If you decode the date on the picture of the red 190SL wheel you will see it is the 2nd week in 1992! Too old. If you go to tirerack.com you can read reviews of the Kumho Touring All Season. Seems OK, especially in the wet and light snow. If that makes a difference to you. But, the dry performance is only so-so. So I have been trying to find out about the Toyo 800 ultra. It is the next speed rating up. Higher max pressure too. It has some rubber modifier in it that is supposed to keep it soft longer. Both the Kumho and Toyo are regular high milage passenger tires. Too me that translates into hum-hum performance.

Yes, you can go to Coker and get the Michelins. They have a few. You can go to Universaltire.com and get some very exciting bias ply Dunlaps, I think they are.; Also, BF Goodrich makes a repro 6.40x13 tire which I believe is another skinny bias ply tire. Just like the original, I think. Big woop. You may be able to find some repro Continental radials via MB Classic at $195 each. Somewhat better performance. But I do not think they are going to be that much better.

So after looking at other tire like Falken, Nitto Bridgestone, Perelli and so on, I still am thinking of the Toyos slightly ahead of the Kumhos.

You know, even when they were new, I could make my Michelins do all sorts of unwanted things. Like get sideways and all chirpy which is something I did not want. They were OK tires then at like $35 or something like that. When I got them, I though they looked like balloons. You can not fit them in the sparte tire hole of a ponton car. So I have an ancient 6.40x13 spare tire. It holds air and is round and only for dire emergancies. I never thought getting tires would be such an adventure.

I want to keep my 13 inch wheels because I think they are the best for my 190SL. On a driver sedan, I'd do 14 or 15 in, if you can get a nice cover. A ponton 220S with 14 inch wheels and covers look pretty OK to me. Sure I could try some 14 inch 230SL rims and caps and trim, but they have no slots. So I want my 13 inch tires.

So I may check into the Kelly Navigator Platinum TE as Consumer reports said they were OK. Maybe even finally go to Sears too. But that is about it I think. At the tire place I asked about Toyos today they said something about a Uniroyal Tigerpaw. But, i could not find that size in they web pages.

End effect: Toyo or Kumho.

What do you think?

-Walt...

Walt,
I got a bunch of papers and receipts with my '60 220S so I know the previous owner bought the Pirellis in 1991.

Although I've had no experience with either Toyos or Kumhos, If I had to choose, the Toyo is a more familiar brand. Neither was given as choices in my local tire survey. If Mr Tire was correct about the Yokahamas, I'd prefer those over the other two.

If I decide to get a set of 14 inch rims, most likely, I'll need to add the little nubs to secure my original small center hubcaps and get those 14" stainless wheel trims as my original 13" ones won't work anymore.
Alot of trouble, but I shouldn't have to worry about finding new tires for awhile.

What will we do when all new vehicles come with 60 or 50 or 40 series race-car rubber and we cant get tires for pre 21st century cars anymore?!

Incidentally, in the 'Wheels and Tires" section of my factory 190 Ponton Workshop Manual it lists optional 15 inch rims -
4 1/2 K x 15 -- A, SA 10174/1

When you say "slots" do you mean the large vent holes where you can see the brake drums or the small holes at the rim edge, that I presume, are for wheel balancing weights?

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW

I too would perfer the Yokos. I was quoted $56 for the Kumhos, at I think Discount Tire aka Americas Tire. Who normally have fine prices. But, at Tirerack, the typical Kumho in the line costs $35. It makes me want to say "Emmm...." But, the Tirerack does not likst 185/80-13. Guess I got to call. I was quoted $90 for the Toyos. Now normally I would not think much about it, but not many places carry Toyos and i know the guy knows it as he said so. Maybe I can get them down with a show of a Kumho quote.. I like the Toyo over the Kumho because it has better specs.

Please do find out about the Yoks.
I will doulbe check on the Uniroyal Tigerpaws.
I might check in at Sears too.

Yes the hubcaps will need some work. Perhaps you can use full wheel covers. Don't look too bad.

Also, I do refer to the big brake vent wheels. The little slots are for a weight system. I avoid those wheels with the weight slots.

Someday I suppose we will have a tire problem. But, MB did remake the Contis. My car left the factory on Contis. I expect I will be able to buy some expensive remake tire too. For now I will try a less expensive route. Heck, the Toyos have a trial period so you are not stuck with tires you do not like.

I will be looking in the next days more. I can not do much until I get a set of wheels powder coated anyways. But, I want to be ready when I do. June is my dead line as the 190SL convention is in June and I have yet to finsh the car restoration.

Thanks,
Walt....

when you look at tires, check the tire life. are they 70k tires or 40k tires. high mile tires have a hard rubber which when half worn become very hard. you feel all the cracks in the road thinking your shocks are worn. this also makes wet stops slippery.tires half worn have changed from semi soft to almost rock hard. lower mile tires (40k?) soak up bumps and stay comfy to the end. bf goodrich touring tires give good grip and have a folded belt system that has a lot of meat in the tire body when bald.most tires bald have a very small amount of rubber under the tread . bfg's also have belts that wrap to at least half way around the side wall.most tires belts end before or at the side wall, leaving paper thin side walls. the price is not that bad. pirelle are very comfy but bfg's have a very nice ride also.when it comes to defective tires ,the rate of returns that is least is michelin,with bfg a very close second ,then there is a jump to a lot af come backs for most other brands. bfg also has the best side wall,s as far as not cracking when old
yokahamas are very good tires also . bfg's almost never have any radial tire pull problem's
imho rich

__________________
88 300E White, sold 9-04
88 190E Black 2.3 sold
90 300CE White, Grey sold 12-24-04
92 400E White,Grey Sold 5-06
90 300CE 91K Signal Red,Black Sold 2007
1989 300CE Smoke silver,Tan Sold 1-08
1993 300E 3.2 M104 motor
1991 300CE White,Grey
1994 E420 beautiful car,gone to new home
1994 E320 Smoke an Parchment.Beautiful car

Now try and find those tires in 185/80-13 which is only modern size that very closesly matches what many vintage MB of the 50's and early 60's need. I do not believe the BFGs that are remade are made with such modern construction. Please see:
http://www.coker.com/viewinventoryimage.asp?url=images/big/8.gif
Looks pretty cheesy to me.

Walt...

thanks for the tire talk...

It looks like I have some shopping to do. If "Tire Man" is the one in the Agoura Hills / Thousand Oaks area than I'm going over at luch today; Anyone have any questions?

I called Dave back at Mr Tire and he insists that he has 4 185/80R13 Yokohama Aegis.
They could be old stock/discontinued. I guess I'll have to drive to North Arlington to see for myself.

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW

See if there are more Yokohamas available, please!
See how much they cost and all that.
It would make me happy to get some Yokes on the car.
Thanks,
Walt...

Unless there is a mistake or old stock they do not list 185/80-13
http://www.yokohamatire.com/TireSizes.asp?TireID=1

Walt...

Not a mistake. I called Yokohama and the nice lady said they make no tires in that size anymore. "Must be old stock." "Don't have a way to check for old stock" either.

-W

Walt,
Are you near the DC area? The weather is supposed to be pretty crappy this weekend but if tommorrow is tolerable, I might get up to North Arlington and check out those Yokahamas.

I noticed the Yokahama website did list a 175/80R13. A slightly skinnier new tire might be an acceptable replacement for over-aged 185/80R13s, at least on a lighter car like a 190SL.

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW

No no no, - wrong coast! It is supposed to be OK here. maybe a little rain. Your tire guy may well have some old stock. Never know. It does happen. Just ckeck the date code to see how much life they have. Does the guy have them at his store, or in some warehouse? Just make him swear up and down, if he claims he does. I do not know what the Yokes bad weather abilities are; you will have to read about them on the Yoke web site. It seems if bad weather characteristics mean much to you, go read the reviews of the Kumho All Season 795. Supposed to be real good. They do claim to make the 186/80-13. I have to calculate if 175/80-13 will do it or not.

Keep warm,
Walt...

I don't drive my Fintail on snow and ice and try to avoid driving her in the rain, but sometimes get caught out in it anyway.
Bad weather isn't a major consideration for tires on this car but if it does rain I'd like some decent traction, as opposed to cornering like a hockey puck. I'll keep you updated on my tire findings.

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW

I got the names mixed up earlier, but I called "Tire Man" and all he had to offer was Dayton or Kumo. He said I could order anything available but I doubt he's going to have much that hasn't already been discovered here. I'll let ya know on Monday.

sears suggested i move to 185/70-13 size tires. He said I would have more option and more tire touching the ground... I'm guessing NO.