The 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 sits in the era when Mercedes diesel sedans and coupes earned their reputation for durability, composure, and long-distance road manners. Buyers looking after one today are often balancing authentic European character with dependable modern drivability. Tire fitment for the 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 centers on two radial sizes, 195/70R14 and 185R14, depending on the specific sub-model. That opens up a meaningful choice between modern metric and classic Euro-metric sizing, along with blackwall and narrow whitewall presentations from brands such as Dunlop, Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein. The right selection starts with confirming the exact 300 variant, then matching tire appearance and construction style to the way the car will be used.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300
Two tire sizes apply to the 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300, and the correct choice depends on the exact sub-model rather than a change in construction, since both are radial tires on 14-inch rims. The first step is confirming whether the car is a 300 D & CD or a 300 SD, then choosing among the available brands, sidewall styles, and tire series within that size.
A 195/70R14 tire uses a 195-millimeter section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. On the 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300, this modern metric radial size applies to the 300 D & CD and reflects a later low-profile radial sizing convention compared with older Euro-metric formats. Available choices in this size include the Dunlop Sport Classic in blackwall form, giving buyers a focused period-sporting presentation within the correct fitment family. This is the size to evaluate when the car is a 300 D or 300 CD and the goal is to stay with the proper 14-inch radial setup.
A 185R14 tire is a Euro-metric radial size with a 185-millimeter nominal section width, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim, with this format commonly associated with an 80-series profile. On the 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300, this size applies to the 300 SD and supports a more traditional European touring-tire look than a lower-profile metric size. Choices include blackwall and narrow whitewall versions from Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein, with series such as Michelin MXV and Vredestein Sprint Classic. This size is worth close attention when preserving the original visual character of a 300 SD matters as much as road use.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 because the covered versions do not all use the same tire size. Confirming whether the car is a 300 D & CD or a 300 SD is the key first step before comparing products or sidewall styles.
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1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 D & CD
The 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 D & CD uses a 195/70R14 radial tire on a 14-inch rim. Tire selection here is less about choosing between sizes and more about matching the car with the right metric-radial style and overall presentation.
The 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 SD uses the 185R14 radial size, which carries a classic Euro-metric look on a 14-inch rim. That makes product choice especially important for buyers comparing blackwall versus narrow whitewall appearance and period-style touring character.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 Tires for Sale
Available 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 tires span Dunlop, Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein options in the two correct 14-inch radial sizes. Buyers can compare blackwall and narrow whitewall styles, along with series such as Sport Classic, Michelin MXV, and Sprint Classic where applicable.
These FAQs focus on the tire sizes used on the 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300, how fitment changes by sub-model, and what to compare in sidewall style, rim compatibility, and road-use preparation before putting the car back into service.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300?
The 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 uses two radial tire sizes, depending on the sub-model. The 300 D & CD uses 195/70R14, while the 300 SD uses 185R14. Both fitments use a 14-inch rim, but the tire size itself is not the same across the full 300 range.
The practical step is identifying the exact version of the car before selecting a tire. A 300 D, 300 CD, and 300 SD may look similar at a glance, yet the correct tire choice changes with the sub-model. Once that is confirmed, compare sidewall style, tire series, and wheel width compatibility within the correct size.
What size rim does a 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 use?
The 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 uses a 14-inch rim with both supported tire sizes. The 195/70R14 size for the 300 D & CD and the 185R14 size for the 300 SD are both built for 14-inch wheel diameter, so rim diameter stays consistent even though the tire size changes by sub-model.
Rim diameter is only one part of fitment, so it is still worth checking the actual wheels on the car before ordering tires. Many older Mercedes sedans and coupes have seen wheel changes over the years, and the wheel width can matter as well, especially when comparing among the available 185R14 products.
Do all 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 D & CD uses 195/70R14, while the 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 SD uses 185R14. Both are radial tires and both fit 14-inch rims, but the actual sizing format differs between the sub-model groups.
That difference matters because the tire choices, sidewall styles, and available brands are tied to the specific size. A buyer shopping for a 300 SD will see several 185R14 options, including blackwall and narrow whitewall styles, while the 300 D & CD fitment centers on a 195/70R14 metric radial.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300?
Start with the correct sub-model and tire size, since a 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 may use either 195/70R14 or 185R14. After that, compare construction, sidewall appearance, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility where those details are available. Both supported sizes are radial, so the main decision is usually product character rather than construction type.
Appearance often plays a major role on these cars. A blackwall can give a clean European touring look, while a narrow whitewall may better suit a more traditional presentation. It also helps to consider how the car will be used, since occasional local driving, longer highway runs, and restoration-focused display use can shape the right tire choice.
What sidewall styles are available for 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 tires?
Sidewall choice depends on the tire size used by the sub-model. In 185R14, available options include blackwall and narrow whitewall styles, while the 195/70R14 offering is available in blackwall form. That gives the 300 SD the broadest appearance choice among the supported fitments.
Sidewall style changes the visual character of the car even when the size remains correct. A blackwall usually keeps the look understated and European, while a narrow whitewall adds a more formal period-style touch. Matching the sidewall to the car’s trim, finish level, and restoration goals can make the final tire choice feel much more coherent.
What brands offer tires for the 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300?
Available brands for the 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 include Dunlop, Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein. Dunlop covers the 195/70R14 fitment, while Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein appear in 185R14. Some of those options also differ by tire series and sidewall treatment, not just by brand name alone.
Brand comparison is most useful after the correct size has been confirmed. A 300 SD owner, for example, can compare Michelin MXV, Phoenix narrow whitewall, and Vredestein Sprint Classic options within 185R14, while a 300 D or 300 CD owner will focus on the available 195/70R14 choice. That keeps the decision centered on proper fitment first.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300?
A period-style choice starts with using the proper size for the exact sub-model. The 300 D & CD uses 195/70R14, while the 300 SD uses 185R14, and both are radial fitments on 14-inch rims. From there, the visual direction comes from the tire series and sidewall treatment available in that size.
For a more restrained European look, a blackwall is often the natural direction. A narrow whitewall can create a more formal late-1970s presentation, especially on the 300 SD where those options are available. When exact originality matters, it is wise to confirm brand and sidewall details through marque-specific historical references before making the final choice.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300?
Construction is straightforward on the 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 because both supported primary sizes are radial tires. That means the appearance difference is shaped less by bias-ply versus radial choice and more by the tire’s sizing format, profile, sidewall style, and series design within either 195/70R14 or 185R14.
The 185R14 fitment carries a classic Euro-metric look that suits the long, upright presence of a 300 SD, while 195/70R14 presents a more modern metric radial profile for the 300 D & CD. Choosing between blackwall and narrow whitewall can further shift the car toward a cleaner touring look or a more restoration-oriented period presentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300?
Yes. Even though the 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 uses 14-inch radial tires, fitment can change if the car has aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body modifications. Those changes may affect how a 195/70R14 or 185R14 tire sits in the wheel opening and how much steering or suspension clearance remains.
A car that no longer has its original wheel setup should be measured rather than assumed correct by model year alone. Checking wheel diameter, wheel width, and visible clearance at the fender and suspension helps prevent surprises. That is especially worthwhile on collector cars that may have changed hands several times over the years.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, alignment condition, and overall suspension health along with the new tires themselves. The tires should be the correct size for the sub-model, properly seated on the 14-inch rims, and free from shipping or installation damage. Air pressure should also be set correctly for the tire and vehicle setup.
A short test drive is a smart next step before committing the car to longer mileage. Listen for rubbing, feel for vibration, and recheck pressure after the first drive. On an older Mercedes, it also makes sense to look for play in steering or suspension components, since fresh tires can reveal issues that worn tires previously masked.
How should tires on a collector 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 be maintained?
Collector-car tires benefit from regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits even when the car is driven only occasionally. A 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 that sits for long periods should have its tires checked for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, whether it uses 195/70R14 or 185R14.
Long periods of inactivity can age tires without adding many miles, so time and condition matter as much as tread depth. Keeping the car out of prolonged sunlight, excessive heat, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber. Rolling the car periodically or driving it enough to avoid long-term flat spotting is also worthwhile on low-use collector vehicles.
