Tire chains for 300SD? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

fred98050 · #1 11-13-2009, 07:15 PM

1985 300SD with 205 70R 14, I am thinking about getting a set of tire cables for this winter.

Looks like enough clearance but has someone experienced any kind of problem with snow cables on these cars?

Thanks

F

pawoSD · #2 11-13-2009, 07:20 PM

Do you plan on driving faster than 30-35 mph? Because that is pretty much the maximum safe speed for using tire chains or cables.

Just get some good snow tires instead.

SirNik84 · #3 11-13-2009, 07:25 PM

My grandmother use to use them to cross over to Reno back when she owned the car. I still have then althought they will not fit my new wheel/tire combo. Wish I would not have forgotten them when TurboBenz and I took his SD over the summit on I-70 and down into the packed snow of Denver earlier this month.

They are for emergency use only... but its better to have them and not need them then not have them when you need them.

#4 11-13-2009, 09:03 PM

I carry a set of chains for my 300D (205/70-14). I've used them once or twice to get home, slowly.

pawoSD · #5 11-13-2009, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

I carry a set of chains for my 300D (205/70-14). I've used them once or twice to get home, slowly.

You run 205 tires on your 300D? With the normal bundts? Any improvement over the 195s? I'm going to be starting driving 135 miles a day Monday, and am buying new tires (snow tires) tomorrow.....still deciding if I should do 195's or 205's.....

#6 11-13-2009, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

You run 205 tires on your 300D? With the normal bundts? Any improvement over the 195s? I'm going to be starting driving 135 miles a day Monday, and am buying new tires (snow tires) tomorrow.....still deciding if I should do 195's or 205's.....

The 205s fit on the normal bundts with no problem. They increase the effective final ratio by a couple of percent. I was just trying to reduce my highway rpm a little without switching gear ratios. They are tad wider, but most people would notice that they look different. I like the 205s, I don't see any disadvantages.

pawoSD · #7 11-14-2009, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

The 205s fit on the normal bundts with no problem. They increase the effective final ratio by a couple of percent. I was just trying to reduce my highway rpm a little without switching gear ratios. They are tad wider, but most people would notice that they look different. I like the 205s, I don't see any disadvantages.

Awesome, I will probably do that too, I'd like to drop the rpms a little without swapping my diff (yet

)

#8 11-14-2009, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Awesome, I will probably do that too, I'd like to drop the rpms a little without swapping my diff (yet

)

It's only a 2% difference, so don't expect anything dramatic.

pawoSD · #9 11-14-2009, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

It's only a 2% difference, so don't expect anything dramatic.

I know, but anything helps....even if it is only 75-100rpm. Eventually I need to acquire a 2.88 diff.....

Or just find a 400E or something.

#10 11-14-2009, 12:33 AM

I have mixed feelings about putting in a 2.88; it would be nice on level ground at 80 mph, but I might regret it every time I drive up a 6% grade.

pawoSD · #11 11-14-2009, 12:48 AM

I'm way too cheap to drive 80mph.

Cops frequent my route....so my max speed is about 70-74 tops.....I usually go even slower, shooting for the high mpg's.....

#12 11-14-2009, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

I'm way too cheap to drive 80mph.

Cops frequent my route....so my max speed is about 70-74 tops.....I usually go even slower, shooting for the high mpg's.....

A lot of the highways I travel have 75 mph limits, and most of the traffic drives faster. My car is happiest at about 70-75.

charmalu · #13 11-14-2009, 01:34 AM

Any of you use the Spike-Spiders? I have a set I got off e-bay several yrs ago.
I have used them a couple times going over hwy 80 to Reno. a real snap to install, about a minute per side. and off you go.

They are a little pricy new. but at least I don`t have to crawl under the car to install cables or chains, have icy water dripping on me, or having the rooster tail from a big rig front tires drown me with slush.

They do take up more room in the trunk compared to chains or cables.
there is a down side to everything.

Iam also running 205-70-14. car handles better than the 195`s. tires turn
2% slower, but don`t realy notice any difference in milage. I have the
2:88 diff with the 4-spd manual. might be too slow on the take off for
most here, but does ok for me. Don`t want anything faster than I can think

.

In town is mostly 3rd gear, and out on the highway I grab 4th at 50 or better. usually 29 to 31mpg on the hwy.

Charlie

#14 11-14-2009, 01:49 AM

I've never tried Spike-Spiders, I do it the hard way. Actually I try to avoid needing chains with that car.

Brandon_SLC · #15 11-14-2009, 02:16 AM

Yes!

The 300SD is very difficult on ice and compacted snow. I tried 2 pairs of cable chains on my moms 300SD and the car shredded them. On slight inclines the torque to the rear wheels goes from not enough to move the car forward at all, to spinning the wheels wildly. (Which doesn't move the car either). There was no in-between.

I had much better luck using winter tires designed to do well on ice. Unfortunately they don't all satisfy the highway patrol when chains are required. With the mountain and snowflake designation, they are acceptable when chains are required. With 80's tech snows I could go most places, but My Audis and VWs felt much more sure footed than my Mercedes.

No matter what you might hear, driving on PNW roads during and after snowstorms can be 10 times harder than here in the Inter-mountain west, where they use salt like it's going out of style.

Last year I went out and bought the best snow tires I could find, only to discover that they are only marginally better at climbing my hill than all seasons. That is in our usual white topped slush, kinda like a salty Slurpy. I got them at Costco and I decided on Michelin-Primacy Alpin PA3.

On cold packed snow or Ice they are like nothing I ever driven on. One night last year when we had single digit temps and high winds I found the tires amazingly grippy. I drove all over the neighborhood, trying steeper and steeper hills, but never found one I couldn't climb In my Camry Hybrid.

Dunlop Graspic comes in sizes that fits the 300SD and carry the severe winter service snowflake and mountain symbol, for use when chains are required.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Graspic+DS-3&vehicleSearch=true&partnum=97QR4DS3&fromCompare1=yes&wTire=1
(Just an example, I've never used them myself)