Wheel Size change

I purchased a 1985 380SL the last owner had put P225/60/16 on the rear and P225/55/16 on the front. I would like to go back to the orginal set. 1st question, What problem would I encounter with this tire set-up that is on the car now.? 2nd question does anyone know were I can get the original set of 14" wheels? The set that are on the car are the newer 450SL wheels and they are in good shape.


Thanks
Tsquare23

[Malc]

The US models may be different, but I'm fairly sure that in 85, European SLs had 15 inch 'flat-face' 15 hole alloys, with 205/65/15 tyres. They certainly did in 88. (See picture of R107 in current thread with pics of the whole SL family) The same wheeels were also fitted to W126s (SE/SEL/SEC) of that vintage, which should broaden the availability on the used market. Also, see the following thread in the Swap Shop forum:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=30971

The first SL to have 15" wheels was the '86 560SL. The suspension was improved this year and I believe the brake rotors were a bit larger also.

sbr
'79 450SL
76,000 miles

[maheath]

The alloy wheels for a 1985 380SL were 6 1/2J x 14H2, with a 30mm offset. Part# 126 400 21 02. These were the same wheels used on a pre-'86 126 chassis. This was the alloy wheel used for the SL from October 1981 until the introduction of the 560SL in 1986. I've heard them referred to as the "bundt-cake" rims. They are frequently sold on eBay for peanuts.

The recommended tire size was 205/70 VR14. If you go to a 7J x 15H2, the recommended tire size is 205/65 VR15.

The wheels used in the 107 chassis changed in 1986 to 7J x 15H2, 25mm offset. These wheels were used in 107 chassis ('86-'89), 126 chassis ('86-'91), and the 123 chassis ('86-'91).

Hope this helps.