Okay, I thought I had made up my mind on tires for my 73 280SEL 4.5, but now I am re-thinking it- was going to buy 8 Yokohama Avid T-rated 205/70/14's (4 for the 108 and 4 for my 84 300TD), but now I am thinking that the 108 could use a taller tire, to help a bit with high speed cruising.

I really cannot afford to buy new wheels in larger diameter, so maybe I should play around with the tire size that I'll put on the standard 14 inch steels wheels (w/ wheel covers).

I have heard of/seen fitments as large as 215/75/14 on the steel wheels. Any thoughts/experiences?

-JAS

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94 E320
71 350SL

One more thing- the tires currently on there, as seen in the photo above, are 195/75/14's, which seem far too narrow to me- and they are old an in terrible shape besides (from the PO).

Thanks,

JAS

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94 E320
71 350SL

I had a 70 280se and fitted 225/70-14's. this was the largest tire fitted to this chassis, I think on the 6.3's.

filled the wheelwells nicely, rode and handled well.

Happy Motoring

RBM

there has appeared a set of four of the rarer 15" X 7" Bundt Cake rims -- I emailed the seller and he insists that they are indeed 15" X 7". Unfortunately, i have made commitments to some AMG 15" X 7" now, but you fellers might want to check this out.

Set of four 6.5" x 14 bundt cake alloys (the wider V8 versions) on their way, now I need to decide on my tires.

I am thinking size 205 or 215/70/14, for the 108 chassis 4.5.

For comparison, I just mounted 205/70/14's on my 123 TD, which has the 6" wide bundt cake alloys. They look and feel great.

Since I have the extra .5" width, should I push the 108 tires out to a 215 section? I know someone with 215/75/14's mounted on the steel wheels, and they fit fine, so I imagine I would have no trouble with this fitment.

Any thoughts?

JAS

See pic of new 205's on the TD:

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94 E320
71 350SL

see my reply from 10/30, about three above this.

the purists may cringe, but this was a great combination, on steel wheels, for me.

Happy Motoring

RBM

Wow, 225's fit on the steel wheels with the hubcaps over them, didn't pop them off in corners? A guy in town has 215/75/14's on his steel wheels, so, I think my set-up will be ideal in comparison. Will go with the 215/70/14's on the 6.5" alloy wheels. Should dramatically increase the roadholding of the car, and look a heluva lot better than the bicycle tires currently installed...

Thanks for your advice-

PS- I am certainly looking for better drivability on a daily basis than outright originality- I use the car, rather than show it, so modern tire upgrades make sense.

Thanks,

JAS

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94 E320
71 350SL

You'll be happy with your decision, purists be damned!

This might be a ? for Luke-

Can't find what I want at Tire rack. Yokohama Avid in 215/70/14 but w/o raised white letter sidewalls (can you imagine..?!)

Wonder if blackwalls are available in this size-

Will let you know how I make out. I love those Yoko's, have used them on 2 123 chassis cars already, very good tires.

-JAS

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94 E320
71 350SL

Okay, car is back, drives like an S-class should- and looks pretty mean too-

Final specs: 6.5x14" bundt cake alloys with yokohama S/T 215/70/14 tires.

Check pic:

JAS

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94 E320
71 350SL

close up:

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94 E320
71 350SL