Spare wheel for my 230 SL

[martyd]

My 230 SL original wheels are 5.5J x14. My spare was lost and a replacement is nearly impossible to find. Can I put a 6J x14 wheel on the car, only using it as a spare tire?
Thanks

Marty

[john.mancini]

Sure. It won’t be a problem, especially as a spare. Think about it, “donut” spare wheels/tires are nowhere near the size of the wheels that are on a car. Also, many cars have staggered wheel sizes from the factory. So, as a spare, I see no problem with a wheel that’s 1/2” wider.

[martyd]

Thanks so much!!!!!

Marty

[Mike Hughes]

There is possibly one potential problem, assuming your car has the horizontal spare tire mounting pedestal.  Depending on the tire you fit, the extra half-inch of rim width "may" allow the sidewall of a fully inflated tire to bulge out just enough to come in contact with the underside of the right side decklid hinge when closing. 

You might feel some extra resistance when closing the trunk.  The right rear corner of the decklid will not fit as flush with the adjacent body as it currently does.  Over time the aluminum decklid may warp a bit and might even allow some water intrusion.

If this occurs simply let some air out of the tire and carry a tire pump for use if the spare is actually needed.  (Ask me how I know.)

[john.mancini]

Mike, wouldn’t that be a problem for all Pagodas with 6” wide rims? Am I missing something? Are the pedestals different in length, (to accommodate the difference in rim widths)?

[Mike Hughes]

Don't know.  I am only reporting on what I have experienced with my own 230SL.

[BobH]

Don't forget his car will have the vertical spare, so 6" won't be a problem

[zoegrlh]

Marty, according to my notes. There was a change on the 230SL at chassis number 5496, 7/30/64, use of 6Jx14H instead of 5.5Jx14H, also the lower control arms had to be changed. Then at chassis number 6069 , 9/2/64, horizontal mounting of spare wheel in trunk was incorporated. And as a follow-up, at chassis number 14064, 11/5/65, new model wheel with pins omitted. Hope this helps. The trunk lid height was not modified to accommodate the horizontal mount with 6Jx14H wheels. Therefore you should be fine.

[Mike Hughes]

Just to follow up on my earlier post:

When I acquired my 230SL in December of 2003 it had some 1985 dated 185R14 WSW Michelins fitted.  The fully inflated spare tire did not foul the trunk hinge.  Not wanting to drive for long on old tires, i replaced all five with the then-new Coker Phoenix WSW 185R14s when they came out.  The spare fouled the trunk hinge, lifting the corner of the decklid above the surrounding body structure, bowing the decklid along the right edge and introducing a deep crease on the spare tire cover (both thankfully, not permanent).  So, I immediately reduced the spare tire pressure and carried a tire pump from that time forward.

Before attending the Sand Hills Motoring Festival last year, I finally got around to fitting the five WSW Blockley 185R14s acquired when Michael Salemi organized a group buy.  Fully inflated, I could just detect a slight impression of the trunk hinge on the tire cover, so I let a few pounds out to prevent permanently creasing the tire cover.

All of these tires were 185/R4s, but not all 185R14s are the same.

[zoegrlh]

When I was looking for new tire replacements some 15 years ago, I found that the Vredestein Sprint Classic 185 HR14/90H were and are the most closest to the original specs of the original Phoenix tires (side wall, circumference, width, and tread design).  This tire even has the curb bump on the sidewall as did the Phoenix. Of course it’s only in blackwall. At that time I posted a thread under tires. I’m sure it’s still posted. Anyway Mike is correct, tires at the sidewall are most likely different in the bulge on sidewall which will make the tire from sidewall to sidewall thicker, but the tread could be the same. White walls might also be wider at sidewalls too.

[Jack the Knife]

I love Vredestein tires. I use the Sprint Classics on my car, as zoegrlh does, and the Pinzas on my G. Great product.

[martyd]

Thanks everyone for all your advice and willingness to share knowledge and experience.  My 230 SL is older and has the vertical spacing for the spare. I went ahead and got the rim and tire and it all fits.  Again, thank you very much.

Marty