The recommended tire pressures for my 73 450sl are 32 front and 36 rear, cold. Why is there what seems to me a big difference from the front and rear pressures? I'm not sure what the weight distribution of the car is, but due to the engine I'd think it would be heavier in front, which would make it seem like the front pressures should be closer to the rear pressures. I've tried the recommended pressures, and I prefer them a little bit less. 36 in the rear gives a pretty hard ride to me.

Hi AAL

Yep!,that seems pretty reasonable to me (as in more air in the front,cause' of the engine,than the back),y'see I said the very same thing to the guy's on a forum I'm on here (UK).
The reply I got was "its because you may well have diffirent loads in the back,so it might need to be "jacked up" to 36 or more",I running a 89' 500se and Iv'e got mine at 33 psi front 36 back,and it seems ok!.
I know your car is older,but I reckon its still much the chassis,or will someone correct me on that.

Regards

merc,

After I posted my message, I looked at some other threads. I think I read that the higher rear pressure was to help control possible oversteer, which the car might be prone to with agressive driving. I have mine set at 32 front and 34 rear now.