1958 Mercedes-Benz 220 Tires

The 1958 Mercedes-Benz 220 uses two primary tire sizes: 175R13 in radial construction and 6.70-13 in bias-ply construction. Both fitments use a 13-inch rim, and both apply to the covered 220 A & S sub-models, so the choice comes down to selecting the construction and tire style that best suits the car.

That means the first step is confirming whether the car is being kept in a traditional bias-ply format or set up for the radial option. It is also worth checking the actual wheels on the vehicle, since collector cars are sometimes changed over the years. Even when the rim diameter is correct, wheel width, clearance, and overall condition still deserve a careful look before mounting new tires.

The primary tire fitments for a 1958 Mercedes-Benz 220 are built around a 13-inch rim diameter. Both the 175R13 radial size and the 6.70-13 bias-ply size are intended for that same 13-inch wheel diameter, which keeps the wheel-size question simpler than it would be on a vehicle with multiple rim diameters.

Rim diameter is only one part of fitment, so it should not be the only thing checked before choosing a tire. A car that has been restored, modified, or fitted with replacement wheels may have differences in wheel width or offset that affect tire choice. Confirming the actual wheel dimensions on the car helps prevent avoidable clearance or mounting issues.

Yes. The covered 1958 Mercedes-Benz 220 A & S sub-models share the same two primary tire-size paths: 175R13 as the radial fitment and 6.70-13 as the bias-ply fitment. There is no separate size split between those covered sub-models, which makes the tire decision more about construction than about trim-specific sizing.

That shared fitment simplifies shopping, but it does not remove the need to inspect the actual car. Wheel changes, suspension work, or long-term restoration choices can influence which construction makes more sense. A buyer comparing these two sizes should focus on the car’s current wheel setup, desired appearance, and how the car will be driven once back on the road.

6.70-13 is the bias-ply tire size for the 1958 Mercedes-Benz 220. It uses the older numeric sizing system, where the 6.70 figure represents nominal section width in inches and the 13 identifies the rim diameter. On this car, it stands as the traditional construction choice alongside the alternate 175R13 radial fitment.

Choosing 6.70-13 usually means keeping a more traditional tire format and visual character on the car. That can matter on a mid-century Mercedes sedan where the overall presentation is part of the ownership experience. Even so, the wheel itself should be inspected for condition and compatibility, especially if the car has not been driven regularly or has had its wheels changed in the past.

175R13 is the radial tire size for the 1958 Mercedes-Benz 220. In this format, 175 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R designates radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. It serves as the radial fitment option for the covered 220 A & S sub-models while staying on the same 13-inch wheel diameter.

That makes 175R13 the right place to look if the car is being set up around radial construction rather than a traditional bias-ply layout. The practical next step is verifying the actual wheels and the car’s surrounding clearance, since an older vehicle may no longer be on its original wheel setup. Construction choice should also match the owner’s appearance goals and planned driving style.

A 1958 Mercedes-Benz 220 can be fitted with either of its primary tire formats: 6.70-13 bias-ply or 175R13 radial. Bias-ply construction better reflects the earlier period of the car, while the radial size represents the alternative fitment path within the same 13-inch rim diameter. The right choice depends on how closely the car is being kept to its traditional setup.

Appearance goals and actual road use usually decide the question. A restoration-oriented car may lean toward the bias-ply presentation, while a driver-focused car may be evaluated around the radial option. Either way, construction should not be chosen by size code alone. Wheel condition, wheel dimensions, and tire clearance all need to be checked before settling on one direction.

Start with the two primary fitments used on the 1958 Mercedes-Benz 220: 6.70-13 in bias-ply construction and 175R13 in radial construction. The central decision is whether the car should retain a traditional bias-ply presentation or use the radial size. Both fitments use a 13-inch rim, so construction type is more important here than wheel diameter.

After that, focus on the car itself rather than the size code alone. A sedan preserved for period-style appearance may call for one direction, while a car prepared for regular touring may point toward the other. Checking the actual wheel dimensions, the condition of the wheels, and any suspension or body changes will help narrow the right tire choice without guessing.

The difference is primarily construction and sizing format. A 175R13 is a radial tire in an older Euro-metric format, while 6.70-13 is a numeric bias-ply tire. Both are 13-inch fitments for the 1958 Mercedes-Benz 220, so the choice is less about rim diameter and more about whether the car is being kept in a traditional bias-ply configuration or set up around the radial option.

That decision should reflect how the car will be presented and used. Owners pursuing a restoration-oriented look often evaluate the bias-ply route closely, while those planning more frequent road use may consider the radial size. Confirming the wheels already on the car is important, because a collector vehicle may have replacement rims or prior changes that affect compatibility.

Both primary sizes for the 1958 Mercedes-Benz 220 are built for 13-inch rims, so matching the correct diameter is the starting point. The other important rim-fitment details are the wheel’s actual width, its general condition, and whether the car still has the wheel setup intended for these tire sizes. Those points matter whether the choice is 175R13 or 6.70-13.

A wheel can be the correct diameter and still create problems if it has been replaced with a different width or offset. That is especially important on older cars that may have gone through restoration or long ownership changes. Measuring the wheels on the car and checking for clearance at the fenders and steering components makes tire selection much more reliable.

For a period-style 1958 Mercedes-Benz 220, the 6.70-13 bias-ply size is the most natural starting point because it reflects the traditional construction format associated with the car’s era. The alternative 175R13 radial remains a correct fitment path for the vehicle, but it presents a different construction choice than the older numeric bias-ply size.

That does not mean every restoration should automatically use bias-ply tires. Some owners place equal weight on road use and visual presentation, so the radial option may still deserve consideration. When exact originality matters, the safest course is to compare the car against marque-specific historical references and then confirm the wheel setup before making a final tire decision.

Tire construction changes more than the internal build of the tire; it also changes how a restored 1958 Mercedes-Benz 220 is visually read. A 6.70-13 bias-ply uses an older numeric format that supports a more traditional mid-century presentation, while a 175R13 radial introduces a later-style sizing convention even though it remains within the correct 13-inch fitment range.

That visual difference can matter on a car where proportions and details are part of the appeal. Owners concerned mainly with period style often look closely at the bias-ply route first, while those balancing appearance with broader usability may explore the radial fitment. Tire choice should complement the car’s overall restoration direction instead of being treated as an isolated detail.

Yes. Even though the 1958 Mercedes-Benz 220 uses 13-inch tire fitments, modifications can still change whether a given tire setup is appropriate for the car in its current condition. Wheel replacements, different wheel widths, offset changes, lowered suspension, worn springs, or bodywork repairs can all influence how either 175R13 or 6.70-13 behaves once mounted.

That is why the actual vehicle should be checked before treating any size as automatic. A collector car may have had decades of maintenance decisions that are not obvious at first glance. Verifying wheel dimensions, steering clearance, and fender clearance is especially important if the car has non-original wheels or suspension changes that move the tire inward or outward.

Before driving a 1958 Mercedes-Benz 220 on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition, make sure the chosen tire size matches the car’s intended setup, and confirm that the tires clear the fenders and steering components through their full range of motion. It is also wise to check valve stems, mounting quality, and inflation before heading onto the road.

A fresh set of tires cannot make up for problems elsewhere on a collector car. Brakes, suspension wear, alignment condition, and wheel hardware all deserve attention, especially if the car has been stored or driven only occasionally. A careful once-over helps the new tires perform as intended and reduces the chance that an unrelated chassis issue gets mistaken for a tire problem.

Tires on a collector 1958 Mercedes-Benz 220 should be inspected regularly for air loss, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, tread wear, and signs of flat spotting from extended storage. That applies whether the car is running 6.70-13 bias-ply tires or 175R13 radials. A classic sedan that sees limited mileage can still age its tires even when tread depth looks acceptable.

Storage habits matter almost as much as mileage on a collector car. Keeping the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition between drives. Pressure should be checked routinely rather than only before long trips, and any tire showing age-related damage should be evaluated carefully before the car returns to regular road use.