News:

The ORG - 100% FREE advice!

Main Menu

Tyre size for 1979 280SE

Started by hamidagha, 20 October 2020, 03:23 PM

hamidagha

I took Albert (yes my car is called Albert) to show him off to a couple of friends. One remarked that the tyres should be bigger to suit the car better.
Question is this: I believe I have the original rims on the car. But what is the best tyre size?

rumb

Your car should be fitted with 195/70R14.

'68 250S
'77 6.9 Euro
'91 300SE,
'98 SL500
'14 CLS550,
'16 AMG GTS
'21 E450 Cabrio

hamidagha

#2
Quote from: rumb on 20 October 2020, 04:09 PM
Your car should be fitted with 195/70R14.

Thanks Rumb.
I have 185/R14/90H and the technical notes on this site suggest a 185 HR 14. So i guess the 195 would make them 10mm wider, but with lower profile?

Max-NL

6 cylinder w116 should have 185/70R14.
1971 R107 350 SL
1972 W108 280 SEL 3.5
1975 W116 280 S
1975 W116 450 SEL 6.9 #140
1977 W123 230
1992 W124 230 CE
2001 Ducati Monster S4

rumb

hmmmm,  I looked here for the answer. Apparently MB calls for something different?

https://tiresize.com/tires/Mercedes-Benz/280E/1979/Base-Model/

the 195 is a little taller and wider


https://tiresize.com/height-calculator/
'68 250S
'77 6.9 Euro
'91 300SE,
'98 SL500
'14 CLS550,
'16 AMG GTS
'21 E450 Cabrio

Max-NL

That's for the W123 280E. It indeed uses a 195 tire. But the w116 280 S/E/L uses a 185 tire. Not sure why.
1971 R107 350 SL
1972 W108 280 SEL 3.5
1975 W116 280 S
1975 W116 450 SEL 6.9 #140
1977 W123 230
1992 W124 230 CE
2001 Ducati Monster S4

rumb

'68 250S
'77 6.9 Euro
'91 300SE,
'98 SL500
'14 CLS550,
'16 AMG GTS
'21 E450 Cabrio

hamidagha

Hi all. Reigniting this topic if I may:
I have had all 4 steel rims repowdered and all looking good. Tyres are old and need replacing.
The original 185/hr/14 are limited to two brands and super expensive.
I've read on the forum that 205/70/14 is a close replacement: my question is if I opt for those, I would still be able to use the same 14 inch rims, right?
May be dumb question but I am learning every day 😃

Max-NL

I can't and don't want to look into another person's wallet, but have you looked at these Vredestein's : https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/tyres/185-14/185r14-vredestein.html  ? They are the right size and have a nice thread. And Vredestein is not a bad brand (or is that my Dutch pride speaking  ;D ) .

Can't say if 205/70-14 would fit. They were mounted to 6.5J rims, while 185/70-14 were mounted on 6J rims.
1971 R107 350 SL
1972 W108 280 SEL 3.5
1975 W116 280 S
1975 W116 450 SEL 6.9 #140
1977 W123 230
1992 W124 230 CE
2001 Ducati Monster S4

hamidagha

Hi Max. You can look and if you find anything let me know.  ;D
I have to admit I am leaning towards the Vredestein! It is actually not that much more expensive than the alternative.


Quote from: Max-NL on 18 November 2021, 02:17 PM
I can't and don't want to look into another person's wallet, but have you looked at these Vredestein's : https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/tyres/185-14/185r14-vredestein.html  ? They are the right size and have a nice thread. And Vredestein is not a bad brand (or is that my Dutch pride speaking  ;D ) .

Can't say if 205/70-14 would fit. They were mounted to 6.5J rims, while 185/70-14 were mounted on 6J rims.

mrkozzy

Cut & paste  from an old post in this Forum  from member "OzBenzhead"



Re: 116 tire size?
« Reply #1 on: 17 April 2006, 04:45 PM »
According to my Owner's Manual, these were the standard tyres:

280 S / SE / SEL ("summer" tyres) - 185 HR 14 or 185 HR 14 90 H or 185 R 14 90 H - on 6 J x 14 H 2 wheels

350 SE / SEL ("summer" tyres) - 205/70 HR 14 or 205/70 HR 14 93 H or 205/70 R 14 93 H - on 6.5 J x 14 H 2 wheels

450 SE / SEL ("summer" tyres) - 205/70 VR 14 - on 6.5 J x 14 H 2 wheels.

This Owner's Manual does not include specs for the 6.9.

I am presently running my 116 280 SE on Sumitomo SC890 A/S whitewalls of spec. P205 70R 14 93 M+S on the 6 J x 14 H 2 "bottle-top"/"baroque" ("bundt" to Statesiders)




And as a side note, many sets of tyres ago I ran a set of 205 70 R14  on the standard 6J rims. The guy at the tyre store assured me they would fit the bill.  They looked, nice being slightly wider and performed well enough, however my car insurance would have been voided in an accident, as they were not a manufacturer recommended product for the rim.  Suffice to say I changed them for 195 soon after (this was acceptable to the insurance company) and I sold the 205's at a huge discount.  I;ve been running 195's ever since.
I don't know what I will find next time I need to replace the rubber as these sizes are getting very rare, almost non existant. What is around is mucho $$$$.
MrKozzy

rparker

Just to chime in, I too felt that the 116.020 185 or 195 recommended was far too narrow, especially with the size and weight of the car. Maybe at the time of manufacture it was appropriate considering other cars also had similar tires and poorer braking performance, however, in this modern day where even cheaper cars have high braking performance, I personally feel the smaller tires is risking it especially in the wet with the 116.020 which doesn't have ABS. Anyway, to cut the story short I've upgraded to more modern wheels off a W220 and Michelin tires. I find braking performance in wet or dry to be much more appropriate for today's traffic conditions.

A side benefit is the slight longer gearing that the larger diameter wheel & tire combo gives which improves drivability considerably.

Insurance issues however have to be settled. I managed to talk to my insurer and they agree that modern tires is the way to go and allowed my modification. I am however in Malaysia and each company and country would differ.

Ryan.
77' W116 280S, 4-Speed Manual

Nabstud

I run Kumho Optimo 715, 205/70/14 on my 280S with standard steel wheels. Been on the car for over 10,000km and drive fine. If anything they look too small, 185s would look like pizza cutters!!!
1975 280S - Australian delivered

mrkozzy

Strange the things you find when you bother to look.

Had cause to take out my spare wheel today.  Don't remember when it was used last. At least 15+years ago I'd say.

Anyway found the spare is the 5th 205 70R14 tyre that must be a hangover from a previous time.

Looks quite smart and certainly not too big for the 6J rim its on.
Might go down and have another word with my insurance company.  Its been quite a few years now. Perhaps they might allow the wider rubber, next time I seek to buy a set.


MrKozzy

Nabstud

You'll have no issues with insurance, tyre diameter can increase 25mm (no specification on width as long as it doesn't protrude past the guard) and still be roadworthy. This is in WA, Victoria should be the same but double check.

My old Nissan Patrol had a big lift and oversized tyres (as you did when you're young ahaha), it was written off in an accident. Tyres/suspension, even though not roadworthy, didn't contribute to accident so they paid up with no issues.
1975 280S - Australian delivered