What are the benefits of the sport package? All you get is an extra .5" on the wheels which you can't even use. The tire size is the same on both models. The body work is nice, but $5,000 for it? I think this package is kind of a rip off. Any other opinions?

------------------
1997 Mercedes-Benz E420
Michelin Pilot XGT Z4
P225/55ZR16

1997 Mercedes-Benz C280
Michelin Pilot SX-GT
205/60VR15

1988 Mercedes-Benz 260E
Michelin Pilot HX MXV3-A
195/65HR15

The extra $4010 is not only the body work, and wheels, but it also includes performance tires, front projector fog lights. I also believe that the sport it has a sport tuned suspension front and rear and the car is lowered. However, I haven't been able to find any info supporting the sport tuned suspension.

If the Sport package doesn't inlcude the sport tuned suspension, then you are right. You can do alot more to a car for that much. For $4010, I could install H&R lowering springs, 18" performance rubber and wheels, and get PIAA installed on my own.

However, when I went to go look up suspension upgrades for the 2000 E-class, the E430 sport was listed seperatly then the the E430 and E320.

Only one things I can suggest for you to do in order to find out, call 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES.

------------------
Chirag (Charlie) Patel

- 99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
- 93 190E 2.6 (4-sale) w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
- had a 93 190E m103 3.2, 5-speed trans,
- had a 88 300E 2.6
- had a 84 300TD w/275k+ miles
- 2001 C-Class - Maybe (if 190E sells)

They use similar tires on all the models. They all suck. I'd pull any and all of them off the second I bought it. They use Goodyears on non-sports and either Goodyear Eagle F1-GSD2 or Continental ContiSports on the Sport. No suspension or height difference either.

Amen on the OE tire comments...heck, I just saw an SL500 on the showroom floor with Pirelli P600s!!! Those tires suck so bad that I pulled them off my newly-purchased 500E even though they still had half of their tread left; this because I knew that dramatically better rubber was available. Replaced them with Toyos prior to my 17" upgrade (Michelin Pilot XGTZ4, and they're fabulous), and they were sweet (but too easy to spin...225 section width vs. 354 lb/ft of M119 torque did not a happy relationship make! Darn near burned out the ASR bulb...

------------------
Best regards, Michael
'92 500E
'88 300TE

I agree, I really don't like OE tires that much. But I use them till they are done. I am one of those value-oriented kinda guys. We had a 93 190E 2.6 that came with V-rated non-all-season tires. We kept the car in the garage instead of adding all-season rubber.

I worked out a deal with the dealer, and they bought back my 275/55/17 tires off my ML430 for $71 each (the wholesale price of the tires from TireRack back in May 99) The reason he bought them is because he would have ML320 owners wanting to upgrade the wheels to 17x8.5 wheels of ML430 and they would wan't the cheapest tires. These were the cheapet ones available. Or they would have ML430 owners comming in with one blown tire and need replacements. So I took the $284 bucks bought Bridgestone Dueler H/P D680 for about $280 more. I just had to make sure that the delaer took my tires off the car before I bought it because it would count as used tires or something and they would be able to sell it. (They let me drive home until the tires I ordered arrived.) Thy were real nice about it, and understood completely.

As for the 190E, as soon as one tire blew, we rotated the new full size in and got about 30k out of that set. Then when the two front ones wore out, we replaced them with Michelin, and then Pirelli P6000 Sport Veloce, then Dunlop SP Sport 5000 (love them) in the front with Michelin Pilot XGT H4 in the rear. Since I am selling my car, a friend bought my 5000, and traded me his 6000 SV (again, I hated them) but got $75 for both.

I I ever buy a new car, I am going to get the dealer to try and pull the same deal they did with me for my ML430. I got a feeling the first thing to go this time will be the wheels and tires though

When we get the new C-class, they can keep the 16" wheels and the 205/55/16 tires, and I will put some nice 17" on them. Since Mom wants the 4matic we will go 225/45/17 all the way around. I have everything planned, only if MB would bring that car over to this side already!!!



------------------
Chirag (Charlie) Patel

- 99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
- 93 190E 2.6 (4-sale) w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
- had a 93 190E m103 3.2, 5-speed trans,
- had a 88 300E 2.6
- had a 84 300TD w/275k+ miles
- 2001 C-Class - Maybe (if 190E sells)

I agree.

I bought the C280 with Continental ContiContact CH95's and yanked them right off.

I bought the E420 with Goodyear Eagle LS's and yanked them off, too. They were the worst tire I have ever driven on in my entire life.

Luckilly, my "new" 260E came with *great* tires that are unfortunately no longer available as far as I know. Anyone know where I can get some?

Thanks.

Daniel


------------------
1997 Mercedes-Benz E420
(W210)
Michelin Pilot XGT Z4
P225/55ZR16
soon to be
Michelin Pilot HX MXM
235/50WR16

1997 Mercedes-Benz C280
(W202)
Michelin Pilot SX-GT
205/60VR15

1988 Mercedes-Benz 260E
(W124)
Michelin Pilot HX MXV3-A
195/65HR15

[This message has been edited by DSinger (edited 04-23-2000).]

If you want Michelin you could always put the Michelin Pilot XGT V4 in 215/60/15. If you want more performance, the Michelin Pilot SX GT in 205/60/15. I don't think you will find Mihcelin Pilot HX MXV3-A anymore.


------------------
Chirag (Charlie) Patel

- 99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
- 93 190E 2.6 (4-sale) w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
- had a 93 190E m103 3.2, 5-speed trans,
- had a 88 300E 2.6
- had a 84 300TD w/275k+ miles
- 2001 C-Class - Maybe (if 190E sells)

[This message has been edited by Chiragp (edited 04-23-2000).]

There is no difference in height or suspension parts for any W210 models E420/E430 with Sport option.

If you upgrade your non-sport to sport options the parts from the dealer will cost you a whole bunch more, plus you have to have the parts painted and installed. I sometimes regret not getting the sport option on my 98 E430.

------------------
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1998 MERCEDES-BENZ E430
<LI>OBSIDIAN BLACK METALLIC/BLACK LEATHER
<LI>XENON H.I.D. LOW BEAMS
<LI>DEBADGED (E430 REAR)
<LI>AMG CHROMED TIP DUAL EXHAUST
<LI>CARLSSON 1/6 CHROME (PLUS 1) WHEELS
<LI>SLK "WREATH" WHEEL CENTER CAPS
<LI>ALPINE CHM-S611 CD CHANGER
</UL>

I am just a little confused, Is there a difference between a regular E430 and a E430 Sport

------------------
Chirag (Charlie) Patel

- 99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
- 93 190E 2.6 (4-sale) w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
- had a 93 190E m103 3.2, 5-speed trans,
- had a 88 300E 2.6
- had a 84 300TD w/275k+ miles
- 2001 C-Class - Maybe (if 190E sells)

The Sport has the E55 body kit (front and rear spoilers and side skirts) with projector beam fog lights and 1/2" wider rims that are styled like Brabus Monoblock IV's. That's the difference. I hope this helped.

Eric

------------------
'00 E430 w/ Solaris H-7's
Brabus 19'' Monoblock V, 2 piece
H&R Sport Springs

'99 SLK230 Sport

Okay, but no suspension mods are made. I agree $4010 is alot for that. I could do that for less.

------------------
Chirag (Charlie) Patel

- 99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
- 93 190E 2.6 (4-sale) w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
- had a 93 190E m103 3.2, 5-speed trans,
- had a 88 300E 2.6
- had a 84 300TD w/275k+ miles
- 2001 C-Class - Maybe (if 190E sells)

Being that the only functional difference between the E430 and the E430 Sport is a set of 17x8 wheels with (usually) ****ty Goodyear or Conti tires I would opt for the regular E430 then give Luke a call before I was through the first tank of gas. You could buy whatever wheel/tire combo struck your fancy that would handle much better (given the kind of rubber I would buy vs what is offered with the package) and still come out a couple thousand ahead of having a Sport. The bodywork doesn't do as much for me, especially after the recent cosmetic overhaul of the E-class lineup. Save the original 16's for winter, driving school, long trips, etc. Hell, buy the regular E430, call Luke for wheels/tires, then GO to driving school on the difference in price. Now THAT is a functional upgrade to making you/your car go quicker and handle better.

Just my semi-twisted thinking....Lee

My 98 E430 sport came originally with Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D2 235/45ZR-17, I don't think they are "****ty" at all, indeed, they are z-rated high performance tires that sell about $233 each at tirerack...plus, I think the upgraded 17" x 7.5 wheels for the Sport option weight less than the stock 16". That's the only difference for getting the sport option. I bought my E430 sport in 98, so the regular 98 E430 still came with 16" stock wheels, but now the 2000 E430 comes with standard 17" and with bodykits, I don't think it's worth of getting the sport package any more unless one still wannabe a E55-wannabe . (but you need the 18" and amg exhaust too)
There is one thing that really piss me off, why is the sports package for the c-class so cheap (around $900) compared to e-class ($4000)plus, the stuff c-class is getting for the sport option is more useful(suspension, upgraded wheels, gauge, etc) compared to only bodykit and upgraded wheels for the e-class. Well, I guess everything with AMG on it is very expensive like all other name-brand. Hail to the RennTech EV12!!

---WILL

Renntech EV12?? Hm..I thought it's Brabus EV12...

I wonder why Mercedes won't bring in E430s in Avantgarde Trim and leave E320s in Elegance Trim?? The E55s are alway in Avantgarde(blue tinted glass, smoke rear signal lenses, lower stance, black Bird Eye Maple). Or at least make it in Avantgarde Trim when equipped with Sport Package.

Just my thoughts...

Andy Kuo

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<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
<LI>Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
</UL>
ICQ#26950002
Mercedes Owners ICQ ActiveList ID#61730549
Mercedes S-Class Page
http://drive.to/akry
http://akry.homestead.com

Both Brabus and RennTech have a model called EV12!! And RennTech's EV12 is faster than Brabus and more expensive too (3.9 v 4.9 0-60)!!!!!!