Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: johnnymack on February 24, 2017, 02:45:57

Title: Tires
Post by: johnnymack on February 24, 2017, 02:45:57

I'm looking for new tires , any suggestions? I've found a lot of info here but a lot is dated. I've got pirelli P 400 s . They are 15 years old ! , need to go !

Title: Re: Tires
Post by: WRe on February 24, 2017, 08:01:07

Hi,
I use Vredestein Sprint Classic (185/ R14 90H with ridge) all the years and I'am very satisfied with them. In Europe they are really cheap (~ 90 €). Phoenix and Michelin are also appropriate but much more expensive. E.g. see Coker Tires in the US.
...WRe

http://www.eurotire.com/Vredestein-Sprint-Classic-Tire-detail.htm?productId=4631507&optionId=&ez=&pos=1

Title: Re: Tires
Post by: 66andBlue on February 24, 2017, 18:00:18

Vredesteins are a bit higher here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331876251746

Title: Re: Tires
Post by: thelews on February 24, 2017, 18:05:49

tirerack carries the Vreds now, I understand.  Haven't looked.

Title: Re: Tires
Post by: CCollum on February 25, 2017, 16:21:56

I have the Vredestein sprint classic 185 HR 14's and they've been great. I like the older looking tread they have too.

I believe the Mercedes Classic Center in California puts on Michelin Defenders of a size as close to the original as possible, but it is a different size. Tom Hanson of the MB Classic Center (also a member here) could tell you the exact size they use. I believe it's 205 70R 14.

Last year one of the Mercedes Classic magazines (the one put out by MB itself that came out as a complimentary issue with the Star magazine in the US anyway -- could have been a good year ago, but can't remember) mentioned the tires that should go on the Pagoda. It noted that using a size other than the original could cause stress on the suspension. However, with the MB Classic Center using the Michelin Defenders of an unoriginal size, I bet those are good too, even though the sizing is somewhat different.

When I considered all the options (Michelin Defenders of different size, Vredestein sprint classic of the correct size, Phoenix correct size, and correct sized Michelin classic tires from Europe), the Vredesteins seemed to be the best fit and value to me. They were half the price of the others, yet seemed to be a good tire with the correct fit.

Title: Re: Tires
Post by: WRe on February 25, 2017, 17:56:12

Hi,
In the Technicolor Manual here you find additional information about tire sizes: https://www.sl113.org/wiki/WheelsTires/TireSize.
In the registration document of my car an additional size (205/60R15 with 7Jx15 wheels) is registered. Never used them.
...WRe

Title: Re: Tires
Post by: johnnymack on February 25, 2017, 18:36:27

I was looking at them , didn't know how they were on the road , thank you for the input , opinions.

Title: Re: Tires
Post by: TOMNISTUFF on February 25, 2017, 19:36:43

I had Vredestein Sprint Classics on my 1969 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 for two or three years before I sold it.  I drove them to Palm Beach from Washington DC and Back (about 2000 miles) and loved them.  They rode smoothly and handled like a dream, even on a very heavy high performance car.  I think I bought them from Coker in the U.S.  They shipped them to me via the Western U.S., Western Canada, then East to Quebec by Greyhound Bus.  It made no sense to me either.

I loved the tires, but for my 230SL, I wanted wide whitewalls so I bought Daimond Back tires.

Tom Kizer

Title: Re: Tires
Post by: Jowe on March 01, 2017, 15:34:23

Classic car tyre test: https://classicmotorsports.com/articles/retro-rubber/

Title: Re: Tires
Post by: Sleek Lemur on June 15, 2017, 12:03:14

http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/185hr14-michelin-mxv-p.html

Title: Re: Tires
Post by: StevenF on June 15, 2017, 13:06:54

Any interest in Whitewalls?