190E-Boy

Hey All,

Time to burn money I don't have. I have a 1996 E300 (yep the diesel). I'm at 213K miles and still riding on OEM shocks and the tires need changing too.

I used Bilstein HD's on my 190E and liked them alot, would anyone recommend anything else over these...perhaps the comforts? I'm not trying to drive it like I stole it, but I do tend to enjoy a tight corner here and there! I drive ~ 50K miles a year 70/30 blend of highway/back roads.

Tires? Loved My Turanza Revos, Continentals were good one year and the next year they wore out so quickly! Tried Goodyear (yuk). Had Michelins MXV4's of some variety or other....mainly I want a durable tire that does alright in snow/rain....Might go back to dedicated performance snow tires in the winter. We'll see what sort of cash is laying around then.

thanks so much for your input.

michakaveli

I was a big fan of Continental ExtremeContact's on my E300 for all season performance.

190E-Boy

Did you upgrade or get t-boned? Been away from the forums for a while and just coming back with a little time on my hands

thanks

My continentals were great the 1st year, I had the ContiPro Contacts, 2nd time was so dissapointing.

Musikmann

I had a similar experience with the ContiProContacts that came on my car (almost shot before 20,000 miles) and complained to the MB dealer. The parts guy recommended BF Goodrich Traction T/A so I bought a set. They have the same load/speed rating as the Contis (93H) but don't ride as well. I haven'y put enough miles on them to rate endurance, but the survey on TireRack.com was favorable. These Goodrich were better in every category except for ride comfort and ride noise.

190E-Boy

Thats what I chose for tires.

Out the door $729

4 tires 215/55 16
Mount
Balance
Valve Stems
Disposal
Alignment
$5 coupon (big bucks! Every Little Helps)

Rebate for $56, I need to mail in

Total out of pocket $673

lkchris

Great tire choice.

Too bad you were forced to pay for an alignment you didn't need.

mistertonyn

I used to spend $$$ on brand name tires and now I looked back it was not that much better.
With my new Bilstein HD's shocks, it corners much better with these General tires.
So I am more convinced that the good shocks will improve the handling more so than
just the tires.

190E-Boy

Does the car align itself? My steering wheel used to shake a little, now it doesn't. Plus the specs for before and after were different, I'm in spec wrt MB for my car.

Or I am missing a point like MB offers free alignments??

Quadcammer

are you sure you want to spend money you don't have fixing a car?

TMAllison

Like you, I drive my diesel a lot each year.

The Mich and Conti's wear too fast for me. Get tired of buying a set of 4 tires every year.

Last set I went with a Yokohama tire with a slightly higher treadwear number. Have been pleased with them. Mines a diesel and although it handles very well, it will never be an E55.

Sach/Boge shocks were OEM. THey're available and do last well. I did mine at ~190k and used Bilistein HD. Very similar.

190E-Boy

It's more a phrase than a realism. I wouldn't choose $135 tires and Bilsteins if I didn't think I could afford it.

TMAllison, thanks for the affirmation on a different tire, I always feel if i don't spend a reasonable amount I'll be replacing them sooner than I want to. I'll try them next set.