From: owner-diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net (diesel-benz-digest) To: diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Subject: diesel-benz-digest V1 #391 Reply-To: diesel-benz-at-digest.net Sender: owner-diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Errors-To: owner-diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Precedence: bulk diesel-benz-digest Tuesday, September 12 2000 Volume 01 : Number 391 Forum for Discussion of Diesel Mercedes Benz Automobiles John Meister Digest Coordinator Contents: breaking news from Snohomish RE: Foglight Pull-out, W123 RE: Foglight Pull-out, W123 RE: "new" Washington State tax RE: a beauty back east on ebay... RE: "new" Washington State tax and a/c RE: MB 300SD RE: a beauty back east on ebay... RE: Foglight Pull-out, W123 RE: "new" Washington State tax and a/c RE: "new" Washington State tax and a/c RE: Foglight Pull-out, W123 tire question RE: tire question Re: Southern SDs. 300s, that is! RE: tire question RE: tire question RE: tire question RE: tire question zero tire stuff Re: zero tire stuff Diesel Benz Digest Home Page: http://www.digest.net/diesel-benz/ Send submissions to diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Send administrative requests to diesel-benz-digest-request-at-digest.net To unsubscribe, include the word unsubscribe by itself in the body of the message, unless you are sending the request from a different address than the one that appears on the list. Include the word help in a message to stag-digest-request to get a list of other majordomo commands. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 18:03:02 -0700 From: "john" Subject: breaking news from Snohomish good news, I figure I owe Paul K. a latte'. Got the "I-695 retaliatory tax" reduced... (I-695 was the washington state voter initiative reducing our annual plate tabs to $35, before a guy with a 4 to 5 year old Jeep Cherokee could expect to pay around $400 a year to tag his xj!!! A guy with a really expensive car would pay well over $1,200 a year!!! Got a friend with a new Rover, almost $1,300 a year for his tabs!!!! It was ridiculous.) Anyway, the story went like this, bought this '83 Mercedes 300SD, fair paint, overall good condition, 201,000 miles, etc... paid less than high book value. Roll into the license agency, they claim it's valued at $9,852 and they want $645 to tag it!!! I say, wait, it's not worth $10k... well, get an appraisal says this agency office... so I call dealers, no luck... they suggest the bluebook... Paul K. just went through this with his 84 GW, they claim his $1,200 GW (the real price and fair...) was worth $3,500. BUT, Paul went to Canyon Park License office (on the Bothell Everett Highway by thrasher's corner - HIGHLY RECOMMEND. :) and they gave him a form that basically provides a signed statement of the sale price... basically what the flippin' title already says anyway (we put the sale price on the title, and the seller mails in a slip saying what the sales price was... another Washington state oddity, having to tell the state via mail you sold your rig, like the computer system at the license dept isn't good enough... and mailing the slip in doesn't do squat anyway, I've still received tickets in the mail from Seattle for rigs I sold, and dutifully mailed my little slip into the state before, from rigs I sold years ago!) Anyways, I digress... So I'm in there telling my sad story and showing her what the Kelly blue book is on the rig (ranges from $1,700 to about $6,000) and she goes, oh? What kinds of things does it need? So I run down the list... she takes a statement with the totals... deducts that from the value and voila, I paid $200 for new plates, transfer, sales tax and tabs through October 2001. Sheesh... why didn't the other office suggest that??? From what I hear a lot of folks here in Washington are really ticked off... I'd say John Carlson has a great chance at the governor's office... especially since he has a realistic plan for fixing the traffic woes out here too.... :) Anyway... in other news, I picked up a rear bumper for Superdawg (the right width, it was for an import, brackets will need some spacers... have welder, will adapt. :) Also got parts in for the 300SD and need to troubleshoot the wiring harness on the little wag, seems Jimmy B reminded me that we tested that rear wiper motor and it worked... so, I'm stepping off the soapbox and heading for the toolbox. ;) BTW, the tach amplifier didn't fix the tach on the 300SD... got the CD manuals, need to figure out what else it could be... I just sampled some really good coffee... http://www.puravidacoffee.com/ awesome stuff... I think I made the last pot a wee bit strong... took me about three minutes to type this message... ;) Give Willie Cormier a call at 206.328.9606 or an email at: willie-at-puravidacoffee.com really good stuff... :) john - ------------------------------------------------------ http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... Jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 20:38:50 -0500 From: "Alec Cordova" Subject: RE: Foglight Pull-out, W123 >And since I can't afford to pay the $500/pr for the euro's, does anyone know >where I can get those Hella (or IPF?) sealed-beam replacement assemblies for >cheap? > >Chris Straut >Bridgeport, WV Rusty is your man. 800-741-5252, or zac3-at-bellsouth.net. I think he's around Atlanta. That's where I got mine for the 85 300DT. AMAZING improvement. Under a hundred bucks for the two drop-in round replacements with separately replaceable H4 bulbs. Alec ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 18:36:58 -0700 From: "john" Subject: RE: Foglight Pull-out, W123 rusty's got IPF? - ------------------------------------------------------ http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... Jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ------------------------------------------------------- - -----Original Message----- From: owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net [mailto:owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net]On Behalf Of Alec Cordova Sent: Monday, September 11, 2000 6:39 PM To: Chris Straut; diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Subject: RE: Foglight Pull-out, W123 >And since I can't afford to pay the $500/pr for the euro's, does anyone know >where I can get those Hella (or IPF?) sealed-beam replacement assemblies for >cheap? > >Chris Straut >Bridgeport, WV Rusty is your man. 800-741-5252, or zac3-at-bellsouth.net. I think he's around Atlanta. That's where I got mine for the 85 300DT. AMAZING improvement. Under a hundred bucks for the two drop-in round replacements with separately replaceable H4 bulbs. Alec ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 20:28:44 -0500 From: "Alec Cordova" Subject: RE: "new" Washington State tax >wow, even with the "$35" tab here my 83 J10 still costs me about >$65 a year... > >y'all have an income tax down there, right? how about a sales tax? > >too bad there is no such thing as a cool, mild climate down there... :) >john Income tax??? We don't need no stinkin income tax! City and state sales tax add up to 8.25% around here (Austin, Texas). No income tax, apparently reasonable registration fees. Lots of oil revenue still fills the state coffers. The price is the weather. It was over 100 degrees (F, not C) AGAIN today. Early last week, we scored two all-time record high temps of 110 and 112. And the official records (at Camp Mabry) go back well into the 1800's. I'm grateful that my 89 300CE has functional air conditioning (since my 85 300DT does not), but it has a very hard time keeping up with temperatures like this. Alec ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 18:38:31 -0700 From: "john" Subject: RE: a beauty back east on ebay... my favorites, MXV4's... they're a little worn in front... but the car definetly feels heavier than Fritz. Nice ride, maybe not as nice as Fritz... hard to say, 8 months between rides. I would think a 123 chassis with this engine would be faster, more economical, and handle better... but then my kids would be griping about leg room in the back. :) john - ------------------------------------------------------ http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... Jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ------------------------------------------------------- - -----Original Message----- From: Alec Cordova [mailto:acordova-at-texas.net] Sent: Monday, September 11, 2000 6:29 PM To: john; Dbl Subject: RE: a beauty back east on ebay... The right tires should make a world of difference there. Benzes, particularly the 123 and 126 series that we love, definitely put the tires to work. But haven't you mentioned that the SD has new Michelins? What kind? Up front? Alec - -----Original Message----- From: owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net [mailto:owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net] On Behalf Of john Sent: Sunday, September 10, 2000 5:02 PM To: Dbl Subject: a beauty back east on ebay... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=433477021& r=0&t=0 you know, if this thing were out here on the west coast I might go for it... I understand a little more why the 123 Chassis might be better than the 126. The weight difference is one thing, handling is another. I went into an on ramp a little fast in the rain and experienced some understeer... never happened with fritz. guess I need to take it a little more easy. :) - ------------------------------------------------------ http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... Jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 18:42:10 -0700 From: "john" Subject: RE: "new" Washington State tax and a/c we have no income tax... property tax around $18/thousand of assessed value, sales tax ranges from 6.5% to 9.1% depending where you are, incorporated areas have taxes on utilities, they have a business and occupation tax for businesses over 10k a year... gas and diesel taxes are about .23/gallon in addition to the .20/gal fed tax... there is a tax book for the state that is thicker than the federal income tax book, they nail the businesses with all kinds of ridiculous fees... the sun came out this afternoon, might have hit 70! :) I think I'll drive SuperDawg tomorrow. The 300SD doesn't have a/c yet... oh wait, I got the parts to fix it today... :) Maybe I'll run up and get three cans of the new r134 after I replace the schrader valve... john - ------------------------------------------------------ http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... Jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ------------------------------------------------------- - -----Original Message----- From: Alec Cordova [mailto:acordova-at-texas.net] Sent: Monday, September 11, 2000 6:29 PM To: john; Diesel-Benz List Subject: RE: "new" Washington State tax >wow, even with the "$35" tab here my 83 J10 still costs me about >$65 a year... > >y'all have an income tax down there, right? how about a sales tax? > >too bad there is no such thing as a cool, mild climate down there... :) >john Income tax??? We don't need no stinkin income tax! City and state sales tax add up to 8.25% around here (Austin, Texas). No income tax, apparently reasonable registration fees. Lots of oil revenue still fills the state coffers. The price is the weather. It was over 100 degrees (F, not C) AGAIN today. Early last week, we scored two all-time record high temps of 110 and 112. And the official records (at Camp Mabry) go back well into the 1800's. I'm grateful that my 89 300CE has functional air conditioning (since my 85 300DT does not), but it has a very hard time keeping up with temperatures like this. Alec ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 20:28:48 -0500 From: "Alec Cordova" Subject: RE: MB 300SD >Does someone know if it is possible to import a 300SD or 300D? >tks, marcel Import to where? What year models? ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 20:28:46 -0500 From: "Alec Cordova" Subject: RE: a beauty back east on ebay... The right tires should make a world of difference there. Benzes, particularly the 123 and 126 series that we love, definitely put the tires to work. But haven't you mentioned that the SD has new Michelins? What kind? Up front? Alec - -----Original Message----- From: owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net [mailto:owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net] On Behalf Of john Sent: Sunday, September 10, 2000 5:02 PM To: Dbl Subject: a beauty back east on ebay... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=433477021& r=0&t=0 you know, if this thing were out here on the west coast I might go for it... I understand a little more why the 123 Chassis might be better than the 126. The weight difference is one thing, handling is another. I went into an on ramp a little fast in the rain and experienced some understeer... never happened with fritz. guess I need to take it a little more easy. :) - ------------------------------------------------------ http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... Jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 21:19:12 -0500 From: "Alec Cordova" Subject: RE: Foglight Pull-out, W123 Not sure if he carries IPF. Good question, though. I think the ones he sent me were Hella's, or they may have been Cibie's. Been a little while. Probably Hella's. Glorious lighting, regardless of the brand name. Alec - -----Original Message----- rusty's got IPF? ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 21:19:13 -0500 From: "Alec Cordova" Subject: RE: "new" Washington State tax and a/c What do you need AC for when it's barely 70?!?! Alec - -----Original Message----- the sun came out this afternoon, might have hit 70! :) I think I'll drive SuperDawg tomorrow. The 300SD doesn't have a/c yet... oh wait, I got the parts to fix it today... :) Maybe I'll run up and get three cans of the new r134 after I replace the schrader valve... john - ------------------------------------------------------ http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... Jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 19:18:20 -0700 From: "john" Subject: RE: "new" Washington State tax and a/c hey, I was sweating... 70 degrees is HOT. sheesh... we don't put sweaters on until it gets down to at least 50 degrees... It's 48 out right now, I'm still in shorts from the sunburst a few hours ago... :) it's nice and clear, can see the mountains to the east... :) better head upstairs and fix the a/c... it's gonna only hit 66 tomorrow... but still... ;) john - ------------------------------------------------------ http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... Jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ------------------------------------------------------- - -----Original Message----- From: owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net [mailto:owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net]On Behalf Of Alec Cordova Sent: Monday, September 11, 2000 7:19 PM To: john; Diesel-Benz List Subject: RE: "new" Washington State tax and a/c What do you need AC for when it's barely 70?!?! Alec - -----Original Message----- the sun came out this afternoon, might have hit 70! :) I think I'll drive ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 19:19:15 -0700 From: "john" Subject: RE: Foglight Pull-out, W123 If I can't get IPFs in the next couple of days I'll get a quote from him on Hella's. :) The H4 lamps are so much nicer... :) john - ------------------------------------------------------ http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... Jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ------------------------------------------------------- - -----Original Message----- From: owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net [mailto:owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net]On Behalf Of Alec Cordova Sent: Monday, September 11, 2000 7:19 PM To: john; Diesel-Benz List Subject: RE: Foglight Pull-out, W123 Not sure if he carries IPF. Good question, though. I think the ones he sent me were Hella's, or they may have been Cibie's. Been a little while. Probably Hella's. Glorious lighting, regardless of the brand name. Alec - -----Original Message----- rusty's got IPF? ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 23:04:52 -0500 From: mmason Subject: tire question Yes, I know we've talked tires lots before, and I've tried to keep up... but being new to buying tires for my '80 240D (with original wheels), I'm slightly stumped by "plus" sizes... is a "plus zero" tire, in effect, the same as original equipment? Looking at DiscountTireDirect.com... Unfortunately can't find the MXV4's that John talks about, just the Rainforce MX4 that I've already got. There's a much better tire selection in the "plus zero" section than in the OEM section, and I'm wondering if plus zeros will fit on the original rims. Money is an issue, so even though many would probably suggest getting rid of the rims I've got, it's not an option right now. Maybe I'll look at Firestone.... Kidding, kidding..... - -- Matt ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 21:43:24 -0700 From: "john" Subject: RE: tire question Michelin MXV4 Energy Radials... :) any michelin is fine though... I run the LTX on SuperDawg in 31x10.5 :) john - ------------------------------------------------------ http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... Jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ------------------------------------------------------- - -----Original Message----- From: owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net [mailto:owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net]On Behalf Of mmason Sent: Monday, September 11, 2000 9:05 PM To: diesel-benz-at-digest.net Subject: tire question Yes, I know we've talked tires lots before, and I've tried to keep up... but being new to buying tires for my '80 240D (with original wheels), I'm slightly stumped by "plus" sizes... is a "plus zero" tire, in effect, the same as original equipment? Looking at DiscountTireDirect.com... Unfortunately can't find the MXV4's that John talks about, just the Rainforce MX4 that I've already got. There's a much better tire selection in the "plus zero" section than in the OEM section, and I'm wondering if plus zeros will fit on the original rims. Money is an issue, so even though many would probably suggest getting rid of the rims I've got, it's not an option right now. Maybe I'll look at Firestone.... Kidding, kidding..... - -- Matt ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 09:38:49 -0700 From: john Subject: Re: Southern SDs. 300s, that is! Brian, This looks just like mine! I like the third brakelight... hmmm... I wonder how hard it would be to retrofit? :) http://www.wagoneers.com/DieselBenz/rigs/300SD-Brian/ john At 08:36 AM 9/12/00 -0500, you wrote: > >John: > >Here are some shots of my 300SDs. The gold one is the one that I emailed >you about. It is an '84 with 225K miles. I am asking $4K for it. It needs >a new A/C compressor. The last one "blew" and took a belt with it, so the >usual symphony of diesel engineering sounds a bit off key at the moment, but >the car runs absolutely great. I have all maintenance records, including a >religious regimen of oil changes every 3K miles for the last several years. >The car is in Nashville, Tennessee. > >If you'd like to post the gold photos to the "list", I'd appreciate it. > - ------------------------------------------------------ http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ "The truth which makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear." ---Herbert Sebastian Agar Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 13:41:12 -0500 From: Alec Cordova Subject: RE: tire question Couple of different issues here. First, the Plus Zero stuff. This would allow you to change from 195-70-14 tires to 225-60-14 tires, Or even 245-55-14, if anyone makes that size. You get the wider contact patch, and the relatively shorter, stiffer sidewall. But 225's would probably be a bit of a stretch on the stock width rims. As to finding the MXV4's, they are often categorized as Grand Touring tires, rather than All Season. Tire Rack has them in 195-70-14 for about 90 bucks a piece, compared to mid 70's for the MX4. I will also throw out my plug for Kumho 795 Touring tires for the 123 sedans. I have been quite happy with them on my 85 300D. I see this model on DiscountTiresDirect, but only in 75 and 80 series, not in the correct 195-70-14 size, which is what I got from a local Discount tire store in Austin, Texas. They were under 50 bucks a piece, and my car has been quite happy with them. Don't expect spectacular performance gains, no matter what you get. You can get noticeable improvements, especially in individual areas (wet, noise, steering response), but probably not anything awe-inspiring, particularly if your current budget limits you to using the stock wheels. If you're new to buying tires for this car, you're probably also fairly new to the car. We had a 1980 240D many years ago, and the 85 300DT that's still in the stable. Truly exceptional creations. The 240 just forces you to relax, plan ahead, and take life a little slower. Nothing particularly wrong with that. Good luck, Alec Cordova Taylor, Texas 89 300CE 85 300DT 97 Z3 1.9 -----Original Message----- Michelin MXV4 Energy Radials... :) any michelin is fine though... I run the LTX on SuperDawg in 31x10.5 :) john -----Original Message----- Yes, I know we've talked tires lots before, and I've tried to keep up... but being new to buying tires for my '80 240D (with original wheels), I'm slightly stumped by "plus" sizes... is a "plus zero" tire, in effect, the same as original equipment? Looking at DiscountTireDirect.com... Unfortunately can't find the MXV4's that John talks about, just the Rainforce MX4 that I've already got. There's a much better tire selection in the "plus zero" section than in the OEM section, and I'm wondering if plus zeros will fit on the original rims. Money is an issue, so even though many would probably suggest getting rid of the rims I've got, it's not an option right now. Maybe I'll look at Firestone.... Kidding, kidding..... -- Matt ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 14:26:02 -0500 (CDT) From: matthew j mason Subject: RE: tire question > If you're new to buying tires for this car, you're probably also fairly new > to the car. We had a 1980 240D many years ago, and the 85 300DT that's still Actually I've had it since '96. It lived in NY for about eight months while I was at school in Iowa, but other than that it's been my daily driver. Ample time to appreciate the ride, the relative ease of maintenance & repair, etc. Thanks, though, for the tips... ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 14:30:58 -0500 From: "Darnell, Brian" Subject: RE: tire question Hey, guys! After driving Michelins for years, I am now in Bridgestone Turanzas H-rated tires, and I can't say enough about them. The Michelins have always been too loud, a little too rigid, and a little pricey for what they really are, and the most mileage that I ever got out of a set was 45K miles .....on a VW Jetta! This experience includes the Pilot Series & MXV4s. In fact, I have recently rented two Chrysler 300Ms (sorry) for business trips, and the tire noise between the one with Michelins and one with Goodyear Eagles (gag!) was more than obvious. - -----Original Message----- From: matthew j mason [mailto:mmason-at-blue.weeg.uiowa.edu] Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2000 3:26 PM To: Alec Cordova Cc: 'diesel-benz-at-digest.net' Subject: RE: tire question > If you're new to buying tires for this car, you're probably also fairly new > to the car. We had a 1980 240D many years ago, and the 85 300DT that's still Actually I've had it since '96. It lived in NY for about eight months while I was at school in Iowa, but other than that it's been my daily driver. Ample time to appreciate the ride, the relative ease of maintenance & repair, etc. Thanks, though, for the tips... ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 15:40:01 -0400 From: "Chris Straut" Subject: RE: tire question Sears can order Michilen MXV4's. They gave me a quote of $524 mounted and balanced for a set of 4 205/70R14's - -----Original Message----- From: owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net [mailto:owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net]On Behalf Of Alec Cordova Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2000 2:41 PM To: 'mmason'; 'diesel-benz-at-digest.net' Subject: RE: tire question Couple of different issues here. First, the Plus Zero stuff. This would allow you to change from 195-70-14 tires to 225-60-14 tires, Or even 245-55-14, if anyone makes that size. You get the wider contact patch, and the relatively shorter, stiffer sidewall. But 225's would probably be a bit of a stretch on the stock width rims. As to finding the MXV4's, they are often categorized as Grand Touring tires, rather than All Season. Tire Rack has them in 195-70-14 for about 90 bucks a piece, compared to mid 70's for the MX4. I will also throw out my plug for Kumho 795 Touring tires for the 123 sedans. I have been quite happy with them on my 85 300D. I see this model on DiscountTiresDirect, but only in 75 and 80 series, not in the correct 195-70-14 size, which is what I got from a local Discount tire store in Austin, Texas. They were under 50 bucks a piece, and my car has been quite happy with them. Don't expect spectacular performance gains, no matter what you get. You can get noticeable improvements, especially in individual areas (wet, noise, steering response), but probably not anything awe-inspiring, particularly if your current budget limits you to using the stock wheels. If you're new to buying tires for this car, you're probably also fairly new to the car. We had a 1980 240D many years ago, and the 85 300DT that's still in the stable. Truly exceptional creations. The 240 just forces you to relax, plan ahead, and take life a little slower. Nothing particularly wrong with that. Good luck, Alec Cordova Taylor, Texas 89 300CE 85 300DT 97 Z3 1.9 -----Original Message----- Michelin MXV4 Energy Radials... :) any michelin is fine though... I run the LTX on SuperDawg in 31x10.5 :) john -----Original Message----- Yes, I know we've talked tires lots before, and I've tried to keep up... but being new to buying tires for my '80 240D (with original wheels), I'm slightly stumped by "plus" sizes... is a "plus zero" tire, in effect, the same as original equipment? Looking at DiscountTireDirect.com... Unfortunately can't find the MXV4's that John talks about, just the Rainforce MX4 that I've already got. There's a much better tire selection in the "plus zero" section than in the OEM section, and I'm wondering if plus zeros will fit on the original rims. Money is an issue, so even though many would probably suggest getting rid of the rims I've got, it's not an option right now. Maybe I'll look at Firestone.... Kidding, kidding..... -- Matt ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 12:59:36 -0700 From: john Subject: zero tire stuff Ok, I'm totally clueless on whatever this is... I do know one thing... my 300D and my 300SD eat tires. Going to a wider tire, even on the stock rim, with stiffer sidewalls and more tread area, but keeping the overall diameter the same sounds wonderful. I'm gonna need two front tires within a year or so... what size would I go to??? it's an 83 300SD. thanx, john - ------------------------------------------------------ http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ "The truth which makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear." ---Herbert Sebastian Agar Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 13:24:45 -0700 (PDT) From: Dan Youngquist Subject: Re: zero tire stuff On Tue, 12 Sep 2000, john wrote: > I do know one thing... my 300D and my 300SD eat tires. Going to a > wider tire, even on the stock rim, with stiffer sidewalls and more > tread area, but keeping the overall diameter the same sounds > wonderful. I'm gonna need two front tires within a year or so... > what size would I go to??? it's an 83 300SD. The math is pretty simple once you understand what the tire size numbers mean. www.tirerack.com says that car should have 195/70-14's. That means the tire is 195mm wide, and the sidewall height is 70% of that, or 136.5mm. Say you go to a 65 series tire; you'd need a 210/65-14, but of course they don't make a 210, you'd have to choose either 205 or 215. If you go to a 60 series, the width would be 227.5, which is pretty close to 225, so you'd use a 225/60-14. You'd have to pay attention to the width of your wheels, and make sure you aren't getting tires that are too wide for them. Regarding sidewall stiffness, some tires are available in 'XL', which I guess stands for extra load; I'd definitely go that way for a car that's pushing 4000 lbs. Dan Youngquist Homestead Products Grain mills, water filters, lanterns, simple living & outdoors items http://www.teleport.com/~dany tel# 208-926-7137 / fax# 208-926-7139 / dany-at-teleport.com ------------------------------ End of diesel-benz-digest V1 #391 *********************************