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  #1  
Old 09-06-2002, 03:55 PM
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Looking for new tires on the 300e

I have torn my old tires to hell (to many high speed passes in the mountains) and its time to look for a better tire for the car. As of right now I have 195/65/15 on the car, with the stock rims. I plan on keeping the stock rims, but I am looking for a tire that would handle better with the car. When a friends friend gets back from europe we will be putting a set of drop springs on the car (can't think of the name right now, but its suppost to only be a 1-1.5" drop).

Could I mount 195/50/15 on the car and get rid of the sidewall flex? something like the Bridgestone Potenza S-03

if not that, what would be a a good tire to place on the car?
The car is a 1990 300e


I am hoping with the lowered suspention, smaller side wall, and if money allows new sway bars, the car will hand a lot better.

thank you

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  #2  
Old 09-06-2002, 05:47 PM
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If you do run 195-50/15 you will be running about 9.2% slower at the same RPM, and your speedometer and odometer will be out of calibration by the same amount. In addition to which the contained air volume of the tire would be significantly less which would result in a lot stiffer ride.

The only 50 series tires that will give you a similar circumference on a 15" wheel would be the 245-50/15 (not exact but only under by 1.3%). Clearance could be an issue, especially if you lowered the vehicle.

If you are determined to go to a 50 series tire, you would be well advised to go to a bigger wheel.

Even just going to a 16" wheel for instance, you could use a 225-50/15, which would be a good move. Not only would you have less sidewall flex, you would conserve more of the contained air volume which should maintain a good deal of the comfort.
__________________
MB 1986 190D in my past
MB 1987 300E on the street
MB 1994 'Smoke Silver' E420 in my driveway
1999 Mazda Miata in the fun stable
1964 E-Type Jaguar Coupe- Sold
1970 E-Type Jaguar Coupe- Sold
1968 Corvair Monza Conv. with Turbo Transplant- Sold
1986 Merkur Xr4ti- abandoned
various mundane American autos

If I'd known then what I know now...

Hell, I'd probably still have done it anyways.
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  #3  
Old 09-06-2002, 05:53 PM
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Sorry, I'm a goofup....

That should be a 225-50/16 not 225-50/15.

And by the way, if you do want to keep your 15", the biggest I'd go is a 215-60/15.
__________________
MB 1986 190D in my past
MB 1987 300E on the street
MB 1994 'Smoke Silver' E420 in my driveway
1999 Mazda Miata in the fun stable
1964 E-Type Jaguar Coupe- Sold
1970 E-Type Jaguar Coupe- Sold
1968 Corvair Monza Conv. with Turbo Transplant- Sold
1986 Merkur Xr4ti- abandoned
various mundane American autos

If I'd known then what I know now...

Hell, I'd probably still have done it anyways.
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  #4  
Old 09-06-2002, 05:54 PM
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maybe I am getting this wrong, but wouldn't a 195/50/15 tire have less sidewall flex than a 225/50/16 tire?

The reason I am looking for the 15 is I am trying to save money right now because tution is due for school...I need the tires more than I need new rims and tires
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  #5  
Old 09-06-2002, 06:01 PM
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Well, the difference in sidewall flex between a 195-50/15 and a 225-50/16 is minimal, but you are right as long as the sidewall construction is identical.

The problem is that your revs will be about 10% higher for the same speed, and the ride will be much, much stiffer because there is a lot less air in the smaller tires than you have now.
__________________
MB 1986 190D in my past
MB 1987 300E on the street
MB 1994 'Smoke Silver' E420 in my driveway
1999 Mazda Miata in the fun stable
1964 E-Type Jaguar Coupe- Sold
1970 E-Type Jaguar Coupe- Sold
1968 Corvair Monza Conv. with Turbo Transplant- Sold
1986 Merkur Xr4ti- abandoned
various mundane American autos

If I'd known then what I know now...

Hell, I'd probably still have done it anyways.
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  #6  
Old 09-06-2002, 08:51 PM
LarryBible
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Use a 205/60-15 or a 215/60-15 if you have to stay with your stock wheels.

Good luck,
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  #7  
Old 09-07-2002, 12:05 PM
Lucky
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Is 195/65/15 standard for the '90 300E?
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  #8  
Old 09-07-2002, 12:09 PM
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Yes, I think it is 195-65/15 for the 300E
__________________
MB 1986 190D in my past
MB 1987 300E on the street
MB 1994 'Smoke Silver' E420 in my driveway
1999 Mazda Miata in the fun stable
1964 E-Type Jaguar Coupe- Sold
1970 E-Type Jaguar Coupe- Sold
1968 Corvair Monza Conv. with Turbo Transplant- Sold
1986 Merkur Xr4ti- abandoned
various mundane American autos

If I'd known then what I know now...

Hell, I'd probably still have done it anyways.
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  #9  
Old 09-07-2002, 06:22 PM
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Quote:
Originally posted by LarryBible
Use a 205/60-15 or a 215/60-15 if you have to stay with your stock wheels.

Good luck,
will the 205/60/15 have less of a side wall to them? As of right now I want the car to handle better. I know what low profile tires, and hard springs can do to a ride. My 67 camaro was setup for handling, the ride was so harsh you could chip a tooth, but the car would fly through the corners.
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  #10  
Old 09-07-2002, 07:40 PM
LarryBible
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Indeed, the 195 65 15 is standard for the 300E.

Have a great day,
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  #11  
Old 09-09-2002, 11:07 AM
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Listen to Larry.....

195/65/15 is the OEM size for normal 300E's

205/60/15 is the Sportline OEM size for 300E's

you can run the sportline size on the stock rims with no troubles (I certainly never ran into any)

215/60/15 is also an acceptable fittment for stock rims but I prefer the 205/60/15's is something like a Mich Pilot XGT V4 (note: not H4)

225/50/16 really stuffs the fenders and is overkill on the 6 cylinder W124's. (though it can be done)

Speaking of 205/60/15 size tires anyone had any experience yet with the Yoko AVS ES100?

Hope this helps,
Lee
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  #12  
Old 09-09-2002, 11:42 AM
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Quote:
225/50/16 really stuffs the fenders and is overkill on the 6 cylinder W124's. (though it can be done)
I'm certainly prepared to defer to those with more experience, but by my calculations, the orginal equipment (195/65/15) has an overall diameter of 24.98"

225/50/16 has an overall diameter of 24.86", a less than .5% difference. (And to the small side, at that) Perhaps you are referring to width when you say it is stuffing the fenders?

Are there any 124er's out there that have 225/50/16's and can comment?
__________________
MB 1986 190D in my past
MB 1987 300E on the street
MB 1994 'Smoke Silver' E420 in my driveway
1999 Mazda Miata in the fun stable
1964 E-Type Jaguar Coupe- Sold
1970 E-Type Jaguar Coupe- Sold
1968 Corvair Monza Conv. with Turbo Transplant- Sold
1986 Merkur Xr4ti- abandoned
various mundane American autos

If I'd known then what I know now...

Hell, I'd probably still have done it anyways.
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  #13  
Old 09-09-2002, 01:18 PM
LarryBible
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Your calculation for 195/65 diameter is correct, but your calculation for 225/50 is incorrect. The theoretical diameter should be 23.86, not 24.86. This is a 1" diameter difference. This is quite alot. Almost a 5% difference.

I really don't think you would be happy with them. On stock rims I would not go farther than 205/60 15.

My $0.02,
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  #14  
Old 09-09-2002, 03:18 PM
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225/50/16 is indeed well within the golden 3% rule of variance. The size fits just fine on a (non 500) W124 but is a bit of overkill for most anything but the V8's. It does fill the fenders though so be warned. As far as rolling radius goes, it IS within acceptable (<3%) limits. If you don't mind the full fender look and want to spend the extra cash for the 16x7.5 rims that go along with the 225/50/16's its a nice handling setup provided the suspension is on par with the tires fitted. For the 6's, 205/60/15 or 215/60/15 should do just fine if given a good tire.

Lee
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  #15  
Old 09-09-2002, 03:29 PM
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Quote:
Your calculation for 195/65 diameter is correct, but your calculation for 225/50 is incorrect. The theoretical diameter should be 23.86, not 24.86.
Recheck the math. I think for 225/50/16 it is 24.86

16" wheel=16"

225*.5*2/25.4=8.86"

16"+8.86"=24.86"

Am I right?

__________________
MB 1986 190D in my past
MB 1987 300E on the street
MB 1994 'Smoke Silver' E420 in my driveway
1999 Mazda Miata in the fun stable
1964 E-Type Jaguar Coupe- Sold
1970 E-Type Jaguar Coupe- Sold
1968 Corvair Monza Conv. with Turbo Transplant- Sold
1986 Merkur Xr4ti- abandoned
various mundane American autos

If I'd known then what I know now...

Hell, I'd probably still have done it anyways.
Reply With Quote
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