The Euro 380 was 9.0 compression ratio, from tests at the time reprinted in Brooklands Books' Mercedes SLs and SLCs Gold Portfolio, 1971-1989 (a useful and inexpensive reference). The US was 8.3, and the Road & Track test of the 380 when it came out makes no mention of any difference in the treatment of the cylinder bores, which were chemically etched to expose the hard silicon particles in the alloy and create a hardened surface for the iron pistons.
Other than the timing chain issue, the 380 engine has been as bulletproof as the other versions of the V8, based on the majority of what I read.

__________________
Craig Bethune

'97 SL500, 40th anniversary edition

'04 Olds Bravada (SWMBO's)
'06 Lexus ES330
'89 560SL (sold)


SL--Anything else is just a Mercedes.
(Kudos to whoever said it first)