[R129 SL] help with tire selection, alignment

[Rob Vonderhaar]

Bob,

I'm running a +2 upgrade with 18" AMG monoblock rims on my 1995 SL500
(same as the factory 'SL Sport' option).  I've had Dunlop SP9000's on it
for years, and while I was always happy with the performance and ride,
they were awfully expensive considering that with the staggered
front/rear sizes I couldn't rotate them and I never got more than 25k
miles on the rears and even less on the fronts.  (By the way, if you're
seeing 30k or more on *any* high-performance tire on the 129 SL, you're
doing pretty well!)

 

Anyway, I seldom push the car even close to its handling limits, so this
time I looked for a less-expensive alternative that would still deliver
decent performance and ride.  My indie mechanic and tire guy, whose
opinion I trust after many years, recommended trying Toyo Proxes T1R's
(http://www.toyoeditor.com/proxest1r.html), and I have been very pleased
with them.  I don't really notice any decrease in handling feel, and I
think they're even quieter than the Dunlops.  They're also a lot cheaper
than the alternatives available in the larger sizes I need.  If you
don't need an ultra-high-performance tire, on that same page you'll also
find several other Toyo models that are a bit less aggressive.

 

Worth adding to your list for consideration!

 

    Rob Vonderhaar

    Leesburg, VA

 

From: r129list-bounces at mbcoupes.com
[mailto:r129list-bounces at mbcoupes.com] On Behalf Of R. A. Foster
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 1:51 PM
To: r129list at mbcoupes.com
Subject: [R129 SL] help with tire selection, alignment

 

Listers - My car is a 1991 500SL.  After 30,000 miles and 4 years on
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S radials, my mechanic tells me he sees evidence
of dry rot in the tires and that they need to be replaced.  I'm very
happy with the performance of these tires, disappointed only in wear and
tear after 30K miles.   As some of you might know, these particular
tires carry no warranty.  My driving is mostly local with occasional 100
mile trips on local freeways.

 

Does anyone have experience with Kumho tires or other Michelins (e.g.,
Pilot Exalto A/S)?

 

Secondly, what suggestions do you have for alignment checks - every
year, every two years or some other interval?

 

TIA,

 

Bob 

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