195 70R14 H rated tires for 126 / 300SD
 

For anyone having a difficult time finding OEM spec H rated tires for their rig, try Maxxis tires. From my search, they are the only tires being manufactured in 195 70R14 as an H speed rating per OEM specs for W126 Mercedes. Maxxis item #: MA-P1 195 70R14 91H BSW.

I found my set at discountwheelwarehouse.com - didn't find them on their website but when I called in they said that they have them in stock and are available for sale. Mine are on their way. Great for west coast folks as they ship from Southern California.

Most manufacturers are discontinuing production of their 195 70R14 H rating due to lack of demand.

If anyone can find them from other sources post it to this thread.

Cheers and happy motoring.

New Rubbber
 

Well the tires are now on the '84 300sd and so far so good. Tread depth and pattern looks good, dry traction is fine, handling is good, aesthetics for those who care is good. Won't rain out here for 2 weeks so I won't know about wet traction for a while. I'm just happy that I found a 195 70R14 in an H speed rating and 91 weight rating. :)

For others who read the thread, 15" wheels are far superior to the original 14" on the W-126 and you can source some Michelin Pilot Exaltos in 215-65-15.

It's a superior choice as compared to the stock 70 series and the 15 hole wheels are a dramatic improvement as compared to the stock Bundts.

H rating is not needed for a SD.S are fine,they only go to 110mph anyway.

Good info to post somewhere for the 14 inch bundt people in the wilderness of tire selection.

I was too late since i already got T rated tires a couple of months ago, but here is what i have found over the past week on tires that are H rated for our 14s that I will look into in maybe a year or so.

Maxxis (ROC china NOT PRC china)
MAP1 (seems to be better constructed)
195-70-14 91 H
205-70-14 95 H UTQG 440 A A
215-70-14 96 H

Maxxis MA-703 (more traditional type of tire tread)
195-70-14 91 H
205-70-14 95 H UTQG 340 A A

Nankang (also ROC china)
CX668
195-70-14 91 H
205-70-14 95 H UTQG 400 AA

Doral SDL also has an H rated in 205-70-14. No info.

The speed rating also affects how much weight the tires can carry. MB specified the tires on the car for a reason.

-J

S tire on my 98 S
 

Even S tires which are cheaper are on my 98S.You can't drive fast without some sneaky lawman hid behind a bush.So why pay for tires H that go 130 mph.

i want a good set of 205 70 14, tirerack has nothing of interest. BFG would be fine but no white letters. i want a michelin.

I find my S rated Michelin Harmony tire don't hold the corners very well in my 83 300D. You can feel the roll and lean on off and on ramps. Kumho T rated tires that I have had in the past perform better.

The other meaning of Speed Rating
 

Yes, there is a speed rating for the tires, and it does relate to speed; but I have also learned that it relates to the thickness of the side wall.

Lower speed rating thinner side walls.

This is consistent with the comments in this thread about the weight a tire can hold, and the cornering ability of the lower speed rated tires being poorer.

wow didn't know that.Seems like most off brands are t and s rated.I switch back to H rated on my S incase I want to test the tires out