost of tires where they are, I put a set of Uniroyal TigerPaws on my 99 E320 about 6 months ago. I am very pleased with the ride. For those who don't know, Michelin makes Uniroyal.

 

[magna steyr 210.282]

I've always been an MXV fan but with the cost of tires where they are, I put a set of Uniroyal TigerPaws on my 99 E320 about 6 months ago. I am very pleased with the ride. For those who don't know, Michelin makes Uniroyal.

I usually have to buy truck and tractor tires so 140 shipped for a tire seemed like a pretty fair price for good tires. What did you pay for the tiger paws? Didn't know uniroyal was made by michelin. Good to know, thanks!

 

[99EBenz]

$597 out the door including an alignment. The tires were $119 each. I had used the TigerPaws before on a minivan (I'm so ashamed) back in the 90's and they are good tires so it wasn't a blind purchase.

 

[magna steyr 210.282]

I'll keep that in mind for my other cars knowing that mich makes them. I just looked at the order and it totaled 553.96 installed and old ones disposed. I will still have to get an alignment but I would not trust costco to do that even if they had the gear.

As soon as I get the tires on, I will loosen them up and tighten to spec. They over tightened the wheels on my wife's car once and it ended up warping the rotors since every wheel was well over 120lbs. probably an air gun job.

That's a great deal you got. A good alignment out here is around 80 bucks. Been trying to find the specs for my wagon but have had no luck.

 

[yeldogt]

Same thing with Firestone and Bridgestone - with the limited number of manufacturers some of the tires across brands are the same -- that is not to say that they all are. Many of the upper end Goodyear tires come from Germany.

It is a strange mix and you have to look at each tire if you trying to get the cheaper version of the same tire.

Michelin has a large manufacturing presence in the USA -- they must be able to make money .... Goodyear can't make money producing tires in the US for what they have to sell them for.

Bridgestone has large plants in Thailand.


I installed stock sizes on both cars -- Just over 1k per set.

 

[magna steyr 210.282]

Same thing with Firestone and Bridgestone - with the limited number of manufacturers some of the tires across brands are the same -- that is not to say that they all are. Many of the upper end Goodyear tires come from Germany.

It is a strange mix and you have to look at each tire if you trying to get the cheaper version of the same tire.

Michelin has a large manufacturing presence in the USA -- they must be able to make money .... Goodyear can't make money producing tires in the US for what they have to sell them for.

Bridgestone has large plants in Thailand.


I installed stock sizes on both cars -- Just over 1k per set.

Ouch, what ones did you go with? Sounds more like the cost of tires on my trucks.Goodyear has 10 plants in the US and 14 in the EU. Their biggest problem is the US auto market right now. Same with everybody else. Their biggest customer is the US auto market. Nobody selling cars and stock drops. They depend heavily on winning contracts to supply new tires to new cars. They have had problems with union negotiations as well.

I stopped buying goodyear when they stopped supporting formula one.

Fulda is making all the high end goodyear z on up tires in Germany and was purchased by goodyear.

 

[Musikmann]

Fulda

...Fulda is making all the high end goodyear z on up tires in Germany and was purchased by goodyear.

Since you mentioned Fulda, the used 1998 E430 I traded for this beast had Fuldas (stock size) on it. But they were soon worn out so I replaced them. Has anyone reading this ever bought new Fuldas for their W210? I'm wondering if they are worth trying?

 

[gqmagic]

If you can wait until January Firestone has a sale for their Bridgestones then, buy 3 get one free. I have Potenzas on my SL after using Michelins. Will get Potenzas again when needed.

I've had Michelins on my E, but when I got my 17s they came with Nexens, I'm very imoressed with them, comfortable, quiet, wear well.

I may get some of them or the Bridgestones when needed

 

[Beverly Sharp]

tires

Because one manufacturer makes another brand's tires does not necessarily mean the quality is the same because the manufacturer will make the tires according to the specifications, etc., of the other brand. The two may, or may not, be of similar quality. Tires are kinda' like mattresses, namely, there are so many it's almost impossible to make real comparisons.
Hemersam

 

[Musikmann]

Beverly makes a good point. For example, Michelin (at least used to) make the Sears Road Handlers. Are they as good as a "real" Michelin?

 

[99EBenz]

The one set of tires I've ever had problems with was a set of Michelin that were purchased at Sears. They were on the car when I bought it. I have a friend whose dad works in R&D at Michelin in Greenville/Spartanburg and while they are not supposed to be different in quality, Michelin sells different models of tires to "Big Box" stores than they do to independent Michelin retailers.

Point of clarification: When I mentioned in my earlier post that Michelin made Uniroyal, I meant just that...Michelin makes Uniroyal. I wasn't implying that Uniroyal was of the same quality as the Michelin brand. Although from my experience, I'm feeling less likely to plunk down the extra $200-300 for a set of Michelin in the future.:surrender:

 

[Musikmann]

So 99EBenz comments must also apply to Costco and Sam's.