1800: Tyres

[PEANUT157]

Hi,
i have just purchased a 1973 p1800es.
Been off the road since 1996 !!
The tyres are old. She is fitted with 175/70/hr 15.
The car manual says 185/70/hr15.
Which is the correct size ?
Or is there any other sizes ?
Many thanks

[Derek UK]

185/70/15 are the correct size. Hard to find. Vredestein do make one in this size but it is quite expensive. Going to 195/65/15 will give you much more choice and save you a bit of money. Fractionally smaller in diameter which will give you 59.5 actual when speedo says 60mph.

[tdz840]

I know the general consensus is michellin XAS or vredestein sprint classic but at a couple of hundred for the michellin and a ton for the vredestein is this the only option?
For £50 a corner ex fitting I can pick up a Pirelli, dunlop or a toya or even a michellin energy saver.
This is based around a 195/65X15 as Derek mentioned.
Has anyone got a preference including handling, stability, noise and longevity for any modern tyre?
I say this because no doubt the XAS was/is a brilliant tyre I find it mystifying to think tyre technology hasn't moved on.
If I was clever I would set up a sticky, but anything that involves computers baffles me. My IT Manager will confirm this
I've had Dunlop SP Sports, noise is minimal(or at least not intrusive), handling seems OK(but yet to take it to the track), and they lasted about 10K which is okish.
I fancy a change
Russ

[cassell]

Hi,

The original tyre size for 1800ES is indeed 185/70R15 which are not easy to find.

My local tyre distributor managed to find me a set of four Fulda Y2000 of the correct size a couple of years ago. Fulda are a well-respected German tyre manufacturer and I think they must have a link with Goodyear as the tread pattern on the Y2000 is almost identical to the Goodyear that I have on my spare wheel.

The car handles brilliantly on them and the ride is excellent, I've just dug out my receipt and I paid £66 each for them. When tubeless valves, balancing, environmental disposal of old casings and vat was added, my total bill was £353.20 for the four tyres which I think was very good.

Good luck,

Paul

[940_Turbo]

Michelin do tyres specifically for RWD applications, Mercedes tyres are labelled MO. I fitted a set of 185/65/15 to a 144S on wider rims and they're excellent.

It came to £350 for 4 tyres including fitting, consideranly less than the XAS or XWX classic tyres at £255 or so a pop.

[tdz840]

"Mercedes tyres are labelled MO"
MO, I sat there pondering, it must be me, but can't figure it.
However I know when you tell me I'm going to look a plonker!!
But I can't resist!

[940_Turbo]

Originally Posted by tdz840

"Mercedes tyres are labelled MO"
MO, I sat there pondering, it must be me, but can't figure it.
However I know when you tell me I'm going to look a plonker!!
But I can't resist!

Michelin make umpteen different versions of essentially the same tyre and those versions are labelled as applicable for BMW, Mercedes, Ferrari or whatever. Supposedly there are suble differences for tyres intended for RWD and FWD vehicles, although they're not so huge as to preclude them being used universally. Nonetheless if you want to be a bit of an anorak you can make your tyre dealer order a specific version of a tyre.

http://www.michelin.co.uk/tyres/lear...tyre-side-wall

[tdz840]

Aaa ah becomes clear MO is a designation for Mercedes
I wasn't aware of that
Cheers
Russ

[Eagerbeaver]

Just to add my experience - I got my 1800es with Yokohama A-Drive 195/70/15 tyres and I have had no issue with them. I don't have anything to compare to though.

Being 195, you may find the steering heavier but I find it is OK. It's fine in the wet and even in the depths of winter, they coped well with snow and ice.

At about £70 a tyre, I don't think that breaks the bank.