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New W116 owner with tire questions.....

Started by Ronin2, 13 December 2018, 10:32 PM

Ronin2

I am sure all the forum experts get tired of answering but a search of the forums lead to a number of varying opinions. The standard US tire size for a W116 450 SEL is 205 70R14. I can not find a decent quality tire in that size at any of the local tire stores. I read that the 215 70 R14 was std on the 6.9 Will it fit my base 450 SEL's?

Thanks....

Steve
1978 450 SEL Silver green metallic / tobacco brown
1980 450 SEL Anthracite grey / bamboo

daantjie

Unless you want to keep the 14inch wheels rather get a set of 15inch Bundt wheels. The tire choices on the 15inch is a ton better than the 14inch.
Daniel
1977 450 SEL 6.9 - Astralsilber


ptashek

If memory serves the standard 7J alloy rims can fit a 215 tire just fine. But your choices will be very limited and costly. You can still get the original Michelin XWX that went onto 6.9s, but they're about $500 each.

There's Vredestein Sprint Classic too.

Many here will disagree but I second what Daniel said - you'll be better of long term getting a set of 15" Bundts and 205/65R15 tires, where choice is still plentiful. Tacho mods won't be needed either as the rolling diameter difference is ~0.8%

I drive on Dunlop Sport BluResponse 205/65R15 and they're great. They've lasted 6 years and 20k miles so far, with zero signs of deterioration, and can easily serve another season.
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

Ronin2

#4
Are there any other width / ratio combinations on the 14 inch wheels that will work?
1978 450 SEL Silver green metallic / tobacco brown
1980 450 SEL Anthracite grey / bamboo

UTn_boy

I've seen 225 width tires used on 14" wheels, but the ride quality suffers greatly and puts extra stress on the suspension and steering to the point that tie rods, drag links, and upper control arms wear out prematurely. 
1966 250se coupe`,black/dark green leather
1970 600 midnight blue/parchment leather
1971 300sel 6.3,papyrus white/dark red leather
1975 450se, pine green metallic/green leather
1973 300sel 4.5,silver blue metallic/blue leather
1979 450sel 516 red/bamboo

robertd

215/70R 14 will work very well on your 450SEL
116   1978 450SEL 6.9 #  4848
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 6225  SOLD
116   1978 450SEL  6.9 # 5128  SOLD
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884  SOLD
116   1974 450SEL  DJet

Ronin2

Quote from: robertd on 17 December 2018, 05:39 AM
215/70R 14 will work very well on your 450SEL

Looks like you have cornered the market in 6.9's in Oz....  8)
1978 450 SEL Silver green metallic / tobacco brown
1980 450 SEL Anthracite grey / bamboo

Diesel 617

Quote from: Harv on 13 December 2018, 11:51 PM
You have to go beyond local tire stores. 14 inch tires are dead.

215/70/14. I run these on my 300SD. Love them.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-New-215-70R14-96T-General-Altimax-RT43-215-70-14-Tires/223274261583?fits=Aspect+Ratio%3A70%7CSpeed+Index%3AT%7CSection+Width%3A215%7CRim+Diameter%3A14%7CLoad+Index%3A96&epid=4020370473&hash=item33fc2edc4f:g:MJkAAOSwpudcCkJY:rk:1:pf:1&frcectupt=true

Awesome to hear that these run good on a 300SD. How do they handle wet pavement after they are halfway through their tire life? I liked my Hankook Optimo H724, but once they reach 5/32 of tread the wet traction is gone. I think they would have definitely lasted the 35k miles of 70k miles on the warranty had my front suspension been in order, with proper alignment.
X3 1980 300SD Blown Heads, trans -Retired
1980 450SEL Parted out/Scrap
1980 450SEL to Diesel Parted Out/Scrap
1979 280SE Euro Spec Cloth Seats Sold
1979 300CD Daily Driver - Sold


Inventory of w116 Parts
[url="https://www.ebay.com/usr/vintagepartsandstuff"]https://www.ebay.com/usr/vintagepartsandstuff[/url]

Mattr

I would be really leery of buying tires off of eBay... Even if it hasn't ever been driven on, rubber degrades over time. I would strongly suggest you look for a set of 15-16" wheels for your car instead, and get a more common tire put on those.
1976 450SE 6.9 FrankenBenz (#2288?)
1977 450SEL 6.9 #2333

Harv

Quote from: Mattr on 17 December 2018, 06:59 PM
I would be really leery of buying tires off of eBay... Even if it hasn't ever been driven on, rubber degrades over time.

Message the seller and get the production date. If they are new and the date isn't years old, then I have no problem with eBay tires. The majority of the time they are just tire shops selling on eBay.
1980 300SD
1983 240D
2000 E55 AMG
2002 G500