Does anyone know the original size tires? Some tires are p205-70-14, some are 195-55-14. the first size look the most correct.

Actually both are wrong...
205/60-15 for elegance model
205/55-16 for sports model

As buying a mercedes and renting one. My car has 14 rims for sure, and they are stock.

Thanks for NOTHING!

I do envy your car, if that is a picture of it.

The owners manual for my 280 SEL calls for 185 VR 14. Not sure what the "V" stands for, but that is straight out of the manual printed in 1972. The car is currently shod with 215/70R 14's, which is probably enough size difference to throw the speedo off about 10% at highway speeds.

I would have to venture a guess and think that your 280C came equipped with the shorter, narrower tires.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

is for radial

a cool picture is http://amatotire.com/Tires/sidewall.gif

Thanks for the factory specifications.

I owe you one,

Steve Wyatt
510-522-7551
5105227551@home.com

Smaller tires almost always offer a higher top speed unless you redline your car in the top gear. Smaller, especially narrow tires have far less wind resistance and offer less required horsepower (from less rotating mass) than even the slightest bigger tire. The smallest practicle tire is the best solution almost always. The 185 is a great small tire and they are also inexpensive for even the cool tires. The same circumference tire that is wider offers better corner handling at significant loss of fuel ecomony. Bigger tires are usually installed for looks, and not performance. look at racing tires, it is always a sensible tire, not the biggest that will fit on the car.

hm...I thought u drive a 95 C280??????
anyway sorry about that
the car in the picture is not my car
it is my dream car
I drive a 99 C280

the C280. I have a very tired 280c I am restoring. I do lots of other cars

I know about speed ratings, but never saw them listed as part of the tire size. Normally used to seeing tire width/height/rim size, plus whether radial or bias ply. The speed rating was usually listed separately.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.