OK, DON'T put 195/75/R14 on your benz!! - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #16 11-17-2006, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henrydupont

I put 32 pounds in them. they're BFGoodrich's.
the car just felt like it wanted to go all over the place when steering a little at 70 MPH. I was scared it would break out. With my cheap brand 70's this car had real good handling!
by the way, the front still has 70's, maybe that's the difference with byrdandcompany?

i think your problem is mismatched tire brands. if your fronts have more grip than the back the back will feel loose. you might try putting the bfgs on the front.

tom w

#17 11-17-2006, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

If they have a speed rating, the tire will read: 195-75-HR14 or 195-70-SR14.

The "H" or the "S" is a speed rating. With no speed rating, you basically purchased a very inexpensive tire with a weak sidewall. It won't perform well on these vehicles under any demanding conditions.

In most cases, the dealer won't even sell you such a tire for that vehicle.

they don't say s or h on them. they were indeed cheap: $12 each...
I wonder what the car would do with 4 of those on it, instead of the smaller ones it has in front now

Brian Carlton · #18 11-17-2006, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henrydupont

they don't say s or h on them. they were indeed cheap: $12 each...
I wonder what the car would do with 4 of those on it, instead of the smaller ones it has in front now

LOL........you get what you pay for..........

With four of them, it will handle twice as bad..........

But, if you go straight down the road without any fast turns, they should be OK.

mobetta · #19 11-17-2006, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henrydupont

the only code I can find is 92 s M+S

it's probably because I have 195/70/R14 in the front?

snow tires. theyre supposed to be soft.

PanzerSD · #20 11-18-2006, 12:09 AM

I have Goodyear Nordic 205/70/14's on the rear and my old 195/75/14's on the front and at highway speeds a little deviation makes it a little squirrely. I'm waiting for my front two 205's to arrive so I have a matched set...
I like the 205's they're bigger and nicer riding but not so big to throw my speedo off too badly and they don't rub anywhere....

Hatterasguy · #21 11-18-2006, 12:32 AM

I hate the stock 195's that the SD is currantly riding on. They are like marshmellow's!

225/55/16's seem to be the minimum size for these cars. If I could find a set of 275/35/18's that would fit without spacers and rubbing I'd be inclind to go with them. The only downside of doing this on a W126 is I am sure an M3 would ride softer.

JimmyL · #22 11-18-2006, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henrydupont

they don't say s or h on them. they were indeed cheap: $12 each...

Good grief, my riding lawnmower tire cost more than that.

You can't buy a good diamond for $50 bucks, and you can't buy a decent tire for $12.......

#23 11-18-2006, 01:06 AM

OK OK I'll get rid of them. they'll look better on one of those big ugly american cars anyway, since they have a white stripe on one side. (I didn't put the stripe outward obviously)
snow tires? how odd. never heard of such.
and indeed bigger rims on this car would help a lot
thanks for all the input gentlemen

PanzerSD · #24 11-18-2006, 04:10 AM

you've never heard of nokian, hakkapallita, or Michelin X-Ice tires?

MBeige · #25 11-18-2006, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobetta

snow tires. theyre supposed to be soft.

Not necessarily snow tires. Actually M+S is a good all-season tire, not a snow tire. My Goodyear Regatta 2's have M+S and they're not snow tires.

PanzerSD · #26 11-18-2006, 05:15 AM

When it comes to tires up here in Canada, they're either all M+S Tires (all season) or winter tires, alot of people run winter tires all yeah if they know they aren't going on any long trips. Winter Tires are almost twice the cost of all season radials.

BTW how does the bias ply size to radial conversion work?

Shorebilly · #27 11-18-2006, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

Not necessarily snow tires. Actually M+S is a good all-season tire, not a snow tire. My Goodyear Regatta 2's have M+S and they're not snow tires.

G'mornin',

My car came with "new" Regatta 2's......was a bit concerned at first because if stuff that I had read here.....but they are load and speed rated for a 300D-T......and are sopposed to be a 75,000 mile tire......I've put 4000 trouble free miles on them......no signs of wearing out any time soon.....BUT they don't do well in mud.....don't know about snow yet......they feel pretty good on these ol' windy country roads......when doing 70 in a 55 (just when testing, of course)......so it looks like I'll be running them for the next 5 years or so, if the Goodyear 75,000 mile statment holds true......

SB

PanzerSD · #28 11-18-2006, 06:21 AM

I plan to use these winter tires for at least three seasons, and during this winter I'm going to buy my new summer tires, maybe something unidirectional and good in water. that was one problem I encountered with the skinny
195's, they hydroplane fairly easy, expecially at 100Kmh.

t walgamuth · #29 11-18-2006, 06:31 AM

the wider tires will hydoplane more than narrow ones!

if you are hydroplaning with 195s maybe you are getting bald. (the tires actually).

for myself, i usually stick with the factory size tires. better ride, steering and handling. and in the great white north, with snow and rain, a much better choice in my book.

wide tires look nice but in inclement weather will not work as well in snow or rain and wide tires are harder to balance and are much more prone to wear badly if your alignment is a little off or some front end parts are beginning to get worn.

wide tires are good for racing though.

good luck

tom w

#30 11-18-2006, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got_The_Benz

you've never heard of nokian, hakkapallita, or Michelin X-Ice tires?

I tend to stay away fom places where those are needed