What are the correct size tires for an 83 240D? I have aluminum rims now, but I would like to convert back to the steel rims with Hubcabs.....

Also do the steel rims use the same size lug nuts?

I do not know the correct tire size for a '83 240 D;But I am near positive that the alum/mag wheels use only a special lug nut(actually a screw). A man must be careful here.
Consult a tire and wheel site.

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Adrian
'80 Mercedes 300D ..sold..
two Diesel VW caddies, old ones ..sold..
'96 Saab 900S

The correct tire sizes should be printed on a sticker along with proper inflation pressures. That sticker is found (I believe) on the gas flap door or on the driver's door jamb. That divulges the actual proper fitting factory recommended size.

I have the same car and on the door it says 175 SR 14 which is kind of weird because it's missing the middle number designating tire wall height. I guess 70 is ideal because that's what it is on the 300D. 195's will fit on those wheels too and look better in my opinion.

I think the lug nut size is the same.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

the 175sr14 mentioned above has an aspect ratio of .82. making it an 82 series. the replacement for this antiquated series is the 195 crossection in a 70 series. use the following site for rolling radius & revs/mile information.http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Janko:
That's a great site. I was doing all that by hand on a calculator yesterday to see what difference a change in size of tire would make.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Janko

Maybe you could conferm if I have this right, or should I have used 82? 175 70 14 compaired to 195 70 14 = 4.7 fast right?

Very Cool....

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

Be sure you use the correct wheel lugs, as the aluminum wheels take a slightly different one from the steel wheels. Have read here on the board and also from a local acquaintance that the wrong ones can lead to a lost wheel while driving. Use the forum search to find more info. Take care!!

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1961 190Db retired
1968 220D/8 325,000
1983 300D 164,150

steve, the 195 /70 replaces the 175. tire calculator has the rolling radius delta and thus speedo error as minuscule. with the alloy and its 6" width you may want to consider a 225/60. i have same on one of my 123 s and it looks good. rides nice. and does not rub. some kind of summitomo. etr4 maybe. $50 and change at tire rack. oh, and the $9 shipping. i get the mounting done for $4 a tire. balance myself. not bad ultimately. and i be satisfied. hope this is of some value.

Carrameow,

I changed the tire size on my 300SD from 185R14 (original) to 205R70x14 and there was no difference in speedometer or odometer accuracy.

The bolts for the steel and allow wheels are different in length. The bolts for the allow wheels are about 1 cm longer to make up for the greater thickness of the alloy wheel where the bolts go thru.

Don't use the incorrect length bolts. I have a lot of the shorter bolts for steel wheels. If you want some of them, Email me.

P E H

Yup, those bolts are different length. I just read that in the owner's manual last night. Their width is the same though, and that's what I had in mind when I said they're the same size.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

I just put on some 195 75 14 tires on my 82 240D. The chart says that I have thrown my speedo off by 7.9% from the stock tires (175 sr14). I have already driven 382 miles on this tank of fuel and have a 1/4 tank left. I usually am running on fumes by now. Isn't this backwards....I should register fewer miles with bigger tires and poorer calculated milage from this point.

Am I thinking wrong????

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1976 240D
1987 560SL
2007 E320 Bluetec
1998 C280 (now son’s car)
1982 240D Manual - Sold

I want to swap my factory alloy rims for steel w/hubcaps. I've learned the lug bolts are shorter than the alloy.
Other than that issue, is this possible?
If so does anyone know which models are compatible with the 240D?
Better yet was this rim available on this model?
Finally, any referral on the best place to find rims/caps?
Thanks in advance!


1977 240D 110K Miles

I think Adsit has rims. Believe they are in Nashville.

You can use rims from the W114, W115, W116, W126, W107, basically any 14" wheel prior to the W201 and W124 series. The 15" wheel fitted to the second gen W126 and W107 will also work.


What you are looking for is a wheel with an offset in the 20's. The late wheels start getting into the 40's for offset, and this can interfere with suspension components.


The most desirable wheel is the aluminum wheel that accepts wheelcovers (and looks just like a steel wheel). Problem is, these wheels have been sought after for years by the pagoda guys, and they are now pretty expensive. Aluminum wheels such as these were found on late W108, W109 S class cars in 6" wide versions, and late W123 240Ds had 5.5" wide versions. You can spot these aluminum wheels by the light colored concentric ring outside of the bolt holes. These aluminum wheels also use a special hubcap clip with a nylon end.


Steel wheels can be found in 14" sizes ranging from 4.5" to 7" wide. The 14" wheels were introduced on the pagoda SL in 63, and W108/W109 cars in 66. Pre 68 wheels have 3 spring loaded buttons to secure the hubcap, which was a two piece unit (trim ring/cap) until the 68 model year, then they went to the one piece cap. But wait! There's more! The early one piece wheelcover was made from steel, with a brass, then a chrome plate. Later wheelcovers (by 72, I think) were stainless steel.


All of the steel wheels up to 6.5" width will fit on the W123. Years ago, I had a set of 6.9 wheels and tires on my 81 240D and they just barely fit, but they did clear! Tires were 215/70 mounted on 14" X 6.5" wide bundts.
I had a set of 7" wide steel wheels from a W116 450SEL, and they were so heavy I didn't even try to see if they would fit.....




Lug bolts for the steel wheels are the shortest ones I've run across, shorter than the bundt wheel bolts. I've also found that the early CLK320 alloy wheels (like the 99 had) use the same short lug bolts as the steel wheels.


For tires, I've been pretty happy with 195/70 or 205/70 tires for my W123s. I'm running 195/70 right now on my 85 300TD with 6" bundts, and they work well. I do prefer the look of the 6.5" wide bundts with the 205/70, though. But not enough to swap out a perfectly good set of Michelins.......


Used to be you could still find the tall 175 tires if you told the shop you had a VW transporter.......


Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles