Tyres

[BenzBoy]

Greetings,
You may be aware that Michelin reproduces most of the tyres it has ever manufactured and retails them through A specialist Michelin Classic Centre. Now this service is available in Australia through Stuckey Tyre Brokers - www.stuckey.com.au
You will probably find that 14" tyres for the W116 will become available - I have not investigated because I don't have anything requiring that size anymore but they are able to supply the very rare 235/70/VR15 - good news for R-R and B drivers.
Regards,
Brian

 

[260ebenz]

Great post Brian!

Are the Michelin's made in France or Asia?

Michelin 205/15" on the 300SE were made in Thailand.

 

[motec 6.9]

I posted about Stuckey tyres about 18 months ago Brian that's when Carl said he can get xwx but they are now rated at 91 load rating 6.9 needs 95 . Will keep my bundt's just in case this ever changes .

 

[BenzBoy]

I posted about Stuckey tyres about 18 months ago Brian that's when Carl said he can get xwx but they are now rated at 91 load rating 6.9 needs 95 . Will keep my bundt's just in case this ever changes .

Might have been on a different site ?
Well it's up to you to make your own inquiries and decide for yourself. Given that Stuckey has just been announced as a Michelin Classic centre you may well find a broader range available compared to when they were private importers.
Regards,
Brian

 

[BenzBoy]

Great post Brian!

Are the Michelin's made in France or Asia?

Michelin 205/15" on the 300SE were made in Thailand.

I don't think it matters much now where they are made Mr Tim - the quality control is good in both places.
Regards,
Brian

 

[260ebenz]

How very true Brian!

Prefer the Michelin's compared to the Continental's.

The Conti's had terrible road noise!


And yes the tyres were the correct air pressure.

 

[sean sherry]

Michelin's always a good choice. I recall a comment in an English Car magazine many years ago....
If you don't know what Car to buy, just get a 280E Mercedes and with tyres, just buy Michelin.

 

[BenzBoy]

Michelin's always a good choice. I recall a comment in an English Car magazine many years ago....
If you don't know what Car to buy, just get a 280E Mercedes and with tyres, just buy Michelin.

I have had positive experiences with Michelin, Avon, Pirelli and Continental - and less positive ones with Bridgestone.
1 of my cars runs Continental, 2 run Pirelli, 1 runs Avon and 1 runs Cooper (was on Michelin but no longer available in 8.90 x 15) tyres. I have always felt though that Michelin feels to have a superior edge in the handling stakes.
Regards,
Brian

 

[Styria]

One would have to ask if, in fact, the XWXs really merit the quite substantial purchase price. One of our members has the correct size Maxxis' on his 6.9 with excellent road holding. I drove the car in the wet yesterday, and sort of 'road tested' the car under those conditions. Whilst there was some slippage that could have been created, the grip provided was substantially better than what could really be expected under the circumstances.

I also recently road tested a 6.3 with, again , the correct size Cooper Tyres. They were terrible in the wet - I could have lost that car in the twinkling of an eye lid. Regards. Styria

 

[BenzBoy]

Well, as I posted earlier in this thread Styria, it's up to each person to decide for himself what works. Nice to see you back posting again.
Regards,
Brian

 

[260ebenz]

Interesting insight into the different makes of tyres you were talking about Styria.

I thought Cooper tyres were only made for 4WD's and they are an American made tyre?

There was a MBCNSW Member who had the original cross-ply Michelin tyres on his 450SEL 6.9 and the tyres were made in France.

Only imagine the cost of the cross-ply tyre's each?!


But if quality is desired hence the cost.

 

[BenzBoy]

"I thought Cooper tyres were only made for 4WD's and they are an American made tyre?"
You are correct Mr Tim. Although Cooper makes a variety of tyres the ones sold here are for SUV and off roaders so it is probably the case that the tyres Styria referred to as being incompatible with the 6.3 are really SUV tyres and not an appropriate match to the car. Hence, Styria's comments.
Regards,
Brian

 

[Styria]

Tim, 6.9s were always fitted with the original XWXs radial ply tyres - when new, of course. Sure enough, then and now, they probably are still made in France. As I have already stated many times (not today, of course), I do think they are overpriced for what you're getting.

With Stuckeys being appointed a main distributor, I do not think that prices will drop - if anything, they will increase by a fair margin. Not so long ago, I enquired about some Michelin 390 metric tyres - they quoted about $650.00 for each one. They are the sort of tyres fitted to Ferraris, Lamborghini and 15.3 inches metric Bundts. Regards. Styria

 

[motec 6.9]

The problem with the Maxxis is they are not the correct speed rating meaning don't upset the police or crash as you will find you are not insured .It is S speed rated http://www.maxxistyres.com.au/tyredetails.php?id=2&cat=1

 

[BenzBoy]

The problem with the Maxxis is they are not the correct speed rating meaning don't upset the police or crash as you will find you are not insured .It is S speed rated http://www.maxxistyres.com.au/tyredetails.php?id=2&cat=1

Do you have evidence that an S rated tyre will void your insurance? An S rating goes top 180 kph.
It would be good to know what is actually required in each state. I doubt having an S rating makes your car unroadworthy.
Regards,
Brian

 

[motec 6.9]

Edited due to checking and finding update to the act.

 

[motec 6.9]

Ok Brian just checked its ADR 24. It was amended in 2011 S rating tyre is fine under amendments. Amendments due to tyre sizes no longer being available for some vehicles as long as tyre is S rated and meets original load rating which Maxxis exceed with 96 load rating .
https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&...7s81XGuIWhNuK1_89DoCwYA&bvm=bv.93990622,d.dGY

 

[BenzBoy]

Australian ADR it the tyre placard attached to your car is the medium standard legal to your car . You can exceed this but not go under. 6.9 is V rated anything less is a defect and voids your insurance. Don't believe call motor registry or NRMA . I personally know someone who crashed with wrong tyres and insurance was withheld . Its my brother by the way. There currently is no legal tyre made anywhere in the World for a 6.9 in 215/70R/14 with a V rating and 95 load rating. As the tyre placard is an ADR requirement it will be checked in case off accident . And don't think assessors don't know you cant get tyres for these cars they would.

It's not that I don't believe you - I want to know where it is written into the regulations etc. I am as concerned about it as you and if tyres of the specified rating are not available does that mean the car can't be registered and used?
It would seem that the 2011 amendment covers this but I would hate to see anyone get into a court case with an insurance company over the matter.
Regards,
Brian

 

[motec 6.9]

Brothers accident was in 2009 before this amendment . He was you know what as he could not get correct tyres. Anyway he had car repaired . He paid but this amendment would mean he would have been covered.

 

[BenzBoy]

It's generally acknowledged as a thorny issue and the CMC has been engaged in discussions with the RMS here is NSW about getting a better resolution. It has not as yet proceeded very far.
Regards,
Brian