Please advise on best tire selection for a 82 380SL (Euro).
Size 205/70/14 H rated on OE "bundt cake" wheels. Restoration finished so I want to use the original wheels.

I would like a grippy high performance ride for mostly dry weather Florida driving. Euro model has considerably more HP than US version.

Initial choices include:

Michelin MVX4/Green X
Bridgestone RE920
Pirelli P4000

I am very impressed with the Firestone Firehawk SH30 which I placed on my 93 400E. Great ride and handling characteristics. This tire is available in 205/60/14. Would this work on the 380SL or would the size be too far off?

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82 380SL euro (sold)
93 400E (sold)
99 BMW 328IC (Wife)
2001 GMC Yukon XL
2001 Honda Accord (son #1)
2005 Mazda 6 (son #2)
2006 Honda civic (daughter)
"Always too many cars in the driveway"

Unfortunately, with 14" wheels and an aspect ration of 70, you are not in performance area as tire sizes go. And the 205/60/14 would be considerably smaller. The best thing would have been a 15 or 16" upgrade with the performance bias. For the 14" I would recommend the Michelin Energy MXV4 if you don't mind paying twice as much almost to recieve whatever extra performance you can from an H-rated tires with that much sidewall. Good Luck.

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Chirag (Charlie) Patel
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- 03 Mercedes S600 Sport TTV12
- 97 Acura NSX-T
- 99 BMW E36 M3 w/500+ HP
- 04 Lexus RX330
- 04 Dodge Dakota Quad 4x4 V8

4 Sale:
- 99 BMW M3 E36 Coup with Dinan SC, Upgraded to an RMS Stage 3 with Aftercooler, 12psi, and 500+hp @ flywheel.

I can tell you to stay away from the Pirelli P4000. I have those. Super Touring is also part of the name. Mine are 205-70-14's and they are H rated. They aren't bad, they just aren't what you would consider a performance tire. They brake very hard when dry, but not as great in the wet. They are quiet, but they don't handle the weight of the Mercedes in the corners all that well. If you wanted a quiet touring tire, the Pirelli is the choice. If you want more performance, try the Michelins.

for the quickest steering response in the size that you are looking for I would suggest the Potenza RE92
Thanks, Luke

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