"A" Class, poor ride quality

[peteanspach]

I Have purchased my first ever Merc. An "A" Class 160 Elegance LWB. 2003 with all the toys. Has covered 19000 miles in new condition apart from the front alloys that were badly scuffed up. The dealer has had them refurbished and they are now fine. My question is that the ride quality is worse than my old Citroen Picasso. The "A" class transfers every minute undulation into the cab. The car sticks to road like glue and goes around corners with little body role. The tyres are low profile on 16" alloy rims. the aspect ration is 45. The tyres are Accelera Alpha, probably crap. How can I improve mattres? I love the car

Peter

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

The A series cars are noted for a firm ride, after the initial launch problems with these cars the suspension was tightened up. Having said that I think your main problem is as you say the 45 ratio tyres. There is no way round this other than fitting different wheels or changing the tyres for something less low profile (which will mean a narrower section). My car comes with 55 ratio tyres and I wouldn't want to go any lower on British roads.

 

[OlafMaxwell]

Try borrowing a set of 15" wheels instead and using 55 or 60% aspect tyres. 14" wheels and 65% will be better. Ride will improve but the roadholding may disimprove a little. The problem with lower profiles is that they give better roadholding but unless its motorway smooth you cant use it! You will find a big change.

 

[television]

, My car comes with 55 ratio tyres and I wouldn't want to go any lower on British roads.

Malcolm 210 is right otherwise you feel every matchstick.
Cant remember when I last saw a road being resurfaced.

Malcolm

 

[Garrycox]

I Have purchased my first ever Merc. An "A" Class 160 Elegance LWB. 2003 with all the toys. Has covered 19000 miles in new condition apart from the front alloys that were badly scuffed up. The dealer has had them refurbished and they are now fine. My question is that the ride quality is worse than my old Citroen Picasso. The "A" class transfers every minute undulation into the cab. The car sticks to road like glue and goes around corners with little body role. The tyres are low profile on 16" alloy rims. the aspect ration is 45. The tyres are Accelera Alpha, probably crap. How can I improve mattres? I love the car

Peter

We had a 160 SWB and found the orginal Bridgestone tyres fitted gave a lot of road noise. We changed them to Michelins and they were noticeably quieter. The ride always seemed pretty good for the size of car. Don't know how much difference there was between the SWB and the LWB when it came to ride etc.

We now have the new shape A200 it is much improved but the Bridgestone tyres again are alittle noisy on some road surfaces. Good luck.

 

[peteanspach]

Thanks Garry
I don't think that the make of tyre will change the ride too much, it is that mine are very low profile, 45% aspect ratio. The deealer has offered to swap them FOC; I shall think about it.

Peter

 

[television]

Thanks Garry
I don't think that the make of tyre will change the ride too much, it is that mine are very low profile, 45% aspect ratio. The deealer has offered to swap them FOC; I shall think about it.

Peter

It makes a huge difference to the ride to go up on the profile, My Volvo V70R was much too hard for comfort, going up saved the day. My ex hated it, now she has almost stopped complaining. I know that people will say that the car does not corner as well, my veiw is that if anyone can tell the difference, they should not be driving on our roads.
Some how these days it is more important as to how the car looks, rather than the ride quallity.

malcolm

 

[peteanspach]

Hi,
Would changing from aspect ratio 45 to 50 make a difference.
Peter

 

[television]

Hi,
Would changing from aspect ratio 45 to 50 make a difference.
Peter

Yes and its within the allowed increase without changing wheels.

The numbers on your tyres (example only) say 245x45x17. 245 is the width of the tyre, the 45 is the percentage of the width, so by going to 50 (I did on the Volvo) it gives that bit better ride.

malcolm

 

[peteanspach]

Thanks
I am pleased that I can keep my exisiting wheels?
I shall get a quote for 4 new decent tyres.
Would not this increase the diameter of the wheels? At the moment my car seems to under record mileage by about 5%. I think that by increasing the diameter this could be even worse. The mph seems dead accurate acording to my Tom Tom
Peter

 

[television]

Thanks
I am pleased that I can keep my exisiting wheels?
I shall get a quote for 4 new decent tyres.
Would not this increase the diameter of the wheels? At the moment my car seems to under record mileage by about 5%. I think that by increasing the diameter this could be even worse. The mph seems dead accurate acording to my Tom Tom
Peter

Going to 50 is within spec for speedo, Mine is spot on, no difference, it would pay you to get a soft tyre like dunlop.

malcolm