Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: john.mancini on December 15, 2017, 13:49:33
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About 18 years ago, when I bought my 280SL, I replaced the original Conti tires with Continentals that still were being produced at that time. Last week, I replaced those "still like new" 18 year old Continentals with whitewall Hankook H724 195/75R/14's. I would highly recommend these Hankook tires. The appearance and ride is excellent. I've seen them priced between $48 and $59 per tire.
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I also put these on mine this past spring. Very happy with their ride and appearance. They were a little more here in Canada CA$84 each
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I put the hankooks on several months ago. I really like them. $260 installed 👍
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I need to STRONGLY SUGGEST that any tire over seven years old be replaced. Since these cars are often not driven as much as in the days past, it is common to find tires which were always stored inside, look perfect, have no cracks, and also next to no miles on them. A visual inspection for a well cared for tire which appears good does not work on modern radials to justify keeping them and not replacing them. A visual inspection used to work on the old non-radial polyester and nylon cord tires, but no more.
Industry studies shows tires lose as much as 40% to 50% of their strength just from time. Keeping old tires is a bad trade off from the safety and vehicle damage that can happen from a tire failure. I know it is hard to change a good looking low mile tire, but it is not worth leaving them and then being upset later. Not a cost effective choice.
Also, a good idea to check your valve stems. A stem breaking off can be as bad as a blow-out. Push the stem all the way over at right angles to the rim and check the location where it enters the rim for any sign of cracks. If it breaks off while being pushed over, great, you saved yourself a blowout.
I attached a picture of how to check the manufacture dates for a tire It is a four digit code on both outside and inside of the tire. If it is a three-digit code, the last digit is the last digit of the year and there no telling which decade it is from. A three digit code means the tire is automatically very old because this change was made in 2000. Also, if the code is only one side of the tire, rather than both, this also means the tire is too old because this change to both sides was done quite a few years ago.
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Looks like I need to get some new tires. The car came with Milestar 185/75R/14 white walls that are now over eight years old. In my opinion, they are okay but something else might perform better.
I have used Yokohama tires on other vehicles with a good handling quality. Has anyone else used this brand on their SL's?
It looks like the 195/75R/14's are very close to the original size that came on the cars. Has anyone had experience with both this size and what was on the cars originally?
TIA
Tom L.
66 230SL
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It looks like the 195/75R/14's are very close to the original size that came on the cars. Has anyone had experience with both this size and what was on the cars originally?
The diameter/circumference of the 195/75 is almost a perfect match to the original tires as you indicate. They are a bit “fatter”. I chose Maxxis when I changed last spring. I have about 1300 miles on them now and I am well pleased with the handling and ride.
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That’s why I do not understand why some of these all original “Holy Grail” cars that still have their original spare consider that a feature worth bragging about. What good is a tire that old?
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That’s why I do not understand why some of these all original “Holy Grail” cars that still have their original spare consider that a feature worth bragging about. What good is a tire that old?
Because they are so rare. When's the last time you used your spare tire in a 113? And, I'll bet that old spare would take you far enough to deal with your tire issue.
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Three years ago, on a local Mercedes Benz club tour, a member had a 1984 300D Sedan on a drive to Southern California. The right front tire lost air and he installed the nice original spare. 15 miles later that really nice original spare tire shredded and the tread ripped up the front fender.
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15 miles is too far. Should be just enough to get to a local service station at low speed. Some of the old spares have tubes which can help, but not from shredding.
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I still have my original unused spare, which is a fine conversation piece, but.........
I acquired an extra period correct rim, restored it, and fit a fifth 195/75 Maxxis tire for regular use as a spare. Better safe than sorry!
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Absolutely correct, Ralph !
That's the only correct way to go!
Best,
Achim
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wow, that Phoenix still looks great!
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I had a local tire guy look at my 18+ year old Continentals and tell me that "I was crazy to replace them." I was crazy to let them last 18 years! I have peace of mind now that I am riding on new radials.
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well after reading this thread i decided to go ahead and install the hankook tires as well.
turns out the tires on the car were dated 1996! and the spare was so old it did not have a date code!
$450 installed a discount tire with road protection and old tire recycling etc...
inexpensive insurance for a family car i want to keep.
I will also get new tires for my 78 300d. those tires are also 20 years + old
matt
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Ralph, I've read your past comments on the Maxxis tires and I really like the way they look on your 280. Those 3/4 inch whitewalls look great. I'm in the market for new tires for my 230sl and based on your comments and pictures, I'll most likely be ordering a set of the Maxxis.
I am curious why you elected to go with 195's rather than 185's? Your tires look great and I'm wondering whether I too should go with 195's. My only concern is that I'll be mounting the tires on 5,5j wheels (vice 6.0's) and I'm not sure if a narrower wheel will accomodate a 195 tire.
All, has anyone in the group mounted 195's on 5.5' wheels? thks,, chas
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I am curious why you elected to go with 195's rather than 185's?
Charles, basically I chose the size based on diameter/circumference considerations. Before purchase I calculated the 185 and 195 dimensions and compared to the original tire info in the technical manual. The diameter/circumference numbers for the 195 is almost a perfect match with the originals. After the tires were mounted, I measured them against my original Firestone Phoenix spare. The measurements are almost identical. See here:
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=15847.msg184433#msg184433
I can't advise on the 5.5" vs. 6" question. My gut feel is that you can mount them on the 5.5 but best get a professional opinion.
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I can't advise on the 5.5" vs. 6" question. My gut feel is that you can mount them on the 5.5 but best get a professional opinion.
thanks, I should have read your Mar 17th post closer. Hopefully someone can advise regarding 5.5 wheels with 195 tires.
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I have 195/75 tires on 5.5 inch rims, without problem.
The rims are 5.5 because they're W123 aluminum rims.
Before doing this, I checked around for confirmation that this would be an OK combination. See for example:
http://www.tyresizecalculator.com/charts/tire-width-for-a-wheel-rim-size-chart
or
http://www.tyresizecalculator.com/tyre-wheel-calculators/wheel-rim-size-calculator
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ok, thanks
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new Hankook tires installed on the 66 and 78.
what a difference new tires make!
the tires on the 66 were dated 1996 and the 78 were from 1998.