67 230 sl tire options

[wbell51]

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.

[mbzse]

I am pleased with the classic tire Michelin MXV-P  ww  in original size: 185-14HR (about 80 aspect ratio)
/Hans in Sweden

[clembeauch63712]

I am running 185 hr 14 Hankook narrow w/walls on my 1963, 230sl looks correct & handles well..

[Baybear]

Uniroyal makes a 185/75 -14 White wall. Just put them on yesterday. I like them very much. They handle well.
Will

[Pinder]

195 75 R14 hankook from tire rack is what Im considering and they are well priced.

[ghenne]

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?

[paults1]

Anyone know if the Michelin MXV-P 185-14HR whitewall is available in the USA.
Regards, Paul, '63 230SL

[thelews]

Coker will put whitewalls on the 185 HR 14 Vredestein Sprint Classics, about $1K a set.

[Pinder]

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.

[Tyler S]

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

[Flyair]

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

[ghenne]

That page probably due for an update - the information on tires is dated 2007. Many of these are no longer available,

[gimp]

I have the 195/75/14 Hankook with W/W.
The price was right and I think they look good.

[Panzer82]

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.

[Peter van Es]

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

[Kayvan]

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.

[hauser]

The Michelins look the best  are the best but are also the most expensive.