What tires do you choose for you W123 diesel? - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

300SD81 · #46 03-06-2007, 10:55 PM

I saw the inside of a guys rims at school while he was changing the tire. The balance weights were little squares glued to the inside of the rim, on both the outside and inside, instead of being clipped to the edge. Is this possible on our rims? And why isn't it seen more often?

Mark DiSilvestro · #47 03-07-2007, 09:55 AM

I have Michelin X on both my 240Ds by default - installed by the PO. They're brand new on the '82, but 7 years old and starting to dry-rot on the '81. So far no problems except for some tire noise on the '81.

When I was considering upgrading from 13 to 14-inch rims on my '60 Fintail, I checked on the availibility of Michelins or Pirellis. Even some of their 14-inch tires are getting hard to find, while the 13-inch tires that fit my car are extinct! I wound up getting a set of closeout B F Goodrich 185/80R13 tires at Sams-Club, but they don't handle as well as the unobtainable Pirelli P400s I had on the car.

Happy Motoring, Mark

vstech · #48 03-07-2007, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300SD81

I saw the inside of a guys rims at school while he was changing the tire. The balance weights were little squares glued to the inside of the rim, on both the outside and inside, instead of being clipped to the edge. Is this possible on our rims? And why isn't it seen more often?

very common at most tire stores to put the glue on weights that are zinc now, not lead due to environmental reasons... anyway, the glue on weights usually get installed on aluminum wheels, to avoid scratching them, also the thicker edge of an aluminum wheel is not conducive to the clip on weights.
John

winmutt · #49 03-07-2007, 10:51 AM

205/55/16 is the only way to ride

EdmondsAve · #50 03-07-2007, 01:28 PM

I like the stock 14s honestly, but im gong to store them and opt for some CLK 17s, because i want wider tires in the rear for a better stance (once we get those lowering springs ordered) any ideas on how easy/hard this is?

winmutt · #51 03-07-2007, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdmondsAve

I like the stock 14s honestly, but im gong to store them and opt for some CLK 17s, because i want wider tires in the rear for a better stance (once we get those lowering springs ordered) any ideas on how easy/hard this is?

What swapping the springs, rolling the fenders or finding the right spacers?

Hard, easy, pretty hard.

rino · #52 03-07-2007, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winmutt

205/55/16 is the only way to ride

Would someone be kind 'nuff to clarify for the uninitiated what those tire numbers mean? What about 14R, 14S, etc?

Thanks,
Rino

derherr65 · #53 03-07-2007, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rino

Would someone be kind 'nuff to clarify for the uninitiated what those tire numbers mean?

I just bought a set of P195-70-R14 90T tires.

P is for passenger cars, LT would be a stiffer pickup type tire.

195 means the tire is 195 millimeters wide. This is in the middle, not the tread width wich is usually a little less.

70 is the aspect ratio. The heigth of the sidewall is 70% of the tire's width.

R usually means radial, rather than bias ply. A tire construction method.

14 means the tire fits a 14 inch wheel or rim.

90 is the load rating, how much weight the tire can carry.
Load Index Pounds Kilograms
85 1135 515
90 1323 600
95 1521 690

T is the speed rating. The max speed the tire can handle for 1 hour, IIRC.
P 93 mph 150 km/h
Q 99 mph 160 km/h
R 106 mph 170 km/h
S 112 mph 180 km/h
T 118 mph 190 km/h
U 124 mph 200 km/h
H 130 mph 210 km/h
V 149 mph 240 km/h

Other things like "M+S" and "owl" you can pretty much ignore.

rino · #54 03-07-2007, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derherr65

I just bought a set of P195-70-R14 90T tires. [CUT]

Wonderful... thanks!!!

Rino

toomany MBZ · #55 03-07-2007, 08:32 PM

Yokohama TRZ's. What ever size will fit.

#56 03-08-2007, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300SD81

I saw the inside of a guys rims at school while he was changing the tire. The balance weights were little squares glued to the inside of the rim, on both the outside and inside, instead of being clipped to the edge. Is this possible on our rims? And why isn't it seen more often?

What you are describing is stick on weights. I use them all the time. They work PARTICULARLY well, on wide, deep rims. The reason is that on wide, deep rims, you can use stick on weights behind the spokes of the wheel for balancing the outer plane.

For the 123 wheels, they are not wide and deep enough to do this effectively. On steel 123 wheels use standard weights on inner and outer lips. On bundt cakes, use a standard weight on the inboard lip and find the correct clip on weight for the outer lip. Some bundt cakes take a standard clip on for the outboard, and some use a special shaped weight. Any GOOD tire store should have the proper weight. There are about a dozen different types and they have a chart to tell them which is correct.

Good luck,