On a recent trip my dunlop d65 were vibrating horribley at 60 +mph. I have confirmed that its the tires by moving them from the front to the back and the vibration went from the steering wheel to my big but. After having them balanced several times I am giving up and getting new tires. I have settled on the dunlop sp a2 sports (195/60/15) because of the price and reviews. How have these been holding up for anyone using them? Any balancing problems, belt seperations how about tread wear?
Open to other suggestions on tires also. Michelins are just to pricey though.

Thanx!!!
Dan

1993 190e 2.6 75k miles

I have recommended them all over this board. I think the stats are great, drove them on my minivan and love them (2 new Dunlops Sp Sport A2s, 2 old Michelin Xones) and I think for the price....might as well take them compared to Michelins.

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Chirag (Charlie) Patel
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- 03 Mercedes S600 Sport TTV12
- 97 Acura NSX-T
- 99 BMW E36 M3 w/500+ HP
- 04 Lexus RX330
- 04 Dodge Dakota Quad 4x4 V8

4 Sale:
- 99 BMW M3 E36 Coup with Dinan SC, Upgraded to an RMS Stage 3 with Aftercooler, 12psi, and 500+hp @ flywheel.

I did not like them. Maybe they have improved by now but, at the time (4-5 years ago), they were NOT good.
I currently have Michelins in my car but I recently tried the Firestone RE950's. I like them. The Yokohamas av dbs are supposed to be very good but, they are hard to get.
Do a search, it was discussed recently.
Good luck!

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J.H.
'86 300E

Senor Hidalgo must be thinking of the D60 A2, which went through a number of metamorphoses over the years: the earliest were very grippy, but didn't last long, the later ones were much more durable, but not as grippy, especially in wet or winter conditions. I've had about a dozen D60 A2 on various cars in our family, but only a few people will make enough miles per year to give you a sound response regarding a single set of the A2 Sport.

The D60 A2s were junk. I was never a fan of them. Like I said, The Dunlop Sport A2s are great, a different tire, only thing in common is the A2 and Dunlop name. The minivan is actually a shuttle van and it tends to rack up miles and be driven very hard (since we are always late in picking up our customers) and its been through many tires.

The RE 950s mentioned above are the Bridgestones. They are good tires but for an H-rated tire, I wouldn't pay that much. Afterall $$$ matters, and for the price can't complain with the A2s. If you want more performance, goto the SP5000 or BFG KDWS if you can find them in your size.

But 195/60/15 is a good size for the stock rims on a 190E. I had 205/55/15 on a 15x6.5 (using the sportline size.) I would say the following recomendations are:

1) Just a touring driver, no performance other then a smooth and quiet ride, Firestone Affinity LH30. 70k mile waranty on an H-rated tire, and its all-season.

2) If you need some performance characteristics that aren't met by your average tire, then Dunlop SP Sport A2s. Just look at the rating at Tirerack's page. It speaks for itself.

3) RE950s might be more grip, but still H-rated. If you want performance past this, might want to try 205/55/15s on your car, or get new 16s or 17s.

Good Luck.

__________________
Chirag (Charlie) Patel
--------------------------------------------
- 03 Mercedes S600 Sport TTV12
- 97 Acura NSX-T
- 99 BMW E36 M3 w/500+ HP
- 04 Lexus RX330
- 04 Dodge Dakota Quad 4x4 V8

4 Sale:
- 99 BMW M3 E36 Coup with Dinan SC, Upgraded to an RMS Stage 3 with Aftercooler, 12psi, and 500+hp @ flywheel.

Has anyone tried the Dunlop SP Sport A2's on a W123 diesel (1983-1985) ? What did you think ?

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David McDonald
1981 240D
1985 300D (wrecked)
1985 300TD 365,000 miles
1969 Mustang Fastback

I have'em on 190D (201) 1985. Great sticky tire, but I'm getting a slight vibration on concrete at above 60 mph (almost not noticeable). The tire is great dry, very good wet, did not have enough snow to test. Agreed that D60A2 were not very good in the snow, but this tire looks like it will be better. seem to be holding up for the last 5000 miles.

Michelins are way overpriced for the performance.

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1985 190D 2.2l Sold-to Brother-in-law
1996 Mustang 3.8l -"thinks it's a sports car"
1988 Grand Wagoneer - Sold (good home)
1995 Grand Cherokee Ltd -"What was I thinking??!!"

There was a brand new set of A2's mounted on steel wheels with wheel covers when I bought the 123, 300D for my daughter. I had recently bought a parts car that had a decent set of tires on alloys. I immediately bolted on the alloys and put away the A2's. The tires on the alloys wore out about the same time that I got my wheel balancer and tire machine all set up.

I took the A2's off the steel wheels and put them on the alloys. They took a good bit of balancing weight, but that it is to be expected of a tire that is made in an old fashioned clam shell mold. Although they took a lot of balancing weight, they will run up to 75 (as fast as we've had this car unless my daughter is holding back) and run true.

But, remember, I do a proper DYNAMIC wheel balance with weights inboard AND outboard. If you use weights only on the inboard lip you will get a vibration, period.

I am not a fan of Dunlop tires, or any tire that is made in a clamshell mold, but they seem okay so far.

Best of luck,

Thanks Larry, for your advise.

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David McDonald
1981 240D
1985 300D (wrecked)
1985 300TD 365,000 miles
1969 Mustang Fastback

I just put Sport A2's on my 94 E320, and my mother has them on her Audi A6. I have loved the tire. Very quiet, no vibration, and REALLY good in the rain (which was important, because the E320 ain't so hot in the wet weather).

For their price (which on tire rack is $84) I don't think you can beat them. I'd recommend you go to tirerack.com and read about them, they have all sorts of comparisons and reviews from regular buyers and experts alike.

Jordan