I need some guidance here guys. This is my first set of tires being purchased for my 83 240D. I just found out the tires that came with her are not even close to being rated for the weight of this car, an issue that i've never had with other cars. I want her to be happy with her new tires. Any opinions or considerations about what is unique about a W123's tire needs? My trusty dealer over the years says that kumhos are the best tire for me that he has in stock and that they are properly load rated. I've done some searches here but find mostly non w123 threads with partisan arguing about michelins or pirellis.

Dale
83 240D

I have 185/75-14s on my 240D (very close to the original size) and 205/70-14s on my 300D (about 4% oversize). IMHO, you want to stay pretty close to the stock size on the 240D because you don't need to raise the gear ratio or increase the rolling resistance with bigger tires. Any reputable tire store should be able to sell you appropriate tires for your car.

I have some moderately priced tires from a chain store on the 240D (I don't even remember the brand at the moment) because that car is normally used around town. I have a set of Firestone Affinity LH30 on my 300D, which seem to work well both wet and dry. They were about the only H-rated tire I could find in that size (about $400 per set).

FYI, this is a useful page for load ratings:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=35

I got Kumhos 195/70/14 for my 300TD and so far am pretty disappointed. I have a feeling they are not wieght rated for that car. Infact I am going to make a point of finding out tonight and insisting that they replace them if that is the case. The car seems alot more "springy" than on the 10yr old cracked Pirellis it had previously.

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1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Hey Dale, I just put 205/70/14 on my 240D. Problem is I have only put about 50 miles on them so far. Been having other issues coming up that keep her off the road right now. But I will tell you..the 205/70's are tall on that car.

Of course you mean the tires recently installed by the previous owner.

You can take to the bank the tires installed at the factory were correct.

Specification in Owner's Manual is 195/70-14 90S.

"90" is the load specification

Note: Any tire with "75" in the size specification is a P-metric tire unsuitable for European vehicles. NO European car has ever been specified with 75-series tires.

Attached Files

OM-84.pdf (55.5 KB, 413 views)

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

FWIW, I am running 195/70R14 Kumho Touring A/S 795 on my car, inflated to 37 PSI at all tires, and they feel awesome. Kumhos are very sensitive to air pressure, so 32 in them on a Mercedes is going to make them feel mushy.

And yes, they are 90S rated.

I just put on SDL Kumho KH11 205/65R15 94V, and they handle great, ride nicer than my moms 420SEL with the MXV4-S8! I know what I'll be putting on hers next time!

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500

Any idea on rating for the 300td?

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Interesting, do you have a reference for 75 series tires being "unsuitable" and that no euro car has ever been spec'd with 75s? Those are pretty broad statements.

BTW, my 82 manual lists "175 SR 14" for the 240D (I don't have my 83 manual with me at the moment). That's about the same as a 175/80-14 in current sizes. The 185/75-14 is almost exactly the same diameter, and is appropriate for the rim width. Is there something I should know, because they seem to work fine on my 240D?

I don't have a TD manual, but the Firestone Affinity LH30 205/70-14s I just put on my 300D are rated 93H, which is probably overkill.

for a 240d i would recommed you to stick with the manufacturer recommendation andthat is 175-75 R14. thecar feels do much peppier with a lighter wheel and stylistically the car looks more balanced and even more elegant with the appropriate.
When i bought mine it had 205-80 R14 on it i then changed them to the 175 and oh mygosh what a difference. Now iam trying to get even lighter wheels but that has seemed to be an impossible mission 5x115-6.5" +28mm is an impossible size to find in nowadays rims

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Aquilae non capunt muscas! (Eagles don't hunt flies!)


1979 300SD Black/Black MBtex239000mi
1983 300TD euro-NA. White/Olive Cloth-MBtex 201000mi. Fleet car of the USA embassy in Morocco
1983 240D Labrador Blue/Blue MBtex 161000mi

I was hoping that putting the 205's on my 240, it would keep up in 60-75 mph traffic easier with less rpm's.

As long as you're on level ground.

205s will probably be OK, it will change your gear ratio by less than 5%.

Well, I ended up with Kuhmo 205s. Proper load rating. Man, this is a different car now. Much firmer. Even MORE of a pleasure to drive now. Unfortunately I discovered she needs new pads and rotors. Actually, that gives me an excuse to spend more time with her this weekend!!
Thanks for the advice guys.
Dale

I've got the same question. Just put on 195/75R14 on the W126 and can't figure out the difference between these and the 205/70R14s that I replaced, other than 10mm in the tread width? Also, it seems many other members are running this size on their 300Ds so I can't figure out where there would be any issue?

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

they will work fine. but on a 240 the factory sized tires will give a sweeter ride more precise steering and excellent handling.

the bigger tires will make more unsprung weight and have a detrimental effect on the ride and handling.

the 300ds came wiht the bigger tires and aluminum wheels. they weigh a bit more and have a lot more power.

the factory size for a 240 is 175r14 asbnoted by craig. this is actually a 175/85 or so. the 195/70 or 195/75 (cant remember for sure which) is listed as an optional size.

for myself, i always thought a 240 drove best with the 175r14s. and the best of the best is with the little black aluminum wheels and wheel covers.

tom w

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..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.