Which Tire Size to upgrade W123 To? 215/70R14? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BoostnBenz · #1 11-07-2003, 04:02 PM

Hi all,
To my dismay my fairly new Goodyear Viva tires which came on my 83 are self destructing (one has a huge bulge in it) and Wally World is refusing to do anything on warranty as they say it isn't transferable even though I have the original reciept. So I'm now going to get at least two tires (probably from TireRack), I'm pretty sure they'll be Michelin Harmonys but the question in my mind is what size? Sure I know that the factory size is 195/70R14 but I don't wish to stay at that size. I'd like a little free gear ratio adjustment, maybe fill a little more wheel well, and perhaps a little extra handling out of it. I have some SD rims (.5" wider than normal 300D rims) waiting if I want to use them, but what size shall I go with? Right now I'm seriously considering 215/70R14s but I wonder if that'll fit as the S class rims are pretty close to the tierod in the first place, will the upsizing be to much?

Thanks,

#2 11-07-2003, 08:53 PM

Those from the early '80s are ET25 and should fit, but the earlier part number 1084001002 has a hair less than 30mm offset and will rub on the tie rod ends unless some sort of spacer is added. You might be happier with 205/70 than 215/70 for outside fender clearance, too.

BIGRED · #3 11-07-2003, 09:39 PM

Other things to consider are the condition of suspension and steering.

The wider the tire the more pronounced the issue. This assumes you have an issue to start with, like a steering box that is not 100%.

Good luck
Don

william rogers · #4 11-09-2003, 03:07 AM

I sure would not go bigger than 205's.........
William Rogers.........

rwthomas1 · #5 11-09-2003, 08:59 AM

I run Michelin X-ones, 205-70/14 and have been very happy with them. RT

#6 11-09-2003, 10:39 AM

BoostnBenz · #7 11-09-2003, 12:07 PM

Wow, thanks for all the replies so it is nearly unanimous for 205/70R14, perhaps it'd be better to just go with this size then. Now the only question is to put them on the S class rims or my original rims. The S class rims are a little less than 3/16" from the tie rod, but I would think that a wider rim would make it handle a little bit better.

BoostnBenz · #8 11-09-2003, 09:13 PM

As a last update here I ended up buying the Michelin Harmony 205/70R14s ($81ea). My car doesn't have the normal rear end in it so I figured if I went with the 215/70R14s that it would be just to slow and probably create more of a problem than anything at higher speeds. Thanks for all the replies everyone.

As an archive note after quite a bit of research I found the general consensus to be that the Harmony is superior to the X one in nearly every aspect (treadwear on the harmony is 680AB instead of 700AB), even Michelin's site rates the Harmony higher than the X one. I believe they rated the handling the same but snow traction on the X one is quite a bit lower, and the Harmony is supposed to be quieter and a little better in every other category. So for better wet/dry/snow traction with less noise and equivalent handling I'll gladly accept those 20pts lower in treadwear which puts it at a mere 80k miles treadwear.

ajrn · #9 11-02-2008, 01:29 AM

I too had Viva2's that did that..

I'm replacing them with Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring-- at Walmart's expense..

Did you buy the road hazzard warranty??