[W126 Coupe] bigger tires

[jflyer2 at aim.com]

Andy, Here is the speed rating info direct from the TireRack. Since our cars are rev limited to 250km/h (155mph) I felt the W rating was more than safe.

Beginning in 1991, the speed symbol denoting a fixed maximum speed capability of new tires must be shown only in the speed rating portion of the tire's service description, such as 225/50R16 89S. The most common tire speed rating symbols, maximum speeds and typical applications are shown below:




M

81 mph

130 km/h





N

87 mph

140km/h

Temporary Spare Tires



P

93 mph

150 km/h





Q

99 mph

160 km/h

Studless & Studdable Winter Tires



R

106 mph

170 km/h

H.D. Light Truck Tires



S

112 mph

180 km/h

Family Sedans & Vans



T

118 mph

190 km/h

Family Sedans & Vans



U

124 mph

200 km/h





H

130 mph

210 km/h

Sport Sedans & Coupes



V

149 mph

240 km/h

Sport Sedans, Coupes & Sports Cars





When Z-speed rated tires were first introduced, they were thought to reflect the highest tire speed rating that would ever be required, in excess of 240 km/h or 149 mph. While Z-speed rated tires are capable of speeds in excess of 149 mph, how far above 149 mph was not identified. That ultimately caused the automotive industry to add W- and Y-speed ratings to identify the tires that meet the needs of new vehicles that have extremely high top-speed capabilities.




W

168 mph

270 km/h

Exotic Sports Cars



Y

186 mph

300 km/h

Exotic Sports Cars





While a Z-speed rating still often appears in the tire size designation of these tires, such as 225/50ZR16 91W, the Z in the size signifies a maximum speed capability in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h; the W in the service description indicates the tire's 168 mph, 270 km/h maximum speed.




225/50ZR16

in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h



205/45ZR17 88W

168 mph, 270 km/h



285/35ZR19 99Y

186 mph, 300 km/h





Most recently, when the Y-speed rating indicated in a service description is enclosed in parentheses, such as 285/35ZR19 (99Y), the top speed of the tire has been tested in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h indicated by the service description as shown below:




285/35ZR19 99Y

186 mph, 300 km/h



285/35ZR19 (99Y)

in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h





As vehicles have increased their top speeds into Autobahn-only ranges, the tire speed ratings have evolved to better identify the tires capability, allowing drivers to match the speed of their tires with the top speed of their vehicle


-----Original Message-----
From: Andres J Homeyer <andy at tularosa.net>
To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
Sent: Tue, 31 Jul 2007 7:16 pm
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] bigger tires




?

Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2007 3:32 PM


Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] bigger tires




Check TireRack's web site. They rate the tires they sell and have customer comments on them as well. That being said, I went with General Exclaim 245/45/17 WR on my 3 pc. AMGs. They were rated better than the Kumho tires and were about the same price. I figure that why pay the high price of Michelin Pilots when most of the high-speed rated tires are only going to last around 20k due to the soft compounds. I bought the 4 Generals for just a little more than the cost of one Pilot.
Jay
'91 560SEC

?

Jay one question, and others may want to consider this also: Why put W rated ( max. speed 130) tires on a great car easily capable of 145 MPH plus and with very expensive wheels when the V rated (149 MPH) tires do not cost that much more? Just curious, that's all. 

?

I have a '91 560 SEC, lowered and run 17 X 81/2 Carlson wheels and 245 x 45 17 V rated tires, just a wee bit of a safety factor even though we may never drive at the max. speed the car is capable of---seems the police take a dim view of this ;-))>? I guess they do not appreciate a great car.

?

Andy H







The MB Coupes Website!
W126 SEC Mailing List
Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.


________________________________________________________________________
Check Out the new free AIM(R) Mail -- Unlimited storage and industry-leading spam and email virus protection.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://www.pairlist.net/pipermail/mbcoupes/attachments/20070801/f8d1753b/attachment.html>