Need new tires but which size?

[s class]

Agreed, it depends a lot on the choice of tyre.  I was using Bridgestone Potenza, which I would regard as ultimate grip.  If I had to do it again, I'd use Bridgestone Turanza which are more comfort orientated. 

[s class]

Miles, check your email. 

[13B]

Timely post this one, I need 4 new tyres for my 6.9 and have to decide soon and have done some research on whats available locally (Australia).  My preferred tyre is a Yokohama A509 215/65HR14 which has been discontinued for over a decade.   Sad, but they were great, and many Aus 450s, 6.3s and 6.9s ended up with them on.

In the absence of 215/70-14 sizes the two options as I see it are either 216/65-14 or 225/60-14.  235 and 245 fit on the rims also but you run into other clearance issues (well, I did).

On this page: Link

We have all the 14" tyres, and the choices for 216/65-14 include: the Bob Jane All-rounder, Bridgestone RE92, Michelin Energy XM1, Firestone Firehawk TZ100, BFGoodrich Sport T/A.  I'm leaning toward the Sport T/A because I've had a good run with both BFG on various cars.

However, futher to complicate things, a local importer can get BFG Radial T/A with RWL in 225/60-14 for not much more than the other tyres listed above.  I'd consider the Radial T/A to be the best of the bunch and if you don't like raised white letters just get them to mount them with the black side facing out...

Here is the car fitted with 245/60-14 BFG Radial T/A with the RWL facing out:








I.

[jbrasile]

13B,

Bob Jane has the XM1 in 205/70-14, it is a great option for the 6.9.  We used that size on a 77 we restored for a client and not only does it look right but it rides and handles very well too. Remember that the regular 450SEL uses 205/70-14 tires so you are not too far off.

I'd stay away form an aspect ratio that is less than 70 with the 14inch wheels, you will end up with too wide a tire and the car may not look right.

Tks,

Joe

[hans moleman]

Thanks for the excellent pics 13B, I recently stumbled across 235/60 r14's as an option, and for fairly cheap however I was concerned about the tires rubbing. I think the 245/60's are a little bit over the top but man do they look bad a$s!

[1974450SEL]

http://www.sumitomotire.com/assets/products/catalogs/PassengerBrochure.pdf

I run the Sumimoto HTR4 in a 215/70R14 on my 450 SEL on 14 inch bundts and find them to ride very smooth and fit the car like a glove.  I did have 195 and 205 sizes but find the 215s have the best fit with no rubbing issues.  They look like a sport sedan tire and not an SUV.   I did buy these tires 2nd hand off a mechanic that did my exhaust for 150.00 for all 4 so I got a hell of a deal, and they were brand new still. I did an even trade with my steelies for bundts at the same time.  The hubcap looked great but I like the bundt look better on this bigger car. 

[goldacre]

I did an even trade with my steelies for bundts at the same time.  The hubcap looked great but I like the bundts look better on this bigger car.

Hi 1974450SEL, i am actively looking for a 15 inch replacement rim for my 450 but i do love those paint coded hubcaps! After some research i have sourced the W126 15 inch rims that fit as well as 15 inch hubcaps to colour code (off a Grosser no less) Personally the Bunts just do not do it for me.

When we had our first W116 Western Australia meet that Nathan organised i recall the photo of all our mercs in the car park and mine was the only one with the hubcaps and i was smitten totally, so this is the avenue i am going down, will take a few months to get all the bits sent over but looking forward to posting the results. Also looking forward to putting on some choice Michelins as they are to date the best tyres i have ever driven on (only once in my life, a nice set of MXVs)

Goldacre

PS presently running the Federal tyres 205-70R14 and they are OK but have to watch the tyre pressures when doing long runs on stinking hot days, not a tragic loss of pressure but they will loose a couple of PSI

[1974450SEL]

After some research i have sourced the W126 15 inch rims that fit as well as 15 inch hubcaps to colour code (off a Grosser no less)  Personally the Bunts just do not do it for me.

I did not realize that 15 inch 126 wheels would fit.  This opens up alot of options for tires.  What is "Grosser"? 

[goldacre]

Hi 1974450SEL, this is the research i have done so far with help from a reputable source:

15X7" steel rims part number 126-400-28-02 (W126 part number)

Old style hub caps in 15" from a 600 Grosser (looks just like the common 14" hub caps) part number 115-401-04-24

Apparently in the USA this is a very popular "upgrade" which i am in the process of doing to my 450SEL but will take some time as i am having the bits shipped over in installments to keep within budget.

G

PS link for what a 600 is... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_600  Those 15 inch hubcaps will soon be on my 450SEL  From memory on the Org the later style W126 rims (post 1986-7?) will fit our W116. You will just need to cover them with respectable 15 inch hubcaps such as those found on the Grosser.

[samuli]

Goldacre, interesting stuff. I am a fan of steel rim/hubcap combination too. I am curious about your 15" setup. How much do those grosser hub caps cost?

I have a set of Uniroyal GTS 14/70R215 on my steelies and I don't like the tires much. They feel very soft compared to the old Michelin MXVs I had.

[goldacre]

Hi Samuli, they cost US$230 each less the discount you will get quoting the Org or M100 site.

My source is the MB Classic Center in Irvine California, normally we contact Tom Hanson but he is away for a few weeks so you will need to touch base with Woody on robert.woods@mbusa.com

When done i will post on the Org but this will not be for a while.

'Long live the colour coded hubcaps' 

G

PS the other week i was in Mukinbudin (i know, its West Australian for something, Google earth it!) and the works manager (who has bunts on his Merc) wanted to steal my wheels! he loves the hubcap option as well. That's a big compliment coming from him