[W126 Coupe] and speaking of tires...

[Ronny]

Your wheels really looks nice, but how long does one tire last? And do you 
have any balance problems?
My mechanic just told me he has 2 customers with SEC and 1 with a SEL who 
has a lot of problems with their 18" wheels. Tires last only about 2 oil 
changes, about 10,000 miles, and the spacers are creating a balance problem. 
Two has change back to 16" wheels due to high cost.

Ronny
1987 560 SEC
1984 300 SD
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul Samarin" <pauls at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists" <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 5:58 PM
Subject: [W126 Coupe] and speaking of tires...


> Just had one of my rear Kuhmos give out on me; I'm not sure if it was low 
> and I drove it to destroy it (about 4 miles from home on the highway at 
> about 40 -50mph before I noticed the tire seemed low and got to a service 
> station.)  Anyway, it's gonna have to be replaced, so I'm looking again at 
> options.  I liked the Kumhos brand new, but they seem to have gotten rough 
> after only a few thousand miles.
>
> I now have the following staggered set-up with the ZR rated Kumho ECSTA 
> Supras:
>
> Front:  8" wheel:  235 x 40 x 18
>
> Rear:  9" wheel: 275 x 35 x 18
>
> (Car is lowered.)
>
> First of all, 235 is too wide for the fronts; I don't really like the 
> handling.  So, when I replace those in a few months I'm wanting to go back 
> to 225 or so.  And, I'd like to go even wider on the rears:  to 285.  If I 
> go with 285 x 35 in back and 225 x 40 in front, there will be a 
> height/circumference difference--is that a problem?
>
> Second, the old guy who pulled of the bad tire this am cautioned me: 
> "I've been in the business 50 years next month.  These tires are too wide 
> for your car.  You are destroying your differential and suspension."  So, 
> any comments from the group on that would be appreciated.  Of course I'm 
> gonna ignore the warning, but I'd like to hear from this august group once 
> more.
>
> Lastly, I just now noticed something strange:  The driver's side rear 
> fender lip has been rolled, but the passenger side has not.  I had been 
> rubbing on the driver's side rear when hitting a bump...pretty minor, but 
> that *is* the side that I pulled the damaged tire off of, and the damage 
> was on the inside sidewall.
>
> Any and all thoughts and comments appreciated on all of that PLUS 
> recommendations on tire brands.  I'm basically starting all over at square 
> one and frustrated with it at this point.
>
> Photos at link below.
>
> Paul
> http://www.mbcoupes.com/memberscars/S/paulsamarin/paulsamarin.htm
>
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