2010 ML350 Bluetec Wobble and Soft Bouncy Ride

[airbag]

Hi,

Im posting to ask if anyone has had similar issues on their 2005 - 2011 M Class. Ive just got a 3 year old 2010 M Class, one owner, 45K, Full Service History, really good nick. Im pretty sure its the standard suspension package on it with no air suspension or off road packages.

Im not unrealistic to realise I'm now driving a 4x4 wagon with a very different purpose to a C Class (previous ride), but the ride experience on the ML seems really bouncy and wobbly from side to side, especially on A & B roads. On the motorway it bombs along ok, but the slightest twitch of the wheel and it feels like excess wobbles occur. It doesn't seem to corner too bad for a heavy 4x4.

I would have thought a car like this would eat up pot holes and tarmac bumps in the road, and the suspension react really quickly, creating a comfortable ride for the driver. For me it seems like the smallest bumps causes bounces that then turn into 2-3 smaller bounces afterwards.. making driving a very bouncy and sway'e experience.

Is s this just the way this model behaves, or does this seem out of the ordinary? Both my passenger and myself felt a touch of "motion sickness" with only a 40min drive, 30mins of that on the Motorway!

The car is just 3 years old, very tidy and has just passed an MOT so Im assuming it has no suspension issues.

Besides rust issues ive had in previous model Mercedes... I would have to say that this is the first Mercedes Ive owned that Ive been disappointed in the ride.... just happens to be the most expensive one also!

 

[Robbostanhill]

Steering joint play, rack play, soft tyres, wheel bearings... Have a check around it on a jack or ramps

 

[Xtractorfan]

More liable to be a duff shock, We have a 2008 420CDI and the ride is good on all roads, cornering is a bit wooly and not as good as the X5, But very stable and secure on all roads.

 

[redbaron1973]

I would see what tyres it was on and check the pressures.

 

[oigle]

My earlier (2003) ML was very like that and it was shock absorbers. I replaced them with Bilsteins and it was hugely better.

 

[television]

The tyres over inflated come to mind on this, or inflated to the max pressures.

 

[airbag]

Hi guys, thanks for the replies.

I got her checked out and all reported back ok.

The tyres were only on 28, so I took them up to 34 all round and am amazed at the effect it has on the feel. Fuel cap says to have them at 32 unloaded. Defo a bit harder ride with more "Road Feel" now that they are a bit tighter.

Not really addressed the swaying bouncy motion to the ride, I am sure some of this is going from a low-slung C Class to a higher ride.. but for me still doesnt feel like a car that I want to drive. Perhaps looking at the shocks might be worthwhile.

The steering is also much lighter than my previous car, creating movement with the slightest touch of the wheel. All seems good when going over dirt tracks with potholes in it.. actually quite comfy.. Motorway travel is wonderful.. but just running about on A & B roads.. talk about a jet lag feeling after even a small trip!

 

[airbag]

Still can't get my head around the drive of my 2010 ML 350.

On motorway, bombs along just perfect... floats would be the word.
Cornering, not a racecar, but not a problem.. seems to corner fine.
Over potholes, big bumps.. eats them up nicely with a soft ride.

Driving along bumpy patchworked A and B roads... its like being in an aeroplane in high turbulance. The bumps from alternating wheels on different angles just sways you around all over the show. Its like they are not all working independently and soaking up the road.

The other thing Ive noticed is the wheels try to track in the ruts in the road and pull the steering. This sensation also happens when traveling over painted white lines and other bumps in the road.

Car done 47K, checked over by Merc, and according to them the suspension and all else is in great condition.

So we reckon Im just not cut out for a 4x4.. or perhaps new tyres could really help? Currently has Pirelli PZeros on it... about 3.5m of tread left. Pressure is 34psi all round.

 

[oigle]

Still can't get my head around the drive of my 2010 ML 350.

On motorway, bombs along just perfect... floats would be the word.
Cornering, not a racecar, but not a problem.. seems to corner fine.
Over potholes, big bumps.. eats them up nicely with a soft ride.

Driving along bumpy patchworked A and B roads... its like being in an aeroplane in high turbulance. The bumps from alternating wheels on different angles just sways you around all over the show. Its like they are not all working independently and soaking up the road.

The other thing Ive noticed is the wheels try to track in the ruts in the road and pull the steering. This sensation also happens when traveling over painted white lines and other bumps in the road.



Car done 47K, checked over by Merc, and according to them the suspension and all else is in great condition.

So we reckon Im just not cut out for a 4x4.. or perhaps new tyres could really help? Currently has Pirelli PZeros on it... about 3.5m of tread left. Pressure is 34psi all round.

As I said, shockers (Bilsteins) will cure the "turbulence". As to the "tramlining" that is a result of tyres being too wide and possibly not enough toe-in on steering. Standard tyres on your car are 235's. They work perfectly. If you are up around 275's you will definitely get tramlining.

 

[airbag]

As I said, shockers (Bilsteins) will cure the "turbulence". As to the "tramlining" that is a result of tyres being too wide and possibly not enough toe-in on steering. Standard tyres on your car are 235's. They work perfectly. If you are up around 275's you will definitely get tramlining.

Thanks Oigie,
Tyres on it are 265/45/20. So you recommend I go thinner than this?

What model Bilsteins did you go for? If your correct, it will be worth the investment to cure the "turbulance".

 

[oigle]

Thanks Oigie,
Tyres on it are 265/45/20. So you recommend I go thinner than this?

What model Bilsteins did you go for? If your correct, it will be worth the investment to cure the "turbulance".

Those wheels and tyres are great for very smooth roads but would make for a horrible ride on rough uneven surfaces. I can well imagine your issues. If you want it to ride and steer well on offish roads you will have to change the whole setup, wheels and all. The "standard" wheels and tyre combination from Benz is 235/65/17 and does the best job with steering and ride comfort but of course - looks are compromised.
Can't give you damper details as my model is a 163 and is different. There are 2 versions of the damper for the 163 so would imagine that the same would apply with the 164. I would go for the heavier duty one if you like a firm and controlled ride.
It would be good if you could borrow a set of wheels/tyres to try just to evaluate the difference before spending any money. Changing the dampers by themselves might do enough for you but car will still be inclined to tramline - get the toein checked.

 

[REVECOM]

Hey Airbag, I wonder if you sorted the problem with your ride handling? I have identical issues with my ML320.
Tramlining and horrible on white lines. Bucks, pitches and yaws over B road undulations.
I am considering changing to Eibach springs (firmer, more progressive) but I fear that the yawing effect will not
be cured by this.
Anyway, interested to see how you got on?
Cheers, Revecom.

 

[oigle]

Read my previous posts on this. Springs won't help. Just make it a harder ride. Dampers/shockers are the issue along with toe-in. The wider the tyre, the more tramlining you will get.

 

[REVECOM]

Thanks oigle... very useful info. I will change the shocks first and go from there...

 

[Mates001]

Hi Revecom, have you solved your problem by shocks change? My GL drive well on highways, but on bumpy roads is is dancing from side to side. Like I would little move steering wheel from side to side. My GL has 170k km and 21” wheels. Thanks in advance

 

[REVECOM]

Hi Mates001,
I had issues both with wallowing up and down AND dancing side to side. Tramlining, all sorts.
I decided better shocks (Bilstein B6 yellow uprated ones) but its been a nightmare talking to Bilstein and as you cant buy direct... getting one of their UK suppliers to come through with stocks. I put it down to COVID supply issues (to be kind).
Meanwhile I had a main service coming up so had the whole set-up checked and test drived by Merc. They found no issues but agreed my crappy cheap tyres (soft side walls) might be a cause.
I didnt want to change all four (although I should have) so I turfed out my hideous rear soft-walled rear tyres and put on some proper Contis recommended for my ML. I now have Pirelli Scorpions on the rear and Contis on the front. I don't like the Pirellis actually and will change them for Contis also in time.
The garage (Merityre) was quite adamant that Merc had not checked the geometry and the wheel nuts and track rods were corroded stiff.
Anyway, Merityre found the tracking on the front out of sorts and re-set everything.
There is quite a difference in that the ride isn't perfect but a good deal of the "dancing" has stopped and it no longer tramlines on white lines or road grooves, lorry ruts etc.. The only issue is that I still have a lot of dipping into B-road-side pot-holes, dips and hollows. However, I am no longer wrestling with the tiller / steering wheel.
I am putting that bounce absolutely down to the shocks and will still be happy to see some new Bilsteins on-board... regardless of Merc's "no-issues" comments.
Final analysis is that good strong Contis all round will have solved 33% of the bad behaviour, proper alignment an easy 33% and the bounce will be 33% down to new and uprated shocks. By then I will have truly earned my sea legs!

 

[Mates001]

Hi Revecom,
Thank you very much for your quick and comprehensive respond. Just wondering why should we solve things like this in case of such expensive cars. Why is this happening? I drive Conti 295/40 ZR21, so I probably won’t change tires. All are inflated up to 2,5bars. I will check alignment in the service. But additional costs - I am not sure. I drive also Land Rover Disco 4 and frankly speaking, not so stable while cornering in high speed, BUT absolutely no (!) wobbing on surface bumps