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Yes another Tire thread + inaccurate speedo

Started by chinny4290, 07 February 2009, 03:49 AM

chinny4290

Hey guys. I did a search and got a lot of tire threads but I'm still left with a couple questions.

I bought these:
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTireDetail.do?pc=28862&counter=2&ar=60&rd=14&sw=false&cs=185

bcause I'm familiar that Falken makes good tires (they are a company often used in Motorsports). I put them on today and the previous owner was running 195/70/14s or something like that and they had a much bigger tire wall (I have no idea how to read tires).

So they looks REALLLY small on the car...like Michael Jordon with a size 5 shoe small (kinda embarassing since the wheel wells are so big).

so far handling, they are good but it's hard to tell since a lot of the roads are covered in a small dust layer of salt now (snowed a couple days ago). They are quiet, absorb bumps really well (the car does in general, love the suspension set up).

But as a result, the speedo is over by 10MPH when ever I go over 35. That and I can guarantee with the smaller tires that I'll be burning more gas in attempts to keep up with speedy NJ traffic.

What's the best tire size to recommend for all seasons for the 280S? I'm eyeing these:

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTireDetail.do?pc=43700&counter=3&ar=70&rd=14&sw=false&cs=195

And whats the best way to get your money back for tires? I haven't even put more than 30 miles on these tires because of where I was, where I just got them mounted and balanced, and paid about $250 for the set of 4 (not bad eh!)

And how can I recalibrate the speedo? But I'm thinking if I get a bigger tire, it will compensate.

Thanks guys!


BY THE WAY, I put this in the wrong section before, it's in test drive so you guys can delete that. Sorry!!!!!!
1975 W116 280S - SOLD
1994 W124 E320 Coupe - Gone

CURRENT - 1974 450SEL

samuli

Hi there, the recommended sizes for 14" rims are 205/70R14 and 215/70R70. The tire codings are worth studying, you can check them here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tire_code

It is no wonder that your 185/60R14 looks smallish. They are narrower (185mm vs. 205mm) and have lower profile (0.6*185mm vs., 0.7*205mm). Smaller diameter explains the inaccurate speedometer.

You should also pay attention on the load index. Your current tires have 82, which is typical for compact cars. I think for our big cars something like >94 would be sufficient. For instance my colleagues new E280 4Matic's factory fitted tires have load index of 99.

I just bought Uniroyal 215/70R14 load index 96. I'll write a post when I get them under the car.

Bandolero

The 205/70/14 were for the V8s but not the 6.9.
The 215/70/14 was for the 6.9.
The 280's used 185/75/14.
So using this link http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html you will see that 195/70/14 is the right tyre for standard 6 inch rims for the 280.
BTW all the V8s used 6.5 inch rims.
Russell Bond - (Adelaide, South Australia)
1978 450SEL 6.9 .... #5166 .... 12/78 (Sold.) [url="//www.ezycoat.com.au"]www.ezycoat.com.au[/url]

13B

In Australia the 215/65-14 proves to be just about perfect for a W116 and W126.  They have a load rating of about 92-94H.  However I've heard this size is very difficult to find elsewhere in the world.  Its popular here due to the big number of large 70s and 80s cars with 14" wheels still on the road here.

My preference is the Yokohama A509 which is a performance tyre, but they don't make them anymore.  I suppose you could fit Y352 tyres in 215/60-14 which are a muscle car tyre, just get them to mount them with the raised white lettering on the inside.

I also see Bridgetone's RE92 is still available in 215/65-14: Link as is the Turanza ER592: Link

Any of these will get your speedo back in spec, and restore the normal appearance of your 280S.

Ian.
450SEL 6.9 #5440 = V MB 690 , 450SE # 43094 = 02010 H , 190E/turbo # 31548 = AOH 68K

Papalangi

The sticker on the drivers door jam will tell you the correct tire size. (US only?)

The sticker says 205/70R14 for my 1976 450SEL.

My snow tires are 205/70R14 and have little to no speedo error.  My summer tires are 215/60R14 and have somewhere between 7 and 10 percent error as shown by a GPS.  This means that the circumference is about 7 to 10 percent smaller than the specified tire.

Michael
'83 300SD, I'm back!  It's the son's new car (12/2020)
1976 450SEL, 116.033  Sold it to buy a '97 Crown Vic.  Made sense at the time.
1971 250C, 114.023
1976 280C
1970 250/8

s class

those tyres with a load index of 82 will be able to handle a load of something like 450kg each - about what the front of your car will load onto them when its stationary - consider the additional forces that will be placed on them when you brake, and you could well burst a tyre.  that is the approach I'd take with the tyre dealer - they have actually been negligent, unprofessional and irresponsible fitting your car with tyres that are totally unsuitable.  Sorry, but its the truth. 

Original tyre size for the 280 was 185R14, which has an implied aspect ratio of 82.  You can use the 205/70R14 as fitted to the v8's very happily and you will be pleased with the increase in grip.  The 205/70R14 has a very close rolling diameter to the orignial 185SR14.  205/70R14's are not a common size anymore, but the slightly narrower 195/70R14 is more readily available.  It is a reasonably acceptable compromise.  the 215/65R14 the Aussies talk of is also highly suitable, but I must agree that I don't think its really available outside of Aus. 


[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL

Papalangi

Quote from: s class on 09 February 2009, 02:01 PM
  205/70R14's are not a common size anymore, but the slightly narrower 195/70R14 is more readily available.  It is a reasonably acceptable compromise.  the 215/65R14 the Aussies talk of is also highly suitable, but I must agree that I don't think its really available outside of Aus. 

Tirerack.com lists 14 tires in 205/70R14 from $43 to $93 with load ratings of 93 to 98 and none in 215/65R14.

Michael
'83 300SD, I'm back!  It's the son's new car (12/2020)
1976 450SEL, 116.033  Sold it to buy a '97 Crown Vic.  Made sense at the time.
1971 250C, 114.023
1976 280C
1970 250/8

chinny4290

Just to follow up.

Finally got around to purchasing new tires.

I bought a set of Kumho Solus KR21s 205/70R14 93Ts.


HUUUUGE difference.

Not only does the car ride higher like it's supposed to, but ride is better, handling is much better. And it looks the way it should. I have yet to confirm the speedo fix but I'm pretty sure it's fixed.

I'll follow up on that when I get my Garmin when I go home. You guys are awesome!
1975 W116 280S - SOLD
1994 W124 E320 Coupe - Gone

CURRENT - 1974 450SEL