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#1
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Tires for vintage MB's ~ 185/70/14 ~ 1973 280SEL 4.5
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. |
#2
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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.
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Current: 2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee" 2018 Durango R/T Previous: 1972 280SE 4.5 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi" 1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k |
#3
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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 ... |
#4
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Whitewalls on a W108
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
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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 |
#5
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Michelin is making the X series again in Euro sizes ..can get them at Costcos.
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#6
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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/
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W108 W116 FJ60 |
#7
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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. |
#8
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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.
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1962 220Sb ~ The Emerald Bullet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx6tN1W48_o 1957 Ponton 220S 2001 S600 Daily Driver The Universe is Abundant ~ Life is GOOD!http://www.classiccarclock.com |
#9
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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.
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kalpol 79 280SE 82 Fiat Spider 2000 81 Fiat Brava 04 BMW R1150RT 96 Jeep Grand Cherokee |
#10
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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.
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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar. 83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles 08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles 88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress. |
#11
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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.
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