SL/R107: Tires--whaddya do now?
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Georgia
E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
Tires--whaddya do now?
Been a good while since I've owned one of these cars. I have been working on this car for a few months, and am just about done.
She needs tires.....but what? 205/70 14's are just about history. If you were going to buy a used 107, what would you like to see in the way of tires? I'm open to any quality brand, but there are just not many choices. Appreciate some help if you can, thanks...
She needs tires.....but what? 205/70 14's are just about history. If you were going to buy a used 107, what would you like to see in the way of tires? I'm open to any quality brand, but there are just not many choices. Appreciate some help if you can, thanks...
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Georgia
E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
Thanks....
but I guess I wasn't clear enough in my first post. The ARE NO MORE Michelins, Contis, or any of the better european name brands that are still offered in a 205/70/14. There are a couple, a Hankook, and what's reported to be the best tire of that description a BFGoodrich. Howrver, the BFG is only available in raised white letter. Yes, you could turn them around, but that's not the kind of stuff you want on a Benz.
Whether you face it now or later, what are you gonna do? My problem is that I need to do it now.
Whether you face it now or later, what are you gonna do? My problem is that I need to do it now.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 34
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From: Southern CA
500SL 450 SL 230 SL E320
I made a mistake
Sorry, I made a mistake!
I misunderstood you. I had thought you had asked when you buy a different size that is still made what brand you should buy?
New idea to consider . How about the possibility of you buyjng a set of beautiful 15 inch or 16 inch BBS 3 piece wheels which look absolutely beautiful on a 450 SL wheels (unless you desire to keep it 100% pure stock ) . Then you can run modern higher performance Michelin nor Conti tires
I misunderstood you. I had thought you had asked when you buy a different size that is still made what brand you should buy?
New idea to consider . How about the possibility of you buyjng a set of beautiful 15 inch or 16 inch BBS 3 piece wheels which look absolutely beautiful on a 450 SL wheels (unless you desire to keep it 100% pure stock ) . Then you can run modern higher performance Michelin nor Conti tires
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2020
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From: Southern CA
500SL 450 SL 230 SL E320
205/70/14 are still made
Tire Rack on line tire store currently still sells BF Goodrich Radial TA in 205/70/14 for $147. I used these for years on my 450 SL and they were absolutely great high performance all season tires. I highly reccommend them
Tire rack also currently still top of the line high performance tire Perelli Centurato for $247. I also uses these once on my 450 SL and they had even better performance and traction. but not good on snow and ice. But since I live in a part of California where there is no snow or ice I can use these year around
I highly reccommend them if you can afford them. Just as good tires as Michelin or Conti.
Tire rack also currently still top of the line high performance tire Perelli Centurato for $247. I also uses these once on my 450 SL and they had even better performance and traction. but not good on snow and ice. But since I live in a part of California where there is no snow or ice I can use these year around
I highly reccommend them if you can afford them. Just as good tires as Michelin or Conti.
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
Greetings,
if the car can drive, go to a Discount Tire, they'll certainly get you the info you need and also get wheels for you too. I've been using them for years and always recommend them, GL to ya!
if the car can drive, go to a Discount Tire, they'll certainly get you the info you need and also get wheels for you too. I've been using them for years and always recommend them, GL to ya!
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Thread Starter
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From: Georgia
E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
Thanks to both of you. I'll pass on Discount, the one iin our town can't be trusted for quality mounting and balancing. Specially since I just spent $600+ dollars having the Bundts refinished and powdercoated. .
Yes, I'm aware that the BFG is out there, see my above post. But it is now only availaable in RWL, which you could turn around I guess, but that looks...well, not Mercedes like.
I am not aware of the Cinturato, but my guess is that is a M=S tire, and the Pirelli brand is pretty awful these days anyway. And if I was going to spend $1000 on tires for this car, I would buy the original Michelin XWX from Coker. At least you know it rides nice.
Finally, yes that would be nice to move up to some 16" BBS RS, but 107SL guys are not the type to do much moving from the OE sizes. And since a set of RS wheels would cost roughly 25% of the cars value--without tires--doesn't make sense on this one, that's not a keeper.
Appreciate the ides though....
Yes, I'm aware that the BFG is out there, see my above post. But it is now only availaable in RWL, which you could turn around I guess, but that looks...well, not Mercedes like.
I am not aware of the Cinturato, but my guess is that is a M=S tire, and the Pirelli brand is pretty awful these days anyway. And if I was going to spend $1000 on tires for this car, I would buy the original Michelin XWX from Coker. At least you know it rides nice.
Finally, yes that would be nice to move up to some 16" BBS RS, but 107SL guys are not the type to do much moving from the OE sizes. And since a set of RS wheels would cost roughly 25% of the cars value--without tires--doesn't make sense on this one, that's not a keeper.
Appreciate the ides though....
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2018
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From: New Orleans Area
2015 E400 Sedan
I See some online and every site has different brands so I guess it is up to you to get on internet and hunt for the tires you like...
Tire rack has the Generals or hankook look good for that car.
Now that Pirelli Cinturato is butt ugly too me...
Tire rack has the Generals or hankook look good for that car.
Now that Pirelli Cinturato is butt ugly too me...
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Georgia
E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
Agree on that!
But the Pirellli brand has just gone to hell since they turned Chinese.....
The Generals don't exist at the moment...contrary to what you may see, there are none out there.
The Hankook is real, and may end up being it.
The Generals don't exist at the moment...contrary to what you may see, there are none out there.
The Hankook is real, and may end up being it.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 34
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From: Southern CA
500SL 450 SL 230 SL E320
The Pirelli is NOT a M&S. It's a Summer high traction super high performance tire (like a Michelin Pilot Sport 3) I don't know the current quality of Pirelli, but 20 yeas ago Perelli was used on high performance race cars and 20 yeas ago Pirelli was every bit as good as Michelin and Cointi
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Georgia
E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
Sorry, not today.
They're not round and have lousy customer service. It's not a real quality product anymore--it's just a name on a Chinese product.
One thing that I didn't consider is Toyo, just jumped over to their website, and they appear to have a performance AS that loos good. Now, as to whether they have any.....
Toyo has been a good lower priced tire for me, even though I really don't prefer Japanese tires.
One thing that I didn't consider is Toyo, just jumped over to their website, and they appear to have a performance AS that loos good. Now, as to whether they have any.....
Toyo has been a good lower priced tire for me, even though I really don't prefer Japanese tires.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 34
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From: Southern CA
500SL 450 SL 230 SL E320
use one size wider
O.K Perelli is out!
Your wheel width and fender space will allow one size wider . Use a 215/ 70/ R14
Even try a 215/ 60/ R14 as it will still work Close enough with your speedometer and Oddometer, and the "gearing " based on circumference per revolution (for engine RPM), acceleration, and economy will be close to the original.
Wider tires have much more traction and look better .
Your wheel width and fender space will allow one size wider . Use a 215/ 70/ R14
Even try a 215/ 60/ R14 as it will still work Close enough with your speedometer and Oddometer, and the "gearing " based on circumference per revolution (for engine RPM), acceleration, and economy will be close to the original.
Wider tires have much more traction and look better .
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From: Nova Scotia, Canada
2023 GLK250, 1987 560SL
General Tire - owned by Continental.
Many people balk at them, but I think they are a very decent tire.
https://pmctire.com/en/tires/general...70r14-95t.tire
Many people balk at them, but I think they are a very decent tire.
https://pmctire.com/en/tires/general...70r14-95t.tire
