Tire Sizes - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jfikentscher · #1 07-11-2003, 10:42 AM

It's time to put new tires on the 1987 300D. Currently I am running with 195/65/15 89H Firestone LH30's.

Although a good tire I only got about 40,000 miles out of them. Does any one have any suggestions or experience with other tires? Other sizes?

regards,

Joe

vwbuge · #2 07-11-2003, 10:47 AM

I can't give you any other choices of tire for your car. But I can say that you may be able to slightly change your tire size and improve the handling of your car. My '91 Subaru Legacy came with 185/70-14. I now run 205/60-14. There is very little difference in the overall circumference of the tire so the speedometer is not off very much. My '85 300SD came with 205/70-14, I went to 225/60-16. A little more difference than the Soob tires but the car handles great. Play with this for a while.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Ken300D · #3 07-11-2003, 10:56 AM

The H-rated tires last half as long and cost twice as much as normal tires.

I'm running 195/65-15s on both my diesels that are not H-rated, but are sufficiently weight rated. They work fine. I have not required the 130-mph H-rated tires in my commute so far.

If I had a 300SD or SDL, then I would bump up to the H tires....

Ken300D

Tire wars are almost as good as oil wars. Let the games begin.

janko · #4 07-11-2003, 11:11 AM

i have kumo h rated on my 240d. 205/70/14. on the 300d i have summitomo h rated 225/60/14. the kumos are not all season. and very dicey in the snow. the summitomos are all season and good in the snow. tire rack price on these are $41 and $50 respectively. both are excellent other than that noted above.

jfikentscher · #5 07-11-2003, 11:20 AM

The H-rated tires last half as long and cost twice as much as normal tires.

Why do they last half as long?

janko · #6 07-11-2003, 11:21 AM

softer rubber compound.

jfikentscher · #7 07-11-2003, 11:23 AM

Does that make them better in the snow?

janko · #8 07-11-2003, 11:27 AM

i am in way over my head. my understanding is the difference between a 'summer' tire and an all season is in the thread design and the ratio of 'rubber to open area' in the tread design. in general a h rated tire has no advantage over say a non speed tire with respect to performance in the snow. all other things being equal.

jfikentscher · #9 07-11-2003, 11:30 AM

Well, I'm headed out to Tire Farm in Farmingdale, NJ to see what they have available. I'll post my decision, if any, this afternoon.

Thanks for the responses.

Regards,

Joe

jfikentscher · #10 07-11-2003, 09:26 PM

Well I took a chance and bought a set of 195/65/15 91H Champiro tires. The tire dealer said they were made from Yokohama molds. 80,000 mile tires. They run straight and true and seem to handle the curves well on dry roads. I'll post again after driving in the rain. They are as quiet as the Firestone LH30's that I replaced.

A set of tires usually only lasts me a year or less so if they don't run well I won't have to live with them for long.

Also had the weels aligned. Total cost $306.00 for everything.
Tires were $60 mounted stemmed, and balanced, Alignment was 49.95 and with the tax it came to $306.

Regards,

Joe