New balonies and skins for my C140 . . .

[JimF]

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks??

Since my present tires were just about history, in the back of my mind, I pictured new wheels and tires on the car . .wondering how they would look??

But I'm 'fussy' and some of the newer styles just don't do anything for me. For my old 'tank-body-style', it needs to have a heavy wheel but those w/ 'screws' are out! So looking around I thought I try the Style-530 from Eurotech Wheels and available from others with similiar looks. The decision to use Eurotech was later regretted. More info below.

Visited their SD store and they have the back of the bldg chock full of wheels. . . right to the ceiling. After looking at the wheels close up, I was convinced that these wheels would compliment my 'tank'. I thought that I'd buy the 18" x 8.5 for both front and back, so I was happy.

Since I needed tires I visited my old tire-shop and they got the wheels delivered to the shop. Eurotech said that you NEED to get the 18 x 8.5 for the front and 18 x 9.5 for the back. . . the "staggered" look. As they said, "I'll fill up that back wheel well and you'll love it".

Since I've had good luck w/ Michelin tires, I'd stay w/ them. Got Pilot Sport, 245/45ZR-18 for the front and 275/40ZR-18 for the rear.

First observations:
1) Got into the car and turned the steering wheel . . and it felt as if the P/S's "power" had been tripled.
2) On the road, the car's steering handles like a small (very small) sport's car; turn the wheel slightly and the car obeys. No more under-steer.
3) At 100mph, the car handles extremely well and you wouldn't know it's a tank.

The UTOG is "220AA" so that means it will wear out a lot quicker than my previous 'street' tires but at my age, I may not see them to their end. Many reviews ***** at their poor tread life but they are a performance tire (i.e. soft and sticky), so it's not designed or intended to hold-up forever. However, I still have sticker shock . .

So far the tire-noise is less than my previous tires so not sure why some complain. But maybe in time, they may become 'noisey'.

Right now everything is 'smiles'!

[TheDon]

"gangster"

[JimF]

Originally Posted by TheDon

"gangster"

be careful there . . . . a septuagenarian one at that. . .

[JimF]

Had to replace the rear tires, 275/40/18 b/c they rubbed on the fender well when going over a 'bump' or a dip in the road.

Went to 255/45/18 size tires and, initially, that seemed fine initially but it was not. Read on . . .

Most all details are in a new section under MENU#32 . . Buying Wheels and Tires . . .

[JimF]

More info on the rear wheels.

The tires would still rub when it went over 'swail' or dips. So after looking more closely are MB specs, it became apparent why.

The rear wheels under MB spec are max width of "8", so the 'correct' wheel (at least MORE correct) is the same as the front; 8.5 x 18" as I originally thought.

Eurotech recommended the 'complete' wheel and tire package to the tire house and were responsible for the 'decisions' that were made. Upon closer examination, there's nothing wrong w/ the front wheels but the rear . . . CAN'T fit w/o rubbing!

When contacted about replacing them with the correct set, they refused so I thought that you should be appraised of the facts. Very poor business decision on their part.

MENU#32 now has all of the details for your reading pleasure . . . .