Wheel Alignment W210 - How Often?

[DaveJ]

I'm purchasing 4 Nokian WRs for my '98 E320. The current tires are wearing normally and there's no sign of pulling. The last time I had a 4 wheel alignment was at 51K miles, now I have about 70K miles. I have not hit unusually large chuckholes or anything else that would typically throw off an alignment.

Do you think I should have it aligned anyway along with the new tires, just to be sure? Do the 210s have a history of needing frequent alignments?

Thanks.
Dave

When I bought my first Mercedes I was told that once a MB was properly aligned, it stayed aligned. That's been my experience in more than 20 years of MB ownership.

The key is to have it done right the first time.

My 190D was delivered out of alignment. I took it to an independent who didn't get the job done. I took it to a Mercedes dealer and didn't have to touch it for the next 18 years of ownership.

My '91 300E hasn't been touched since I took delivery.

[Car Nut]

I had the alignment and new set of Bridgestone RE950 at 58k miles. The MB technican showed me the print out and told me that 3 tires were within specification. The other one was off slightly. He was joking that I must be avoiding pot hole like doing slalom. In Massachusetts, you have to drive like that.

The dealer alignment cost was $150. But I would not be needing it until another 60k miles or new set of tires.

Good Luck
Car Nut
99 E430 Sport

[MikeW]

FWIW, a few years ago Road and Track did an owner's survey for the 96 through 00 E-Class and the most common complaint was frequent need for alignment. We've got a 99 4matic that we bought used (30K miles) last year. The steering generally felt fine and didn't pull, but usually required a few degrees of right correction, even when the crown of the road should have required a left correction. An alignment at the dealer when I put on new Michelins took care of that plus improved the self-centering feel when accelerating through a turn. That was 6000 miles ago and it's been fine ever since. I'm glad I had the alignment done.
Good luck.