78 240D Replacement Tire Size

[Ed Sclichter]

What size tire should I buy for my 789 240D? The original size was 175SR14 and of recent I've been using 195/70 14. I've asked 3 different sales poeple at Tire Rack and called several tire shops in my area. Every person I talk to gives me a different answer. Remember, the 240D has 5.5 inch J rims whereas the 300D has 6 inch J rims. One guy said the 195/70 14 tire is too big for the 5.5 inch rim and could pop off. Another guy said the 185/70 14 is too narrow, yet another guy at Tire Rack said they could not supply a tire for this car. Mercedes technical people said I should call the Mercedes classic organization. Can anyone in the forum give me an informed answer? The 195/70 14 tires look too wide and always look sort of flat on the car!

[Tom Hanson]

There are several "vintage" tire dealers that advertise in Hemmings Motor News. Surely one of them will have the old size. A 190/70X14 just doesn't seem too big for a 5.5" rim to me, but what the heck.

[Sokoloff]

195 70R14 is pretty much the tire of choice now. Fits rim width from 5.0 to 7.0, at least the Toyos I'm runnig do.

Len
'83 240D 342,000 miles original owner

[sclichter]

Thanks for the responses! The Mercedes Benz classic center tech guy called and said there is no change or alternatives to the original size tire 175SR14 for this car. Surely they are aware that few owners use this tire size anymore, so I guess Mercedes takes the easy way out -- probably another directive from the lawyers to avoid any liability issues. I'll go with the 195/70 14. The Bridgestone Turanza LS-T is the front runner!

[Sokoloff]

Take a look at the Toyo 800 Ultra too.

Len

[lkchris]

Here is a source for 175-14 tires.

German, too.

http://tiresunlimited.com/vred_sprint.htm

[shadetree]

I still have brochures I picked back in 1984 when I was shopping around various German Mercedes dealers for a choice to buy.
These brochures list the 175/70/R14 for the 240D, and 300D
as well as all the W123 Gas engine models.
Regards,
Charles Mattix