Tire Advice Needed

[FloridaBIll]

I need to replace the tires on a 1967 250 SL.  The ones that I have currently are Michelin. ZXZ 185/R14.  I did some quick research in the past threads and it seems there are many options to choose from.  I need some advice for a black wall, good performance, moderately priced tire.  This will be for a daily driver.  I was not happy with the ride of the Michelin XZX’s but it was likely due to the fact they are over 15 + years old.  Weird thing is they look perfect with excellent tread from the outside but I do not trust the age.
…
 A while back I met someone who had a new set of the original tires but he would not sell them because I was not restoring for show entry.  I am going to check with him today to see if he still has the set.  Even if he does, he may not want to get rid of them.  Oh well, what’s a good substitute?

Thanks for the replies,

Bill

[graphic66]

Not sure what the best tire is, but check the speed rating on whatever you decide on. 14's are difficult to find in a higher speed rating. I have used 205/70/14  no problem. I have Goodyear Eagle Gt's but realized after purchasing tha the speed rating is wrong for the top speed our cars can supposedly attain. Also on the 205's the trunk lid touches the spare when closed.

[rwmastel]

Bill,

I can't recommend any particular tire (I'm using Micheline Symmetry whitewall in 195/75r14) because I don't have vast experience with the Pagoda and multiple tire types & sizes.

What I can do is help you decide the correct tire size for you.
185r14 (original sizing)
185/80r14
195/75r14
205/70r14

Many people like the "thick" look of the 205 series tires.  If you like that, and don't mind the trunk hinge pushing on the spare tire, then go for that.  If not, and you like the look of your current 185 series tires, then go with that.  Some people say the 185 allows the steering to be easier, specially on manual steering cars.  Do a search on this site for "tire nirvana" and read that very long thread.  Lots of great info.  What ever you end up buying, it will be much better than your 15 year old tires.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[harleydan]

One option is to get the 205 tires, but put a smaller sized tire for the spare.  That way one gets the thick look but the trunk will not hit the spare tire.  The spare would only be used in emergencies while the 205 damaged tired is either fixed or replaced.  

Cheers,
Danny
1970 280SL silver Euro manual

[KevinC]

I love my 195 75R 14 Bridgestone Turanza's. Low road noise and great handling/ride. Very reasonable on TireRack.com and I believe come in both white and blackwall.

Download Attachment: MB bs_turanza_lst_ww195-75-14.jpg
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Kevin Caputo
Boca Raton, FL
1967 230 SL Automatic
670 Light Ivory
113 Bronze/Brown MB Tex

[Raymond]

Hey Florida,
If blackwalls will suit you, I have 205/70 14s by Yokohama. The Avid T-4 has a 130 mph speed rating and very good wet-weather traction.  That's important when rain hits that oil-ripened asphalt in Summer.  In the dry, the soft compound handles cornering really well.  After 7,500 miles, the ride is smooth and quiet.

Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe

[FloridaBIll]

Thanks for the replies, I spent a while educating myself on tires for the 113.  The Tire Nirvana thread was very helpful.  I have narrowed it down to two choices for my needs.
195/75 r14 Pirelli P 400 or
195/75 r14 Bridgestone Turanza
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The Pirelli's are least expensive (50.00) vs. Turanza (75.00)Tire-easy,com (Tirerack does not carry them.) Not much of a price difference so it may not affect my decision.  Calling around locally to see if I can get them without having to pay for shipping.  Anyone else want to comment on the two choices? 1 vote for Turanza's so far.
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thx.
-Bill

[DavidAPease]

Hi, Bill,

No comment on the Pirellis, as I haven't tried them.  However, I did put a set of the Turanza 195/75R14s on my car last year (thanks to recommendations from this group).  I have well over 10,000 miles on them now, including a 6,000 trip last summer, and I am very pleased.  I could not find blackwalls, but just installed them black side out, and they look good.  (I've posted too many photos of my car already, but if you're interested, I'm sure you could find a photo in my earlier posts.)

A couple of years back, Arthur Dalton posted an entry where he explained why 195/75R14 was the closest standardly available size to the original (185R14).  When I bought my car, it had 205/70s on it, which I thought were a bit too wide.  I like both the ride and the (non-power) steering with the 195/75s (and they fit in the trunk!).

-David Pease
'66 French 230SL

[bpossel]

Hello Bill,

I also installed the Bridgestone Turanza LST 195/75R14 last August.  Have close to 9,000 miles on them.  The ride seems good and the tires look good on the car.
Regards,
Bob

bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[rwmastel]

David and Bob,

How do the Turanza tires do in emergency braking/turning?  Safety first!

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[FloridaBIll]

Thanks for the replies....3 out of 3 sl113.org poster's prefer the Turanza's.  Not a bad endorsement.  I am going with the Turanza's.  Funny thing is in Florida (Kevin and France can confirm this) the typical driving habit is Go straight, turn, go straight , turn repeat....where I live there are hardly any curvy roads and not one hill in the entire state of Florida.  Florida is just a sandbar sticking out of Georgia.  The Ocala area has a few "hills" but my tires will be going in a straight line to 90 degree turn to another straightaway...rather boring driving compared to the rest of the world.
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Turnaza's appear to be good tire to do this type of driving.