Ok...I am getting some rubber put on my new CLK Wheels I picked up for $150:

P/N: A 208 401 00 02
ET 37 7J x 16 H2

What I need to know is what the maximum width tire I can use on my 1987 300TDT without rubbing. I know 205/55/16 is the standard size, but how about 215/55/16? I like the look of wider tires but would they work? Are there any disadvantages to wider? Part of my reasoning is that I will be tuning the car up to around 300HP after while so I probably need more rubber to keep it grabbing.

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1987 300TDT - 195,000 (Original #14 head)
1993 190E 2.3 - 105,000
1981 300D - 250,000

215 is probably as wide as you'll need.

nice score, get them here in FL? (I paid $280 for my set with tires with 75% tread left and I need to strip the paint off and make then normal again)

Tire width is dictated to a certain extent by wheel width. At some point you get too much slop in the side wall. Bear in mind that a narrower tire actually has better adhesion because the weight is concentrated in a smaller area.

steve a

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Steve A
92 W140 OM603
97 VW Jetta TDI
90 Passat variant TDI 6 speed MT
94 Chevy K1500 6.5TD
05 E320 CDI
+ others

Yes, it was in Port St. Lucie. I am in Ocala but I planned a trip to hang out with friends in Lakeland and I made a trip out of it. So I made a loop to pick up the wheels in Lucie, and then drive up to Sebastian on the way back and get an HX35 turbo for the Wagon. Don, I met you at the last meet at Pierre's, I had the White 124 Wagon.

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1987 300TDT - 195,000 (Original #14 head)
1993 190E 2.3 - 105,000
1981 300D - 250,000

215 over 205 will make a taller tire more than a wider one. if the aspect ratio stays the same. a 215 55 will be wider than a 205 60... or am I reading something wrong?

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Yes, as I understand it, a 215/55 is wider than a 205/60 on a 7" wheel. My concern is that the 215/55 may rub, or throw the speedometer off.

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1987 300TDT - 195,000 (Original #14 head)
1993 190E 2.3 - 105,000
1981 300D - 250,000

if you get the profile right you will be alright.Hard part will be finding the tire to fit the profile.

I do not understand what you mean about the profile. Can you expound please?

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1987 300TDT - 195,000 (Original #14 head)
1993 190E 2.3 - 105,000
1981 300D - 250,000

the height of the sidewall in relation to the width of the tire

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=46

I understand what the numbers mean...so I figure my options are 205/55/16 to be safe. And if I put on 215/55/16 the speedo will be off slightly and it may not be optimal for the wheel width and performance may decrease.

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1987 300TDT - 195,000 (Original #14 head)
1993 190E 2.3 - 105,000
1981 300D - 250,000

I've got 205/50/16's and my spedo is 3 mph off

Here is what I got from the tire size calculator:
The first one is stock, the second one is the comparison and difference between the two.

Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference
205/55-16 4.4in 12.4in 24.9in 78.2in 811 0.0%
215/55-16 4.7in 12.7in 25.3in 79.5in 797 1.7%

Here is your setup:
Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference
205/55-16 4.4in 12.4in 24.9in 78.2in 811 0.0%
205/50-16 4.0in 12.0in 24.1in 75.6in 838 -3.2%


I am fine with the 1.7% difference, but the variable is still the wheel size width. Still not clear on that.

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1987 300TDT - 195,000 (Original #14 head)
1993 190E 2.3 - 105,000
1981 300D - 250,000

Your baseline should be the OE 195/65-15.

215/55-16 will fit easily within the fenders with those wheels with less than 1 mph error at 60 mph.

Contact Justin/iwrock on the forum for wheel and tire fitment in 124 wagons.

Sixto
87 300D