A question about ground clearances...

[EGBM]

I haven't got where I am today without asking stupid questions, so here's another one:

For a given MB class, what are the differences in ground clearance between an Elegance and a Sport (or something fitted with Sports suspension)?

Say a Sport has 18" hubs versus an Elegance's 16" (so you'd expect the sills to be ostensibly an inch higher off the ground), then subtracting the difference in tyre profile, and then the difference in suspension heights, what does that leave you with? Is it a noticeable clearance distance (i.e. say goodbye to the exhaust system on a speed bump), or negligible.

I can't tell from images so I thought I'd ask the experts. Why I'm asking I'm not sure, but there you go! Thanks in advance.

 

[MarkCL]

Ride height & ground clearance are actually more controlled by the springs - they're what either lower or raise the car, not the wheels per se unless of course you're ignoring what wheel options are correct for the vehicle and just go for whatever the hell you think looks good - which is just dangerous really.

Wheels and tyres that are correct fitment for a car are governed by the wheel's rolling radius - this is set by MB when they design the car (I would imagine) and so in the case you mentioned of the 16 v 18 inch wheels the actual differences in size are "soaked up" by the reduced tyre sidewall and wider track etc of the larger wheel - the rolling radius wil remain the same though as the 16inch wheel/tyre combination as if it didn't then the speedo would not read correctly/accurately anymore. This is just a rough explanation really - it's actually more exacting than that but you get the idea I hope. So, sport suspension will have lowered springs with a stiffer rate then the stock (classic) ones that will reduce the ride height and firm up the ride/sharpen the handling at the cost of some comfort. Further loss of comfort comes from the stiffer tyres sidewall due to the reduced "height" of the sidewall, but at the gain of improved handling. As to exactly what the differences are though I really couldn't say - sometimes it's listed in the brochures though or maybe on the websites - reviews in magazines often mention things like this also. I guess maybe Google and some patience will be your best bet to find a quantitive "Sports suspension lowers the ride by 1.5 inches.." etc type answer though.

Hope that helps?

Cheers,
Mark

 

[EGBM]

Yes Mark that does help - the rolling radius argument makes it very clear. I can see how people get themselves in a mess fiddling with the original design, as you say.

I'll have a look on a search engine as you suggest.

Thanks for your time.