Tire size (116SD) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 09-10-2002, 08:28 AM

What is the correct tire size for the 116 SD? 205/70R14 is the current size. I am going to be replacing the full set and am wondering are these the size called for by Mercedes (don't have owners amnual).

anhydrous7 · #2 09-10-2002, 09:42 AM

I own a 1982 300SD and just put tires on this past week. On my car there is a green decal located on the drivers side pillar that seperates the front and back door (located towards the bottom near the rocker panel). This decal lists the recommended tire size which is 195/70R 14. My car had 205/70R 14s on it when I bought it. I bought a set of 205/70R 14 Michelin X1s. These are 80,000 mile tires. The car rides very nice with them on.

If you go to the following website, http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html, you can put in the two different sizes and it will show that your speedometer will read 2.2% too slow. If your speedo shows 60 MPH you are actually traveling 61.3 MPH.

Don't forget to get the alignment checked out by a reputable facility.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Rob

#3 09-10-2002, 11:05 AM

Thanks, Bill. This car, at first blush, seems like any other 617. But this is it's own animal. I cleaned up the tranny modulator and there is very little that resembles the 123, 124, 126... Makes her all the more alluring, I think. Thanks again for the the pointers.

P.E.Haiges · #4 09-10-2002, 07:52 PM

Mccan,

I think you find that the original size was 195-75R14. They didn't
have 70 series tires back in the early eighties.

I replaced them with 205-70 R14 on my '80 300SD and the speedometer and odometer are right on. So I would suggest 205-70R14 is the correct replacement size but you should go with the 6.5 inch wheels with the 70 series tires.

P E H

#5 09-10-2002, 09:41 PM

If we can trust _Road and Track's_ data columns (not always), the 300SD they tested in 1978 had 185/75 on 6" rims, but the 300TD they tested only a few months later had 195/70 on the same rims. Meanwhile, though, the V8 W116 cars were getting 205/70, as were the W107 cars, in the middle '70s already -- on 6 1/2" rims, except the 6.9 motored cars, which had 215/70 on 6 1/2" rims.

6" rims are adequate for any 70 series tires smaller than 235/70 according to the industry spec sheets, though.

TClanton · #6 09-10-2002, 10:34 PM

Rob and I must be on the same tire replacement schedule! I just put new Michelins on my 116 SD bout 3 weeks ago. It had 195s, but they looked too small for the car....sort of like a 300 lb woman with a size 4 shoe. I shopped and talked my way into 205s and am very happy with the looks and the ride. Haven't checked the speedo, but I was counting on a 3-4mph difference @ 60MPH. You are right, though, the door sticker DOES specify 195s...then again, they put crappy speakers in, too....:p

BTW, I'm running the original 14" rims.

Terry

rickjordan · #7 09-11-2002, 12:24 AM

On the door jam you will find that the tire size is labeled as "185/ H 14. There won't be a "series" number listed. A local tire shop told me that 185 14's were 80 series tires at the time. Good luck though finding that size today. With my SD I put on 185 70/14s. These are narrow tires for such a big car, but there is no mistaking the fact that the car called for 185 tires. My TD on the other hand takes 195 70/14 which is 10 mm wider. You can put wider tires on, but keep in mind that your speedometer will be off.

#8 09-11-2002, 09:33 AM

you reduce the load capacity considerably. A 185/70 X 14 would be seriously overloaded on a W116 with anything more than a light load -- 185/70 (X 15, Michelin XVR or later XWX) were the first 70 series we started getting on little bitty Porsche 911s (2700 lbs.) in _1969_. A W116 needs at least a 195/70 in the 70 series unless you resort to uncomfortably high tire pressures, and its diameter will be closest to what is needed for correct speedometer readings, although perhaps a 205/70 will be almost as close, but a bit low instead of a bit high.

Addendum: here are the specs from a tire guide from the period:

185R14: Width, 7.40" on 5 1/2" rim, Diameter, 25.59" (controls speedo reading), Load capacity at 32 psi: 1360 lbs.

185/70R14: Width, 7.50" on 5 1/2" rim, Diameter, 24.57", Load capacity at 32 psi: only 1155 lbs.! Weight transfer under hard braking can easily put 2500 lbs on the two front tires, and an attempt to swerve at the same time is likely to put 1600 lbs. momentarily on the outer front tire!

195/70R14: Width, 7.76" on 5 1/2" rim, Diameter, 25.04", Load capacity at 32 psi: 1280 lbs.

205/70R14: Width, 8.11" on 5 1/2" rim, Diameter, 25.67, Load capacity at 32 psi: 1400 lbs.

Lower profile tires don't "squat" under load as much as skinnier ones, so the actual rolling radius and speedometer readings of a 185R14 would be different from those of a 205/70 to a greater degree than the above figures indicate -- and not so different from those of a 195/70.

Actually, I'm running 225/60 on 6 1/2" rims (8.98" width, 24.65" diameter, 1320 lbs) because I insist on updating the braking and evasive maneuvering capabilities of any car I own to the maximum degree practical.

davidfaulk · #9 11-02-2009, 09:16 PM

Here is your answer... Hankook RA08
These tires are size 185r14 with a load range C (commercial). The heavy load rating means more plies on the sidewall which is exactly what the 4k lb w116 needs. These tires have a psi rating of 65psi so they stand tall even though they are 185s. The tire info plate in the door jam of my w116 says 185HR14. The H is just a speed rating. I believe a higher speed rating in a tire translates into a stronger sidewall. My car used to have passenger rated tires and it felt as if I was driving on 4 balloons. I've looked around a little bit and this Hankook RA08 tire, and also a more expensive Michellin, are the only two heavy duty 14 inch tires available.