1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 Tires

A 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 can use more than one tire size, and the exact fitment depends on the sub-model. The 300 Base & B uses 710-15 in bias-ply form or 205R15 in radial form, while the 300 S & SC uses 670-15 in bias-ply form or 185R15 in radial form. All of these sizes are built around a 15-inch wheel diameter.

The most important first step is confirming whether the car is a Base & B or an S & SC, because those two groups do not share the same primary sizing. After that, the choice shifts to construction, sidewall appearance, and wheel compatibility, especially if the car has been restored, modified, or fitted with non-original wheels.

The covered tire sizes for a 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 all use a 15-inch rim diameter. That applies to both the bias-ply sizes, 710-15 and 670-15, and the radial sizes, 205R15 and 185R15. The rim diameter stays consistent even though the actual tire size changes by sub-model and by construction choice.

Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, so it helps to verify wheel width before choosing between bias-ply and radial options. A 15-inch wheel that has been changed from the original setup can still affect sidewall shape, clearance, and how closely the tire matches the intended stance of the car.

No. The 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 Base & B uses 710-15 bias-ply or 205R15 radial sizing, while the 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 S & SC uses 670-15 bias-ply or 185R15 radial sizing. The common point is the 15-inch rim diameter, but the actual tire size differs between those two sub-model groups.

That distinction matters because selecting by year, make, and model alone is not enough on this application. An owner should confirm the exact sub-model and inspect the wheels already on the car, especially when a previous restoration or wheel change may have altered the setup from one construction type to another.

710-15 is a numeric bias-ply tire size for the 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 Base & B. It is the traditional fitment style within that sub-model group, while 205R15 is the radial-size alternative associated with the same 15-inch wheel diameter. The 710-15 designation itself belongs to the vintage numeric bias-ply sizing system rather than a modern radial format.

Choosing 710-15 usually means keeping a more period-style presentation and the driving character that comes with bias-ply construction. Before moving away from it, check the wheel width and overall setup of the car, because a radial alternative should be evaluated for compatibility rather than treated as an automatic one-for-one swap.

Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P205/75R15 as a 75-series P-metric radial, P215/70R15 as a 70-series P-metric radial, and 670R15 as a bias-look radial. These choices give the 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 S & SC owner several ways to move from a numeric bias-ply size into radial construction on a 15-inch wheel.

Each of those alternatives follows a different sizing convention, so the decision is about more than simply choosing any radial with a 15-inch diameter. The recommended rim-width range for 670-15 equivalents is 5 to 7 inches, and wheel width, overall dimensions, and body or steering clearance should be checked before settling on one of them.

A bias-ply to radial conversion on a 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 starts with confirming the correct original size group for the sub-model. Base & B cars center on 710-15, while S & SC cars center on 670-15, and each of those bias-ply sizes has specific radial equivalents. The wheel still needs to match the intended tire's rim diameter and suitable width range.

After the size is narrowed down, inspect the actual wheels on the car and compare available clearance at the fenders, suspension, and steering stops. A Mercedes-Benz 300 that has different wheels, changed ride height, or older suspension components may respond differently, so the conversion should be treated as a fitment check rather than a routine substitution.

Start with the exact sub-model, because the 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 Base & B and the 300 S & SC use different size groups. After that, decide whether the car should stay with a period-style bias-ply tire or use a radial, since both constructions are represented in the covered fitments and they shape the look and feel of the car differently.

Once size and construction are settled, compare the available brands, series, sidewall styles, rim-width ranges, and load specifications tied to the specific tire. That approach is more useful than picking only by appearance, because a collector Mercedes sedan or coupe often needs the tire to support both restoration goals and actual road use.

Sidewall choices for the 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline, depending on the tire size selected. The 710-15 and 670-15 bias-ply sizes offer the broadest whitewall variety, while 205R15 appears in blackwall and wide whitewall form, and 185R15 appears in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and redline versions.

The right sidewall style depends on how the car is being presented rather than on fitment alone. A more formal restoration may lean toward a whitewall treatment, while a simpler touring look may point to blackwall, so it helps to choose the sidewall only after confirming the correct size and construction for the specific 300 sub-model.

Tires for the 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 are available from brands including Phoenix, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, US Royal, Goodyear, Universal Vintage Tire, Coker Classic, Michelin, Excelsior, and STA. Brand availability varies by size, so the exact mix changes between 205R15, 710-15, 185R15, and 670-15 rather than staying the same across the entire model line.

Brand should be compared alongside tire series, sidewall treatment, and construction type instead of used as the only selection factor. A buyer looking at a 670-15 bias-ply tire may have a very different brand menu than someone choosing a 185R15 radial, so the most useful comparison is always within the correct size for the car.

For a period-style 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300, the bias-ply sizes are the natural starting point. The 300 Base & B uses 710-15 bias-ply, while the 300 S & SC uses 670-15 bias-ply, and both sizes are offered in classic bias-ply series with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall variations depending on the exact product selected.

That does not automatically make every whitewall width or brand appropriate for every restoration goal, since appearance preferences can vary within early 1950s Mercedes presentations. When exact originality matters, the safest path is to match the correct size first and then compare period photographs, marque references, or restoration documentation before settling on a sidewall treatment.

Tire construction changes more than ride feel on a restored 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300; it also changes the car's visual character. A numeric bias-ply size such as 710-15 or 670-15 gives the car a more traditional early-1950s presentation, while radial sizes like 205R15 and 185R15 introduce a later sizing format even though they remain on 15-inch wheels.

That difference is especially noticeable on a formal car where sidewall profile and whitewall treatment play a large role in the finished look. Buyers who want restoration-oriented appearance often start by deciding whether the car should read as strictly period-style or as a driver-oriented restoration with radial construction.

Yes. A 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 that has aftermarket wheels, changed suspension height, brake conversions, or bodywork alterations may need more fitment checking than a stock example. Even though the covered tire sizes all use a 15-inch rim diameter, wheel width and the space available around the tire can change enough to affect which bias-ply or radial choice works best.

That is why modified cars should be measured rather than selected by catalog size alone. A good inspection includes wheel width, tire-to-fender clearance, steering travel, and any signs that the suspension no longer sits at original height, since those details can matter as much as the tire size stamped on the sidewall.

Before putting a 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 back on the road with new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and the space around the tire at full steering lock. It also helps to confirm that the installed size matches the sub-model and that the tires are seated properly on the wheel, especially when the car has moved between bias-ply and radial construction.

A broader pre-drive check should include tire pressure, lug security, tread and sidewall condition, and any rubbing marks after a short test roll. On a collector car that may sit for long periods, it is also smart to watch for cracking, flat spotting, or air loss during the first few drives rather than assuming the rest of the chassis is immediately ready.

Tires on a collector 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 should be inspected regularly for pressure loss, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and uneven wear. That applies whether the car is running 710-15 or 670-15 bias-ply tires or radial sizes such as 205R15 and 185R15. Collector cars often accumulate less mileage, so condition and age matter at least as much as tread depth.

Storage habits also make a difference. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, heat, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving the car occasionally can reduce long-term flat spotting. Any Mercedes-Benz 300 that has been parked for an extended period deserves a careful tire inspection before returning to regular road use.