I have stock 15 inch rims on my 92 300E with the tires being 195/65 R15. I am looking for new all season tires and would like to go a little wider and lower profile if possible. What I have been looking at is 205/55 R15. Do you guys think that would work? What is the lowest in sidewall height that I can go without running into problems?

Thank a lot,
Leo

Hi Leo,

I have recently done the exact swap you are talking about. I can recommend it - slightly better roadholding and more positive steering. I wouldn't go any lower or wider with the standard rims. One thing to be aware of is the very slightly lower rolling radius, when you stand the two tyres next to each other, the 205s stand about half an inch shorter than the 195s. I couldn't really tell once they were on the car, but any lower profile and they may not fill the wheelarches as well as the 195s. Upside is you get a slight improvement in acceleration. If aesthetics are important to you, email me at jasoncatt@xtra.co.nz and I can send you a photo of mine so you can compare.
Regards,
Jason

we had 205's until we switched our cars to 16's ....no problem

__________________
1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

This is awesome to hear. Thank you for your replies, guys.
Leo

205/60-15 is fine.

205/55-15 is switching to a smaller tire diameter

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

Leo,

215/60-15 also fits on stock rims. This is the widest recommended by TireRack. No rubbing for me.

Regards,
Bob

__________________
'94 E500 Anthracite
'92 300E 4Matic (donated to charity)
'90 300TE 4Matic

I get my wheels/tires on next week and I went with 205/55-16 front and 225/50-16 rear - same aspect ratios as the stock cars, but more lower profile on painted 16" Ronal R9s.

I'll post some pics when I get the setup together next week.

__________________
- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

Thanks for all your helpful answers, guys. So now that I have made up my mind to go with 205/60 R15 tires, I am looking for all season tires that would be good in the snow as well as rain. I am in CT and do quite a few trips to VT in the winter for skiing. But my other concern is the rain. Right now the tires I have ( believe they are Yokohama, will check later on when I walk across campus to the car) will hydroplane very easily in even normal rain conditions on the highway at slow (45-50mph) speeds. I have been looking on Tirerack.com at BFGoodrich Traction T/A tires and they seem to have pretty good wet road and snow ratings.
Are there any tires that you guys highly recommend?

Leo

Installing wider tires, i.e. 205 instead of 195 will INCREASE liklihood of hydroplaning and DECREASE snow traction.

Comparing same brand/model of course.

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

Oh right, good point. Thanks for that tip. I'll keep that in mind.
Leo