Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: Michaelg on May 04, 2016, 11:29:45

Title: tires
Post by: 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
Title: Re: tires
Post by: mmizesko on May 04, 2016, 12:02:23
Check with kayvan.  I think he put 205's on his. They are blackwalls tho.

Mike
Title: Re: tires
Post by: Cees Klumper 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.
Title: Re: tires
Post by: Jowe on May 04, 2016, 19:15:07
Also check here: http://www.sl113.org/wiki/WheelsTires/TireSize
Title: Re: tires
Post by: Tyler S on May 04, 2016, 21:11:23
I have middle of the road 195/70R14. Fit and look good.
Title: Re: tires
Post by: Benz Dr. on May 05, 2016, 04:07:27
I have middle of the road 195/70R14. Fit and look good.
That's because they are the best size to use.
Title: Re: tires
Post by: 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?
Title: Re: tires
Post by: perry113 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.
Title: Re: tires
Post by: Pinder 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.
Title: Re: tires
Post by: Benz Dr. on May 05, 2016, 14:06:15
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.
Title: Re: tires
Post by: vande17941 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
Title: Re: tires
Post by: m300cab 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.
Title: Re: tires
Post by: hauser 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.
Title: Re: tires
Post by: vande17941 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.
Title: Re: tires
Post by: UJJ 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
Title: Re: tires
Post by: jeffc280sl on June 06, 2016, 01:44:30
Hauser has the right idea.  looks and performs excellent.  no regrets
Title: Re: tires
Post by: UJJ 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.
Title: Re: tires
Post by: Tyler S 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.
Title: Re: tires
Post by: hauser 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
Title: Re: tires
Post by: Pinder on June 16, 2016, 12:02:55
I agree both look good but I have a slight preference to the hubcaps.
Title: Re: tires
Post by: Ulf 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 :-)
Title: Re: tires
Post by: 66andBlue on June 19, 2016, 03:00:26
Ulf, are you suggesting that Uhlenhaut and his crew knew what they were doing? 😳
😄
Title: Re: tires
Post by: Ulf on June 19, 2016, 14:28:52
Ulf, are you suggesting that Uhlenhaut and his crew knew what they were doing? 😳
😄
I sure am :-)
Title: Re: tires
Post by: Shvegel 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
Title: Re: tires
Post by: Tyler S 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.
Title: Re: tires
Post by: ghenne on June 20, 2016, 21:53:58
Bud's weekly newsletter mentions they just installed a set of 205/70 tire on a Pagoda - they used Michelin Defenders.
Title: Re: tires
Post by: Ron500E on June 20, 2016, 22:06:02
Bud's weekly newsletter mentions they just installed a set of 205/70 tire on a Pagoda - they used Michelin Defenders.

COSTCO has them on sale for $370 for a set of 4 until July 3rd.

Ron
Title: Re: tires
Post by: ghenne on June 21, 2016, 10:49:45
Sure, they'll fit: but aren't they an all season minivan tire? What are they like on a Pagoda?
Title: Re: tires
Post by: ghenne on June 22, 2016, 15:16:15
I asked Bud's what they drive like. David Latham says:

"They ride great.   We like them"