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  #1  
Old 08-21-2012, 01:14 PM
macdoe
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 759
w123 with newer w126 aluminum wheels... Tire recomendation

Hello, we have put some 15" aluminum 15 hole flat faced wheels off of a newer 1988 420 sel onto our 1985 300TD. They seem good and clear the suspension in the front. I need to get new tires for this combination and would like some opinions.

I have narrowed it down to a few choices....Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position RE960AS...or Cooper CS4...or Continental Extreme Contact DWS.

I have also considered Hankook Optimo 4s and a Toyo tire that seems to be exclusive to the store that quoted me.....but these two seemed to get mixed reviews....and I think with the weight of this car most of the bad traits will show up for me.

I was wondering if anyone here has opinions on these tire choices. I have to keep in mind the weight of the car they are going onto. Are we even looking at the proper type of tire or should we be in a different ball park altogether? Thanks.

planned size would be 205/65/15, but am open to advice on the size as long as they will fit for sure..


Last edited by macdoe; 08-21-2012 at 01:43 PM.
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  #2  
Old 08-21-2012, 01:47 PM
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Location: Middle TN
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I check info at tirerack then make Discount price match. Discount will match the lowest tire price you find excluding shipping. Add install (~7 each) and tax.
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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.
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  #3  
Old 08-21-2012, 02:11 PM
cho's Avatar
cho cho is offline
diesel power
 
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Location: Europe
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good link mate

.

off you go

Tire size calculator


be careful about your J size, 5J or 7J is not designed for same tire width....


.
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  #4  
Old 08-21-2012, 02:40 PM
Zacharias's Avatar
Not so amused
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: West Quebec
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Quote:
Originally Posted by macdoe View Post
Hello, we have put some 15" aluminum 15 hole flat faced wheels off of a newer 1988 420 sel onto our 1985 300TD. They seem good and clear the suspension in the front.
The wheels will fit without issues. You will want to check that your existing lug bolts will work, especially on the rear. I seem to remember I had to use a different length when I put the flats onto my w116, not actually sure whether I needed longer or shorter....
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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22
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  #5  
Old 08-21-2012, 02:47 PM
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Pictures please! I am thinking of upgrading the 240D. Thanks,

PE
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  #6  
Old 08-21-2012, 03:31 PM
macdoe
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Canada
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zacharias View Post
The wheels will fit without issues. You will want to check that your existing lug bolts will work, especially on the rear. I seem to remember I had to use a different length when I put the flats onto my w116, not actually sure whether I needed longer or shorter....
Thanks, I know the wheels fit and I did have to use the lug nuts that came with the wheel, They are special since the holes are recessed so much. Have to be careful to not overtighten these lug nuts as the extended length make them easy to bend.

I will post some pictures when I get the camera working.

I am wondering what you mean by 5J and 7J sizes.

Ultimately wondering about tires for this. Which is best of three on this size of car?
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  #7  
Old 08-21-2012, 03:37 PM
macdoe
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 759
I really like the reviews on the Bridgestone 960as but the cooper cs4 are v rated which to me means stronger sidewall. The coopers sound like they do better in snow.
The continental extreme contact dws sound like the best for snow of the three but seem to get mixed reviews..
They all sound good for snow and most say that we should be using snow tires....anyways...

I would like to hear from people that may have these tires on a similar car to a w123 or w126.
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  #8  
Old 08-21-2012, 04:40 PM
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Chairman of my Benz
 
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Location: Central California
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I don't know if you noticed, but 205 65 R15 is a wider diameter tire then the w123 stock 195 70 R14 sized tires. This wider diameter tire will make your speedometer off a few miles per hour. I run 205 60 R15 on my car and it is basically the same diameter as stock. But the drawback is there are less brand choices on that size than the 205 65 R15 size.


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  #9  
Old 08-21-2012, 06:09 PM
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Just went to special order these Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position 960 AS from Costco in my size of 205/65/15 and they can't get them now. I was disappointed cause as of Sunday they could. They do have 195/65/15, but am not sure how these will be on the larger rims. (Specify 5.5 to 7.5 width rims)

They also have 215/60/15 but specify a larger rim width of 6.0-7.5 so not sure if that will even work on these rims (how wide are they) as well wondering if the rubber would physically fit the car with the 215/60/15. Is that too big. I know nothing of tires...

The speedo being off does not concern me at all....I don't care about that. I just want something that fits good.

No- one in town can touch the costco prices for labour and all the places start belly aching when I even mention Costco. Some of these stories I hear trying to dissuade me from Costco are hilarious. What is'nt so funny is their $200 price difference.

This is my in town moniker, I am MacDoe

Last edited by Do D Do; 08-21-2012 at 06:35 PM.
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  #10  
Old 10-06-2012, 11:31 AM
Grok this
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Texas
Posts: 232
Reviving this thread. My TD came from it's PO with 15" wheels. I have two sets of 14" Bundts, but, they're ugly and I think I like the bigger tire size, and the wife doesn't care. I don't want to fool with any special ordering though. I want a tire size I can get anywhere, that works well in the TD.
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  #11  
Old 10-06-2012, 11:54 AM
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205-60-15 or 205-65-15

The original size was 195-70-14. With that in mind you can use this:

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/TireCalc
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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22
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  #12  
Old 10-06-2012, 01:42 PM
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Since you asked.....

The griping about "big box" stores (IMHO) is this: Based on a spreadsheet, far, far away, some accountant may recommend that the store be closed (for financial reasons). If they've already put the mom & pops out of business, where does that leave you? Read up on what Wal-Mart has done to many small towns in rural America. Harware stores, groceries, tire/auto garages.....

Personally, I support the local guy (assuming they're still in business). Sure, they may be a few bucks more. If you have a flat Saturday afternoon, who's going to help you? If I buy tires locally, my local tire shop goes out of their way to help......

Costco (Wal-Mart etc).....well you might be lucky & catch them open (Sat PM). Might be the "manager of the month" working or someone you just don't know...you become just a number to them, not a "customer"

Just my .02
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  #13  
Old 10-06-2012, 02:54 PM
Grok this
 
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Location: Texas
Posts: 232
I agree with you in principle giff. In practice it is often a bit more difficult. A few examples.

Prescription eyeglasses locally $400.00. Online $40.00. There's no good excuse for such a huge difference.

My mom drives a Corolla. Turn signal bulb went out. Local place sold her a bulb and some wipers. Didn't offer to install. Mom took it to a local "service station" (who didn't have the bulb). They couldn't figure out how to install it. It's simple, you just have to go through the fender-well. Mom tries to explain, local folks tell her they don't even want to know how to work on a "foreign car". Mom didn't know to tell them that her Corolla was built here in the USA, and their GM cars and trucks were possibly built in Mexico.

Last time I bought tires from a local shop, I had to pick from the brands they carried (only second and third-tier brands), order the tires, wait, pay about what it costs at one of the tire&battery chain stores. The tires didn't last, and everyone who drove the car complained about the brakes. It wasn't until I put on a set of Yokohamas that I put the brake complaints with the tires. For the first week with the new tires, the wife kept "slamming" the brakes.

I could go on, but let me just say that there are a few locals who went out of business of their own accord, and there are a few more still to go.
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  #14  
Old 10-08-2012, 11:13 AM
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Cullen,

I would agree that there's plenty of examples of carpenters that aren't good business people, mechanics that are terrible at running a business etc. If you can't figure out how to install a bulb, then what business do you have being in business? There's also the gougers, which would charge $25 to buy & install the light bulb.

BTW, I often wonder what people are thinking buying off brand (or Pep Boys) tires.....really? You're going up on the highway with your family on those?.....I know they're DOT approved and prolly made by a brand name company, but exactly where did they cut a corner (so to speak)?

All things being equal, the tire shop I was referring to DOES carry some of the tires you'd purchase on line. Free mounting, balance and rotation at recommended intervals.

So if she (the tire shop) is $10-15 more than on line (or there about), she pays taxes in my town, hires folks....all that community "stuff", I give her the business. That's all I'm saying....

It's the lack of putting a value on local guy, versus always being price driven. It's the Wal-Mart mentality that's driven the "all Chinese" model. The day you need the local guy, he/she may be out of business, because they couldn't compete on price alone.

Tire Rack's model of having an agreement with local shops is an interesting one.....one big warehouse that stocks....many folks to do the servicing and maintain. No need to carry excess inventory. Just not sure how lucrative it is for the local guy?

Again, just my .02

PK

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