Problem is that, with wider tires, you can get less ride quality than a 35 years old 300TD and that's unbearable since we are talking about a luxury car

I can only say, having a 300TD and 300D as well, that this 500 Sel with 16" rims ride worse than those same generation or older cars. Note that those cars still have original rims on..

i have assembled all the evidence now:

1. go to lower profile tires and heavier wheels.
2. go to the high speed rated stiff sidewall tires.
3. pump your air up to way over the auto manufacturers recommendation.
4. complain about how hard the 126s ride.

hey, if you want a sweet ride, go stock everything.
if you want the other stuff, you shouldn't be surprised at a harsh ride.

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.

I have run both of my W126's with completly stock wheel and tire set ups for a very long time.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

sorry, i thought i had listened accurately to your situation.

do you have good shocks on that puppy?

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.

This weekend I will change all wheels&tires to stock 250/70 R14 and see how it will ride on a 2000Km vacantion trip next week.

My shocks seem to be fine (I have inspected them recently). Looking forward to see how the new wheel&tire combo will behave... Unfortunately I only found Debica tires of that size, for some reason other brands are not manufacturing that type anymore.

Just got back from a 700Km trip with the new 205/70 R14 tires&rims. The "feeling" of the ride and the comfort were radically improved from the 225/65 R15 tires and BBS rims it previously rode on.

The handling is the same at speeds below 140Km/h with the mention that the 205/70 R14 tires puts less stress on the servo system and this shows.

My advice for every 500 Sel, 300 SDL owner would be this: stick with the original tire&wheel combo. Like many other aspects of '80s MB engineering this aspect is perfectly thought and balanced too. Switching to other types of suspension or wheels will surely affect the ride quality in not so pleasant ways.