205/55R15 tires
Prices, best picks and current deals for 205/55R15, a common size on performance cars. It fits the BMW M3, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 and more.
Yes, this fits your Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16. 205/55R15 is the original size on the 1984-1988 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16.
The sticker inside the driver's door is still the final word, because trim and wheel package can change the size. Back to every Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 size.
What 205/55R15 tires cost
Nankang NS-2
Lowest price that still brakes and wears acceptably. Fine for a second car or low annual mileage.
Kumho Ecsta 4X II KU22
The value sweet spot: long mileage warranty, solid wet grip, sane price.
Listed as Kumho Ecsta 4X II KU22 UHP All Season 205/55R15 88V Passenger Tires
Kumho Ecsta PS31
The strongest wet and snow braking and the longest tread life among what is stocked in this size. Worth it if you keep the car.
Prices are per tire, before mounting and balancing. A set of four in the mid range comes to roughly $324 to $348, and a brand rebate can take another $50 to $110 off, see this month's deals.
Cheapest 205/55R15 right now
Zeetex HP1000 205/55R15 88V Performance Passenger Tires
$79.96per tire $159.92 for 2 tires · $319.84 for 4
6 tires in this size, priced straight from SimpleTire's own product feed, read 13 November 2026. Stock and prices move daily, so check the shop for today's figure.
See every 205/55R15 tire in stock at SimpleTire
About the 205/55R15 size
The 1980s homologation-special size: 205/55VR15 on a 15x7 wheel was what the E30 M3, the 325is, the 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth and the Saab 900 SPG wore, usually a Pirelli P700 or Michelin MXV. No bias or whitewall history. Read the speed rating carefully, because this is the size where the classic market and the cheap-tire market overlap: several current 205/55R15 options are only T-rated (118 mph), well under the original V, which is legal but wrong for a car geared to 140. The Kumho and Falken options keep an H or V rating and are worth the premium.
What the numbers on the sidewall mean
A 205/55R15 tire is 205 millimeters wide, its sidewall is 55 percent of that (about 4.4 inches tall), and it mounts on a 15-inch wheel. That works out to an overall diameter of roughly 23.9 inches. Every replacement has to match all three numbers, and the load index and speed rating on the placard inside the driver's door have to be met or exceeded.
In this size our picks are marked 88V on the Kumho Ecsta 4X II KU22 (1,235 lb per tire, rated to 149 mph). The first number is the load index, the letter the speed rating; a tire with equal or higher values than your placard is fine, a lower one is not.
Our guide on reading a tire size walks through the markings, and this one lists every load index and speed code.
What 205/55R15 tires cost across the whole range
Of the 13 tires listed in this size, 6 are in stock today. The lowest price is the Zeetex HP1000 at $79.96, a 88V tire. The median is $83.96; a third of the tires cost $80.96 or less, and the top five percent start above $125.96. Those are per-tire prices before mounting and balancing, which adds $15 to $45 per tire at most shops, read from the retailer's feed Nov 13, 2026.
The same tires in neighboring sizes
The Kumho Ecsta 4X II KU22, our mid-range pick here at $122.96, is also stocked in 195/55R15 ($92.13) and 225/50R16 ($135.96). Useful if your vehicle came with a different wheel package, or if you are comparing an upsize: the same tire usually costs more per inch of wheel, not per inch of rubber. Prices per tire, from the retailer's feed Nov 13, 2026.
Vehicles that use 205/55R15
- BMW M3 (1988-1991, E30)
- BMW 3 Series (1987-1991, 325is 15 in)
- Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 (1984-1988)
- Saab 900 (1985-1993, Turbo SPG)
Other years and wheel packages of the same models came on 195/65R14, 225/45R18 or 225/45R17 instead, so read the placard inside the driver's door before you order.
Which type of 205/55R15 tire?
All-Season Tires
Drivers in the South, West Coast and mild parts of the Midwest who want one set of tires that lasts a long time and is quiet.
Summer Tires
Sports-car and performance-sedan owners, and anyone in a warm climate who wants the best possible grip and steering.
Performance Tires
Owners of sports sedans, hot hatches and performance crossovers who want year-round tires with real handling.
Frequently asked questions
How much do 205/55R15 tires cost?
Expect $80–$81 per tire for a budget brand, $81–$87 for a mid-range tire like the Kumho Ecsta 4X II KU22, and $87–$126 for a premium tire like the Kumho Ecsta PS31. A set of four therefore starts at about $320. Add roughly $15 to $45 per tire for mounting and balancing.
What vehicles use 205/55R15 tires?
205/55R15 is original equipment on BMW M3 (1988-1991, E30), BMW 3 Series (1987-1991, 325is 15 in), Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 (1984-1988) and Saab 900 (1985-1993, Turbo SPG), among others. Always confirm with the sticker inside your driver's door, because trim levels and wheel packages can change the size.
What is the best 205/55R15 tire?
For most drivers our mid-range pick, the Kumho Ecsta 4X II KU22, is the sweet spot of price and tread life. If you keep the vehicle a long time or drive in heavy rain and snow, the Kumho Ecsta PS31 is worth the extra. On a tight budget the Nankang NS-2 is a sound choice.
Can I replace just one or two 205/55R15 tires?
On a front- or rear-wheel-drive car, yes: replace in pairs on the same axle and put the newer pair on the rear. On all-wheel-drive vehicles most makers want all four replaced together, or a new tire shaved to match, because a difference in circumference strains the drivetrain.