I hate to ask this and I know everybody is going to shun me for this but I have to do this. I currently have Michelin 215/70R14 M&S tires on my car. I have to drive this car on about 5 miles of loose gravel on top off hard packed dirt every day to get to work. I have seen alot of people have thier tires cut from these rocks and I'm afraid that this is going to happen to mine soon anyways. I also do NOT have any fancy rims on this car yet so I think I can do this but I want to make sure. My question is can I put light truck tires 215/70R14's on this without any problems? All of the tires that have been cut out here where just passenger tires and I know LT tires have a thicker tread and sidewall and they also help with any mud or water on the roads seeing as I live in a hurricane prone area along eastern NC.

I'm thinking of putting LT tires on my current rims and get a nice set of rims with other tires for highway trips or show if I need them or when I can afford them.

Your best bet is to buy road hazard coverage when you purchase your tires. Say NTB, they have a great program and I even get them to match Tire Rack's prices plus S&H. I would suggest sticking with the stock 195/70/14 or picking up a set of used wheels with tires might be benificial. Then when you buy tires, you can buy that size. Tire prices should be similar between 14", 15", or 16".

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2412395829&category=38662

They have new tires, and 205/55/16. Most likely Continental CH95s. I said just get them now, i'm sure you will spend about $75 a tire at least after moutning and balancing. Thats $300 in price. This covers that, just pay the shipping.

After that, everytime you buy a tire, buy one through a NTB place and a Road Hazard. That way every tire puncutred will be replaced.

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Chirag (Charlie) Patel
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- 03 Mercedes S600 Sport TTV12
- 97 Acura NSX-T
- 99 BMW E36 M3 w/500+ HP
- 04 Lexus RX330
- 04 Dodge Dakota Quad 4x4 V8

4 Sale:
- 99 BMW M3 E36 Coup with Dinan SC, Upgraded to an RMS Stage 3 with Aftercooler, 12psi, and 500+hp @ flywheel.

Jake,

I am familiar with the unique tire requirements for gravel roads. When I moved out in the boondocks where I live now, one of my important criteria was to be on a paved road. My uncle was a pumper in the oil fields and tires were a real challenge for him. He drove over a hundred miles per day on roads as you describe.

I just did a search and was surprised to find a reasonable selection of LT tires in 195/75 14. I, my wife and my kids have driven about 800,000 miles total in 123 cars. I have tried all sorts of size and tire combinations and have found the best and most economical size to be the 195/75's. Face it, these are not sports cars so you don't need performance tires. The 75's are the hard compound, long wearing tires. The 195 75 has just proven to be optimum on these cars for me.

In fact, given the construction of most 75 series tires as compared to the construction of 70 series tires, a quality 75 passenger car tire might offer the improvement in durability that you are looking for.

I am surprised that your 215 70's have adequate clearance.

Good luck,

Thanks everybody, I think I will try the 195/75's, Larry, since road hazard insurance won't cover this because it is considered "off road" driving by them. I have been working in this place for over ten years now and have been using LT tires on everything since everything I was driving was either a full size van or an SUV and this is the first car that I've driven out there.

Larry here is a picture of the car with the 215/70's to help explain about the clearance. Also I just got the car on April 14, 2003 so I have alot of work to do on it and this is also my FIRST MB and diesel vehicle that I have ever owned. I also know that these hubcaps do NOT belong on this car.

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