SPECS : TOP SPEED ?

jdupont · Post by **jdupont** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 5:21 am

Hi there,

I own a 1978 US-Spec 124 spider, 124CS10133196. I need to replace the tires, but my local "MOT" is giving me a hard time : I bought the car equipped with 185/60 HR14 tires which, according to them, are too small. They tell me to mount 185/65 HR14....which are very expensive. If I can prove that the top speed is below 180kpH (which I know it is), I could go for much cheaper 186/65 TR 14. Can somebody guide me to a website where my car's top speed is listed ? Thx in advance !

spiderrey · Post by **spiderrey** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 8:13 am

108 miles per hour

Joe Clemente · Post by **Joe Clemente** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 11:50 am

You're joking right?

Is your local MOT that ignorant? One other question: Who even makes a 186 65 14? Is that a typo error? Sounds fishy to say the least. Careful what you buy.

If you give my your email address I can scan and send a factory manual with specs.

Joe

jdupont · Post by **jdupont** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 3:36 pm

I'm afraid I'm not joking : since it's a US spec, imported back to Europe, they don't have the files for that engine.

185 65 14 are actually pretty easy to find here, but only in T speed index.

I'd love a copy of the manual : my e-mail is
jean-marc_dupont@hotmail.com

Thx in advance !

Joe Clemente · Post by **Joe Clemente** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 6:49 pm

Check your email

Mad-Machine · Post by **Mad-Machine** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 8:03 pm

considering that stock, the 78 should come on a 165/80/13?.. I do not see how 185/60/14 could be too small... and even if it was, why are they giving you problems with the size of the tyre?

Like everyone says.. the 78 should be able to get to 108 or so MPH.. you are only looking at 84 hp after all.

Joe Clemente · Post by **Joe Clemente** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 1:27 am

Like I said Habs, these MOT guys must be incredibly ignorant about Spiders. But like most modern inspection facilities, how many guys doing that job are old enough to remember or informed enough to recognize what a 124 Spider is?

J.

jdupont · Post by **jdupont** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:08 am

My e-mail is correct, but just in case : jdupont@fedex.com

The MOT guys are telling me the tire's circumference is too small, which offsets the speedo, hence their -my- problem.
Even more ridiculous : this gives an optimistic speedo reading, so where's the safety issue ?!?

Thxalot !

Mad-Machine · Post by **Mad-Machine** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 6:37 pm

well, if you do not mind a harder time steering.. 195/60/14s might be closer to the stock diameter

Jim DeShon · Post by **Jim DeShon** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 5:29 pm

Gee ! We finally found a goverment agency more bone headed than California's CHP. I didn't think that was possible ! ...J.D.

124cso · Post by **124cso** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 6:11 pm

How are you getting on with these turkeys ?
Your car's original equipment were standard 165SR13 (or 165/80/13) with an o/a rolling diameter of 23.2 inches.
185 / 60 /14's give you a rolling diameter of 23.6 inches so you already have larger tires anyway ! ( by a miniscule amount).

The exact numbers will depend upon what breed of tires you select, but any decent tire shop will have this information available for you.

As for the car's speed being an issue, that would only apply to a higher speed vehicle (130mph plus ) when tyres get rated HR, VH etc.
Remember, European spec (factory)tyres for a 124 coupe (1608cc) were 165/13 Michelen XAS and they did 200KPH.