Author Topic: tires (Read 12507 times)

Michaelg · « **on:** May 04, 2016, 11:29:45 »

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 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 04, 2016, 12:02:23 »

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

Mike

Cees Klumper · « **Reply #2 on:** May 04, 2016, 12:50:08 »

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 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 04, 2016, 19:15:07 »

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

Tyler S · « **Reply #4 on:** May 04, 2016, 21:11:23 »

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

Benz Dr. · « **Reply #5 on:** May 05, 2016, 04:07:27 »

Quote from: Tyler S. on May 04, 2016, 21:11:23

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

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

ghenne · « **Reply #6 on:** May 05, 2016, 09:53:39 »

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 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 05, 2016, 10:09:53 »

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 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 05, 2016, 11:59:22 »

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. · « **Reply #9 on:** May 05, 2016, 14:06:15 »

Quote from: ghenne on May 05, 2016, 09:53:39

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 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 30, 2016, 02:25:01 »

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 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 30, 2016, 15:13:06 »

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

hauser · « **Reply #12 on:** May 30, 2016, 15:20:33 »

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

vande17941 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 01, 2016, 18:44:04 »

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 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 02, 2016, 13:58:13 »

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 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 06, 2016, 01:44:30 »

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

UJJ · « **Reply #16 on:** June 13, 2016, 21:17:55 »

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 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 13, 2016, 21:43:48 »

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 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 14, 2016, 04:05:24 »

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 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 16, 2016, 12:02:55 »

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

Ulf · « **Reply #20 on:** June 18, 2016, 20:17:08 »

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 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 19, 2016, 03:00:26 »

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

Ulf · « **Reply #22 on:** June 19, 2016, 14:28:52 »

Quote from: 66andBlue on June 19, 2016, 03:00:26

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

I sure am :-)

Shvegel · « **Reply #23 on:** June 19, 2016, 17:58:54 »

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 · « **Reply #24 on:** June 20, 2016, 17:47:07 »

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.

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Author Topic: tires (Read 12507 times)

Michaelg

hauser

jeffc280sl

hauser