[ch.1953]

On a 99 CL 500 - the spec size is 235 60 16.

I am considering Michelin Primacy MXV4 or possibly Good Year Assurance comfortred touring (allegedly very quiet), or Yokohoma Avid Envigor, or Kumho Ecsta LX Platinum.

Can any C140 (or W140) owners comment upon which tire is best and provides most isolatory ride and quietest ride?

Also I am looking at Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S as they seem to get even better reviews for quietness by Mercedes owners at Tirerack than the Michelin Primacy, but they only come in 225 / 55 / 16 - that is the closes size.

What would be the effect of going with 225 / 55?

However, I've heard one lister in an old post years back say 225 is often a chauffeur's preferred width as it is the quietest. Well, that's what he said and maybe he knows something I don't...

regards,

 

[Check Codes]

I don't have a 140, but I do have a 210 and as it turns out, yesterday I had a set of Goodyear ComforTreads installed.

My search was long and in-depth (I even considered the very inexpensive brands) and my chief concerns were noise and longevity. It was easy to find quiet tires but too often the tread ratings were down in the 2s, which means you're replacing tires way too often...and often the longer-lasting tires had awful noise ratings.

I looked everywhere and the one tire that seemed to keep rising to the top was the Goodyear ComforTread. I couldn't find anyone who was rolling on it and it was fairly expensive ($185), but I decided to roll the dice and I am very glad I did.

I don't have many miles on them yet (less than 100) but they are thus far the quietest tire I've ever driven on, in any car. Handling is very close to the Contis they replaced (which still had some good life left, but a myriad of circumstances compelled the change) and turn-in is a bit quicker. They also don't exhibit any annoying squealing sounds if you take a corner aggressively.

If you're not in a hurry I'm happy to post back when I have a few more miles on them.

Also not the same chassis, but a W220 driver posted not too long ago about how awful he immediately found the Avids (which were also on my list for consideration until I read his post).

Good luck.

 

[ScapinBenz]

I have Continental ContiProContacts in 245/45/18 and they are super quiet. They are a lot cheaper than the Michelins and they are more of an all season tire, but are not noisy at all. I had Michelin's before these that were terribly dry rotted and this is a huge improvement. I believe all four were $750ish on tire rack, 16's would obviously be a lot cheaper. For winter, I have Bridgestone Blizzaks in 16" on the stock wheels, best winter tire ever. I'll go check the exact name on the sidewall tonight. They are the best tire I have ever had for winter, super quiet on dry pavement, unstoppable in snow and ice.

 

[Check Codes]

And to answer your other question, 225/55 is way too small, nearly an inch and a half smaller diameter. Looking at the spreadsheet they don't make an Exalto A/S that will fit your car in any tire/wheel size, so you can eliminate that one from the equation.

 

[z168]

225/60/16 - stock for the 6cyl
235/60/16 - stock for the V8 and V12

going 225/60 will make your speedo inaccurate by about 2% (so if youre running at 55mph youre actually doing 54). the 235 gives you a ½" taller overall tire = more comfort

Ive only tried Michelin PS2s as far as the Michelin brand goes, and they were quiet. Id push for you to go PS2

 

[ScapinBenz]

On my stock wheels, I'm running the 235/60/16 spec Bridgestone Blizzaks, and that is the correct size. The 225 you are referring to is the width of the tire, and looking at the original size tire on my winter wheels, they are not that wide to begin with. In snow, thinner width is better, but that is an incorrect size for this car. If you want quiet, just get a brand name tire (any will do, no Pirelli's though) and be done with it. If I were to take you for a ride with the snows on, you really don't hear any extra noise. By design, snow tires are super soft compound, and that makes them extremely quiet and good at absorbing bumps. You can also use them like an all season tire if you wanted to, people in Wisconsin do it a lot.

 

[ch.1953]

This is all great advice - thank you. I have just got back from spending the afternoon with the car and have formally reserved her, with consideration.

Check codes - very interested to hear your positive review of the Good Years. To clarify, were these the Goodyear Assurance Comfortred Touring?
Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring

Bummer about the Exaltos though...

Scrapin Benz - interested to hear that about the Continentals. I am wary of that brand for some reason, maybe just me... I could not find their review on tirerack yet, but its late and I'm, pooped...

Eric - thanks for the PS2's suggestion - is this the tire you mention?
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZP

Thanks all!

 

[Check Codes]

FWIW, the Pilot Sports are also very good, but IIRC they have a lower treadwear rating and in my case were $80 more per tire.

And yes, they are the Assurance ComforTred, which is a good point, they make another Assurance that is just a high-mileage tire and had poor noise ratings. I'll see if I can find the exact tire I ordered just to be sure, but it will be later on Tuesday.

 

[ch.1953]

That is good to hear - as I thought that was the tire you had in mind. My research concurs that the Goodyears were exceptionally good in regards to noise, and also quite good in snow.

I had the Goodyear Regattas on my 420SEL once and they were exceptionally quiet, but after a while became noisier. So if you'd be kind enough to rack up 20,000 miles by Wednesday and provide detailed feedback that would be most helpful!! Ha ha!

Many thanks, much appreciated.

Regards,

 

[Check Codes]

Man, that seriously irritates me.

Your tire size is $30 cheaper than mine (and it's a bigger tire, go figure). Giant suck. I wish I could have gotten mine for $600.

But this is the tire (in your size) at Tire Rack, and it is indeed the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred.

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring

The load rating for your size (100) is much higher than mine and the TW rating (740) is greater as well. The former speaks to a probably stiffer carcass, which sometimes translates to a ride that is a bit harsher and noisier, so I can't say with a high degree of confidence that your tires will be as quiet as mine. (The survey ratings aren't based by tire size, it's the tire model itself, so one configuration could be quieter than another.)

I do not see the Pilot Sports in your size, either; in a non-winter tire the only Michelin TR lists is the Primacy, which if it matters has been a well-rated tire on the 210 chassis.

Good luck whichever way you go. I decided to be the ComforTred guinea pig for the 210 chassis, perhaps you'll end up being that for the 140 chassis.

Regarding the 20K miles, you're on your own.

 

[ScapinBenz]

Honestly, the Continental's are not bad at all. Compared to Michelin's they are cheaper, and both my parents have them on their cars as well, one a BMW, one an Audi. I know Mercedes uses them on some of the newer E and C class sedans for oem tires. I used to have Bridgestone's on all of my cars, but the Continental's are as quiet, if not better than any of the Bridgestone's I had. Here is the link to the tires, $520 for a set of 16's.
Continental ContiProContact

 

[ch.1953]

I hear you Scrapin Benz, my reasom for such hesitation on Continentals is that my sister has them on her Audi (ahem) and they are the loudest tire on the planet. They are dreadful. But of course on a Benz it may be different and an A3 is very light.

regards!

 

[ch.1953]

Man, that seriously irritates me.

Your tire size is $30 cheaper than mine (and it's a bigger tire, go figure). Giant suck. I wish I could have gotten mine for $600.

But this is the tire (in your size) at Tire Rack, and it is indeed the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred.

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring

The load rating for your size (100) is much higher than mine and the TW rating (740) is greater as well. The former speaks to a probably stiffer carcass, which sometimes translates to a ride that is a bit harsher and noisier, so I can't say with a high degree of confidence that your tires will be as quiet as mine. (The survey ratings aren't based by tire size, it's the tire model itself, so one configuration could be quieter than another.)

I do not see the Pilot Sports in your size, either; in a non-winter tire the only Michelin TR lists is the Primacy, which if it matters has been a well-rated tire on the 210 chassis.

Good luck whichever way you go. I decided to be the ComforTred guinea pig for the 210 chassis, perhaps you'll end up being that for the 140 chassis.

Regarding the 20K miles, you're on your own.

But at least you have a great tire and it is near silent - so if you paid more, that is more money into American families!

So it really seems like my choice is these Goodyears you have or the Michelin Primacy MXV4. Of the $200 less "for all four" choices, the Kumho Premium's tempt me (although the KH 16 got rave revioews by W140 owners??), but they dont tempt me as much as the Yokohoma Avid's.

What would be your thoughts based on the specs - as you understand them better than I - as to what woud oprvide a quieter and moer isolatory ride?

Cheers :thumbsup:

 

[Check Codes]

But at least you have a great tire and it is near silent - so if you paid more, that is more money into American families!

So it really seems like my choice is these Goodyears you have or the Michelin Primacy MXV4. Of the $200 less "for all four" choices, the Kumho Premium's tempt me (although the KH 16 got rave revioews by W140 owners??), but they dont tempt me as much as the Yokohoma Avid's.

What would be your thoughts based on the specs - as you understand them better than I - as to what woud oprvide a quieter and moer isolatory ride?

Cheers :thumbsup:

Based on the negative report on the Avids on a W220, I would avoid that tire altogether.

The tires I replaced were Contis (Extreme Contact IIRC). I liked them for the handling and longevity, but the more they wore the noisier they got. And even when new there were some roads that seemed to just bring out the worst in them, noise-wise. While the DWS were on my short list right to the end (in part because they were about $50 cheaper per tire and already included a road hazard warranty), the memory of how noisy they got finally turned the tide.

I looked hard at both Kumhos and Falkens (particularly given the cost savings) but their quieter tire models didn't have very good treadwear ratings. If you don't drive a lot or don't mind replacing the tires more often, they may be a good choice; only you would know if that applies to you.

In the end, if longevity is an issue, I would flip a coin on either the Primacy or the ComforTred; I think you'll be happy with either one. Maybe start negotiating at your local tire shops and go with whichever one can get you the best deal?

Good luck.

 

[ch.1953]

Based on the negative report on the Avids on a W220, I would avoid that tire altogether.

The tires I replaced were Contis (Extreme Contact IIRC). I liked them for the handling and longevity, but the more they wore the noisier they got. And even when new there were some roads that seemed to just bring out the worst in them, noise-wise. While the DWS were on my short list right to the end (in part because they were about $50 cheaper per tire and already included a road hazard warranty), the memory of how noisy they got finally turned the tide.

I looked hard at both Kumhos and Falkens (particularly given the cost savings) but their quieter tire models didn't have very good treadwear ratings. If you don't drive a lot or don't mind replacing the tires more often, they may be a good choice; only you would know if that applies to you.

In the end, if longevity is an issue, I would flip a coin on either the Primacy or the ComforTred; I think you'll be happy with either one. Maybe start negotiating at your local tire shops and go with whichever one can get you the best deal?

Good luck.

Very good advice. Thanks for the info. on the Avids. As I mentioned my sister has the Contis and 100% agree on bad roads noisiest ever and just got worse with age. Kuhmos, I have a pair on my W126 - not bad, but not great.

As you say a toss up between the Primacy and the Goodyear's seems to be the way to go. Goodyear's probably better in snow, Michelins may be quieter for longer?

Regards

 

[ch.1953]

Heh - check codes - how are those Goodyear's working out for you?

Bump?

 

[ch.1953]

HI all - I am looking to see what other higher end Michelin tires would work on stock 16" rims on a 1999 CL500? The Primacy MXV4's fit, and so am looking if anything a tad sportier in all season would fit...?

But all I can (almost) see above that is the Pilot Sports A/S or A/S Plus - but they are only in 225 / 60 / 16 rather than 235 / 60 / 16. Would the 225 fit OK, and is there any way of getting Pliot Exaltos's to fit the 16 inch rims - cant' see how though...

Thanks!