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The only thing I can think of that would cause bulbs to fail in the manner you describe is too-high system voltage due to (perhaps) a faulty regulator in the alternator. It might be worth connecting a voltmeter to the car so you can watch it (carefully) while you drive. System voltage should not get over 14 volts.
The bulb that started working when you touched it could be a victim of corrosion; do you live in a humid part of the world? There could also be a tiny water leak into the tail light. Check and clean (polish with fine steel wool) the bulb and socket; protect future bulbs with a very light coat of dielectric grease (use Vaseline if you don't have dielestric grease). Use very little and wipe off most of that, then put the bulb back in its socket.
Jeremy
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"Buster" in the '95
Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970
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