1968 Mercedes-Benz 230 Tires

The 1968 Mercedes-Benz 230 uses more than one tire size, depending on the specific sub-model and wheel diameter. The 14-inch fitments are 175R14 in radial form and 695-14 in bias-ply form, while the 13-inch fitments are 185R13 in radial form and 700-13 in bias-ply form.

That means tire selection starts with confirming which version of the car you have and whether it is on 13-inch or 14-inch wheels. Once wheel diameter is confirmed, the next choice is whether to keep the original-style construction type already on the car or evaluate the alternate construction available for that same wheel size.

A 1968 Mercedes-Benz 230 can use either a 14-inch rim or a 13-inch rim, depending on the sub-model. The 175R14 and 695-14 fitments use 14-inch rims, while the 185R13 and 700-13 fitments use 13-inch rims.

Rim diameter is the most important thing to verify before ordering tires for this Mercedes. A radial or bias-ply tire may exist for the vehicle, but it still has to match the wheel diameter already on the car. If the car has had wheel changes over the years, measure the wheels directly instead of relying on assumption.

No. The covered sub-models do not all share the same tire size. The 1968 Mercedes-Benz 230 8 Cyl. uses the 14-inch group of 175R14 radial or 695-14 bias-ply tires, while the 1968 Mercedes-Benz 230 Base & S uses the 13-inch group of 185R13 radial or 700-13 bias-ply tires.

That difference matters because it changes both the tire size and the wheel diameter. A buyer choosing by year and model alone could easily end up in the wrong size family, so confirming the sub-model and checking the wheels on the actual car is the safest way to narrow the tire choice before comparing brands or sidewall styles.

695-14 is a bias-ply tire size on the 1968 Mercedes-Benz 230. It is part of the 14-inch fitment group and serves as the vintage numeric bias-ply counterpart to the 175R14 radial size used on the same wheel diameter.

Choosing 695-14 usually comes down to preserving a traditional construction and period-style sidewall appearance. Several bias-ply versions are available in this size, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, dual-redline, and raised white letter styles. Owners considering a radial instead should compare the available radial equivalents carefully and confirm wheel width and overall clearance before changing construction.

For 695-14, radial equivalents include 175R14, P185/75R14, and P195/70R14. For 700-13, radial equivalents include 185R13, P185/75R13, and P205/70R13. In both cases, the first option is an 80-series metric radial, followed by a 75-series P-metric radial and a 70-series P-metric radial alternative.

Those equivalent sizes give owners a way to compare radial options without changing to a completely unrelated size family. Even so, an equivalent is still something to evaluate rather than assume. Wheel width, actual wheel diameter, suspension condition, and available space around the tire should all be checked before moving from a bias-ply fitment to a radial alternative.

Start by confirming the wheel diameter and the original bias-ply size on the car, because this Mercedes uses both 13-inch and 14-inch fitment groups. Then compare the appropriate radial equivalent for that same setup, such as 175R14 for 695-14 or 185R13 for 700-13, rather than selecting a radial by guesswork.

A construction change should also include a close look at wheel width, tire-to-fender clearance, steering clearance, and the general condition of suspension and steering components. Radials can be considered as alternatives, but they are not automatic substitutes simply because the sizing is similar. Cars with aftermarket wheels or altered ride height deserve especially careful measurement.

The first consideration is confirming whether your 1968 Mercedes-Benz 230 uses the 13-inch or 14-inch fitment group. From there, the choice becomes one of construction, available tire size within that wheel diameter, and the type of appearance you want, whether that is a blackwall radial presentation or a more traditional bias-ply look.

Product differences can also matter once the correct size is established. Depending on the fitment, the available tires vary by brand, series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, and in some cases max load figures tied to inflation pressure. Matching those details to your car's intended use and wheel setup will usually lead to a better choice than size alone.

Sidewall choices for the 1968 Mercedes-Benz 230 vary by tire size and construction. Radial options are offered as blackwalls, while the bias-ply choices add traditional blackwall and narrow whitewall treatments, plus dual-redline, raised white letter, Blue Streak-style lettering, and a wide whitewall option in the 700-13 size.

That variety lets the tire influence the car's final appearance as much as the wheel does. A blackwall radial keeps the presentation restrained and European, while whitewalls, redlines, or lettered bias-ply tires create a more period-driven visual statement. The important step is choosing the sidewall treatment only after the correct tire size and wheel diameter are confirmed.

Tires for the 1968 Mercedes-Benz 230 are available from Michelin, Vredestein, BFGoodrich, US Royal, Goodyear, and Firestone, depending on the size. Michelin and Vredestein cover the radial fitments, while BFGoodrich, US Royal, Goodyear, and Firestone appear in the vintage bias-ply sizes.

Brand choice is only one part of the selection process. The larger question is which size family your car uses and whether you want a radial or bias-ply construction. Once that is settled, the available brands can be compared by series, sidewall style, rim-width details, and overall presentation instead of by name alone.

A period-style choice for a 1968 Mercedes-Benz 230 usually starts with staying in the vehicle's correct size family and wheel diameter, then deciding whether a bias-ply or radial presentation best suits the car. The bias-ply sizes, 695-14 and 700-13, give the strongest vintage appearance, while the radial sizes keep a more European touring look.

Appearance details matter once the fitment is right. Blackwall, whitewall, dual-redline, and lettered sidewalls can all change the visual character of the car, but that does not make any one of them automatically factory-correct. Owners pursuing strict originality should compare the chosen tire against marque references or period vehicle documentation before finalizing a restoration.

Tire construction changes more than ride feel on a restored 1968 Mercedes-Benz 230; it also changes how the car looks at a glance. A bias-ply tire tends to deliver a more traditional collector-car stance and opens the door to period-style sidewall treatments, while the radial options available here are presented as blackwalls.

That makes construction part of the restoration decision, not just a driving decision. A radial may suit an owner who wants a subtler touring appearance, while a bias-ply may better support a vintage visual theme. Either way, the construction choice still has to stay within the correct 13-inch or 14-inch fitment group for the specific sub-model.

Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1968 Mercedes-Benz 230, especially because this model already spans both 13-inch and 14-inch wheel setups. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, or ride-height changes can influence whether a chosen tire clears the fenders, suspension, and steering range properly.

That is why a modified car should be checked as it sits now, not as it may have left the factory decades ago. Measure actual wheel diameter and width, inspect available clearance at full steering lock, and confirm that the tire being considered matches the current setup. Small fitment assumptions become more risky once the original configuration has been altered.

Before driving a 1968 Mercedes-Benz 230 on new tires, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, lug hardware, and basic wheel fitment, then confirm that all four tires match the intended size and construction for the car. It also helps to check that inflation is set correctly for the tire being used and that no obvious rubbing appears when the car is stationary.

A collector-era car also deserves a broader mechanical look before regular road use. Steering play, worn suspension parts, brake condition, and alignment issues can all affect how a new tire behaves. After the first short drive, recheck pressure and look again for signs of contact at the fenders or suspension, especially if the car uses non-original wheels.

Tires on a collector 1968 Mercedes-Benz 230 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even if the car sees limited mileage, sidewalls and tread should be examined for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, or air loss, because age and storage conditions can matter as much as miles traveled.

Collector vehicles benefit from being stored away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors or welders. Driving the car periodically can help avoid long static loading in one position, but any tire that shows age-related deterioration should be evaluated before road use. Low annual mileage does not automatically mean the tires are still roadworthy.