need new tires whitewalls portowalls bias ply help

[bantamben]

I have a 69 mercedes 280se coupe that i need new tires for.  I want to get a 2 to 3 inch whitewall.  Like alot of people i dont want to pay the big bucks for coker radials  or other specialty whitewalls i noticed the bias ply tires are like half the price.  My question is does anyone have biasply tires and how do you like them i drive my car on the freeway everyday 75 mph.  Also im curious about portawalls how do you like them how do they look installed and can you please post pics i would really appreciate it.  thanks

[mdsalemi]

Bantamben,

1.  The portawalls by Lucas are about the only way today to get the very wide look you might be trying to achieve, except perhaps some custom manufacturers like Diamond Back.  There's talk of them here, (Diamond Back) but nobody to my knowledge has used them.  If so, they have not reported back to us.

2.  You cruise on the highway everyday at 75 MPH, and you "don't want to pay big bucks"?  I would seriously reconsider your priorities if your life, the life of other people, your passengers, and perhaps even your car are any consideration.  At that speed, cruising on the highway, the quality of your tires is a major component of what separates you from life and death.  This is NOT an inexpensive car to maintain or run, and you should best consider going with a proven product for the application, not trying to find the lowest cost tire you can and adding $50 decorative items to it.

But hey, that's just MY opinion...

If you want to see images of various cars with the portawalls, go here: http://www.google.com/images?q=portawalls&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7GGIT_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi

If that link does not work for you, just go to google.com and their IMAGES section, and search for portawalls.

[al_lieffring]

I have driven Mercedes where customers had bias ply tires installed. Not a good match.
at 60 mph, over steer when going straight, under steer when turning, I wouldn't even think of trying 75mph.

[bantamben]

Thanks that's what I needed to here about bias plys.  And about cheap tires I'm just saying I don't want to spend close to 200 dollars for a 14" tire like it looks the cokers and diamondbacks are when I can get a good tire for a 100 each.  Then maybe put portawalls on it.  Btw 75 around here in California is just to keep from getting to passed up by traffic on my way to work

[mdsalemi]

Here's the problem, Ben.  Nobody uses that diameter (14") or that profile (185), and it has not been used for years in any practical volume.  If you go a bit larger, to a 195, your selection increases; and then again, to 205/70, it increases yet again.  But still, the choices are poor and getting worse as time goes on.

But a quick search of 185/14 at Tire Rack yielded only 4 tires; of those 4, 1 was trailer service, and 2 were "not for use at or near freezing temperatures".  They are pretty slim in the the 195, and 205 departments as well, though you might do better at Discount Tire, or one of the chains and probably only with a special order.  Nobody uses 13", 14" tires any more.

It all has to do with volume.  So, even some Michelins, commonly available just a few years ago in some of these sizes, have been moved to "classics" and the price has skyrocketed, because of low volume.

There are a lot of people who don't want to pay for Cokers, or the classic Michelins.  Even the "tire du jour"--the Vredestein Sprint Classic, is hard to find in the proper size in the USA (the Vredestein website lists a 185HR14 but no dealers show them, must be special order).

If you can find a good quality tire in 185, 195 or P195, or 205/70 HR or R14 for what you are happy spending, great.  Add $50 and you can have the gangsta WW tires.

[thelews]

Even the "tire du jour"--the Vredestein Sprint Classic, is hard to find in the proper size in the USA (the Vredestein website lists a 185HR14 but no dealers show them, must be special order).

I just got mine from Black Forest in 185 HR 14

[bantamben]

I ended up getting skinny whites today.  I went with hankook tires from a local shop 215 75 14 thay look nice.  im thinking of painting or grinding the whitewall to get it to about 2.5. we will see.  i wanted to put a pic but cant seem to see how

[mdsalemi]

215/75?  When I had 205/70s they rubbed.  Scuff marks (since repainted) on the wheel wells to prove it, and though some peoples fit, my ol 205s did not fit in the spare area when inflated.

Report back to us Ben, on the fit and performance of your new Hankook tires.

Yes John, Black Forest are great people and can get the tires you need.  But if you go through channels other than them, the proper size is NOT listed as an option--you have to know it is and probably get a special order.

[bantamben]

ill take measurements my spare is a 205 75 14 and it looks alot wider then these hanooks.  the hieght looks similar ill take a pic from down the line so you can see but it looks like i have plenty of room.  Even though these are taller they dont seem any wider than the 195 70 14 that where on the car.  Thanks remember i do have a 280se coupe so maybe they wouldnt fit on an sl

[graphic66]

I have been running 205/70/14's on my 66' 230SL for years now with no problems.

[69280sl]

Set of used 14" portawalls on ebay if anyone is interested.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/14-Ravus-white-wall-rings-VW-Mercedes-Benz-280SL-280E-/160438201223?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item255adcab87


Gus

[mdsalemi]

I have been running 205/70/14's on my 66' 230SL for years now with no problems.

Over the years the consensus has been that some 205's fit well, and others do not.  I had mine for several years, but on lock turns (i.e. parking lot) they did rub, and I have the scars to prove it.  Others claim no such rubbing.  They most definitely did NOT fit in my spare when inflated--in fact had to return one for some plain vanilla 185 so I could have a spare where it belongs.  Your results might be different.

The 215/75's are a new size on me, so a report back is in order.

(FWIW, I have Hankooks on my Ford Flex, and find them a price point tire, rather than a quality tire.  I'd never put good money into Hankooks but that is just me.  Give me a Michelin, Conti, Pirelli...)

[bantamben]

oops there was an error in my last post the tires i bought are 205 75 14 they are nice and tall but not very wide they dont look any wider than my 195 70 14s i really like them especially for the price about a 3/4 inch whitewall.  there is a guy on line that sells them for slightly more already buffed for a wider whitewall.  //Mine dont come anywhere near rubbing.  like i mentioned i also have an older goodyear 205 75 14 spare and it is alot bigger but still doesnt rub.  heres the link to where i saw them
 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4-185-70-14-HANKOOK-SHAVED-WHITE-WALL-TIRES-1857014_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ66476QQitemZ280498607841