Hello again all! I am in need of new tires for my 244 and was wondering if i could go from a size of P180-70/14 to P195-65/14? Does this mean a wider, lower profile tire? And I guess more importantly will it fit on the steel rims and not rub anywhre on the car? Thanks in advance!
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1987 240DL...new Flame trap, Sport Air Filter( is now dead), soon to be sport exhuast(non turbo)...

195/65-14 is a fine size for replacing the OEM 185/70-14. Slightly smaller OD, but by my calcs it will produce about a 1% speedo/odo error, which is insignificant. More importantly, the load rating is slightly higher for that size than for the original - you never want to go in the other direction.
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Thank goodness we don't get all the government we pay for. -- Wiley Post

195/65-14 looks pretty good.
Assuming stock size is 185/70-14, as on USA cars.

Tire size calculator:
http://www.wickedbodies.net/Tire-Size-Calculator.htm

No problem rubbing on 195's. Up to 205 width clears OK.
205 barely works on the 5.5 inch width of the standard steel wheels.
For 205 and up widths, you're best off going to a 15 or 16 inch wheel, these have wider flanges.
You get 15-16" wheels from junked 700/900 cars. All should fit fine.
Have fun!

size -- Actual Spd. when showing 65 on speedometer

195/65-14 -- 64.42 mph
205/65-14 -- 65.79 mph
205/60-14 -- 63.63 mph
195/60-15 -- 65.04 mph
205/55-15 -- 64.14 mph
205/60-15 -- 66.31 mph
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Sven: '89 245 NA, 951 ECU, open-front airbox, E-fan, 205/65-15's, IPD sways, E-Codes, amber front corner reflectors, quad horns. Wifemobile '89 245 NA stock. 90 244 NA spare, runs.

Thanks a lot! It will be nice to have traction again!
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1987 244DL Auto, new rear main seal! Back to the stock air box:(

Apparently the rubber contact area doesn't change with a wider tire. Because the weight of that particular car on the tires ends up causing some fixed number of square inches of contact area. Wider tread just changes the shape of the contact area.

BUT wider flange + wider tread + shorter sidewalls will give less flexing of tire sidewalls. That gives better handling. You get shorter sidewalls from larger diameter rims: 15, 16, even 17 inches. Cheapest source: junkyard with old 740s + 940s. I think the tires will be the right size too, but double check that.

The biggest bang for your buck, for handling, is a set of IPD sway bars. Unfortunately around $300 a set. Without them, the cars sway way too much for most people who are looking for improved handling. If I had a choice of stock 185/70 tires and IPD sways, vs. nice fat 16" tires and stock sways, I'd take the IPD sways every time.

Lower cost alternative - turbo sway bars from a junked Turbo 240. Tougher to find, but when you do, maybe $40-60 at your local self service junkyard. Or from ebay or from brickboard classifieds.
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Sven: '89 245 NA, 951 ECU, open-front airbox, E-fan, 205/65-15's, IPD sways, E-Codes, amber front corner reflectors, quad horns. Wifemobile '89 245 NA stock. 90 244 NA spare, runs.

A sway bar set = front and rear bars.
You can change them in a driveway.
For IPD bars, the rears take some patience getting them in.
If you have a buddy with a real shop lift or a "trench", I think that would make a big difference.
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Sven: '89 245 NA, 951 ECU, open-front airbox, E-fan, 205/65-15's, IPD sways, E-Codes, amber front corner reflectors, quad horns. Wifemobile '89 245 NA stock. 90 244 NA spare, runs.