What a set of wheels!

[Xavier_Onassis]

It is definitely true that low profile tires are more easily damaged by potholes and railroad tracks, and they are a LOT me expensive.

A friend (an old guy who does not drive very fast) told me that he needed new tires on his Benz S-Class after a mere 20K miles, and they cost at a discount place, over $250 each. Plus tax, installation, balancing and all the usual crap.

I have bought a good used Michelin for my 90 Mercedes 300D for $25 (balancing, tax and all) and driven it for over 30K.
That is a major difference.

The kids who put 22' tires on their Chevy Impalas and worse, pickup trucks, probably have all manner of problems.

[Amianthus]

I just replaced the low profile Pirelli P6 tires on my Five Hundred about 2 months ago. Total cost (including installation and road hazard warranty) was right at $530 for a set of four. And those are high-performance, long tread wear tires. I fully expect them to last over 70K miles like my first (factory) set.

[Xavier_Onassis]

Tires for a Ford are probably always cheaper than tires for a Mercedes, not necessarily because they are better.

[Amianthus]

Tires for a Ford are probably always cheaper than tires for a Mercedes, not necessarily because they are better.

Pirelli tires are standard on many models of Mercedes. Pirellis came on my Five Hundred because I bought the "Limited" edition, which included many of the upgrades I wanted. Most models of the Five Hundred do not come with low-profile Pirelli tires.

[Xavier_Onassis]

Pirelli tires are standard on many models of Mercedes. Pirellis came on my Five Hundred because I bought the "Limited" edition, which included many of the upgrades I wanted. Most models of the Five Hundred do not come with low-profile Pirelli tires.

===================================
One weird thing sees to be the use of the word "Limited". Apparently, it is a GOOD thing for a car to be "Limited". Apparently no one has a copyright on the name because it is found on Buicks and Jeeps as well as Fords. Yes, I know that "Limited" is the British equivalent to Incorporated, and being British has a certain snooty appeal. My 82 Buick Regal was Limited, and it was really pretty limited. At 60K the motormounts went out and the  valve cover gaskets blew out. Its front disc brakes were the same size used on a tiny Chevette. The rear windows were designed to not roll down. I was never sure it would stop in time.


It is strange when a Jeep with extra features calls it self "Limited" Jeeps are not supposed to be limited to streets, roads or pavement, after all. In their ads they often appear atop 500-foot high rock formations which they could only get to by helicopter (or Photoshop).

[Amianthus]

It is strange when a Jeep with extra features calls it self "Limited" Jeeps are not supposed to be limited to streets, roads or pavement, after all. In their ads they often appear atop 500-foot high rock formations which they could only get to by helicopter (or Photoshop).

Never heard of "Limited Edition"? That's the use of "Limited" in terms of cars - they only make a certain number with that combination of features in a given year.

[Xavier_Onassis]

Never heard of "Limited Edition"? That's the use of "Limited" in terms of cars - they only make a certain number with that combination of features in a given year.

Limited to what? the number of people who will buy them?

They may want customers to THINK they are getting something rare and special, so they'll pay extra for it, but unless they say "Limited to 10,000 or 100,000 copies" as the publishing industry usually specifies, the term is utterly meaningless except a synonym for "more expensive".

[richpo64]

>>Never heard of "Limited Edition"? That's the use of "Limited" in terms of cars - they only make a certain number with that combination of features in a given year.<<

With one notable exception. The Ford LTD.

[Amianthus]

They may want customers to THINK they are getting something rare and special, so they'll pay extra for it, but unless they say "Limited to 10,000 or 100,000 copies" as the publishing industry usually specifies, the term is utterly meaningless except a synonym for "more expensive".

That may be so, however the heritage of the phrase "Limited" when used by cars is from "Limited Edition", not "limited in it's abilities" as you claimed.

And customers do not pay extra for the "Limited" badge - they pay extra for the trim and accessories package that is included, which is usually a fraction of the price when all those options are added separately.

[Xavier_Onassis]

That may be so, however the heritage of the phrase "Limited" when used by cars is from "Limited Edition", not "limited in it's abilities" as you claimed.


I did not claim that. I merely pointed out that the term is ambiguous and somewhat silly. Perhaps not as silly as the names of the Ford Aspire, the Oldmobile Achieva, the Chevy Citation or the AC Matador (matador means 'killer'-the guy who kills the bull is a torero these days- the word matador is no longer used in Spanish bullfighting.