1968 Mercedes-Benz 220 Tires

The 1968 Mercedes-Benz 220 uses two primary tire sizes: 695-14 in bias-ply construction and 175R14 in radial construction. Both sizes are associated with this exact model and both use a 14-inch rim, so the main difference is the tire’s sizing system and construction rather than wheel diameter.

That means the first decision is not simply size, but whether the car is staying with a vintage-style bias-ply setup or using a radial fitment. It is also worth confirming what is actually on the car today, especially if wheels were changed at some point, because a collector vehicle may no longer match its long-standing tire setup.

The 1968 Mercedes-Benz 220 uses a 14-inch rim with both of its associated tire sizes. The 175R14 radial and the 695-14 bias-ply are both built around that same rim diameter, which helps narrow the fitment question even though the construction choices differ.

Rim diameter is only part of the picture, so wheel width should still be checked before choosing among available products or evaluating a radial equivalent. That is especially important on an older Mercedes that may have replacement wheels, because the tire can share the correct 14-inch diameter while still needing a closer look at width and clearance.

The covered 1968 Mercedes-Benz 220 Base & D/8 sub-model grouping shares the same fitment family. Both 175R14 radial and 695-14 bias-ply tires are associated with that sub-model coverage, so there is no separate size split within this grouping based on the sub-model name alone.

That makes selection more about the kind of tire you want than about a trim-specific size difference. Even so, it is smart to verify the actual wheel and tire combination already on the car, since many surviving vehicles have been converted to radials or fitted with replacement wheels during decades of ownership and maintenance.

On the 1968 Mercedes-Benz 220, 695-14 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing system, where the 695 designation refers to nominal section width and the 14 refers to rim diameter, making it distinct from the radial 175R14 size also associated with this model.

Choosing 695-14 usually points toward a more traditional period-style tire presentation, especially because this size is offered with several vintage sidewall treatments. A buyer considering that route should still confirm wheel width and overall vehicle setup, since staying with the original-style construction is different from selecting a radial alternative on the same 14-inch rim.

Radial equivalents for 695-14 include 175R14 as an 80-series metric radial, P185/75R14 as a P-metric 75-series radial, and P195/70R14 as a P-metric 70-series radial. Those are the equivalent size paths tied to this bias-ply fitment, and each keeps the same 14-inch rim diameter while using a radial sizing convention.

The practical difference is that these options represent different radial formats rather than one universal replacement. A recommended rim-width range of 4-6 inches is associated with the equivalent fitment path, and the final choice should still be checked against the wheel, the tire’s overall dimensions, and available clearance before changing from the original-style 695-14 bias-ply setup.

Either can be appropriate on a 1968 Mercedes-Benz 220, because both 695-14 bias-ply and 175R14 radial fitments are associated with the car. The better choice depends on what matters most to the owner: a traditional vintage presentation with bias-ply construction, or a radial fitment that stays within the model’s 14-inch tire sizing family.

A restoration-focused car may lean toward 695-14, especially with sidewall styles that suit an earlier look. A road-driven car may point toward 175R14 or another stated radial equivalent, but the wheel width, current wheel type, and available body and steering clearance should be checked before treating a construction change as routine.

Start with the car’s actual fitment direction: 695-14 if the goal is a bias-ply setup, or 175R14 if the car is using a radial. From there, compare the tire’s construction, brand, sidewall treatment, rim-width compatibility, and any load information that appears with the individual product, because these details shape how closely the tire matches the car’s intended use.

That choice often comes down to whether the Mercedes is being restored for period-style appearance, preserved as a collector car, or driven regularly on modern roads. It also helps to inspect the current wheels before selecting a product, since an older vehicle may have been changed over long ago and no longer reflects its prior tire construction.

Sidewall choices for the 1968 Mercedes-Benz 220 vary by tire size and product line. The 175R14 radial options are offered in blackwall, while 695-14 bias-ply choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, dual redline, RWL, and raised white letter with blue streak styling, giving the owner several distinct visual directions.

That matters because sidewall styling can change the whole character of the car even when the size remains correct. A restrained blackwall can suit a more understated European look, while whitewalls or redlines create a stronger vintage statement, so the sidewall should be chosen to match the car’s restoration theme rather than treated as a minor detail.

Tires for the 1968 Mercedes-Benz 220 are available from Michelin and Vredestein in the 175R14 radial category, and from BFGoodrich, US Royal, and Goodyear in the 695-14 bias-ply category. Those brand choices also bring different tire series into the mix, including Michelin XAS, Sprint Plus, Sprint Classic, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Blue Streak, and Power Cushion.

Brand alone should not decide the purchase, because the fitment path and tire style still come first. It is more useful to look at how each brand’s offering aligns with the desired construction, sidewall appearance, and wheel specification so the selected tire supports both the look of the car and the way it will actually be used.

For a period-style 1968 Mercedes-Benz 220, the 695-14 bias-ply size is the most natural starting point because it keeps the vintage numeric format and opens up several traditional sidewall treatments. That size is available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, dual redline, and certain raised white letter vintage-style presentations, depending on the product line.

The right choice depends on how faithful the restoration needs to be and what visual character suits the car. If exact historical originality matters beyond general period style, it is worth checking marque-specific references and restoration documentation, while also confirming that the wheel width and current chassis setup still support the selected 695-14 tire.

Tire construction affects more than ride feel on a restored 1968 Mercedes-Benz 220; it also changes the car’s visual character. A 695-14 bias-ply preserves a distinctly vintage presentation, while a 175R14 radial introduces a more modern tire format even though it still remains appropriate to the model’s 14-inch fitment family.

That difference becomes especially visible when sidewall style enters the decision, since blackwalls, whitewalls, and redlines create very different impressions. Owners restoring for authenticity-minded appearance often begin with the bias-ply route, while drivers prioritizing regular road use may accept the radial look as part of a practical, era-sensitive setup.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1968 Mercedes-Benz 220 even when the chosen tire size is associated with the car. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension changes, ride-height changes, or bodywork alterations can all influence how a 695-14 or 175R14 tire sits within the wheelwell and how much clearance remains during steering and suspension movement.

That is why an older Mercedes should be checked as it exists today rather than assumed to match a decades-old configuration. Looking at wheel diameter, wheel width, and visible clearance around the tire gives a much clearer picture before ordering tires, especially when moving between bias-ply and radial construction or considering an equivalent size.

Before driving a 1968 Mercedes-Benz 220 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the tires are mounted in the intended size, and check inflation carefully. It is also smart to look for any signs of rubbing at the fenders or steering components, especially if the car has seen wheel changes or suspension work during its life.

A collector-era car benefits from a broader walkaround as well. Check for uneven suspension height, loose trim near the wheel opening, and any existing alignment or brake issues that could affect early tire wear, then recheck air pressure and visible clearance after the first short drive to catch small fitment problems before they become expensive ones.

Tires on a collector 1968 Mercedes-Benz 220 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car is on 695-14 bias-ply tires or 175R14 radials, look for cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular tread wear, and slow air loss, since older cars often spend long periods parked and can hide tire problems.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a low-use vehicle. Keeping the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, standing moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires, while periodic movement and inspection help prevent discovering age-related issues only when the Mercedes is finally taken out for a longer drive.