Tyres 205/60

[NZ230]

Hi there can I run these tyres on my 230SL?

Thanks!

[Peter van Es]

https://www.sl113.org/wiki/WheelsTires/Start is your friend...

[franjo_66]

I run 205/70 tyres on my 230SL, very happy and tyres fit well and drive really well

The 205/60 is too small a profile

[WRe]

Hi,
a previous owner of my car had tires of size 205/60 R15 89 H mounted on steel rims 7JJx15CH.
But be careful, because when using 205 tires there was a failure mode of the power steering fastening where the sleeves were torn out of the frame or the fastening screws broke off.
...WRe

[Klaus Pieper]

I have been running my 230 SL on 205/70 R14 tyres with 6 inch rims for many years without any problems at all, not out of choice, however this is the only 14 inch tyre readily available in my country.

[NZ230]

Thanks all for your replies appears it will not be suitable so in will try source some 195/70 or similar I think!

[WRe]

Hi,
Since last year I use 195/70 R14 91H  tires on my car with alloys and I'am happy with it.
...WRe

[Ed Riefstahl]

I have switched from 195-14 to 205-14 for the last two sets of tires on my 1966 230SL. With 4.08 rear gears, I appreciate the additional tire diameter. 195's are 24.7 inches. 205's are 25.3 inches. Not much, but every little bit helps.

However my spare is a horizontal mount and I found it nearly impossible to fit the new 205 spare under the rear quarter and onto the steel mount. The tire with full air pressure, absolutely would not go over the steel mount and under the rear quarter. I had to make some modifications to the steel mount to get it to fit. Once I was able to get the new 205 spare to go under the rear quarter, the trunk would not close without bending the trunk lid. It took considerable maneuvering to get the spare to not push on the underside of trunk lid.

Just a heads-up, if you decide to change the size of your spare to 205 also.

Ed Riefstahl

1966 230SL (Ms Magoo) Horizon Blue
1970 280S (Miss Daisy)
1999 BMW Z3 5 speed
1991 BMW 318I 5 Speed
1997 Toyota Paseo Convertible - One of 1000, (have you ever seen one?)
1997 Ford Ranger step side (Mater)
2023 Mazda CX 5

[rwmastel]

Ed,
You need to include the side wall ratio.
 205/60 are very different from 205/80 !!

[MikeSimon]

Is there such a thing as a 205/80?

[rwmastel]

Just making a point.

[mdsalemi]

Yes, as a matter, fact, there is.
Michelin XWX comes in that size.
205-(80) VR14
Quite expensive. I put the 80 in parentheses since 80 series tires generally are not noted as such.

[zoegrlh]

I run Vredestein, SprintClassic  185HR 14 90H. Some years ago I put a thread on this site with the research I did to find a tire that was as close to the specs of the original Phoenix tires. These Vredesteins were almost an identical match in every way. Down side to many US owners is that they only come in black wall, but have the curb bump on the side wall as the Phoenix tires had.
Also to follow-up, a wider wheel and tire will cause rear right tire to rub against exhaust pipe. Saw this happen to member having a blow-out on way back from PUD some years ago. Go thing I was running behind him along the interstate.

[AdelaidePagoda]

Excellent point, many people forget about the spare tyre and the impact this increased diameter has on being able to close the trunk lid on an early (vertically mounted spare tire) 230SL.

Best to stick with 185 or 195 for the spare tire, whilst running larger on the rest of you absolutely must deviate from the standard 185’s.

[NZ230]

would 185/70 be suitable?

[rwmastel]

That's a smaller diameter than the original 185/80r14.

[zoegrlh]

I think the 185/70 would be fine

[Mike Hughes]

I think the 185/70 would be fine

. . . except for having a smaller rolling diameter, which will improve standing start acceleration, but increase your rpms at all speeds in all gears and reduce fuel economy.

[MikeSimon]

How about the speedometer? It is driven off the transmission and if the tire rolling diameter is different, it will not show accurate speed?

[Mike Hughes]

That's correct. The speedometer reading will be greater than your actual ground speed.