Tyres for R107, is 195/70x14 OK?

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On my 350SL (R107) from -72 the recommended tyre is 205/70x14. But these are hard to find and expensive today.
It is much easier to find 195/70x14, is this size OK for the car?
 
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Yes, I think Dunlop 257£ and Vredestein 198£ is expensive, the other cheaper brands are rubbish.
 

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Do not think I need 195/75 R14.
195/70 R14 will be OK, as the difference in diameter is small (under 5%).
And my speedometer is not correct, it shows 5 km more than it should. It will be more correct with a smaller diameter.

One more question:
Today there is a load index on the tyres, like 91 or 95 (or else). In my cars user manual there is no information of any load index.
Does anyone know the index for R107 cars?
 

JBell

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Do not think I need 195/75 R14.
195/70 R14 will be OK, as the difference in diameter is small (under 5%).

The maximum change in diameter is + / - 2.5% from OEM
 

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It'll be less than 2.5%.
 

JBell

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It'll be less than 2.5%.

Nope, guide lines are for a MAX + / - 2.5%. I always worked to this as a maximum, usually 1.5% is achievable as there are so many tyre sizes available
 

Naraic

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Nope, guide lines are for a MAX + / - 2.5%. I always worked to this as a maximum, usually 1.5% is achievable as there are so many tyre sizes available
Nope what? All I was saying was the difference would be less than 2.5% so within the +/- 2.5%.
 
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My calculation says that 195/70 is 2.18% smaller than 205/70. I´m living in Sweden and here they accept max +/- 5% difference.

My other question, load index on the tyres. Does anyone know the index for a 350SL?
 

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195/75/14 is a far closer match at only 0.8% difference (marginally taller) compared to the 205/70.
 

John Laidlaw

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I would say 195/75/14 would be your best bet for the reasons above if you are changing. However I’m still unsure why you’d reject the Semperit tyres at your original size? You do know they are owned by Continental now?
That way your car stays original and I can tell you I’ve had good service from Semperit tyres over the years, no issues....
 

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I would say 195/75/14 would be your best bet for the reasons above if you are changing. However I’m still unsure why you’d reject the Semperit tyres at your original size? You do know they are owned by Continental now?
That way your car stays original and I can tell you I’ve had good service from Semperit tyres over the years, no issues....
+1....
 
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Semperit is OK as a manufacturer but the 205/70x14 tyre is limited to 190 km/h, not allowed for R107.
 

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