W124 Tyre Size

[Kiwibins]

I have just purchased some new alloys for my E320 Coupe. They are 16 inche 7.5J rims with a 42 offset. What is the biggest size tyre I can run on my 1995 E320 Coupe? What is the ideal size tyre?

Greg

 

[mike65]

I'd say best size is 215/55 don't go too wide just to look 'cool' you'll only pay for it with tramlining etc.

Mike.

 

[74merc]

I'd look at the price of the various tyres that fit and then decide. Sometimes odd sizes can be very expensive. My e320 Sportline coupe has 205/60x15 as standard. I just replaced all 4 last week with Bridgestone ER300s at £57 each.

 

[clive williams]

I have just purchased some new alloys for my E320 Coupe. They are 16 inche 7.5J rims with a 42 offset. What is the biggest size tyre I can run on my 1995 E320 Coupe? What is the ideal size tyre?

Greg

Hi Greg,

215x55x16 are a standard MB size for 7.5J rims. the rolling radius is about 5mm smaller than the 205x60x16s but that ought to be virtually unnoticeable. 215 would be about the narrowest tyre you should fit and the maximum is a 245x50x16 but these are a limited supply. The 225x55x16 is almost an identical rolling radius as the 205s but check the fit as you may have to massage the arch lips on the front. Also, the tread profile is important. I have a set of Michelin Pilot Alpins 215x55x16, which have a very square profile, whereas the set of Vredestein Ultracs 225x55x16 have a rounded profile giving a tread contact width, that is much less than the Michelins. This means that the Vredesteins would be easier on the arches than the Michelins.

Its all a bit of trial and error. Get your preferred tyre mounted on the rim and try it on the car.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[Juddian]

hello greg and all. we have 16" on one of our 124's we tried 215 55 16 all round which are fine on the rear. But did catch the front arches at full susp movement ie hard cornering / braking or both. managed to get two 215 50 16 for the front (rare size though think they only fitted the ford probe and oddballs) and they are the ticket. out of interest i find 'camskill' good for tyre deals, would provide a link but piggin useless with a computer. hope its some help. Brian

 

[Kiwibins]

So should I run 205/55/16 on the front and 225/55/16 on the rear? I was thinking Avon's or similar (no junk tyres). Would that give a good ride and handling? Suggestions perleeze...

Greg

 

[andy_k]

225/50/16 are the right size for the rear and will give you the same rolling radius as the 205/55/16 on the front.

Gives the car a nice feel, won't foul the arches with standard suspension and virtually eliminates tramlining

HTH

Andy

 

[television]

Andy is spot on with these tyre sizes, I went a little larger and this caused rubbing when loaded or cornering hard.

Malcolm

 

[kth286]

Kiwibins

Andy is correct . The same rolling circumference is important back to front, to avoid the electronics thinking you have wheel slip. Can affect ABS braking and ASR anti-skid control (if you have it).

Also the slightly wider tyre on back helps prevent wheelspin in wet if you do not have ASR.

Have you put the new wheels on the car yet, in both front and rear position, to check for fouling the suspension strut, and brakes.

I ask this because your new wheels have an ET of 42 which seems higher than normal for the wider wheel.
I have an ET of 35 on mine and the tyres are as Andy suggested and they are perfect.

Make sure when you try the wheels that you turn the fronts to full lock both ways as the camber changes on mercs due to the high castor angle.

Regards

 

[clive williams]

So should I run 205/55/16 on the front and 225/55/16 on the rear? I was thinking Avon's or similar (no junk tyres). Would that give a good ride and handling? Suggestions perleeze...

Greg

Greg,

IMO 205 is too narrow for a 7.5J rim, the tread will be pinched narrower than desirable. Please check this with the appropriate tyre manf. before you go down this route. they will advise the width range that their tyre will accept safely. Typically, 205x50-60x15/16 is usually found on 6-7J rims. With regard to tyre rubbing as I said previously the tyre profile varies from tyre make to tyre make so the risk varies as well. You would be wise to mount a tyre (on a rim! ) and try before you buy.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210