I have a C230 1997 with 200,000 miles. I want to have a mechanic change the front shocks. Is this worth my while, the car pulls to the left and wears out my tires quickly and I think this might be the reason for the pull. I recently moved to Germantown MD does anyone know of a good mechanic close by. Thanks folks. I hope I have not broken any rules with my post, I have not posted in almost two years!

Your shocks maybe bad but that wont cause your car to pull to one side. Check your tie rod ends.

The shocks are only to absorb spring oscilations. Alignment or worn tie rod ends as already stated. I checked mine as well as I could w/o a lift so I brought it to my alignment guy and he itemized exactly what was wrong and had to be corrected before an alignment could be performed.

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alignment, especially toe-out will kill tires fast. I went through a set on my 97 c230 in 13k, figured out later the toe was way out. It will make you think you need new shocks

FWIW, I put Bilstein HDs all around on my 230, with 17" AMG splitspoke wheels. I miss that car, tight and nice with that combo. Make sure you've got a good tie rod though, to maximize the effect.

FYI mine went through alignments every 10k.

thanks folks I will take it to a mechanic around here in MD. Part of the reason I want to change the shocks in the front is that I can feel every pothole in the road especially on the right front tire side. However I will have the mechanic check the tie rod end.
You are right, am going through tires every 10K miles... and tires are not cheap.
Any suggestion as to which mechanic to go to in MD near Germantown?
Thanks folks