1968 Mercedes-Benz 250 Tires

The 1968 Mercedes-Benz 250 uses more than one primary tire size, depending on the sub-model. The 250 /8 & C uses 175R14 in radial form or 695-14 in bias-ply form. The 250 S and 250 SE Coupe & Convertible use 185R14 as the radial size or 735-14 as the bias-ply size, while the 250 SL Coupe & Roadster uses 185R14.

The first step is identifying the exact version of the car rather than choosing by year and make alone. Once the sub-model is confirmed, compare the installed wheel and construction type so the replacement tire matches the intended setup, especially if the car has been changed from its original wheel or suspension configuration over time.

The covered tire fitments for the 1968 Mercedes-Benz 250 all use a 14-inch rim diameter. That applies to both radial sizes, 175R14 and 185R14, as well as the bias-ply sizes 695-14 and 735-14. The main fitment differences are not rim diameter but sub-model application and whether the tire is a radial or a bias-ply design.

Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment decision, so the wheel still needs to be checked for width before mounting a replacement tire. That becomes especially important when considering a radial equivalent for a bias-ply size or when the car may be wearing aftermarket wheels that keep the same diameter but change the usable tire range.

No, the 1968 Mercedes-Benz 250 range does not use one shared tire size across every covered sub-model. The 250 /8 & C uses the smaller 175R14 radial or 695-14 bias-ply fitment, while the 250 S and 250 SE Coupe & Convertible use the larger 185R14 radial or 735-14 bias-ply fitment. The 250 SL Coupe & Roadster uses 185R14.

That difference means a buyer should confirm the exact body and model designation before choosing a tire by size alone. Two cars can both be labeled 1968 Mercedes-Benz 250 and still require different fitments, so matching the tire to the sub-model, wheel width, and desired construction avoids mixing appearance goals with the wrong basic size.

695-14 is a bias-ply tire size on the 1968 Mercedes-Benz 250. It appears on the 250 /8 & C as the vintage numeric bias-ply fitment, while 175R14 serves as the radial-format alternative within that sub-model’s covered tire family. The two sizes share the same 14-inch rim diameter but represent different construction types and sizing systems.

Choosing between them depends on how the car will be used and how closely the tire should reflect a period-style presentation. A buyer considering a move from 695-14 to a radial should still verify wheel width, tire dimensions, and clearance rather than assuming that the shared rim diameter alone settles the fitment question.

Radial equivalents for 735-14 include 185R14 as the 80-series metric radial option, P195/75R14 as the 75-series P-metric radial option, and P205/70R14 as the 70-series P-metric radial option. Each one keeps the 14-inch rim diameter while changing the sizing convention and, in the P-metric choices, moving to a more modern width and profile format.

Those alternatives give the buyer several ways to approach a radial conversion, but they should be treated as comparison points rather than automatic replacements. The recommended rim-width range is 4 to 6 inches, and the final choice should be checked against the actual wheel, the car’s available clearance, and the owner’s preference for traditional or more modern tire presentation.

Start by confirming which bias-ply size is on the car now, because the 1968 Mercedes-Benz 250 uses both 695-14 and 735-14 depending on sub-model. Each has its own radial equivalents, and all of them remain in the 14-inch family. The wheel should also be measured for actual width, since radial alternatives carry their own rim-width requirements.

Construction changes can affect the overall setup even when the size appears close on paper. Check steering and fender clearance, inspect the condition of springs and suspension bushings, and make sure all four tires match the intended use. Cars with altered ride height or replacement wheels deserve extra attention before a bias-ply-to-radial change is finalized.

A 185R14 tire for a 1968 Mercedes-Benz 250 should first be matched to the correct sub-model, since that size applies to the 250 S, 250 SE Coupe & Convertible, and 250 SL Coupe & Roadster. From there, the main selection factors are radial construction, sidewall style, brand, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility within the car’s actual wheel setup.

Available 185R14 choices include blackwall and narrow whitewall presentations from Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein. That lets the buyer lean toward a cleaner touring look or a more restoration-oriented appearance without changing the core size. It also helps to compare load and rim-width details when they are given, especially if the car sees regular road use.

Sidewall choices for 1968 Mercedes-Benz 250 tires include blackwall, narrow whitewall, dual redline, raised white letter, and raised white letter with Blue Streak styling, depending on the tire size selected. The broadest sidewall variety appears in 695-14 bias-ply form, while the radial sizes are offered mainly in blackwall and narrow whitewall versions.

That makes sidewall style an appearance decision that should come after the correct size and construction are settled. A narrow whitewall can suit a restrained late-1960s luxury look, while blackwall keeps things understated and performance-oriented. Redline or raised white letter treatments are more specialized choices and should be selected only if they match the intended character of the car.

Tires for the 1968 Mercedes-Benz 250 are available from Michelin, Vredestein, BFGoodrich, US Royal, Goodyear, and Phoenix. Brand availability depends on the exact size, with Michelin and Vredestein appearing in the radial selections, while BFGoodrich, US Royal, and Goodyear are prominent in the covered bias-ply offerings for 695-14 and BFGoodrich in 735-14.

Brand choice should be considered alongside tire series, sidewall style, and construction rather than by name alone. Some buyers are looking for a European radial presentation, while others want a more traditional bias-ply look with whitewall or redline treatment. Comparing the actual size and visual style first usually narrows the field faster than starting with the brand badge.

A period-style 1968 Mercedes-Benz 250 usually starts with the correct primary size for the exact sub-model and, in many cases, a bias-ply construction where one is part of the covered fitment. That means 695-14 on the 250 /8 & C or 735-14 on the 250 S and 250 SE Coupe & Convertible if the goal is a more traditional late-1960s tire presentation.

The final appearance still depends on sidewall treatment as much as size. Blackwall keeps the look restrained, while narrow whitewall or dual redline can shift the car’s visual character noticeably. Anyone chasing exact historical authenticity should compare the chosen tire against marque references or restoration records, since period-style and exact original delivery are not the same thing.

Tire construction changes the look of a restored 1968 Mercedes-Benz 250 because radial and bias-ply tires present the sidewall and overall stance differently even when they share a 14-inch rim diameter. On this model year, the bias-ply sizes 695-14 and 735-14 create a more traditional vintage tire appearance, while 175R14 and 185R14 bring a distinctly radial format.

That visual difference is often as important as the mechanical fitment decision on a restoration-oriented car. Buyers who want the car to read as a late-1960s Mercedes at a glance often start with the appropriate bias-ply size, then refine the look through blackwall or whitewall choices. Buyers prioritizing regular road use may prefer the radial appearance and setup instead.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1968 Mercedes-Benz 250 even when the car still uses a 14-inch wheel. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, altered offset, lowered suspension, or bodywork repairs can influence how a 175R14, 695-14, 185R14, or 735-14 tire sits in the wheel opening and clears steering components.

A replacement tire should always be checked against the car as it exists today rather than against year-and-model assumptions alone. Measuring wheel width, checking suspension travel, and turning the steering from lock to lock can reveal problems before mounting a full set. That is especially important when using a radial equivalent for a car that originally ran a bias-ply size.

Before driving a 1968 Mercedes-Benz 250 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the tire size matches the sub-model, and check that all four tires are inflated properly and seated correctly. It also helps to look over valve stems, lug hardware, and any signs of rubbing at the fenders or steering components.

A short test drive should be followed by another visual check, especially on a collector car that may have old suspension parts or long periods of storage behind it. Uneven stance, steering pull, or fresh sidewall marks can point to a wheel or clearance issue. Catching those details early is far easier than troubleshooting them after a longer trip.

Tires on a collector 1968 Mercedes-Benz 250 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even low-mileage cars can develop trouble from age, sunlight, moisture, or long periods of sitting. Sidewall cracking, flat spotting, tread separation signs, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss all deserve attention before the car returns to the road.

Routine maintenance matters whether the car wears radial or bias-ply tires, because collector vehicles often age differently than daily drivers. Keeping the car on a clean, dry surface and moving it occasionally can help reduce storage-related issues. Before any longer drive, inspect the full tire set and make sure the spare, if carried, is also in usable condition.