Tyres?

[BenzBoy]

OK - my Michelins are now 7 years old with little wear - but obvioulsy due for replacement due to safety.
I have a choice of Maxxis, Khumo or Hankook.
These tyres are not H rated so pose some insurance questions.
I can get Michelin XWS for $715 each or Vredestein at $419 each...
Any recommendations?
Regards,
Brian

 

[SEL_69L]

What vehicle are they going on?
Knowing the vehicles that you drive your tires should at least be H rated.
The speed rating and the weight carrying capacity are indirectly and partly related, both require stronger tires.

 

[BenzBoy]

They are for the 450SE.
Regards,
Brian

 

[260ebenz]

Toyo tyres have been using that brand for 10 years never had a problem with them.

www.toyo.com.au for more info about there tyres.

$715 each for Michelin's made in France or Asia?

Michelin use to be made in France.

I have never heard of Vredestein tyres before?

 

[Michel]

OK - my Michelins are now 7 years old with little wear - but obvioulsy due for replacement due to safety.
I have a choice of Maxxis, Khumo or Hankook.
These tyres are not H rated so pose some insurance questions.
I can get Michelin XWS for $715 each or Vredestein at $419 each...
Any recommendations?
Regards,
Brian

Dear Brian,

The Maxxis you ought to be looking at are MA-P1 205x70x14.
They are 95H rated which is plenty for Australian conditions.
H rating is 130 mph - 210 km/h

I have had Maxxis on the work's VR-X Magna and a couple of Benzes including the 690SEL when fitted with the red/silver Bundts.

No problems and excellent value for money.

 

[BenzBoy]

Toyo tyres have been using that brand for 10 years never had a problem with them.

www.toyo.com.au for more info about there tyres.

$715 each for Michelin's made in France or Asia?

Michelin use to be made in France.

I have never heard of Vredestein tyres before?

Thanks Tim - the Toyos are not the correct speed and weight rating for the 450SE
These particular Michelin are made in France - as are the Michelin tyres on my bike.
Vredestein is an old and respected European tyre company but we don't see many of their car products in Australia.
Regards,
Brian

 

[260ebenz]

Surprised Toyo do not have the ideal tyre for you Brian?

300SE has 205 R15 H tyres fitted.

Your 450SE is going to be a heavier car take that into consideration.

Essential to fit the correct spec tyres to your vehicle.

If the Michi's are French made go with them Brian.

I will have to a Google search and find out more info about Vredestein.

Good luck finding the right rubber for the 450SE Brian.

Any way we can help let us know mate.

Cheers Tim.

 

[Styria]

BenzBoy, I will be making some enquiries with my Tyre people at North Parramatta tomorrow - Ofontenay with his 6.9 is in need of fresh rubber and I will get some details for him. Regards Styria

 

[260ebenz]

Brian are these the Vredestein tyres you are talking about?

http://www.vredestein.com/

 

[BenzBoy]

Brian are these the Vredestein tyres you are talking about?

http://www.vredestein.com/

Dear Tim,
That's the one. Historically a Dutch company, it is now part of the Indian Apollo group.
Regards,
Brian

 

[260ebenz]

So Brian do they make good tyres?

 

[BenzBoy]

They do Tim.
By the way, I phoned the local Toyo supplier and was informed that putting good tyres on a 450 would be a waste of money. I was advised to use something cheap like Kelly Tyres. Also advised not to worry about the speed or weight rating as I wouldn't build up enough speed to need much grip. Yeah right - there are cowboys and there and cowpats. I think this guy falls into the latter category. Maybe wishful thinking that he should do so...
Regards,
Brian

 

[260ebenz]

They do Tim.
By the way, I phoned the local Toyo supplier and was informed that putting good tyres on a 450 would be a waste of money. I was advised to use something cheap like Kelly Tyres. Also advised not to worry about the speed or weight rating as I wouldn't build up enough speed to need much grip. Yeah right - there are cowboys and there and cowpats. I think this guy falls into the latter category. Maybe wishful thinking that he should do so...
Regards,
Brian

Local Toyo supplier suggested you use Kelly tyres that is strange?!


Never used Kelly tyres before so I can not pass judgement on that brand of tyre.

Using Toyo for 10yrs like I said never had an issue with the tyre.

 

[braminator123]

Hi,

My dad's 205/70/14 Michelin XDX's French made are due for replacement. Some guys were talking about Kelly or Sumitomo.

The XWXs out there - are they French made? I have seen them in the UK and on ebay?

Would it be better to buy Mercedes OEM Bundts 15 inch and go with 15 inch rubber?

 

[BenzBoy]

I don't know the answer to where the Michelin are made. They are imported by Antique Tyre Supplies - http://www.antiquetyres.com.au/taxonomy/term/174
They are currently available.
As to 15" wheels - well the car is original one and I'm not keen to change it. I've owned it for a bit over 10 years and the original owner had it serviced every 3000 ks.
Regards,
Brian

 

[SEL_69L]

'H' rating is sufficient for a 450 SEL for Australian lower speed conditions.
215 70 14 is a scarce, but not unobtainable specification.
215 65 15 is a much mere easily obtained spec, and perhaps a third of the cost.
The lower aspect ratio means less case distortion under hard cornering, therefore better road holding.
It might be worth considering a set of 15" Mercedes wheels.

I am not keen on very big wheels with a much lower aspect ratio for the tire. There is less compliance in the tire wall. and the ride quality suffers. Road holding is only enhanced on very good road surfaces with such tires.

By way of illustration, look at Formula 1 tires. The rim to road contact height is quite great, and most of the suspension travel is taken up by way of tire compliance. If those cars had very low aspect ratio tires, the suspension compliance would have to be much greater than it is, to keep the car in contact with the road.

 

[BenzBoy]

It looks like it will be Maxxis.
Regards,
Brian

 

[Michel]

It looks like it will be Maxxis.
Regards,
Brian

Smart move Professor!

 

[Oversize]

Load rating is much more important than speed rating. A 6.9 needs a minimum of 97 to be legal.

In Victoria the minimum is 'S' or the top speed of the vehicle. And that's not counting taxis that are often fitted with 140kmh rated tyres.

One question; is a $700 tyre twice as good as a $350 tyre??? A: I think not!

 

[BenzBoy]

Shannons Insurance insists on an H rating for any W116. At less than that they can decline payment if a forensic report shows that the tyres may have been a contributing factor.
the same applies to green slip insurance. If you fit a less than H rated tyre you have modified the car and must inform your insure.
Exactly the same applies to the weight rating of a tyre.
Yes, I know it's nit-picking but worth at least considering.
Regards,
Brian