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> > Hello,
> >
> > I want to enhance the steering on my 1985 380sl MB. What can you
recommend
> > for tires and rims for my car. But I Also have a vibration in
front end
> > which is quite noticeable at 70 mph. and also on hard accelerations
from
> 20
> > to 60 mph vibration occurs also. p.s. The tires are 9 years old with
half
> > tread remaining and I just had tires balanced and checked them
recently.
> >
> > Frank
> >
- > Thanks for the email. You are going to have to change the tires
before you
> can further your attempt to solve the vibration. Most of the time a
> vibration on acceleration is either the center bearing and carriage or
the
> motor mounts. As for the tires and wheels. I would not recommend the
> monstrous 16 or 17 inch rims with the low tires, first you are going to
> spend a fortune then you will tear up the steering system and the
suspension
> system on the car, not to mention the transmission. Stay with the
original
> 14 inch rims and get some Michelin mxv4 energy's. If you must get some
new
> alloys, then get a factory looking aftermarket rim. Go no larger than
15
> inch. Call the Tire Rack in Indiana and order some 8-hole wheels with
new
> Michelins mounted and balanced already. These will look great on your
car
> and will make the ride better. Save the old alloys and bolts for snow
tires.
> Jon
> LOOKING AT MICHELIN 205/65VR15 MXV4 PLUS AND THE PILOT XGT H4 FROM TIRE
> RACK. DURING MY RESEARCH I NOTICED THAT THE BRIDGESTONE TURANZA H REVO
> 205/65HR15 AND THE POTENZA RE950 HAD A SIGNIFICANT BETTER RIDE AND
HANDLING
> RATING. WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THIS COMPARISON? DOES THIS APPLY
TO
> 380SL?
>
> FRANK
- The Bridgestone tires are too soft, they will wear out on the edges like
most tires do on the Mercedes. The mxv are not the greatest in the snow or
in heavy rain, otherwise they are the best. The xgt is also very good but
will become noisy after about 50% wear. Go with the Michelin mxv 4 energy or
mxv 4 plus. JON
p.s. As for the comparisons, they rated the Dunlop D60 A2 as the best tire
at one time. They were absolutely the worst tire ever made in my opinion. I
think money
talks when it comes to some of those tests. JON
> Jon,
>
> I know what you mean when it comes to edges. I will take your advice and
do
> Michelins mxv4 tires they are $35 ea.tire over Bridgestone turanza.
if I
go
> with the 15" tires I will need to also buy rims. Will the larger tire
size
> give me a noticeable ride and handling advantage? Is this money well spent
> to improve ride and handling or could I get more improvement in other
area?
>
> Frank
- The 15 inch rims will improve your ride, however you must remember that
your
entire car was designed around the tire and rim size. I think going up one
size in rims will be ok, but do not exceed more that one size over on the
tires. Your car also had problems with the front subframe mounting hardware.
If you get a loose feeling in the front end like the fenders are loose going
over bumps in the road, get an estimate to have the bushings replaced. JON
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