Hi,

Curious, what is reccomended in the 215/55r16 size, as was on the w210 diesels?

I am considering the continental conti extreme contact, the yokohama avid v4s, and the falken ziex ze-512. My father (its his car) isnt a fan of michelin tires, BTW.

I like dunlop SP Sport A2, but am willing to try alternates. Thanks,

JMH

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

I have a 98 E300 and I recently installed the Continental ContiExtremeContact tires and have been pleased. I paid slightly under $500, ordered off the internet and had them mounted at a local place. I have only had them since November of last year. So far, so good. I like the way they look on the E300 as well.

I have the Bridgestone Touranza's they are quite and have great wear capabilities. Handle really well.

__________________
Keith Schuster
2006 E350 98K miles
2013 Ford Explorer 15K miles

I recently went through a tire choice. As usual, the answere is "it depends..."

What is important to you:

- tread life
- handling
- Cost
- noise
- wet or dry performance
- etc...?

It is usally a trade off with any of the above variables ie. harder compounds yield longer tread life with poorer wet weather performance and more noise. Softer compounds yield better handling and less noise but less tread life too.

I wanted to get more than 50K out of a new set of tires - so I decided against the Continentals and the MXV4s. I was not too concerned about noise or handling (It is a MB diesel - not a Rolls or Porsche respectfully). I did want very good wet performance and was willing to sacrifice some tread life for this. Ultimately I choose the Bridgestone Turanza LS-H like, Shoe.

The 215/55/16 is a sport tire size, thus your options are greatly limited.

__________________
1996 (W210) E300D 86K - Traded in for a Lexus
1992 (W124) 300D 2.5 Turbo 202K - Sold
1983 (W123) 300D, 146K - Sold
1970 280S, 263K - Sold - Beginning of addiction

One more thought...

Are the Yoks and Faulkens you mentioned H rated?

For this car you NEED at least an H rated tire.

__________________
1996 (W210) E300D 86K - Traded in for a Lexus
1992 (W124) 300D 2.5 Turbo 202K - Sold
1983 (W123) 300D, 146K - Sold
1970 280S, 263K - Sold - Beginning of addiction

yes, v actually.

I ended up getting the yoko v4s: In analyzing the costs, Ill get approximately 25% more wear with them (500, AA, A rated), for only 10% more cost.

Thanks!

JMH

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

Man I need to learn how to spell (Touranza) it has been a rough day

__________________
Keith Schuster
2006 E350 98K miles
2013 Ford Explorer 15K miles

IMHO slowmoe is right on the mark here. There are all different kinds of tires with all different purposes and strengths vs. weaknesses. Before you can select a tire, you need to determine what you want from a tire and only THEN can you proceed toward a selection.

When I drove my 210 car, I was driving about 60,000 miles a year and had to have a good tire in the rain, but one that would give good treadlife. That was the first car that I ever put Contitouring tires on. I was quite pleased with them.

The extreme contacts are performance tires and I am very sure that they are soft compound so will not deliver long treadlife. If you are willing to replace tires often in return for sticky handling, then performance tires will serve you well.

Good luck,

Summer: Continental ContiTrack Contact
Winter: Nokian NRW
Very happy with both.

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pat201