2014 Tire Options

[Kenneth Gear]

I know there are lots of posts on tire availability and options on this forum but I cannot find many that are recent.

If anyone has recently researched this let me know, if not I'll start today and post an update.

I am seeking new tires preferably white walls and am looking for non-Coker options.

[hauser]

Ken

There's not much out there.  Try Diamondback Classics.

http://www.dbtires.com/tires.html

I went in a different direction and decided to go with 15" wheels and hubcaps.

[mdsalemi]

15" wheels and hubcaps.

How are they working out? How do they look? Which wheels did you use? Tires? Let us know.

[KevinC]

Ken,

I bought a set of Cooper Trendsetter SE 195/75/14 tires last July. Very acceptable handling and low road noise. I purchased at Pep Boys of all places but I am not sure if they carry them any longer. I see them also at:

http://www.groupbuytires.com/s?defaultSearchTextValue=Search&searchKeywords=195+%2F+75+%2F+14&Action=submit

Also Hankook makes them in a WW called "Optimo":

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/searchTiresBySize.do?sortBy=prca&ar=75&fqs=true&rd=14&sw=false&cs=195

Kevin

[sfanale]

I can attest to the Hankook.  My discount tire even had them in stock the day I walked in.  I paid $280 out the door for a set of four.  I don't see anything wrong with them...they arent racing tires, but neither is the car so....

[hauser]

How are they working out? How do they look? Which wheels did you use? Tires? Let us know.

Mike, the car is very stable at speeds.  I drove the car to Williamsburg and back with no shake shimmy and excellent road holding at high speeds.

I went with a modern HR rated Michelin Primacy with D B C added 3/4" WW.

The wheels came from the Classic Center as well as the 15" hubcaps.

Would I do it all over again? Absolutely!

[klc1967230sl]

I'm curious if anyone has tried the Milestar 195/75R14 or 185/75R14 tires manufactured by Nankang Rubber Tire Company of Taiwan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nankang_Rubber_Tire).  They are sold on Amazon and Ebay for about $75 per tire or less with free delivery.  The company's other tire sizes seem to have good reviews on Amazon. The whitewall is 1/2" in width.  I would prefer the 3/4" width but can't find anything with 3/4" WWs other than the Coker tires, which are very expensive and may have mixed reviews.  I live in Houston and have a 1967 230 SL that I hope to restore in the near future and would really appreciate your opinion regarding new tires since I have spent the better part of the day reading comments on this site, searching the web, etc. and am thoroughly confused.  I would like to maintain the original look and handling characteristics of my car and believe the 195/75R14 and 185/75R14 are the two sizes closest to the original 185/R14 size but would appreciate your opinion on this issue as well.

[Jkalplus1]

I have 185-75s. They look wrong.  Not tall enough. They don't fill the wheel arches like they should. Get 195-75s if you must go a different size than the original profile.  The technical manual has good choices.
I am getting the phoenix ww myself next spring.

[KevinC]

Our cars were fitted with 185-14's but they were 78's or 80's back in the day so a 185-75-14 would not be the closest contemporary tire. 195-75's are closest.

http://www.groupbuytires.com/P195-75R14-KUMHO-SOLUS-KR21/dp/B00LT5SCBE#.VFgnbZV0y1s

http://www.discountedwheelwarehouse.com/Discount_Tires.cfm?pa=List&zsb=0&psearch=&sc1=111&sc2=116&sc3=136&sc4=14

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?skipOver=true&performance=ALL&width=195%2F&ratio=75&diameter=14

[Cees Klumper]

AFAIK the Vredestein classic line is still available for our cars, in the correct original size.That's what I have on my car and I'm pleased with them. Thy're blackwall, don't know if they are sold in a WW option.

[mbzse]

.../... Vredestein classic.../... don't know if they are sold in a WW option

Here is an example of just that. Vendors for instance MOR or MoellerReifen (Germany). Designation 185 HR 14 90 H. Rated to 210km/h
/Hans in Sweden

.

[KevinC]

Our cars were fitted with 185-14's but they were 78's or 80's back in the day so a 185-75-14 would not be the closest contemporary tire. 195-75's are closest.

http://www.groupbuytires.com/P195-75R14-KUMHO-SOLUS-KR21/dp/B00LT5SCBE#.VFgnbZV0y1s

http://www.discountedwheelwarehouse.com/Discount_Tires.cfm?pa=List&zsb=0&psearch=&sc1=111&sc2=116&sc3=136&sc4=14

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?skipOver=true&performance=ALL&width=195%2F&ratio=75&diameter=14

Not sure why the Discount Tires link doesn't load properly but they are showing the Cooper White Wall in the 195-75-14 size for $64 per tire currently

[scoot]

AFAIK the Vredestein classic line is still available for our cars, in the correct original size.That's what I have on my car and I'm pleased with them. Thy're blackwall, don't know if they are sold in a WW option.

I have what Cees has and I like them.

[klc1967230sl]

Thanks, everyone, for your prompt and invaluable advice.  I'm narrowing my choices down but haven't decided yet.  One factor is the apparently limited number of brands with 3/4" whitewalls, which I believe is my preference.  Once again, I appreciate your taking the time to respond to my questions. 

[KevinC]

KLC,

Make sure you research the Cooper Trendsetters if you can. I think you'll be pleased.

Kevin

PS: If I used my initials, I would be kjc1967230sl ... Small world!

[Shvegel]

If they are still available i have Yokohama Avid touring white walls on my car. They handle well. They are quiet and are inexpensive to boot.

[RonB]

I went with 205 - 70 - 14 Michaln. I Toya and all I got was "crap because you have Japaneses tirea on a a German  car.

Also I personal feel that you get what you pay for, keeping you out ofntrouble in stopping and skid pad.

The Toya where all over the road on wet pavement. The back end would walk out and almost come around on you.

Was not worth the hazard they created. Ya I know they cost more, but safety is the prime concern over a 5-7 year period

on collector car that are approaching 100k +.

Good Motoring

[gimp]

I bought a set of Hankook 195/75/14 w/w last year prior to travelling to Williamsburg.
The price was right and they look good and feel right.

[klc1967230sl]

Lots of good ideas for me to consider.  Thanks again, everyone.