What brand tires would you recommend for a 1985 300D turbo? The OEM tire size is P195/70R14. Are Sumitomo tires any good? They are the only ones I could find that come with the "H" speed rating in that size. Michelin Harmony? (they are only S rated). The speed rating is of no cosequence as far as speed capability goes as the car will only do about 100 MPH, however some tire places insist that this car originally came with H rated tires and that is all they are willing to mount on it.
p100
Try using pirelli dragon 205 65 r15 , im using this tires on my 300d very silent and never been flat
You're right, not much choice in 14" H rated tires even if you go to a 205/70/14" size.
The Sumitoma has a not too bad of a review on TireRack though.
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The HTR 200 is Sumitomo's High Performance Summer tire developed to meet the needs of today's sports cars, coupes and sedan drivers, as well as offers modern size options for many vintage sports cars. It is designed to blend comfort, wear and performance on wet and dry roads, but it is not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.
The Sumitomo HTR 200 features a silica- and natural rubber-enhanced tread compound molded into a symmetric tread design with stable independent shoulder and intermediate tread blocks to provide dry road handling and enhance wear. The HTR 200 radial's wide circumferential and curved lateral grooves team up to enhance wet traction and reduce the risk of hydroplaning. The tire's internal structure includes twin steel belts reinforced by JointLess Band (JLB) spirally wound nylon belt edge strips to deliver high-speed durability while it reduces weight and helps provide a more uniform ride quality.
The Sumitoma has a not too bad of a review on TireRack though.
The HTR 200 is Sumitomo's High Performance Summer tire developed to meet the needs of today's sports cars, coupes and sedan drivers, as well as offers modern size options for many vintage sports cars. It is designed to blend comfort, wear and performance on wet and dry roads, but it is not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.
The Sumitomo HTR 200 features a silica- and natural rubber-enhanced tread compound molded into a symmetric tread design with stable independent shoulder and intermediate tread blocks to provide dry road handling and enhance wear. The HTR 200 radial's wide circumferential and curved lateral grooves team up to enhance wet traction and reduce the risk of hydroplaning. The tire's internal structure includes twin steel belts reinforced by JointLess Band (JLB) spirally wound nylon belt edge strips to deliver high-speed durability while it reduces weight and helps provide a more uniform ride quality.
I don't believe you "really" need H rated tires for the 123 diesel.
I put a set of Kumhos (P195 70 R 14, KR21s) on our '85 300D in May 2007.
They have been great. The car feels like it is on rails. Wear rate seems low, but I have only done about 20k km (13k mi) on them so far!
I previously had Michelin MXV4s and they wore out in under 40k miles. These may too, but at least price is right!
I believe these are "90T" rated.
Not sure if they are still doing it, but Performance Products had a good deal on tires and rims a while back.
I put a set of Kumhos (P195 70 R 14, KR21s) on our '85 300D in May 2007.
They have been great. The car feels like it is on rails. Wear rate seems low, but I have only done about 20k km (13k mi) on them so far!
I previously had Michelin MXV4s and they wore out in under 40k miles. These may too, but at least price is right!
I believe these are "90T" rated.
Not sure if they are still doing it, but Performance Products had a good deal on tires and rims a while back.
Making a good choice in today's tire world goes WAAaaay beyond simply choosing your favorite brand.
First you must determine what is most important to you. Is it long tire life? Is it maximum hard driving traction? Do you need snow traction? Do you want maximum highway smoothness?
If you want long tire life, look at the UTQG number on the tire. The higher the number, the longer tread life. The high UTQG numbers are found on 75 series tires. The highest number will usually compromise maximum traction. If you drive normally most any tire will give enough traction, so go for the high UTQG number. If you drive in snow alot, go for an all season tire with a high number.
If you live in a high temperature area and want long tire life, make sure the tire has a temp rating of A.
Once you select the tire, make SURE that you get a dynamic balance. This means weights on the inside AND outside of the wheel. Without them, you will be guaranteed to have vibration at highway speed on a 123 car.
Hope this helps.
First you must determine what is most important to you. Is it long tire life? Is it maximum hard driving traction? Do you need snow traction? Do you want maximum highway smoothness?
If you want long tire life, look at the UTQG number on the tire. The higher the number, the longer tread life. The high UTQG numbers are found on 75 series tires. The highest number will usually compromise maximum traction. If you drive normally most any tire will give enough traction, so go for the high UTQG number. If you drive in snow alot, go for an all season tire with a high number.
If you live in a high temperature area and want long tire life, make sure the tire has a temp rating of A.
Once you select the tire, make SURE that you get a dynamic balance. This means weights on the inside AND outside of the wheel. Without them, you will be guaranteed to have vibration at highway speed on a 123 car.
Hope this helps.
Job One After I Bought...
...my W123 was to call Mercedes Benz and obtain a copy of the build sheet. the build sheet specified Pirelli tires. I went to Discount Tire (they had the best price on Pirelli tires (195/70/r14)). Usually, can't go wrong with OEM, unless we're talking the a/c!! (lol)
...my W123 was to call Mercedes Benz and obtain a copy of the build sheet. the build sheet specified Pirelli tires. I went to Discount Tire (they had the best price on Pirelli tires (195/70/r14)). Usually, can't go wrong with OEM, unless we're talking the a/c!! (lol)
I've been wondering the same..the best recommend tires.
I think I'm going with the Michelin Destiny
Destiny | Michelin Tires
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Does anyone have these and if so how are they working for you?
I think I'm going with the Michelin Destiny
Destiny | Michelin Tires
Does anyone have these and if so how are they working for you?
So any opinions on Michelin Harmony/Destiny? I can get them delivered to my door for $90 each (195 70 14). I need to have tires mounted on different wheels anyway so maybe this is the tire for me...
I recommend this web site for a good education about vehicle tires. There is more to buying tires than I knew before I stumbled upon this page.
Car Bibles : The Wheel and Tyre Bible Page 1 of 4
Car Bibles : The Wheel and Tyre Bible Page 2 of 4
Car Bibles : The Wheel and Tyre Bible Page 3 of 4
Car Bibles : The Wheel and Tyre Bible Page 4 of 4
Car Bibles : The Wheel and Tyre Bible Page 1 of 4
Car Bibles : The Wheel and Tyre Bible Page 2 of 4
Car Bibles : The Wheel and Tyre Bible Page 3 of 4
Car Bibles : The Wheel and Tyre Bible Page 4 of 4
I have Michelin X Radials from Sam's Club on my 300cd. The tires have the same specs as the Michelin Destiny & Harmony. Overall, I believe they are a good choice for a W123 that does not see hard driving. The ride is quieter & smoother (with the correct wheel balancing) than the BF Goodrich Traction T/A's I had on my 300cd before. The Michelins cost me $255 on sale, I took them to my favorite garage to be mounted & balanced. They didn't need much weight added to be balanced.
Some drivers recommend buying H-rated tires, since the W123 is a heavy car running relatively small & skinny tires; the H rating would result in a stiffer sidewall for stability in cornering, among other things. The tires of 2011 are much better than those of the early '70s from when the W123 was first designed, I wouldn't bother finding the rare H-rated 14's unless your commute is a rallycross.
Some drivers recommend buying H-rated tires, since the W123 is a heavy car running relatively small & skinny tires; the H rating would result in a stiffer sidewall for stability in cornering, among other things. The tires of 2011 are much better than those of the early '70s from when the W123 was first designed, I wouldn't bother finding the rare H-rated 14's unless your commute is a rallycross.
I totally agree with derberger. The Harmony/Destiny is very much the equivalent to what used to be termed "Passenger Car Tires." They will last longer and roll better than most anything out there. The perfect tire for the 123 that is not driven for performance.
I went through a number of sets of Michelin Passenger radials on about 850,000 miles of 123 driving. With proper dynamic balance they will give very smooth rolling which as an added benefit, make for a longer lasting suspension system.
Michelin makes a very uniformly constructed tire.
I went through a number of sets of Michelin Passenger radials on about 850,000 miles of 123 driving. With proper dynamic balance they will give very smooth rolling which as an added benefit, make for a longer lasting suspension system.
Michelin makes a very uniformly constructed tire.
We have Michelin Destinys on our 1985 300D. I am pretty happy with them, but wet traction is only so-so. Mileage / wear is really good, however, and they seem to keep their balance for a long time. We have about 40,000 miles on ours and I estimate that there is probably 20,000 - 30,00 miles left on them before replacement.
I use these. Firestone Winterforce. I have a couple of rough roads I occasionally am required to travel on less than fortunate roads...they work well.
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Just bought a set of Michelin Harmony's for my '84 300D. I'm very impressed so far... My steering wheel play went from more than two inches down to a very acceptable 1 inch or so.
I really don't recommend Goodyear Weather-handlers. For some reason every time I buy a car they come with it. They have terrible traction in everything but dry conditions. I am a relaxed driver, I avoid potholes, I've never had a flat tire yet even so they tend to wear quicker than everything else I've had on my cars. They also seem to be very expensive for the class they are in.
Dunlop SP-60s are also good tires if you need snow traction. They are indeed loud but road noise doesn't really bother me, I just prefer something that wears good, and can pull me through pretty much anything deemed reasonable for the car.
Dunlop SP-60s are also good tires if you need snow traction. They are indeed loud but road noise doesn't really bother me, I just prefer something that wears good, and can pull me through pretty much anything deemed reasonable for the car.
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I agree with ScrazySean ... I just removed a set of Goodyear Weatherhandlers and replaced with Michelin Destiny (supposedly the Discount Tire version of the Michelin Harmony). Steering play is reduced, handling feels better overall, and the tires seem a little quieter.
The bonus is that my speedo now reads more accurately. The Weatherhandlers were 195/75 versus the correct size of 195/70.
I sold the Weatherhandlers (still with a lot of tread left) to a guy for $100. He was driving an '89 Chrysler with bald tires.
Regarding Larry's comment: UTQG on the Michelin Destiny is 740, which is very good. 80K treadwear warranty as well.
The bonus is that my speedo now reads more accurately. The Weatherhandlers were 195/75 versus the correct size of 195/70.
I sold the Weatherhandlers (still with a lot of tread left) to a guy for $100. He was driving an '89 Chrysler with bald tires.
Regarding Larry's comment: UTQG on the Michelin Destiny is 740, which is very good. 80K treadwear warranty as well.
Hey fellows,I am new to this forum.I have been running a saet of Kumho's KR 21's they have a fairly good tread wear and a 85000 mile warranty,with two years of roadside assistance. Not bad for a least expensive tire.These tire are quiet and really good on a rain soaked road
from DiscoutTireDirect.com I recommend the Yokohama AVID tires. I'm running the step one up (215/60R-15's) from factory size but very good tread life and smooth ride.
Looks like Discount tire direct has this in a tourning version now [Tire Products - Discount Tire Direct ] but looks to be a good version also.
Looks like Discount tire direct has this in a tourning version now [Tire Products - Discount Tire Direct ] but looks to be a good version also.
I was running four Hankook Mileage Plus tires on my '84 300CD...I found them very noisy and, perhaps due to my driving style, prone to quick wear.
Based on some recommendations here, I recently replaced them with four Michelin Harmony tires from Burbank Discount Tire Center...$480 out the door (tires, balancing, alignment). I couldn't be happier. Much quieter ride.
Based on some recommendations here, I recently replaced them with four Michelin Harmony tires from Burbank Discount Tire Center...$480 out the door (tires, balancing, alignment). I couldn't be happier. Much quieter ride.
Best Tires
I have been in the tire biz for about 25 years. I have 18" staggered on AMG wheels on my w211 with Pirelli Pzeros. Pricey, quiet but not the greatest handling tires our there for this fitment. For the 123 I would recommend Michelins for the greatest comfort and longevity but the cost is usually kinda high. Continental, Bridgestone and Pirelli still all make tires for our cars in these smaller 14" diameters. The Koreans-Kumho, Hankook and Nexen brands are all pretty good tires with very attractive pricing. The Hankooks even took one of the Consumer Reports awards so its a great tire at a good price.
I have been in the tire biz for about 25 years. I have 18" staggered on AMG wheels on my w211 with Pirelli Pzeros. Pricey, quiet but not the greatest handling tires our there for this fitment. For the 123 I would recommend Michelins for the greatest comfort and longevity but the cost is usually kinda high. Continental, Bridgestone and Pirelli still all make tires for our cars in these smaller 14" diameters. The Koreans-Kumho, Hankook and Nexen brands are all pretty good tires with very attractive pricing. The Hankooks even took one of the Consumer Reports awards so its a great tire at a good price.
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