Hi guys -- I have an older Mercedes (W140 S420) that's been in restoration for about a year now, and it's going to be coming back to me and needing new tires.
I currently have a set of Michelin Premier A/S on it, but they're about 60% worn and aged out. Unfortunately, Michelin no longer supports these cars with their standard line of tires. They have a Primacy 3 available in the correct size under their classic vehicle line, but it's a summer-only tire and I'd really prefer an all-season because I live in New York and want to drive the car in cold weather without worry.
The tire size is a 235 60R16. They came out of the factory with a Z rated tire, but I've completely given up on finding anything other than an H rating at this point. Anyway, my only real choices seem to be as follows:
Michelin Defender 2
Hankook Kinergy PT
Yokohama Avid Ascend LX
Kumho Solus TA51a
My primary concern here is ride comfort above all else, with handling and performance a close second. I don't really care about fuel efficiency or treadwear. If I have to replace the tires every two years so be it, because I just had the entire suspension refurbished and I want to enjoy the proper feel of the car -- or as close to it as I can. Mercedes designed the tires as an integral part of the suspension, so I want to make sure I get as close to ideal as possible. I also don't care what they cost.
Unfortunately, none of these tires are 'premium', and looking them up on their respective websites and reviews I find a lot of talk about 'durability' and 'fuel efficiency' and 'long treadlife' but no real focus on what's actually important in my case.
So, does anyone have any experience/input here? Any thoughts on which of these choices might be my best bet? Any help would be hugely appreciated, I just feel like I'm up against a brick wall now.
Thank you all in advance.
I currently have a set of Michelin Premier A/S on it, but they're about 60% worn and aged out. Unfortunately, Michelin no longer supports these cars with their standard line of tires. They have a Primacy 3 available in the correct size under their classic vehicle line, but it's a summer-only tire and I'd really prefer an all-season because I live in New York and want to drive the car in cold weather without worry.
The tire size is a 235 60R16. They came out of the factory with a Z rated tire, but I've completely given up on finding anything other than an H rating at this point. Anyway, my only real choices seem to be as follows:
Michelin Defender 2
Hankook Kinergy PT
Yokohama Avid Ascend LX
Kumho Solus TA51a
My primary concern here is ride comfort above all else, with handling and performance a close second. I don't really care about fuel efficiency or treadwear. If I have to replace the tires every two years so be it, because I just had the entire suspension refurbished and I want to enjoy the proper feel of the car -- or as close to it as I can. Mercedes designed the tires as an integral part of the suspension, so I want to make sure I get as close to ideal as possible. I also don't care what they cost.
Unfortunately, none of these tires are 'premium', and looking them up on their respective websites and reviews I find a lot of talk about 'durability' and 'fuel efficiency' and 'long treadlife' but no real focus on what's actually important in my case.
So, does anyone have any experience/input here? Any thoughts on which of these choices might be my best bet? Any help would be hugely appreciated, I just feel like I'm up against a brick wall now.
Thank you all in advance.