Alloy wheels

[n/a]

Hi everybody,
I want to put 6,5 J X 14 alloy wheels with 205/70 tyres on my 1968 280 SL.
I have read in the technical articles that it is not possible to place wheel weights on the inside of the 6,5 rims because they would be scraped off during sharp cornering.
I have read too that these wide tyres can induce spinouts.
Do you have experienced these two problems? What do you recommend?
Thanks. Alain.

alain

[Cees Klumper]

Hi Alain - I have the 205/70 tires on my 280 SL. Never experienced a problem with scraping or spinning. However, if I were you I would look for the original tire size: less friction / ligther steering, better fuel economy, good looks and better contact under wet conditions I suppose.

Cees ("Case") Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[lylesmet]

I have Michelin XDX 205/70 on 6.5X14 alloys. I went to these when I could not replace the Michelin 185s. I wanted to stay with Michelins; my experience with other tire manufactuers isn't good. I have a Nardi and the combo with 205/70s seems to work well; I did not notice a large difference. I would expect that the difference among different manufactures would be greater than the difference between 205/70s vs 185s. As to Cees comments: I believe they do look a little larger altho the circumference is nearly identical. I do not forsee any rubbing problems and I just don't understand how the weights (rather than the tire itself) would be likely to produce one. Based upon my experience I would say it works fine but I wouldn't expect any significant change in handling. My one "observer" (the local MB Service Manager) thinks it made a positive difference in handling qualities.