tires

[Michaelg]

The tires on my 1970 280 SL look like bike tires!!! 185 / 75 R14 Uniroyal tiger paw white walls.
I would like to put a little more tire on the car to fill out the wheel well.
I am open to sudgestions.

Cheers

[mmizesko]

Check with kayvan.  I think he put 205's on his. They are blackwalls tho.

Mike

[Cees Klumper]

I had 205's on mine for a number of years, then switched to 185's which look much better on the car. May I suggest you also try the 'search' function as there are tons of posts, and hence suggestions, in there for you.

[Jowe]

Also check here: http://www.sl113.org/wiki/WheelsTires/TireSize

[Tyler S]

I have middle of the road 195/70R14. Fit and look good.

[Benz Dr.]

I have middle of the road 195/70R14. Fit and look good.

That's because they are the best size to use.

[ghenne]

I've had 205/70 blackwalls on my car for the past 35 years. I like the beefier look, but choice of tires is limited and expensive.

195/70 has a 3.5% speedometer error, while 205/70 has a 1.4% error, so they're a bit close to the original diameter.

Dan, why do you like 195/70?

[perry113]

195/75R14's will keep the same aspect ratios as the original 185/14. I went with the white wall Optima H724. They were very reasonable in price. I have no regrets on this decision.

[Pinder]

The Hankook Optima just mentioned by Perry is what I have on the 69 and they are very good and extremely well priced (and have the white strip). Walmart had a great price for the tire and also cheap installation.  Other places had similar price but mounting / balancing was more. I think total for 4 tiers was around $250 to $280 installed.

[Benz Dr.]

I've had 205/70 blackwalls on my car for the past 35 years. I like the beefier look, but choice of tires is limited and expensive.

195/70 has a 3.5% speedometer error, while 205/70 has a 1.4% error, so they're a bit close to the original diameter.

Dan, why do you like 195/70?

I've seen some cars where 205 tires would rub on the inner fender. Likely a different problem but a problem none the less.

[vande17941]

I had 205s.....rubbed on the exhaust occasionally and on the inner Fenders

Switched to the Hankook Optimo white walls from America's Tire / Discount Tire a month ago for $46 each. Looks great. Handles well at 34psi

[m300cab]

I have used 205 70 14" and never had a problem, I also like the look with a slightly larger tire.

[hauser]

Go with a 15" wheel and MB hubcap combo or a 15" bundt 205/65/15 modern tire with custom WW.

[vande17941]

I noticed, without power steering, the effort required while parking at slow speed is quite a bit higher with the 205s. I had Uniroyal 205 blackwalls. Switched them out for 195/75 Hankook Optimo white walls. They look better, and even though skinnier....they handle better because the tire is a better design and composition. People absolutely LOVE the white walls. "Spectators" mention the tires every time they admire the car.

[UJJ]

I got these brand new 15" Bundt rims. I am planning to mount them with 205/65-15" BW tires.
Once I have them installed I'll report back. (Hopefully with good news).
Currently I have 205/70-14" WW installed with no issues.
Urban

[jeffc280sl]

Hauser has the right idea.  looks and performs excellent.  no regrets

[UJJ]

Got these mounted this weekend. I like how the car handles now, big improvement.
.How about the looks, what do you think? I cannot decide, I like both looks hubcaps and alloy.

[Tyler S]

Like them both. Leave the "Bundt" on for driving, Switch to caps for show.
I think the black walls look better on the darker color cars. Esp with a black soft top.

[hauser]

Urban the car looks awesome!!

Anyone  wanting to do this should make sure that the rear axel is centered.

http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=6689.msg43216#msg43216

[Pinder]

I agree both look good but I have a slight preference to the hubcaps.

[Ulf]

Just made the change from 205's to 185's today, certainly less beefy looking, but a much better ride - like floating on air :-)

[66andBlue]

Ulf, are you suggesting that Uhlenhaut and his crew knew what they were doing? 😳
😄

[Ulf]

Ulf, are you suggesting that Uhlenhaut and his crew knew what they were doing? 😳
😄

I sure am :-)

[Shvegel]

These are interesting.  They are light truck tires which means they should have stiffer sidewalls AND they are available in 185R14!
 Not to mention a cool retro European tread design.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=Y356&partnum=8R43568&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

[Tyler S]

I had those Yokohamas on my 89 Westfalia camper before I upgraded my rims. Good tires but noisy. The tread pattern on the sidewall is kind of an eyesore.