W124 300D, What Should I do...Rims/Tires? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JamesDean · #1 09-23-2013, 10:53 PM

Good evening folks,

So I'm trying to make a decision with my 300D. I fear the tires on it are way older than I think they are [See here] and they will need replaced sooner than I originally anticipated. I could be wrong though.

Either way this question will still need answered.

I would like to run two sets of tires. One for snow tires and one for all-seasons. I've done with with my 190E for the past 5 years and it has worked out well.

For my 300D:
I've got 1 set of 15 inch 8 hole rims.
I've got 1 set of 16 inch 8 hole rims (129/500E).

I've got 1 set of 15" snow tires that are 1 season old.

So here is my dilemma:

Do I...

a) buy 16 inch tires (likely 205/50/16) as I dont think anything else would fit well under there and have no rubbing issues. Then mount the 15 inch snows to the 15" 8 holes

b) Shelve the idea of using 16" wheels, scout around for another set of 15 inch snow tire rims. Buy new 15" all season tires for the 15 inch rims and swap the snows on when the time comes.

lorainfurniture · #2 09-23-2013, 11:04 PM

Let me know if you decide to get 15" snow tires. I have to replace my studded tires this year with a regular set of snows because I got a new driveway this year.

JamesDean · #3 09-24-2013, 12:54 AM

I think I'll likely get 2-3 more seasons on my current 15" snow tires. At least I hope. I dont actually know how many miles those usually last..

Jeremy5848 · #4 09-24-2013, 12:58 AM

I bought a set of 10 hole 16 inch rims from an early W210 (1996-99) and put them on my '87 300D. I fitted one step lower profile tires and the circumference worked out to 1/2% of the stock number, based on the calculator provided by the tire provider. There was a slight amount of rubbing on the inner fender liner but only under hard braking while turning and probably due to worn front struts. Depending on which 16 inch rims you have, you should not experience a major problem.

The choice of wheels was because I also have a 1996 E300 (W210) so the wheels could be interchanged between those two cars. When I got the 1995 E300 I kept the 16 inch wheels and put them on the "new" car. There's no rubbing at all on the '96 E300.

Since you already have 15 inch snow tires, use your 15 inch rims for them and put summer or all-season tires on your 16 inch rims. I hadn't yet bought snow tires so I simply bought a third set of 16 inch W210 rims and then got snow tires to match. The snows can then go on either car, depending on which one is chosen for the annual reminder of why I left Wisconsin.

My personal preference is summer tires (not M+S rated) for summer driving and true winter snow tires with the mountain+snowflake symbol for cold/snow. All-season tires are fine if you can have only one set but they are compromises and not as good in the summer as true summer tires or as good in the snow/cold as true snow tires.

Jeremy

sixto · #5 09-24-2013, 04:28 AM

AFAIK, 129/.036 wheels are not a good fit on 'lesser' 124s. You can get very low profile tires to clear the fenders but they'll rub when you make a tight turn, or so I heard.

Sixto
87 300D

Skippy · #6 09-24-2013, 04:36 AM

I voted for using the 16's, since you already have them. If you have rubbing issues you can probably roll the fenders for more clearance relatively easily. I also think it's a bit silly to run all seasons if you're going to have full on snow tires. You may as well have a set of summers to go with your set of winters.

JamesDean · #7 09-24-2013, 09:44 AM

Maybe All-Seasons was the wrong term. Right now my "non winter" tires are Michelin MXV4's...

sixto, I too am concerned about fitment. I have read people have used 205/50/16 with success. In fact, thats what I have on my 190E with its 16x8 Lorinser wheels.

Jeremy5848 · #8 09-24-2013, 12:48 PM

I have MXV4's on the '96 E300 that my wife drives daily. They are excellent tires, rated "M+S" so they are "compromise" or "all-season" tires. Not as sticky as a true summer-only tire and not as good in snow as a true snow tire.

The rubber in true summer-only tires has a tendency to turn into hard plastic below 32F so they're definitely not for winter driving whether there's snow on the road or not. Being made of a soft, sticky compound, they also don't last as long. My Michelin Primacy HP tires are down to 4/32 to 5/32 (wear bars at 2/32) so I don't have much tread left and that5's at only 26,000 miles. But they're great tires in wet or dry and I don't drive a lot -- these tires are now old enough that they'll need replacement next year anyway.

Snow tires (with the "mountain/snowflake" symbol in addition to the "M+S" symbol in the sidewalls) are made of a compound that stays sticky even in cold weather plus an aggressive tread pattern to bite in snow; they're also good on dirt roads. The soft compound means they wear quickly in non-snow use and some of the tread designs are noisy, although the Bridgestone Blizzaks I bought are not noisy.

Note Sixto's comments on rubbing and watch the offset (ET number stamped or cast into the inside of the rims). The rule of thumb is to stay within 5mm of the wheels that came with the car from the factory.

Jeremy

sixto · #9 09-24-2013, 01:05 PM

If you have a 126/.036 wheel without a tire, mount it on the front with the LCA supported by a floor jack under the lower spring perch lowered to normal ride height. Turn the wheel through the steering range to project where there might be contact. Maybe you can adjust the turning bump stops to avoid tire damage.

Swap the 16s for a set of the lightweight CLK wheels. The drop in usprung weight and rotating mass makes the 124 notably more responsive.

Sixto
87 300D

JamesDean · #10 09-24-2013, 01:11 PM

Are the 129/.036 wheels 16x8? I could test/swap one wheel from the 190...it has 16x8s with 205/50/16

gsxr · #11 09-24-2013, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

Swap the 16s for a set of the lightweight CLK wheels. The drop in usprung weight and rotating mass makes the 124 notably more responsive.

+1. Or use any of the other commonly available 16x7.0 (ET37) OE MB wheels with a 205-55-16 tire. Fits perfect, looks factory.

The 500E wheels (16x8.0 ET34) are not a good idea on the early 124, 225-50-16 tires may rub under cornering/braking unless you roll the fenders, and using 205 tires on an 8.0 wheel screams "ricer", IMO. Not to mention the 500E wheels are heavy... 24 lbs each...

View Poll Results: What would you do on a 124?
16" All Seasons (205/55/16), 15" Snow. (195/65/15)	4	50.00%
15" All Seasons, 15" Snow.	4	50.00%
Voters: 8. You may not vote on this poll