1989 300te questions:

[Eliot]

I might as well get all the questions out at one time (until next time), instead of drips and drabs.
1. With Blizzards ONLY on the rear, the car wanders and feels unstable. I have ordered another set for the front...Are these cars generally "precise" handlers?
2. My former rig...Volvo 740, after making a turn, the steering wheel would zip back to a straight path...this car I have to sometimes "help" it return. What is this a symptom of?
3. The trunk lid (wagon lid) won't stay up in cold weather. Is this to be expected? I would hate to spend the cash for new pistons and have the same reaction.
4. Expected m.p.g.? I get about 19, mixed town and highway.
5. What is an EXCELLENT 3 season tire to order for when the Blizzards are taken off? I have the typical 15" wheel.

Thanks for any input. As I drive, these things get to me...you know the routine.

[sixto]

Blizzard or Blizzak?

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL
83 300SD ... $950, see cars forum

[gerryvz]

I have found both with our former 1992 300TE and our current 1995 E320 wagon, that the steering wheel doesn't totally zip back to straight when coming out of a turn. I don't know that tires would have tons to do with this -- I think it to be more steering geometry than anything though front tires could have some effect.

The rear hatch struts wear out, and it is kind of a pain to replace them if you're not prepared for the job. But it is a DIY job, for a medium-skilled DIYer with appropriate tools.

You will be alarmed at the difference after you replace them -- the hatch will knock you in the chin if you are not careful! They do settle into more of a "normal" mode of raising after a little while, though.

MPG -- for a 103 motor, I think 19-21 is right on the money for mixed driving. Low-mid 20s for longer-distance highway driving is normal too.

Michelins are very popular and you can't go too wrong with them. I would say that there are also other brands that are quite good -- Yokohama comes to mind. Tires are tough -- lots of personal preference there, and lots of choices to meet the budget. My advice -- solicit advice, and order online from Tire Rack and have them delivered to your local indy for installation. H or V rating should be more than adequate for a wagon.

Good luck!

Cheers,
Gerry

[Eliot]

The Bridgestone Blizzak...did I spell that right? the WS50.

[JasonUberMB]

Originally posted by Eliot
I might as well get all the questions out at one time (until next time), instead of drips and drabs.
1. With Blizzards ONLY on the rear, the car wanders and feels unstable. I have ordered another set for the front...Are these cars generally "precise" handlers?

Always, always, every time... run snow tires at all 4 points. Especially on a rear wheel drive car. The wagon feels unstable with snows on the rear because of the disparity of friction produced between front and rear wheels.
I have used Yokohama F720 special purpose snow tires (soft cell studless) for 3 winters. Excellent on snow and ice. They produce some high pitched whine on smooth surfaces, but they cruise very nicely at 90 mph.

2. My former rig...Volvo 740, after making a turn, the steering wheel would zip back to a straight path...this car I have to sometimes "help" it return. What is this a symptom of?

The Mercedes has a "heavy" steering feel. I think it is to provide a more stable steering feel at higher speeds.

3. The trunk lid (wagon lid) won't stay up in cold weather. Is this to be expected? I would hate to spend the cash for new pistons and have the same reaction.

My wagon has the same problem. At cold temperatures, I must prop the tailgate up with my noggin. oh well.

5. What is an EXCELLENT 3 season tire to order for when the Blizzards are taken off? I have the typical 15" wheel.

I like the higher dollar Bridgestone potenza series. RE910 I think. I even ran them for the first winter I had the car. Ski trips to the Colorado Rockies.
Yokohama Avid H4 is what I have now, but they float on water and slush. Ick. They also seem to wear faster than the Bridgestone Potenza series.

[d2bernhard]

Bridgestone RE950

[dtf]

I totally agree with the Potenza 950's. I have them now on the '94 wagon and they are worth the price. My hatch is also very stubborn but only in the cold weather. It is fine otherwise.

[d2bernhard]

DTF, Do you run those in the winter too?

[dtf]

No. I don't use the Potenza's with snow on the roads but I do keep them on until it snows then I put on my new Hakkapeliitta 2's. The tire swapping takes only about 25 minutes. I look ahead to the weather reports and temps. I got burned in SE CT two years ago when it barely reached freezing even in January and the warm roads chewed up my new snow tires. It was a waste of money. I tried using the same snows last year but too much tread was gone and I struggled in the snow with the wagon. I bought a new set of rims for the summer tires and put the snows on the beat up original rims.

[68882]

I had an 89 300TE for a number of years, looking at my records from 94-97 for 50,397 miles I got 17.81 usa miles per usa gallon (mostly city driving). 2002 I got about 19 mpg (mostly highway driving). However I always felt the number this engine produced was low as compared to epa number of 17-21, was very rare to see numbers over or near 20.

[JasonUberMB]

Originally posted by 68882
I had an 89 300TE for a number of years, looking at my records from 94-97 for 50,397 miles I got 17.81 usa miles per usa gallon (mostly city driving). 2002 I got about 19 mpg (mostly highway driving). However I always felt the number this engine produced was low as compared to epa number of 17-21, was very rare to see numbers over or near 20.

EPA 17/21 sounds like the mileage rating for the 4matic...16/22 is what I heard.
My 300TE 2wd does 26+ on the highway, cruising between 60-85 mph.
In city has been as poor as 14mpg (poor quality gasoline with cleaning agents) but usually closer to 17/18.