I was told this would be a better forum for an answer to a fitment question than the SL Forum. So here Goes.
I just got a 1983 380SL and got new wheels and tires to go on it. The wheel and tire combinations are 18x8 Mille Miglia rims with Bridgestone Potenza S-03 235-40-18 front and 275-35-18 rear tires. Tires are 9.25" and 10.8" wide.
Are there any problems both from a fitment and from a driving standpoint that I need to be aware of. Almost Forgot, Offset is 20
Any help/responses would be appreciated.
Thanks
1979 450SL Sold (My first MB in 1986, I was in Germany in 1959-63 and told myself then that someday I would own one of these)
1979 450SLC Totaled
1980 450SLC5.0 Euro
1988 300SE
1988 560SEC
1983 380SL

I prefer a 225-40/18 up front and a 255-35/18 on rear think it will be a better fit.

I own a '72 350SL with 245-50/16 rear and 225-55/16 up front and a '87 560SL with the 18's combo I suggest.

I did never try to fit the 275 or even 265 on rear thinking that is to wide for the W107's, you could also use 245-40/18 rear and 225-45/18 front.

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divino2much

Thanks for your response, these came as a set, premounted and balenced. I'm hoping they will fit as advertised. I'll post when I get the car out of the shop and can try these wheel/tires on.

Where did you buy these wheels and tires? Also, do you know specifically the wheel and tire specs for the 107's? I have a 1980 450 sl, and I have considered upgrading several times but I have never been told specifically what will or will not fit.

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Chris Meyer
1980 450 SL (99k miles)
2003 Honda Odyssey (Family Hauler)
2006 BMW 330i (daily driver)

Chris: I got these tires and rims as a set on EBay. The seller jett_sale2003 advertised them as fitting SL's from "any-2003" although they did advise checking for specific fitment. As to your question, when it comes to upgrading/upsizing wheels and tires I think you are pretty much on your own. I am not aware fo any "spec" s that might form guidlines as to maximum sizes or widths. You might check with the sponser of this site (The Tire Rack) for advise/information. That is my next stop. Good Luck, Lee

I still don't know how you guys are doing it. 225s up front look too big to me and either rubbed on the inside or looked like a tractor trailing sticking out from the fender.

just fit 265-35/18 on rear and 235-40/18 on my 72 350 SL and they fit, I use a 3/4" spacer on the rear tires, the wheels where from a E420.

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divino2much

now if you just hand enough power to warrant such serious rubber...

so now the weight of the car, instead of being on the hubs, is being supported by the lug bolts.

Good luck with all of that!

the weight isn't supported by the lugs bolts

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divino2much

no but the way the wheel bearings carry the weight has been dramatically changed. Those bearings are pretty beefy and I'm sure they'll be fine.

whatever, the car has 168K original mlies, and since 1990 I drive this car at the most 2000 miles per year, so what the heck

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divino2much

Thanks for your reply. It does give me some hope. Still dont have the car where I can get the tires mounted (??). Your rear 265s are .4" narrower than my 275s, 10.4" vs 10.8" The fronts are the same. The rims come with an ofset of 20. that should be 20/25.4=0.787". almost the same as your 3/4 spacer. Have no idea what offset might have already been present in your new whells. Anyway. Thanks again. Lee

don't worry, should fit, I thought that 275's and even 265's where to wide for the W107 but it ain't just prove it.

in the upper part of the back tires it almost have 1/2" of clearance but consider 1/4" if you want to carry 500+ lbs on the trunk.

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divino2much

I look forward to seeing pictures!

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Chris Meyer
1980 450 SL (99k miles)
2003 Honda Odyssey (Family Hauler)
2006 BMW 330i (daily driver)