i hear that less unsprung weight helps handling.

of course wider rubber helps too.

so if i have the choice of running a 14# wheel 14" x 6" and 225/50 tires or a 14" x 7" that weighs 20# with a 225/50 tire, which will give better performance on an autocross course?

tom w

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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.

Hey Tom, I am running Nitto NeoGen tires on my 300E. I am running a 235/40/18 in the rear and a 215/40/18 in the front, and i have no trouble stickin to the ground. I have autosrossed before but this year will be my first year with a MB. From what i have driven and played around with my new tires, they seem like they will handle just about anything i throw at em. I have to work at throwing the car into a pitch. I like these nitto's.

And if you are going to run the same size tire on your wheels, I would choose the lighter wheel.

thanks.

unfortunately i am having trouble finding a tire in 225 width for the 14" wheel. i have a 15 from my 91 sdl but it weighs 20#.

you like the nittos? i have been trying to decifer the hardness codes. the scca rule calls for dot and at least 140 or harder compound. i don't seem to find any tires that seem to be rated that way.

can you enlighten?

tom w

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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.

every 5 pounds of unsprung weight equals 80 pounds of sprung weight so I would go with the 14x6 for AutoX. If it was a high speed event the wider wheel would make more sense fort he added width/grip

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sorry, Luke, could you elaborate on the comparison?

tom w

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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.

Luke, how does the 5 lbs unsprung weight calculate into 80 lbs sprung weight? Is there a formula for this?

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Thanks, Nels
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86 300E
93 W250 4X4 Cummins Power
72 F250 Highboy
89 S-10 408ci BBC
custom V Four Chopper
77 Peterbilt 352
83 Jeep CJ-5

it's really a simple fact of automotive physics as AutoX is all about braking/corning and getting out of the corner as fast as possible. Given equal driver skill the lighter weight setup allows for quicker decelleration and accelleration

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small wheel tyre dia = lower geared = faster accell

Hello guy & gals:

There is an auto cross with fiive Mercedes-Benz clubs comming up at the Aster car museum and I want to go to a stage on set up fo rtires and wheels to replace my 15 inch alloys and 205/60 Michelins . I was thinking about what is out there that would not cost an arm and a leg but be fun to use for these events . The 300-E is stock height it is a sportline but it still rides very heigh.

Does anyone have any suggestions and pictures?

Bob G

Which car are you autocrossing?

Like Luke said... contact patch isn't the end all to going fast. I've never even seen a Mercedes out on the autocross course... but the setup would probably be similiar to other heavy/powerful FR cars.

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