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tire/tyre sizes

Started by 1980sel, 26 November 2012, 02:48 AM

1980sel

I'm thinking about putting 215 70 14 tires on my 450sel vs the orginal 205 70 14....any advantages or disadvantages besides a slight speedo error?

oversize

The difference in rolling diameter is only 14mm which is acceptable by Australian National Standards (Vehicle Standards Bulletin 14).  The advantages are more rubber on the road for better grip and greater load carrying capacity.  The difference in ride and rim protection will be negligible, but may vary between brands
1979 6.9 #5541 (Red Bull)
1978 6.9 #4248 (Skye)
1979 6.9 #3686 (Moby Dick)
1978 6.9 #1776 (Dora)
1977 450SEL #7010 white -P
1975 450SEL #8414 gold -P

jbrasile

1980sl,

I tried that on my 1980 450SEL a few years ago and used D65's from Dunlop. They looked period correct but gave a very rough ride and had terrible high speed manners so I switched back to Michelin MXV4's (still available back then) and the difference was amazing. You are going to have a lot of difficulty finding a decent 215/70-14 tire in the States, in fact The Tire Rack only offers 3 options of which the Kumho KR21 would probably be my suggestion. I would recommend however that you stick to 205/70-14 and get the new Michelin Defender which is supposed to be even better than the Harmony. BTW, you should still be able to find the Harmony at some stores.

Tks,

Joe

1980sel

Ended up going with the Kumho 215 70 14 just way easier to find and cheaper...so far so good:)

oversize

What about a set of 225/65R14??  Their rolling diameter is only 4mm higher than the 205/70R14 and they're even wider than the 215s.  Not sure on availability or cost though...
1979 6.9 #5541 (Red Bull)
1978 6.9 #4248 (Skye)
1979 6.9 #3686 (Moby Dick)
1978 6.9 #1776 (Dora)
1977 450SEL #7010 white -P
1975 450SEL #8414 gold -P

oversize

Quote from: jbrasile on 26 November 2012, 08:49 AM
1980sl,

I tried that on my 1980 450SEL a few years ago and used D65's from Dunlop. They looked period correct but gave a very rough ride and had terrible high speed manners so I switched back to Michelin MXV4's (still available back then) and the difference was amazing. You are going to have a lot of difficulty finding a decent 215/70-14 tire in the States, in fact The Tire Rack only offers 3 options of which the Kumho KR21 would probably be my suggestion. I would recommend however that you stick to 205/70-14 and get the new Michelin Defender which is supposed to be even better than the Harmony. BTW, you should still be able to find the Harmony at some stores.

Tks,

Joe


I'd suggest these issue have more to do with brand/model, rather than size.
1979 6.9 #5541 (Red Bull)
1978 6.9 #4248 (Skye)
1979 6.9 #3686 (Moby Dick)
1978 6.9 #1776 (Dora)
1977 450SEL #7010 white -P
1975 450SEL #8414 gold -P

jbrasile

oversize, it is true, the Dunlops were just bad...

Tks,

Joe

1974450SEL

I run Sumimoto 215/70r14 tires on mine and have nothing but good things to say; smooth tracking, turning, and riding tires.  I also think it is brand specific with ride quality.

hans moleman

I have 215/60-15 Pirelli P4's on factory 560 sel rims and love them. The Pirellis don't look like much on paper but they are a great tire, very comfortable, quiet and sticky.

arcijack