[R129 SL] Tires and alignment for SL

[Steve Hinrichs]

Paul,

I've got a '95 SL320 (43,000 mi) that I put new tires on a while back, and
went through considerable research before buying.  I stayed with the stock
alloy wheels and tire size (225/ 55 R16).  I"m also past 'aggressive'
driving, but still like to "blow out the cobwebs" once in a while here in
the mountains of SW Virginia.

I ended up with the 225/ 55 R16 95V Bridgestone Turanza Serenity tires, to
replace the original Pirelli P600's (225/ 55 ZR16).  The Turanza's are a V
rated tire, but have a couple of (what I consider) advantages over other V,
Z, W, & Y rated comparable tires.  First, the cost was considerably less
than the Michelin, Pirelli, or Yokohama tires I had considered.  The tires
were $142 each (not including M & B, tax, stems, etc.).  They come with a
50,000 mile warranty, which is pretty good for a high performance rated tire
(some don't/ won't give a mileage warranty at all).  The other 'plus' to
these tires is that they are omni-directional, so they can be cross rotated,
unlike a lot of other performance tires that only permit front/ back, same
side (unidirectional), switching.  I have about 2500 miles on them and have
been pleased with their handling and performance, in both wet & dry
conditions.

I ended up getting the tire locally at a Firestone/ Bridgestone dealer, as
they were no more expensive than Tire Rack (when you factor in shipping,
etc.), plus it's a local resource to utilize, if needed.  The dealer also
said that I had 30 days to 'test drive' the tires, and if not satisfied, I
could exchange them for something else.

As a sidebar, I had the original wheels refinished (the previous original
owner had inflicted a fair amount of curb rash on the rims) while getting
new tires, and Wheel Warehouse in Ohio does a great job on restoring wheels
back to factory specifications, including paint match.  They look brand new,
and at considerably less expense than new replacement wheels from the MB
dealer or other wheel sources (some of which have 'replica' wheels, to be
avoided).  Good luck!

Steve Hinrichs

 ---Original Message-----
From: Paul Samarin [mailto:pauls at sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Friday, February 15, 2008 1:49 PM
To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists; SL Mailing List
Subject: [R129 SL] Tires and alignment for SL


  Time for new shoes for the '90 500 SL; recommended size (and currently on
the car) is 225x55x16 all around.


  What is the most current list wisdom as to:


  1) tire size (I'm not considering new wheels or a staggered set-up at this
time); would slightly wider tires give any benefit?
  2) tire rating; my aggressive driving days are behind me, so Z is
definitely ridiculous, but what's a good daily driver that can handle "a
little more"?
  3) brand and model;
  4) where to buy; I'll check tirerack.com and costco, of course; any other
suggestions?


  Camber is wrong on rear: outside wearing excessively. So, I also need a
good alignment/suspension shop in So.Cal. (S/E LA County, Orange County).


  Thanks for any and all advice!


  Paul Samarin
  pauls at sbcglobal.net





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