People with 14" wheels, what size tires are you running? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mikemover · #16 01-02-2006, 01:04 PM

I actually ran 225 tires on the SD for a while. I can't recall if they were "70" height, or "65"... but the speedo was ~10mph off. And they felt pretty "soft" on the road. It did look nice, though... Filled the wheel openings nicely.

I now run 215s, and the speedo is not as far off, and the handling is better.

Mike

Hit Man X · #17 01-02-2006, 02:32 PM

Looks like I'll probably stick with the 205s, I found there are many more made of that size than I originally thought.

ConnClark · #18 01-02-2006, 02:55 PM

I'm not sure of the size, but my current 300SD has Toyo tires on it from the previous owner and they make it handle like a bowl of jello. I put some Cooper tires on my last 300SD and it handled great. I'm thinking of getting another set of Coopers unless this comes out before hand http://www.michelinman.com/difference/releases/pressrelease01102005a.html

diametricalbenz · #19 01-02-2006, 06:14 PM

The PO put on 205/70R14's on the 240D and they have plenty of grip but there is a lot of heavy listing when making sharp turns with proper tire pressure all the way around.

gmercoleza · #20 05-01-2006, 02:13 PM

The stock 205/70R14 tires on my W126 are shot. It's a Sunday driver and not driven hard. I'm thinking of running 195/75R14 size. Will the speedo be accurate?

Brian Carlton · #21 05-01-2006, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmercoleza

The stock 205/70R14 tires on my W126 are shot. It's a Sunday driver and not driven hard. I'm thinking of running 195/75R14 size. Will the speedo be accurate?

.......close enough for government work.

engatwork · #22 05-01-2006, 06:40 PM

When I purchased the 240D it had 185/70/14's and actually provided a decent ride

. A parts car was brought over here and there were some tires in the trunk that were better than the ones on it so I am now running a 195/70/14 tire on it and really can't tell any difference.

gmercoleza · #23 05-01-2006, 09:50 PM

OK, any thoughts on running this size (195/75/14) on a W126 short wheel base model?

C'mon - I'm sure someone out there is doing this. Anything you can tell me about the ride, handling, noise, etc.? Wet performance?

P.E.Haiges · #24 05-01-2006, 10:08 PM

I changed the stock 185-80R14 to 205-70R14 on my '80 300SD. The speedo and odo is accurate within 1% with both size tires.

If U use 70 series tires, they should be mounted on 6.5 inch rims.

P E H

gmercoleza · #25 09-29-2006, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmercoleza

The stock 205/70R14 tires on my W126 are shot. It's a Sunday driver and not driven hard. I'm thinking of running 195/75R14 size. Will the speedo be accurate?

I just put these on about an hour ago: http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/findTireDetail.do?rcz=75067&rc=TDMINT&c=1&cf=false&cs=195&pc=15039&rd=14&ar=75&ct=&rf=true for $190.00 out the door on the SWB W126. I took them up to 80 and they are smooth all the way, unlike the old tires which hopped and vibrated between 60 and 75. However they seem a little more squishy than the old tires, Pirelli 205 70 14. Very smooth ride, but definitely not for "spirited" driving. Sidewall height is nearly identical, the only difference is 10 mm of tread width. I'm guessing either these cheapos have somewhat softer sidewalls or they are underinflated. Looking on the receipt, they printed instructions to inflate to 26/26 but the sticker in my door jamb says 30/34. I'll check the pressure when I get home. Also, I will compare my speedo with my GPS to see if there is a huge difference. Speedo was already slow by about 2 to 3 mph prior to these tires being installed.

gmercoleza · #26 09-29-2006, 03:17 PM

Well I topped them off at 36 warm which is probably the equivalent of about 33 or 34 cold. These tires are still really squirmy. Not very bad really, but all in all I am disappointed. Makes the car feel sort of like my old Chevy G20 cargo van felt. I am shocked that there can be such a black-and-white difference in handling just from a set of tires. I can't really invest $400 or $500 for "good" tires at this point in time, so I will just keep them, but for the record, it feels like the car is mounted on marshmallows. Partially cancels out the improvement from recently replacing all 4 shocks. When they wear out in about 30K, I will probably go ahead and upgrade the wheels to 15 inchers and spring for decent tires. I'll drive the W124 with the Kumhos when I'm in the mood for some twisties...

Brian Carlton · #27 09-29-2006, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmercoleza

These tires are still really squirmy. Not very bad really, but all in all I am disappointed. Makes the car feel sort of like my old Chevy G20 cargo van felt. I am shocked that there can be such a black-and-white difference in handling just from a set of tires.

What's the speed rating for the tires?

diametricalbenz · #28 09-29-2006, 06:38 PM

The website says R so that is 106mph.

I just put a set of Bridgestone 215/70R-14 tires on the 6.9 at the beginning of the month. I have 850 miles on them so far. Apparenly I drove on one badly balanced tire for the entire trip!

Brian Carlton · #29 09-29-2006, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diametricalbenz

The website says R so that is 106mph.

Well, that explains the poor handling characteristics. The softer sidewalls of the lower speed rated tires tradeoff the handling for the ride quality.

I've got the T rated Michelin Hydroedge and they don't handle as good as the stock H rated tires. But, they handle perfectly fine for my needs on a large sedan that's not win any slalom championships.

diametricalbenz · #30 09-29-2006, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

Well, that explains the poor handling characteristics. The softer sidewalls of the lower speed rated tires tradeoff the handling for the ride quality.

I've got the T rated Michelin Hydroedge and they don't handle as good as the stock H rated tires. But, they handle perfectly fine for my needs on a large sedan that's not win any slalom championships.

Are those 205/70's? So Brian does that mean the SDL's won't be drifting competitively anytime soon.