Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: wbell51 on August 07, 2015, 16:47:44

Title: 67 230 sl tire options
Post by: wbell51 on August 07, 2015, 16:47:44: I will be replacing tires on my '67 230 sl and not terribly surprised with limited options. I am trying to remain true to the 185R14 size and considering Coker's Phoenix ( looks to be the only white wall option), the Vredestein Sprint and the Michelin MXV P. Are there any other suitable options I am missing?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.
Title: Re: 67 230 sl tire options
Post by: mbzse on August 07, 2015, 16:52:00: I am pleased with the classic tire Michelin MXV-P ww in original size: 185-14HR (about 80 aspect ratio)
/Hans in Sweden
Title: Re: 67 230 sl tire options
Post by: clembeauch63712 on September 02, 2015, 23:35:28: I am running 185 hr 14 Hankook narrow w/walls on my 1963, 230sl looks correct & handles well..
Title: Re: 67 230 sl tire options
Post by: Baybear on September 03, 2015, 01:03:42: Uniroyal makes a 185/75 -14 White wall. Just put them on yesterday. I like them very much. They handle well.
Will
Title: Re: 67 230 sl tire options
Post by: Pinder on December 29, 2015, 23:33:16: 195 75 R14 hankook from tire rack is what Im considering and they are well priced.
Title: Re: 67 230 sl tire options
Post by: ghenne on December 30, 2015, 10:39:28: I'm looking too. I've used 205/70 tires for the past 35 year - I like the more aggressive stance. But 205/70VR14 has even less choice available.

Anybody have thoughts comparing the two?
Title: Re: 67 230 sl tire options
Post by: paults1 on December 30, 2015, 14:21:27: Anyone know if the Michelin MXV-P 185-14HR whitewall is available in the USA.
Regards, Paul, '63 230SL
Title: Re: 67 230 sl tire options
Post by: thelews on December 30, 2015, 15:46:33: Coker will put whitewalls on the 185 HR 14 Vredestein Sprint Classics, about $1K a set.
Title: Re: 67 230 sl tire options
Post by: Pinder on December 31, 2015, 00:28:51: That is a beautiful car,. THose center caps look great! My brother just ordered the Hankook 195 R75 14. Optimo for his 1969 280SL, I will order some later this year when I have my car painted.
Title: Re: 67 230 sl tire options
Post by: Tyler S on January 02, 2016, 07:04:43: If you go to Coker's website and search their classic tires, they offer the reproduction Michelin and Phoenix tires these cars had from the factory. They say from original molds but with radial technology. The Phoenix is a Whitewall and the Michelin is not. I wonder if this is what determined what cars got which tires at the factory. My data card shows "phonix" white walls.

https://www.cokertire.com/catalogsearch/result/?header_year=1967&header_make=MERCEDES&header_model=250&q=185R14 (https://www.cokertire.com/catalogsearch/result/?header_year=1967&header_make=MERCEDES&header_model=250&q=185R14)
Title: Re: 67 230 sl tire options
Post by: Flyair on January 06, 2016, 07:37:01: Your pain in searching the right fit could be greatly eased by some useful reading that the Forum funding fathers have prepared for the benefit of all...
http://www.sl113.org/wiki/WheelsTires/Tires

Moreover, it is one of those topics that comes up quite regularly since the forum was created....if you use the search engine on this site you will find many useful info
Title: Re: 67 230 sl tire options
Post by: ghenne on January 06, 2016, 11:18:39: That page probably due for an update - the information on tires is dated 2007. Many of these are no longer available,
Title: Re: 67 230 sl tire options
Post by: gimp on January 06, 2016, 12:35:49: I have the 195/75/14 Hankook with W/W.
The price was right and I think they look good.
Title: Re: 67 230 sl tire options
Post by: Panzer82 on January 06, 2016, 15:07:33: I read pages and pages of tire info on the forum here before deciding on a tire.... based on what was right for me and how I use my car:

I bought a set of Hankook Optimo H724 (195/75R14) - white walls - in the Spring of 2015 and put just shy of 5,000 miles on them over the Summer during various car events and tours, they performed very well.

There is nothing 'correct' looking about the side walls... the white wall is fine, but the side of the tire has slightly raised texturing and the big words 'HANKOOK OPTIMO' on them, so if you want to compete in a national level MBCA concours, go with the Cokers, but if you want a tire that performs well, fits well and costs almost nothing ($300.24 delivered directly to the local shop that put them on my wheels for me!) then I'd say they're a fine choice.

I had a set of Michelin Harmonys (also 195/75R14) on my 1965 230SL, I bought them brand new, had them mounted, and didn't like them at all. They were very skittish at highway speeds... above 65mph the car wandered all around.... and they were $110 or so a piece if I recall.
Title: Re: 67 230 sl tire options
Post by: Peter van Es on January 06, 2016, 22:00:03: Quote from: ghenne on January 06, 2016, 11:18:39
That page probably due for an update - the information on tires is dated 2007. Many of these are no longer available,

Be our guest... don't complain but fix it.

Shameless plug: if you look here http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Site/AllRecentChanges you can see who made the recent changes to our Technical Manual. They do not happen by themselves, you know. If your name is not on the list, and you are a Full Member, it is your turn to add the the body of knowledge by updating the Technical Manual. I am now only concerned with updating our website, and shall reduce my content involvement dramatically...

Peter
Title: Re: 67 230 sl tire options
Post by: Kayvan on February 24, 2016, 18:32:00: Kumho makes a nice budget tire for $65/ea.

Kumho Solus KR21 in P195-75R14

Had Pirelli P400s in past and they slid around.

The Michelins do look very nice; something about the rubber is a very rich dark, matte, & satin color.
Title: Re: 67 230 sl tire options
Post by: hauser on February 24, 2016, 20:56:39: The Michelins look the best are the best but are also the most expensive.