Tire Size..? Is Size Everything..?

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X X X X X X X - 04 May 2007 03:00 GMT

I've got a 1983 300SD. When my tires wore out, I bought a set of new
later model (1985) MB chrome rims which were 15 inch'ers. Also bought
Michelin 205/65 - 15 tires.
Same tire diameter, so the speed is the same, and handling is much
better. Now, 15 inch tires are more $$ than 14 inch'ers, but did I do the
right thing, for the swich-over..??

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Tiger - 04 May 2007 04:19 GMT

You absolutely did the right thing.

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who - 04 May 2007 08:46 GMT

> I've got a 1983 300SD. When my tires wore out, I bought a set of new
> later model (1985) MB chrome rims which were 15 inch'ers. Also bought
> Michelin 205/65 - 15 tires.
> Same tire diameter, so the speed is the same, and handling is much
> better. Now, 15 inch tires are more $$ than 14 inch'ers, but did I do the
> right thing, for the swich-over..??

If you think so you did.
You traded ride for handling; for a price.

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Richard Sexton - 06 May 2007 05:38 GMT

> I've got a 1983 300SD. When my tires wore out, I bought a set of new
>later model (1985) MB chrome rims which were 15 inch'ers. Also bought
>Michelin 205/65 - 15 tires.
> Same tire diameter, so the speed is the same, and handling is much
>better. Now, 15 inch tires are more $$ than 14 inch'ers, but did I do the
>right thing, for the swich-over..??

The standard argument is "now your car has a less smooth ride". It
doesn't really does it? 15s make much more sense on this chassis - I
switched to them years ago and 2 years ago switched to 16". Dear
mother of god what a difference that makes to the handling. This
ride now *is* noticably more stiff but it corners like a fookin
slot car so I've abandoned ride for the silly grin factor.

I have some Ronal 5 spoke wheels and Michelin 235-55/15 MXV4s.

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Need Mercedes parts? http://parts.mbz.org
Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org
1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages: http://rs79.vrx.net
633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net

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X---X---X---X---X---X - 08 May 2007 03:03 GMT

So those 16 inche'rs fit under der fenders also..? Any rubbing anywhere, or
scraping..? How's about low-profile tires.., any special size come to
mind..?? Thanks for the info so far..!!

Old Serge..,
SoCal..

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Tiger - 08 May 2007 15:40 GMT

I had 16" on my 380SE... I used 225-50R16... you can also use 225-55R16...
which is a better size.

But if you do so, the gap between the tire and the body will look big and
and 'floating' look.... It wasn't a problem for me because I lowered the car
with Eibach sport springs.

No rubbing as long you get the right offset and tire size. Heck, you can put
in 17" if you want too... when I first saw my car, it had 235-45R17...
Monster... in 1993 and I told the dealer to take it off... It wasn't a
greatest looking thing... chrome on white car...

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