Cupping is beginning to occur on the front Uniroyal Tiger paws on my 92 300E...(I was probably not rotating them often enough). Though I don't need to spring for a new set yet, my trusty mechanic recommends Continental and thinks Michelin is over priced. Any thoughts or suggestions. I'm doing more commuter driving than long distance.

Toyo Proxes H4...best kept secret in rubber. Will last you 75k easy (if rotated), and the performance is remarkable for the price. I frankly think Toyos put the big guys to shame. Toyo Proxes T1s came on Porsches as OEs, so they managed to satisfy at least a few German engineers.

I suggest 205/60-15 or 205/65-15; either is fine on your OE wheels.

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Best regards, Michael
'92 500E
'88 300TE

Continentals are cheaper than Michelin, but they wear about twice as fast.

If I were you, I'd get the Michelin Pilot XGT H4 195/65HR15. They are $70 a piece and will last 30k-40k miles. They are a balance between performance and all-season.

Great tire at a great price.

If you want Conti's, go with the Continental ContiContact CH90 (195/65HR15). They won't last as long or wear as well and are $60 each.

If it's me, I'd do the Michelin Pilot XGT H4 195/65HR15. Also, do NOT go to a larger size unless you have to. Stick with stock. It just works better.

Daniel

P.S. -- Email me if you have any more questions. Also, I am a Michelin (only) person. So many others will disagree with my opinion here.

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1997 Mercedes-Benz E420
(W210)
Michelin Pilot XGT Z4
P225/55ZR16
soon to be
Michelin Pilot HX MXM
235/50WR16

1997 Mercedes-Benz C280
(W202)
Michelin Pilot SX-GT
205/60VR15

1988 Mercedes-Benz 260E
(W124)
Michelin Pilot HX MXV3-A
195/65HR15

First of all, how many are you replacing. I would say 215/60/15.

A nice Performance tire is the Firestone Firehawk SH30 ($63). The wear is incredible. Expect 50,000 - 65,000 if cared for properly.
Just read the survey: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/firestone/fs_sh30.jsp


If you must have Michelin, then go with the Pilot Sport XGT H4 ($86/each) and expect 50,000 as well.

I have heard good things about the Toyo Tires as well. Not just from this forum, but from tire articles, etc. They are warrantied at 50,000 as well, and offer good performance.

I have heard that the Firehawk SH30 wears the best (hence its high UTOG rating, 460 while the other 2 are 400) and the wet traction is superb. The Firehawk perform just as well in dry weather. Snow traction is fairly decent as well.

Performance wise, I would rate theMichelin the same, except they are smoother and quieter and will wear a little quicker then the Firehawk SH30. Same with the Toyos. They are smooth and quiet, but perform just a little less then the Michelins.

I don't know the price of the Toyos, however if they are priced lower then $60 + S&H, Its worth considering.


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Chirag (Charlie) Patel

- 99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
- 93 190E 2.6 (4-sale) w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
- had a 93 190E m103 3.2, 5-speed trans,
- had a 88 300E 2.6
- had a 84 300TD w/275k+ miles
- 2001 C-Class - Maybe (if 190E sells)

Sorry, in my experience Conti's just plain suck...period...dot.com

Michelin are about the best you can buy in most appliations. Whether the cost is worth it to you is something for you to answer. There are many other good options aside from Conti's. Michael and a few other swear by the Toyo's (no personal experience yet so I can't really say) Many people seem to like both the Bridgestone and Dunlop tires though.

Hope this helps...Lee

I have both Toyo and Bridgestone, and I actually like the Toyo better. I have Toyo before Porsche decided to OE the tire, wish I knew before I changed to Bridgestone. My next set will definitely be Toyo again.

95 R129
98 ML320

Help! I just called my local Toyo dealer(STS Tire and Auto) and they quoted me $111 per tire for a Proxy H4! Is this what you guys are paying for these? I would get the Firehawk SH30 or XGTH4, at substantially less, for that price. Are you guys finding them cheaper somewhere, and why doesn't tirerack carry them, I wonder? Thanks.

I remember looking at the 800 a few years ago, but I didn't recall prices being that steep. If they are, I would definitely go the SH30 route. If you want to pay that Much, thn get Michelins. The Toyo H4 and Michelin Pilot XGT H4 both have a 400 utog tread wear, so they should wear about the same, and I would trust Michelin over Toyo. However that price is considerably high.

I would call another dealer in the are and if they come up with the same price, I would ask why.

------------------
Chirag (Charlie) Patel

- 99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
- 93 190E 2.6 (4-sale) w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
- had a 93 190E m103 3.2, 5-speed trans,
- had a 88 300E 2.6
- had a 84 300TD w/275k+ miles
- 2001 C-Class - Maybe (if 190E sells)