I bought a pristine '83 300SD in Midland TX. 135k miles, great looking, etc.

The tires looked good, so I just drove it. A lot.

A friend suggested I see how old the tires were. I checked and, by the code, they were made in either 1998 or 1998.

Going in for tires this next week. They look good, but are not worth the risk.

The Forums here did not let me down, except, perhaps:

SOMEONE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SHOUTING AT ME TO CHECK THIS!!!!

Paul

Tire life really depends on environment. I've got tires that I put on Moms car in 1995 that don't have any cracking. The car does not go on long interstate trips and is garaged so tire life is extended.

Given TX is hot and sunny, tire life will be reduced even if tread is good.

Take a look on both sides of the tire for a serial # as some have a partial # on one side.

Tires pre 1-1-2000 use the format WWY ( WW is week of year , Y is last digit of year so there is no way to tell decade. )

Post 1-1-2000 uses the format WWYY ( WW is week of year , YY is two digits of year )

The tires, that is. . .

26th week of year 8. 1998 or 1988.

Now the choice is Kumho Solus or Michelin Defender. About $200 price difference.

I think you'll find most guys on this forum will recommend Michelins, but I'm always up for learning something new. Tell me about the Kumho's. Also, you sound pretty educated about tires. Ever looked for any Michelins on Craigslist?

camera, I see that the original tire size for a 1983 300SD is a 195/70R14. You may want to upgrade the wheel size to 15" and use a slightly lower profile tire ... say a 205/60R15. That will open a larger selection of tires for you. Tire Rack lists the Michelin Defender in a 195/70R14 ($100 per tire) as their Best Seller in that size. If you move up to a 205/60R15 you can buy a Michelin Primacy MXV4 for $108 per tire which should give a much better ride and appearance.

If you're not familiar Tire Rack provides a specification sheet for all tires which lists the "revolutions per mile" for each size tire. Matching the RPM will ensure the speedometer reads the same for different tire sizes/profiles.

__________________
Fred Hoelzle

Finding 15" wheels is a bit daunting at the end of the known world. The price approaches astronomical.
Looks like I will be staying at 205 70 R 14.

When it comes to determining the age of a tire, it is easy to identify when a tire was manufactured by reading its Tire Identification Number (often referred to as the tire’s serial number). Unlike vehicle identification numbers (VINs) and the serial numbers used on many other consumer goods (which identify one specific item), Tire Identification Numbers are really batch codes that identify the week and year the tire was produced.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires that Tire Identification Numbers be a combination of the letters DOT, followed by ten, eleven or twelve letters and/or numbers that identify the manufacturing location, tire size and manufacturer's code, along with the week and year the tire was manufactured.

Tires Manufactured Since 2000

Since 2000, the week and year the tire was produced has been provided by the last four digits of the Tire Identification Number with the 2 digits being used to identify the week immediately preceding the 2 digits used to identify the year.

Example of a tire manufactured since 2000 with the current Tire Identification Number format:




In the example above:
DOT U2LL LMLR 5107
51 Manufactured during the 51st week of the year
07 Manufactured during 2007

While the entire Tire Identification Number is required to be branded onto one sidewall of every tire, current regulations also require that DOT and the first digits of the Tire Identification Number must also be branded onto the opposite sidewall. Therefore, it is possible to see a Tire Identification Number that appears incomplete and requires looking at the tire’s other sidewall to find the entire Tire Identification Number



The use of a partial Tire Identification Number on the one sidewall (shown above) reduces the risk of injury to the mold technician that would have to install the weekly date code on the top sidewall portion of a hot tire mold.

Tires Manufactured Before 2000

The Tire Identification Number for tires produced prior to 2000 was based on the assumption that tires would not be in service for ten years. While they were required to provide the same information as today’s tires, the week and year the tire was produced was contained in the last three digits. The 2 digits used to identify the week a tire was manufactured immediately preceded a single digit used to identify the year.

Example of a tire manufactured before 2000 with the earlier Tire Identification Number format:



In the example above:
DOT EJ8J DFM 408
40 Manufactured during the 40th week of the year
8 Manufactured during the 8th year of the decade

While the previous Tire Identification Number format identified that a tire was built in the 8th year of a decade, there was no universal identifier that confirmed which decade (tires produced in the 1990s may have a small triangle following the Tire Identification Number to identify the decade).

And finally, hold on to your sales receipt. Most tire manufacturer's warranties cover their tires for four years from the date of purchase or five years from the week the tires were manufactured. So if you purchase new tires that were manufactured exactly two years ago they will be covered for a total of six years (four years from the date of purchase) as long as you have your receipt. If you lose your receipt, your tires' warranty coverage will end five years from the week the tire was produced (resulting in the tire manufacturer's warranty coverage ending only three years from the date of purchase in this example).

__________________

Please, call me to place orders or for more info
use my name for on-line orders

I got new tires (Kuhmo) Monday. All the little vibrations, hitches, etc. disappeared. It is like driving a new car.

The tires dated from 1988: the car had lived in a garage since then.

June 1: Odessa, Texas to Phoenix. Wish me luck.

It is amazing what a good set of tires will do for the ride of a Benz. Tell me about the Kumho's......besides the price..... And good luck on your trip. Report back how the Kumho's ride.

Will do. Thanks for the interest.

What little high-speed driving I have done feels like I had an alignment: no drifting, no wobbles, straight as an arrow.

Paul

The condition of your car tire depends on how you drive your car. Weather condition also is one key factor to your car tire life span. If weather is hot and you have a long haul drive your tire most likely to wear.

__________________
Power Mower Sales exclusively offers husqvarna trimmy hit trimmer heads .

I have had good luck with both Michelin and Conti tires on my cars, I have General on my 420SEL and they do ok, they will be replaced with Michelin most likely when worn out though.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)