Help!

I have an '88 420 SEL; good touring/comfort car. Recently (about 1 month ago), I put a new set of Conti Touring Contact CH95's (205/65/HR 15 92H) on the car through my trusted local tire guy. My desire is for smooth, consistent comfort-both local driving and highway. Handling should be good; exceptional handling was not my desire.

I'm not a perfectionist, but: I am SO disappointed. The performance of this tire is so inconsistent as to be mind-boggling. First, unless the tire pressures are put too low, the road feel-especially at highway speeds-is unacceptable. Secondly, they don't seem to accomodate the weight load of this vehicle. Most unusually, they are too prone to develop soft spots from sitting for just a few hours. For example, one day they feel good; the very next day, they make the car feel like a truck.

I'm not imagining this. And this is a car with good bushings; holds alignment; new tie rods, and new Bilsteins all around. It deserves a good smooth tire.

Am I crazy, or have others experienced similar disappointments with this tire?

Is there a tried and true good riding tire, reasonably quiet, consistent, stays round, balances right, that I can confidently shoe this car with? Please advise. Thanks.

Michelins MXV4 Plus's or Bridgestone Turanza "H" Revo's would not have those types of problems. I have heard of the Conti's doing that before so to put your mind at ease you're not crazy

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Please, call me to place orders or for more info
use my name for on-line orders

My car has conti touring tires, they work fine for me, but I am upgrading at some point to 17's, and then I will do better tires.

I havent experienced what you have though.

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

Anything that's not a Michelin will develop soft spots, but for the price, I actually really like the CH95. Don't get me wrong, the car I bought with them had them taken off after 2 days (in favor of Pilot HX MXMs), but I like them for what they are.

They feel more performance oriented than a MXV4+ I think. Not as much grip as sportier tires, but good turn in and such.

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1988 Mercedes-Benz 260E

For the price, I think you cant get a better tire anywhere else. For $60 a pop they are a terrific tire. Mine have lasted for over 35k miles and still have alot of tread left on em. Also, if you notice, some new MBs, BMW's and VW's all use this tire stock on their cars. If i werent planning on upgrading to 17 inch wheels, I would definitly pick up another set. When these eventually wear out, Im gonna dress up the 300E with some Brabus Monoblocks and SP 9000's.

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Agron
1989 300E ("E 300"-Badged)
Monotoned Astral Silver w/ rear lid deck panel
97 Style Replica E420 Rims 205/55/16
Euro Headlights
Clear Corners
94/95 Taillights
Black Grille Insert
Chrome Exhaust Tips
20% Tint
Pioneer Sound system w/ Sub-enclosure and CD-changer

I hate the Contis. Had them swapped off of a new BMW last year. Replced them on another car a year earlier. Just ytook them off of a S500 in favor of Yokohama AVS db's. Why do I not like them? (1) flat spots; (2) noisy (but not overly so); (3) crummy cornering; (4) crummy wet performance. If anyone happens to like them and wants to buy a set of CH95 225/60/16's with 400 miles on them, email me. They're sitting in my garage, nicely bagged and just about new. Make me any reasonable offer and come get them and they are yours (I am on Long Island). alan_weinschel@yahoo.com