Hi guys,

On my 1983 240D with 4-Speed MT, I'm down the wear bars on my Michelin X Radials. I have the stock steelie wheels with hubcaps.

I'm toying with the idea of buying some 16" alloy wheels (Probably from Tire Rack dot com) and going with 205/55/16 tires...likely from Costco.

I'd like opinions on whether it is worth it to spend the extra dough for 16" tires/wheels. I am actually pretty happy with the stock 195/70/14. They ride nicely, are reasonable quiet, and although they don't have a massive amount of grip, they've been fine for the driving that I do around town with the occasion 2-3 hour trip. The car is mostly run around town.

I estimate the cost of new Michelin X radials would be around $450 or so, and the cost of the new wheels and tires would probably be around $550 + $550 = $1100 for the 16" tires and wheels, all shipping and installation included. So, it would be almost 3X more expensive to change to 16" "shoes".

I realize that the 205/55/16s would likely give me a little better grip and handling along with possibly more noise and tire wear.

What are your opinions?

If you changed to 16", was it worth it? Would you do it again? What do you like/not like about the changes?

All the best,

PE

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83 240D - 4 speed manual - Manilla Beige
189K miles, Tachometer mod, cool wooden shift knob from PeachParts, CocoMats, Original factory paint, manual windows, manual sunroof. Starting to add AudioWrap to this car too!

I believe I have 205/55-r16 on my w123 300D Turbo and I like them, they seem to get the job done and handle a little better. Also, with the larger ones you can fit the larger second generation w126 front brakes if you so desire. The only negative thing I've noticed with the larger wheels is since the sidewall is a little shorter it has less flex, and with the manual in my car I have to be careful sometimes so I don't spin the tires

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1982 300D Turbodiesel, daily driver. Mods so far: Fram 8038 paper filter, 4 brake light mod, Gen II w126 (front) rotors/calipers, boost turned up to 12lbs, non-egr manifolds, water/methanol injection, 4-speed manual
1980 300SD Turbodiesel, project car, nearly ready to hit the street

1974 240D, New paint

Maybe if you only drive in dry weather on perfect roads.
To me, nearly $3X more sounds like a pretty poor trade-off, just to get a little better grip & handling, considering that low profile tires typically offer shorter tread life, poorer traction in slippery conditions, and increased chance of road-hazard damage.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

I know you are asking about any one using 16" on a 240D, no experience there.

On our 85 300D it came with 195-70-14. it didn`t seem to me to handle all that well with that size,
so went with 205-70-14, and made a big difference in the handling.

With our 80 240D it came with some worn out tires, and a couple with the steel belt showing. Also had the steel wheels.
Bought 5 new 195-75-14 tires from Big-O. Think they were Sumitomo ? but made in China. Seems like they didn`t wear all that well but handled ok.

Replaced them with a set of Cooper Tires 195-75-14, and these seem to be wearing better and handle well.
Found a set of the Light Alloy 14" wheels, these weight about 1/2 of the steel wheels.

I think going to a 205 on a 240D would probably look good, but with the lower power (67hp) you might notice some loss in MPG with the more rubber
on the ground. may see a difference in the handling.

A set of the 16" CLK Aluminum rims would look good, but a lower profile would give you a harder ride.

I personally would stick with the 195 14" tires, and source a set of the Light Alloy wheels.


Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I'd say the biggest downside would be not being able to fit some nice 14 inch hub caps to a 16 inch wheel!

The up side, however, is that you are probably going to have a better choice of tyres for the larger sized wheels these days.

On the whole (from what I read) it seems like profiles lower than about 45% start to have an adverse effect on stock handling.

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

The sweetest thing about a 240 is the deliciously precise steering along with a buttery smooth ride with Stock size wheels and tires. Going to a larger heavier wheel and wider tires will add a lot of unsprung weight and will make the car ride rougher and feel less precise in the steering. On some theoretical level it might be able to corner at a higher G level but only on a perfectly smooth pavement.

I've had at least a dozen 240s and I like them best with the lightest 11# aluminum wheels available with stock hubcaps and closest thing to stock you can buy, which is probably the 195/70R14.

Next best is a 14# bunt, 5.5 x 14".

Wider tires on a 240D is about as appropriate as jacking it up and putting 24s on it, IMHO.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Thank you guys for the thoughful responses. I think I'll stick with the stock 195/70/14s as a result of your input.

Where does one find 11# aluminum wheels that fit the stock hub caps? That sounds like a great solution.

Thank you,

Packer

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83 240D - 4 speed manual - Manilla Beige
189K miles, Tachometer mod, cool wooden shift knob from PeachParts, CocoMats, Original factory paint, manual windows, manual sunroof. Starting to add AudioWrap to this car too!

They are getting hard to find. I have a set but you'd have to pry them from my cold dead hands. Perhaps as hard is finding a decent set of wheel covers. I have a number of wheel covers but all have dents and scuffs.

I do have a nice set of bundts I'd sell but they are the 6.5" and weigh a hefty 19# ea. I don't recommend them on the dainty 240. they came standard on the long wheelbase s class and 107 chassis cars.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I found mine in the PNP`s. for around $7 ea. They look just like the steel wheels, except for the
broken silver stripe around the center. This would indicate the 5.5 inch wide wheel.

If you find them with a solid silver stripe, then those are the much rarer 6 inch wide one`s.

On e-bay they sell like they were gold plated.

Check on CL, and I have seen them on old 240`s for sale cheap, like a parts car.
Buy the car and the wheels are free so to speak.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Found a few listing for the wheels.
5.5 wide

Mercedes Benz Aluminum Wheel Rims W113 W121 280 SL 113 220SE 190SL 280SE 240D | eBay

6.0 wide (gold plated lol)

Mercedes Aluminum Wheel W113 W121 190 280 SL 113 Rad 6" | eBay

Triple Gold Plated
Two Mercedes Aluminum Wheels W113 W121 280 SL 113 6" | eBay


This is the 16 inch CLK wheel I mentioned above
Mercedes CLK320 1998 1999 2000 16" Rim 87939865 65179 A2084010002 | eBay

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Thanks for the responses. You guys are the best!

Charlie you are the funniest guy!

-Packer

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83 240D - 4 speed manual - Manilla Beige
189K miles, Tachometer mod, cool wooden shift knob from PeachParts, CocoMats, Original factory paint, manual windows, manual sunroof. Starting to add AudioWrap to this car too!

Re tires, I find my best web price and get my local Indy or Discount Tire to price match. Add $7.50 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.

WOW! No kidding people think they are gold-plated! $1000 for a plain alloy wheel? Really?

I'll either buy a set of bundts from off CL, or look in the PNP for the alloy wheels. I found one last year. Just need 3 more!

Thanks,

PE

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83 240D - 4 speed manual - Manilla Beige
189K miles, Tachometer mod, cool wooden shift knob from PeachParts, CocoMats, Original factory paint, manual windows, manual sunroof. Starting to add AudioWrap to this car too!

I have a set of four aluminum 5.5's I need to get rid of...

Classic white hubcaps too... And some 14x6 bundts.

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1981 300TD 4 speed manual
Euro bumpers, zender valance and skirts, H&R springs, billy HD's, leveled sls, real AMG Pentas 16x8 et11, vdo boost/egt gauges intergrated into ash tray, eurolights, led 3rd brake light