[R129 SL] Tire questions

[joyce.pm at xtra.co.nz]

Hi Rick,
Car looks really nice.  I have an acquaintance here in Palmerston North in New Zealand and he (Graham)  has 275 x 19's on the rear and I think 245 x 19's on the front.  Graham's 129 is black, and wheels are similar to yours.  He indicates great handling.  Graham has 3 x 129's (and about 6 other cars) so he compares the handling of the 129 cars. 

I have 17 inch Brabus rims and matching suspension, with 245's Pirelli PZero's all around on my 129.  The handling is great, a bit of tracking on the road ridges but overall very pleased. 

My 1983 x 123 (silver 280E) has Pirelli PZero, 245 x 40 x18's and these also handle very well.  Not good on grass as I have been bogged once (quick learner!). 
Great to see Spring coming on here in 'Godzone' and the winter is nearly behind us.  Waiting now for the New Zealand 'September Winds' that usually arrive in October and November. 
Regards, Peter S. 



----- Original Message ----
From: Rick Lindsay <rolindsay at yahoo.com>
To: SL Mailing List <r129list at mbcoupes.com>
Sent: Friday, 31 August, 2007 1:13:16 PM
Subject: Re: [R129 SL] Tire questions


Thanks to a sale, I put 19" wheels on my '98 SL500.  I
really worried about the potential "tuner" car look
but I don't think that is the case.  The car now rides
like a sports car and 'turns in' quicker and easier. 
I'm quite pleased.  Here'e the look:

http://www.aubard..us/SL500/HPIM0731.JPG

I now need to install the brakes, all around, that I
just ordered.  Everything else, even after 109,000
miles, is as M-B built it.

rick
'98 SL500

--- PAULS at sbcglobal.net wrote:


> I beg to differ.  Taller and wider rims do affect

> the handling of

> the car.  I have stock 16s on my 90 R129 and would

> like to go to

> wider 17s, esp wider in the rear, but I've only

> found 18s and

> don't want to go that drastic.  Had 18s on a SEC and

> liked them,

> but would prefer 17s on this car.  I knew a guy who

> went from

> stock to the "AMG set-up" (which were 18s with 275s

> on the rear--

> probably 35 x 275), and he absolutely loved the

> improvement.

> 

> Paul

> 

> --- Original Message ---

> From: "William Alborn" <voltboy at indy.rr.com>

> To: "SL Mailing List" <r129list at mbcoupes.com>

> Subject: Re: [R129 SL] Tire questions

> 

> >Thanks, Phil, for your reply.  You confirm what I

> suspected!

> >

> >Bill

> >  ----- Original Message -----=20

> >  From: Phil Carbone=20

> >  To: SL Mailing List=20

> >  Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2007 8:15 PM

> >  Subject: Re: [R129 SL] Tire questions

> >

> >

> >  I was told by the service department at Costco

> about a bulletin =

> >advising not to use the Michelin Pilots because of

> alignment

> problems. =

> >Your local Mercedes dealer will have no problem

> selling you

> these tires, =

> >though. The Bridgestone Potenzas are an excellent

> tire and the

> Kumho =

> >tires are a lower priced alternative.

> >

> >  By the way, the AMG package is purely cosmetic.

> Bigger tires

> and rims =

> >are nice, but not necessary.

> >

> >  Phil Carbone

> >  1997 SL600 AMG

> >    ----- Original Message -----=20

> >    From: William Alborn=20

> >    To: r129list at mbcoupes.com=20

> >    Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2007 7:00 PM

> >    Subject: [R129 SL] Tire questions

> >

> >

> >    Hi Everyone!

> >        This is my first post to the Mercedes

> discussion forum,

> and, =

> >based on the depth of expertise I've seen here, I

> am very

> hopeful some =

> >of you can provide some direction for me.

> >        I purchased a 1999 SL500 last month, with

> the AMG

> options. I =

> >never sought to acquire the AMG version, but it was

> such a lovely =

> >specimen, I could not resist.  It's really a

> great-looking car,

> and I've =

> >enjoyed motoring around town in it.  The car has

> ~47,000 miles,

> and is =

> >currently equipped with Z-rated Bridgestone

> Potenzas.  Since the

> tires =

> >look a little worn, I contacted my local Mercedes

> dealership to

> see what =

> >tires they recommend as replacements so that I

> would know what to =

> >purchase when the time comes.  They recommended 

> Michelin Pilot

> Sport =

> >PS2  for both the front and rear.  I seem to

> remember comments

> here =

> >regarding these tires (alignment problems?) that

> set off a "red

> light", =

> >so I thought I would solicit comments from those

> who have had

> experience =

> >with these or other tires.  I should add that I, in

> no way, will

> be =

> >pushing this car anywhere near its limits-sunny

> days and relaxed =

> >cruising will be the life it leads. Also, I

> apologize in advance

> if this =

> >question is a rehash of a previous discussion

> topic, but I am

> anxious to =

> >hear what all you folks have to say about this, in

> case there is

> any =

> >updated information of which you might know.

> >

> >    Thanks in advance,

> >    Bill

> >

> >

>

>-------------------------------------------------------------------------=

> >---

> >

> >

> >    The MB Coupes Website!

> >    R129 SL Mailing List

> >

> >

>

>-------------------------------------------------------------------------=

> >-----

> >

> >

> >  The MB Coupes Website!

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> 

> 

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