My girlfriend purchased a 2004 E320 4matic wagon for general utility use with quite a bit of driving in snow and on rough dirt roads. Does anyone have any tire and or suspension suggestions to make this car a bit more capable in these conditions? We're not looking for winter-only tires. My 2005 Volvo XC70 wagon with 215/65-16 BFG KO2 (LT) tires is remarkable on these poor road conditions. I suspect this same tire might rub on the E320 but it IS the tire I'd like to use. Has anyone done a mild lift on an E wagon? Even 1" would make a difference.

On a side note I'm really appreciating the E320 AND this forum. This group has already helped my fix the transmission leak and the heater!

 

Do you have airmatic, or rear air only?
Both systems can easy adjust the clearance to some degree.
I drove W210 wagon 4M in snow blizzard in Wyoming and even on high-performance directional tires had no problem with traction.
But members living in snow belt can give you more recommendations for tires.

 

Thanks for the reply.
It's a rear air only car. Yes, it will be fine even if I don't change the tires or ride height. We are used to higher-clearance wagons and just would feel a bit more confident on dirt roads with a bit of ground clearance and tougher truck tires. The 215-65-16 KO2 tire was an oddball size that just happened to fit the Volvo and transformed the car into a beast in the snow and a capable car on dirt roads and trails. The 4matic system appears more robust than the Volvo AWD and to the credit of Mercedes the underbody doesn't seem to have any vulnerable parts hanging down. I might have to do some experimenting with custom springs.

 

Don't know if you measure that already, but having W210 in RWD and 4M models I measure 4 M to have 1" higher clearance.
That become clear on my garden driveway where 1 car would scratch and the other not.
Your rear air had level switch on top of differential, so going there will give you better view how much you can adjust.
Obviously raising rear only will not help you with front plowing the snow, so I would not do it on my car.
I sold my W211 wagon 4M, but still remember that the car had some damage to undercarriage. No clue where PO drove but some belly pans had serious damages and one of jack pad was torn off.
So it is not really vehicle for offroading, but sure should work fine in slippery conditions.
Still have picture how I tried to impress buyers with the wagon.

 

I didn't notice the 4matic cars were any higher. This car looks so slammed compared to the Volvo and Subaru

 

Did you measure those cars? Human eye is very lousy instrument and the dark panels on 2 can be very deceiving.
Than aren't Subaru and Volvo consider cross-over style, when MB still is luxury cruiser?