2001 C Estate Avant Suspension Sway

[airbag]

Hello,
This may be completely normal for this model, but my 2001 C320 Avantgarde seems to be a bit floppy in the suspension, certainly more so than I expected.

When driving along the motorway it seems to sway a bit and not feel that tight. The car has only done 44,000 miles so its not as though the suspension should be knackered out. To my knowledge it has not been in an accident and does drive nicely, except for this floaty swaying feeling.

I guess I was just wondering if this seemed unusual or if there may be something not quite right. Also, is there any settings that can be adjusted for the suspension to tighten up a bit?

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[paul c]

I think its pretty normal my 2001 c240 avantgarde feels the same it depends what you have been driving before but you do get used it how long have you had the car?

 

[airbag]

Hi Paul, Thanks for your reply. Had for few weeks now.
Yes, perhaps it is normal and just takes getting used to.

I feel I really have to concentrate on the open road/motorways, and make small movements on the wheel, else it can seem to move about quite a bit.
The suspension itself is far superior in some ways to my previous Passat 4 motion. I can go over the same potholes and just feel a thump where there used to be a hard bang when the wheel it the pothole.

The rolling motion however is not so enjoyable... I almost want to get aftermarket suspension fitted to harden it up some.
Maybe its just sensitive light steering that creates movement when the wheel is turned?

 

[paul c]

Yes it does take some time to get the feel of it, the car i had before was a Seat leon cupra which stuck like glue to the road but after four years with the Merc i,ve learnt to live with it.

 

[airbag]

I am thinking of getting the suspension lowered a tad, or tighter if possible due to this situation. When on bumpy roads it feels like a real sway (as if you were rocking the steering wheel to the left, right, left etc..) and the car gets buffeted quite a bit when its windy.
I have tried to gun it a bit around corners and it is almost as though the suspension reacts a bit better and tightens up when you get heavier with the driving and push it a bit.

Any recommendations for suspension, is it possible to get orig merc springs put back in that are tighter or lower than the original C320 avantgarde suspension. Am I right in thinking that the sports pack version of the avantgarde suspension was an inch or so lower than the standard avantgarde suspension?

Thanks for any info.
Airbag

 

[television]

Its interesting that you do not have the pads on top that can be changed, so you have to change the springs

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GM=716.667&CT=F&cat=65F&SID=32&SGR=015&SGN=01

 

[Rory]

Missed your original posts, but I have a late 04 (so facelift) C270CDi Avantgarde Estate and mine sounds just the same!

It's only done 36K miles and the vast majority of those are long steady motorway runs, but the car just doesn't feel "planted" and is quite tiring to drive. Had the dealer look at it a couple of times and they say it's fine.

I keep thinking a full alignment job might help, but I've heard horror stories about the car being messed up by people who didn't know what they were doing. I asked the dealer to do it as part of their investigation but they avoided the issue as the car is on ServicePlus.

 

[airbag]

Rory, who have you been getting to service. I am in Cheshire also and wondering who to go to for a few niggles.

Secondly this suspension thing, I hear what your saying!

Really considering getting aftermarket Bilstein shocks or something to see if it helps the situation.
One other thing I noticed is that when I have been a passenger in the back, the car still feels wobbley, but not so much.. and I wonder how much the padded sloppy drivers seat might be to do with it. On my model (2001) the passenger front seat is very hard compared to the drivers seat. It may not be anything, but might contribute a small amount.

Anyhow.. I guess I will keep for another year or so and then get a different model. I have ridden in a 2004 E class 2.8 Desiel avantgarde estate and that handles like its on rails compared to my 2001 C class Avantgarde C320. Mine has actually done less miles than the E Class also.
Strange but true.. so I can only put it down to the fact that the suspension on the C Class models is bollix unless someone can offer other thoughts?

 

[Rory]

Rory, who have you been getting to service. I am in Cheshire also and wondering who to go to for a few niggles.

I use MB Chester, but my car is on ServicePlus.

MB Tech would be the obvious choice for you? I don't know anything about them personally but seen some positive comments from others.

 

[airbag]

Thanks Rory, I have rung them and going to see next week.
They sound a good bunch.
Will report back.
airbag.

 

[Rory]

Thanks Rory, I have rung them and going to see next week.
They sound a good bunch.
Will report back.
airbag.

Thanks - I meant Mercedes (not MB) Tech, at Winwick Quay, but I guess you realised that?