Tires for vintage MB's ~ 185/70/14 ~ 1973 280SEL 4.5 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

124Coupe · #1 12-23-2007, 04:41 PM

I just bought a 1973 280SEL 4.5 with 111K documented original miles. The car has black wall Michelin 185/14 XZX's which need to be replaced due to age. I contacted the Classic Center and they are suggesting Michelin Harmony tires in 205/70 black wall.

What do you think about the increased tire size and lack of whitewalls as the car came with whitewalls new? Are there any other brands I should consider? The 4.5 will be used at a second home and probably driven in good weather only, under 1000 miles/year.

Tomguy · #2 12-23-2007, 06:33 PM

I have 205/70's on mine, and would not suggest anything narrower than a 195 on this heavy front end. Regardless of if it came with whitewalls or not, I feel it's a matter of looks, and I don't care for them personally on mine! I dont know about the Harmony so I can't comment on that. If you put on 1k a year, then you'll be replacing tires due to age long before due to wear. Get something Z-Rated with a good load rating. Treadlife should be your last concern, you wouldn't want to use 10 year old tires anyway.

Arthur Dalton · #3 12-23-2007, 06:50 PM

The closest size to original will be 195/75R/14.

Original tires had an aspect ratio of Euro 80%, so diameter of above size will equate closly to original, with less tha 1/2" difference in Circumference, thereby not effecting the speedo.
205/70 are a shorter tire with over a full inch less in Circumference than original spec tires ...

JimFreeh · #4 12-25-2007, 09:45 AM

Even if you can source a whitewall tire, you'll have trouble finding an original style. Original whitewalls, were unusually close the to rim, and had a rub strip outside (larger dia) to protect the whitewall.

As far as sourcing tires, look for tires made specifically for the older Volkswagon transporter vans. They are 185 - 14 size and have the load rating you need.

Jim

Arthur Dalton · #5 12-25-2007, 10:47 AM

Michelin is making the X series again in Euro sizes ..can get them at Costcos.

ozawa · #6 12-27-2007, 04:23 AM

on my '68 W108 ( stright 6 motor,) i'm running the Michelin Symmetry tire, (P205/70R-14) which was at one point OE for various japanese minivans. it's supposed to be a touring car tire, but really isn't...it's more of a soccer mom type of tire. they are however, very quiet. i don't think they even make this model any more. i did get the white walls and I thing they look fine.

i'll second tomguys' coment about stepping up to P205/70/14. i'm running those on my 4.5L W116, (Michelin MXVs) but i don't think they make them in that size any more either so i don't know what i'll do for they are great tires!

here's a link to the actual Michelin site that basically shows you your options should you go with P205/70/r14

http://www.michelinman.com/action/tires/find-by-tire-size/

georgel · #7 12-27-2007, 09:22 PM

I was in the tire shop last week to get new tires for my sons car. 64 190C
We bought a set of coopers. But the owner showed me the goodyear
catalog for repro vintage tires. special order and pricey. but?? Its an option.

JeffreyNMemphis · #8 12-29-2007, 12:35 AM

I just bought a garage queen... 1973 280SEL with 59,000 original miles. The car has traveled 2,000 miles in the last 6 years. I had driven it 800 miles when 2 of the tires expired. I was on the Interstate when the front end started acting wobbly, then I looked in the rear view mirror and saw my tread come flying out from under the car. I was about to jack up the rear end when I noticed the front tire going flat immediately, so the spare went on the front. The rear tire lost its tread, but was still holding air. I rode the shoulder slowly to the next exit thinking, "where can I get a tire on Sunday?".

The Walmart tire and lube center was the first business I came to in Amite City, Louisiana right off Interstate 55. They had four Douglas brand tires that fit my car for $45.00 each. I have never heard of this brand before, but I was not in a postion to be very picky. I was out of there in two hours for $237.00 with four new tires. I don't plan on doing any high performance driving with this car, so for now I can live without tires rated for over 150 mph. They do have whitewalls though!

800 miles later.. no complaints about the tires.

kalpol · #9 12-29-2007, 11:42 AM

I got some Sumitomo HTR-200s, 205/70-R14, from tirerack.com for $45 each. I've been quite pleased with them - they are rated 130mph (forgot the letter - H?) and that seems to have made a big difference from the Goodriches I had on it before. They are summer tires but have been ok so far in the dry, warm winter we've had in Austin (no snow, of course). Traction in wet has been fine. I think the reason I chose them was that they were the only H-rated tire in that size I could find, plus the load capacity per tire was 1500+ lbs, which was rather higher than the other tires.

Skippy · #10 12-29-2007, 07:24 PM

That's interesting. I have some Sumitomo HTR 200's on my 300D in 195/70R14. While I've been very impressed with their grip and pleased with the ride quality, they are very noisy on older slightly degraded asphalt.

Gazolba · #11 01-05-2008, 11:29 PM

I'd advise using 195/75-14 tires. Check out TireRack.com or Tire-Easy.com for the possibilities (even if you don't buy from there). The Kumho Solus KR21 is an excellent tire and relatively cheap. Its tough to find a tire shop that stocks them but most can order them in a few days.