Mercedes 190E tyre size change on original steel wheels.

christiankay

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I have a 190E 1.8 Auto with 185/65 R15 tyres and a friend recommended I change the tyre height and fit 185/55 R15 tyres to improve ride and handling and improve cornering avoiding the excessive role on the original tyres. he also advised me to fit re-enforced tyres due to the weight of the car.

Is this wise? Their appears to be no difference in tyre price but my research has resulted in me getting a bit confused as to what can be safely fitted to a standard 15" steel wheel rim and to what benefit.

Any advice would be much appreciated.
 

ncooper

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I doubt very much if you would be able to detect a difference in the handling.
I find the 190's roadholding and general behaviour to be excellent with the standard tyre size with virtually no body roll.

Altering the tyre circumference will make your car marginally slower and the speedometer reading slightly inaccurate.
Your insurance company would also take a dim view.

My view is that the 190 is one of the best cars Mercedes have ever made.
Highly skilled design engineers,exhaustive testing and superb quality control made it so.

I think I would trust their expertise over the advice of a friend.

Regards,
Nick.
 

television

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As Nick above,,do not do it,,if you could tell the difference you should not be driving
 

Juddian

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Maybe worth spending on better quality tyres of the correct size to improve things.
 

wireman

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Once you have got decent tyres on it, if you are suspicious of your 190's handling there are plenty of rubber bits in it's suspension to be the culprits. Replacing as much of the aging suspension parts as is practical will pay off.
 
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christiankay

christiankay

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I stand corrected the advice given was in fact a change from 185/65 R15 to either 195/60 R15 or 205/55 R15 which alters nothing as the circumference is unaffected. As the tyre gets bigger (195) the tyre wall height % is reduced (60) and the radius unaffected (R15).

In fact my handbook states a winter tyre size of this very size ...

I will now contact Continental and Mercedes-Benz technical for further guidance on this matter.

My suspension bushes inc subframe, shocks and springs were overhauled in summer and new parts fitted. Perhaps a change to Sportline specification may bring some improvements.
 

grober

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The 16 valve cars run 205/55VR15 tyres as standard. However they are mounted on a wider rimmed wheel. Any advantage you may gain from an increased tyre footprint is likely to be offset by slightly decreased tyre wall stability unless you increase the wheel rim width along with the increased tyre width.
 
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rhud

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Maybe worth spending on better quality tyres of the correct size to improve things.

V good point. I have Kumhos on my A Class, which the car came with from new. Although they are well regarded on this forum, I recently drove the same model with Continentals and was surprised by the noise and ride improvements.
 

syncropaddy

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I stand corrected the advice given was in fact a change from 185/65 R15 to either 195/60 R15 or 205/55 R15 which alters nothing as the circumference is unaffected. As the tyre gets bigger (195) the tyre wall height % is reduced (60) and the radius unaffected (R15).

Both the sizes you mention are smaller than the original size. Have a look at this Tyre Size Calculator here http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresiz2.html
 
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christiankay

christiankay

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From Mercedes-Benz 19th November 2009

Ref: LK-1-1215982787


Dear Mr Kay


Mercedes-Benz Model: 190 E 1.8

Chassis No: WDB2010182F77****
Registration: H*****


Further to your email dated 19th November 2009, please be advised that your vehicle left the factory with 185/65/R15 tyres. We have not tested other tyre sizes with this suspension. 205/55/R15 Tyres are designed for use with sports suspension. As such, we do not recommend using this tire size on your vehicle.

Should you have any further requirements please do not hesitate to contact us.



Yours sincerely

Lisette Klaassen
Customer Service
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center Maastricht N.V.
Gaetano Martinolaan 10

NL-6229 GS Maastricht, the Netherlands


Phone No:
00800 9 777 7777 (international freephone)
0207 660 9993 (charged at national rate)

mailto: CustomerService.UK@cac.mercedes-benz.com

Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center Maastricht N.V. Domicile and Court of Registry:
Maastricht/ Netherlands Commercial Register No.: K.v.K. Limburg 33014909
 
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christiankay

christiankay

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