Need sage advice re: rubber - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Shern · #1 12-09-2018, 10:01 PM

After a mere 3 years my tires are absolutely blasted. Yearly alignments, rotation every other oil change, did not slouch re: upkeep.

Now I've found a nail a little close to the sidewall and I think it's time to deal with this. When I bought my 240, she was running 175/70R14 tires. I kept this size and replaced them with Michelin defenders. Thing is, I cannot find a single reference to this size in the archives... Going to file a warranty claim tomorrow and potentially get a new set.

1.) 240D team, what size and make tires are you running?

2.) Thoughts on this size in general?

ROLLGUY · #2 12-09-2018, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shern

After a mere 3 years my tires are absolutely blasted. Yearly alignments, rotation every other oil change, did not slouch re: upkeep.

Now I've found a nail a little close to the sidewall and I think it's time to deal with this. When I bought my 240, she was running 175/70R14 tires. I kept this size and replaced them with Michelin defenders. Thing is, I cannot find a single reference to this size in the archives... Going to file a warranty claim tomorrow and potentially get a new set.

1.) 240D team, what size and make tires are you running?

2.) Thoughts on this size in general?

185/70, or 195/70 are what I see on most 240's. I like to run 205/70's on the 300's.

Shern · #3 12-09-2018, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

185/70, or 195/70 are what I see on most 240's. I like to run 205/70's on the 300's.

195 is the width correct?

What are the pros/cons of running a slightly wider tire?

ROLLGUY · #4 12-09-2018, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shern

195 is the width correct?

What are the pros/cons of running a slightly wider tire?

Yes.
from Google: "The two-digit number after the slash mark in a tire size is the aspect ratio. For example, in a size P215/65 R15 tire, the 65 means that the height is equal to 65% of the tire's width. The bigger the aspect ratio, the bigger the tire's sidewall will be."

In my opinion, it is best to run a tire with the same circumference as what came from the factory. I have seen a few original spares in 240's that were 175/70, so I imagine that might have been the size that came stock. However, I don't ever remember seeing that skinny of tire being run on any of the W123's that I have owned (30+). I imagine a wider tire will have more rolling resistance, but it is probably minuscule. I don't think you will go wrong with running a 185 or 195/70 on your 240.

Maximan1 · #5 12-09-2018, 11:00 PM

I had the original spare on my 240D. Got a set of 195/70R14s for it as they were an exact match in diameter. They don't rub at all, so I'm happy with the size.

I asked the shop manager at the Walmart tire and lube center I used to work at, and he told me we would usually put 185/70s or 195/70s on W123s.

Shern · #6 12-09-2018, 11:05 PM

Thank you both, that's very helpful.

97 SL320 · #7 12-11-2018, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shern

After a mere 3 years my tires are absolutely blasted. Yearly alignments, rotation every other oil change, did not slouch re: upkeep.

How many miles?

Shern · #8 12-11-2018, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

How many miles?

42,000 miles and they're actually okay... Late one evening I discovered I had a nail lodged very close to the shoulder. Costco wouldn't touch it and was rather skeptical regarding the state of my tires in general. Brought it back during the day and turns out they're fine. In the end, Pep boys patched the tire. The tread wear is a little unusual but they're fine for now.

I still have the original michelin spare in the trunk which is 175/70. When the time comes, I'm upgrading to 195/70.

97 SL320 · #9 12-11-2018, 11:09 PM

Have a look at these tire repair resources, I'm betting the repair is beyond safe limits.

https://www.tireindustry.org/tire-maintenance/tire-repair

http://us.coopertire.com/CooperTiresConsumer2013/media/Documents/Service_Bulletin_108_0914.pdf

Simpler=Better · #10 12-12-2018, 12:32 PM

42k out of a set of tires is great.

I'm a cheapo, and it's been hard to break the habit of running tires down to their last mile, but asking myself this helps quite a bit:

As I'm sliding toward a tree, will I be thinking "I'm glad I saved $200 on these tires"?

Shern · #11 12-12-2018, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

Have a look at these tire repair resources, I'm betting the repair is beyond safe limits.

https://www.tireindustry.org/tire-maintenance/tire-repair

http://us.coopertire.com/CooperTiresConsumer2013/media/Documents/Service_Bulletin_108_0914.pdf

Oh boy...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simpler=Better

42k out of a set of tires is great.

I'm a cheapo, and it's been hard to break the habit of running tires down to their last mile, but asking myself this helps quite a bit:

As I'm sliding toward a tree, will I be thinking "I'm glad I saved $200 on these tires"?

Very true.

vwnate1 · #12 12-12-2018, 02:59 PM

I always laugh when I see folks automatically running wider tires .

I run my 240D and the Coupe on road rallies constantly and I'm told I drive too fast by most everyone, I never have any issues with sliding in high speed corners although I outrun 'Sports Cars' all the time with my skinny Michelin Defenders .

If you do fuel economy checks and are a critical driver you'll notice the extra unsprung weight shaves a few miles off and definitely cause shorter shock, bushing and so on life .

Remember : our little W123's were designed tp be flogged WFO on the autobahns, not putt - putted like Americans drive .

Big tires are for show, not for go unless you're sporting modified engines with more power .

Maximan1 · #13 12-12-2018, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

I always laugh when I see folks automatically running wider tires .

I run my 240D and the Coupe on road rallies constantly and I'm told I drive too fast by most everyone, I never have any issues with sliding in high speed corners although I outrun 'Sports Cars' all the time with my skinny Michelin Defenders .

If you do fuel economy checks and are a critical driver you'll notice the extra unsprung weight shaves a few miles off and definitely cause shorter shock, bushing and so on life .

Remember : our little W123's were designed tp be flogged WFO on the autobahns, not putt - putted like Americans drive .

Big tires are for show, not for go unless you're sporting modified engines with more power .

What size are you running?

rocky raccoon · #14 12-12-2018, 04:51 PM

I went to 15" wheels on my 300CD. The motivation was a far better selection of tires. Your choices are limited with 14" wheels.

vwnate1 · #15 12-13-2018, 12:03 AM

Curious, how did you like the 15" wheels on the CD ? .

I'd have to go look at my 1982 20D to see what the tire size is, there's a sticker in the driver's door jamb, go look at it and use that size . the car is far from here right now, I can go look if you want but your car has the info.

Resist the urge to $ave a few dollars on tires ~ this car came to me a decade ago with brandy new Chinese (?Kumho maybe?) tires, they stuck O.K., not great but wore rapidly and one time I got a nail in the tread on the freeway, slowed way down and by the time the next exit came up the tire was toast due to heat .

Not good, false economy .

My gray market 300TD came with 15" wheels, it's nice, rides well, and handles well too, I'm not allowed to slap it 'round like I do my Coupe and 240D sedan because I bought it for SWMBO so it must remain clean and pretty, if I wadded it my sex life would screech to a distinct halt I fear .