C220 AMG Tuned Suspension - how hard?

[thespirit3]

Hi All,

A few days ago I posted asking for advice (when considering a purchase) regarding manual and automatic transmission. Thanks for your assistance

I spoke to my local dealer, who informed me they had a bit of a bargain coming in as a p/x - C220 CDI Coupe Evo AMG 2004 model with 14k on the clock. I thought rather than risk someone else grabbing this - I'd pay a deposit there and then.

Superb. However, today when test driving a saloon at a different dealer (I arranged this prior to the Coupe discovery) - the salesman told me the following...

The AMG coupe has:-
... considerably more road noise (due to being a hatchback and the fact it has 17" alloys and wider tyres)
... incredibly stiff suspension, so you feel every bump

All in all - he said the Coupe (and specifically the AMG tuned Coupe) is *not* a relaxing drive, and not suitable for the sort of mileage I'm doing (180 miles a day).

I realise he was keen to sell me the Saloon - and hence was playing down the coupe (of which they have no used cars in stock) - but ... should I now be worried?

Half my reason for ditching my sporty MG ZR was the stiff suspension and tiring drive - I assumed an AMG Mercedes would still retain some of the sportiness, but also be suitable for long motorway drives and generally be comfortable when not being driven like a sports car!

I'm now wondering if I've made a bit of a mistake.

Does anyone here have an AMG tuned car? How would you describe it? Do you feel every bump? Is it tiring?

Thanks!


Steve (worried!)

 

[Blobcat]

It is a very personal thing, best advice is try it for yourself. What others find acceptable you may not. I have the slightly lowered Avantgarde suspension on my 'E' with 16" wheels. Some forum posts find this an unacceptably hard setup compared to the Elegance. Others have the same suspension and 18" AMG wheels and are perfectly happy. I changed from the 18" AMG's to standard wheels as I prefered the comfort over the looks.

 

[thespirit3]

Thanks. Once the car is available - I guess that's the answer; take it for a test drive. I was just a little worried that I'd put a deposit on something which would be totally unsuitable for the sort of journey I'm doing. I enjoy a 'sporty' drive when pushing it - but was hoping for a typical mercedes refined drive when taking it easy.

If anyone else has any experience with AMG tuned cars (in particular the C class Coupe) I'd be interested in hearing from you!

I felt the dealer were trying to say anything they could to pressure me into buying the saloon there and then. I expected better of Mercedes, but judging by forum posts my experience isn't out of the ordinary!

 

[bitonw]

Can't really tell you.

But I know that I had 2 Lexus IS200 before with those low profile tires and stiff suspension... For me never even again... I commuted for 3 months between Birmingham and Bristol (up and down the M5) and was very tired of the road noise and that you feel every bump in the road. Nice if you are a boy racer and drive up and down the local road in the weekend to impress some chicks...

The only thing I can tell you is just drive that AMG and feel it your self and turn that radio off... And also try some more cars to feel the difference and don't believe a word of those nice sales talk.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

My 2002 C220 CDI Evo Pan Coupe (17 inch Evo wheels) is pretty bumpy, in fact I was going to make a post myself on the matter! I'm doing 115 miles a day and kinda wish I'd gone for something with a less sporty suspension/feel about the roads. As somebody has said above though, try it for yourself i.e. test drive the AMG Evo and make a decision. In the event you don't want the car you've put deposit on, you may be able to claim the deposit back on the basis you hadn't seen/test driven the car and the fact that you are using it to but a different Mercedes?! Not sure.. worth a try though

 

[bitonw]

Mercedes Benz has 2 sites in Bristol (same group) one close to the river Avon and one close to the shopping Mall. You can use that deposit for what ever you want to buy with them. Take your time! And test drive longer that just a drive around the church!!!

 

[mister_cee333]

Hi,
I'm barking up a slightly different tree here but I hope this is of interest regarding your deposit.
If the purchase of a vehicle is dependant on a hire purchase agreement via the dealer, and the agreement breaks down (ie you cancel the application, or they refuse it) then you are legally entitled to your FULL deposit back. However this is only possible during "a short window of time" before the agreement is signed as accepted by both parties. This is definately the case in Scotland as i recently had reason to research. I looked at the citizens advice beareau website for the info.
Hope this helps.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

My car is not exactly the same package ie, E Class 210 Avantgarde spec, but it does have the harder springs on 16" wheels and when the tyres are inflated to the recommended 32psi the ride is fairly hard (I wouldn't want it any harder) so how the AMG guys manage I don't know. Funnily enough I know when the tyres require a bit of air because even dropping the pressure by 1-2 psi softens the ride.

Would choose the Avantgarde spec again but would definitely not fit anything lower than the standard 55 profile tyres.

Tyres with a 65 profile provide the most comfortable ride, but if you want performance and sharper turn in you've got to reduce the tyrewall dimension.

At the end of the day if you do a lot of miles the last thing you need is a bone shaking ride (almost guarranteed on most British roads).

 

[thespirit3]

Thanks all. The deposit isn't such a huge issue - as I've decided on a C class, and can transfer it to a different vehicle if needed. I've arranged this with MB of Weston Super Mare - which I assume is the same group as the Bristol dealers.

It will be interesting to test drive the AMG coupe. My current MG (ZR 160) has very stiff suspension, with (I think) 16" alloys. It's quite a hard ride, bumpy, you feel every stone on the road - and of course being a rover, it shakes/rattles. I'm hoping the AMG coupe will retain that sportyness, but be somewhat more refined.

I'll be interested to see how Dirk Diggler's "pretty bumpy" compares with my current car. I'd hope the difference in cost between a MB and a MG/Rover would buy more than just a badge. Problem is, it may be a few weeks until the coupe is available to test drive.

Dirk Diggler:- Do you tend to notice much road noise? The dealer today was quite insistant the coupe was noticably noisier than the saloon - due to the lack of a boot 'deadening' the noise from the rear wheels - and the fact the AMG model has wider rear tyres.

The fact I've found what appears to be such a good deal (£15,000 for a 2004 model with only 14k on the clock, auto, leather interior, etc) is going to make it a tough decision. Especially as the AMG model looks so nice

 

[mioba]

try the car for yourself,

the deposit is returnable if you dont buy it!

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Thanks all. The deposit isn't such a huge issue - as I've decided on a C class, and can transfer it to a different vehicle if needed. I've arranged this with MB of Weston Super Mare - which I assume is the same group as the Bristol dealers.

It will be interesting to test drive the AMG coupe. My current MG (ZR 160) has very stiff suspension, with (I think) 16" alloys. It's quite a hard ride, bumpy, you feel every stone on the road - and of course being a rover, it shakes/rattles. I'm hoping the AMG coupe will retain that sportyness, but be somewhat more refined.

I'll be interested to see how Dirk Diggler's "pretty bumpy" compares with my current car. I'd hope the difference in cost between a MB and a MG/Rover would buy more than just a badge. Problem is, it may be a few weeks until the coupe is available to test drive.


Dirk Diggler:- Do you tend to notice much road noise? The dealer today was quite insistant the coupe was noticably noisier than the saloon - due to the lack of a boot 'deadening' the noise from the rear wheels - and the fact the AMG model has wider rear tyres.

The fact I've found what appears to be such a good deal (£15,000 for a 2004 model with only 14k on the clock, auto, leather interior, etc) is going to make it a tough decision. Especially as the AMG model looks so nice

The road noise is fine if I'm honest, I've not been in a saloon so can't comment on what the dealer is saying, for me it's simply a moan that you do feel every bump, but I love the car to bits so I'll live with the bumps!

 

[angus falconer]

I have a C43 AMG estate which replaced a C43 AMG saloon and I find the ride OK and road noise OK.

But then I traded from a Nissan 200SX with uprated springs, uprated top mounts, uprated dampers, poly bushes all round and extremely low profile tyres.

So both the AMG's are quieter and more comfortable than my previous drive.....

 

[Blobcat]

Your streets are paved with gold from what I hear, so that must make for a smooth ride.

 

[angus falconer]

Your streets are paved with gold from what I hear, so that must make for a smooth ride.

There may be gold in them but they are sufaced more like and open-cast mine....

 

[thespirit3]

Thanks again. I called the dealer in Weston just to mention my concerns - and he said (in his opinion) I don't need to worry. He described my current car (the MG) as a rollerskate - and that the C class is in a totally different league (which, well, is as it should be really!!!).

Once they get the AMG C220 Coupe in - I'll take it for a spin.

I can't wait to try it

 

[jberks]

I'd just add to the other comments. I have the E class (211) avangarde with stiffened suspension and 17'' wheels and to be honest, I prefer the ride and noise on my Dad's standard E class. I love the look of mine and enjoy throwing it into a roundabout every now and then, but having commuted 90 miles each day, whilst it's perfectly acceptable, and better than most, I can't say, hand on heart, that I'd do the same again.
Also, wider, lower profile tyres are more expensive into the bargain. A concern on higher mileage work in a Merc as they do tend to eat tyres.

 

[Blobcat]

Also, wider, lower profile tyres are more expensive into the bargain. A concern on higher mileage work in a Merc as they do tend to eat tyres.

Another reason I changed to the 16" wheels, I am having some new tyres (Vikings) on Thursday £80 all in inc VAT ea.

 

[television]

I'd just add to the other comments. I have the E class (211) avangarde with stiffened suspension and 17'' wheels and to be honest, I prefer the ride and noise on my Dad's standard E class. I love the look of mine and enjoy throwing it into a roundabout every now and then, but having commuted 90 miles each day, whilst it's perfectly acceptable, and better than most, I can't say, hand on heart, that I'd do the same again.
Also, wider, lower profile tyres are more expensive into the bargain. A concern on higher mileage work in a Merc as they do tend to eat tyres.

The standard wheels on my SL were 255 x45 x 17", but has the AMG wheels 255 x 40 x 18" front and 285 x 35 x 18" back. New cars come with 255 x 40 x 18" I can see no point in the huge fat things that I have, other than the fact that they are good for the tyre trade, they spin very easily, when I see some twin spokes on E bay, I may change over to them. As you say they do not last long.

Malcolm

 

[bitonw]

If you make about 40k miles a year have a good think about your costs and comfort. i.e. low profile tyres etc. May be your job pays you very well and want to spend it all on your transport?

 

[thespirit3]

Convincing arguments. I wonder if it would be possible/practical to change to more standard wheels... or if I should just look at a different vehicle to begin with.

Thanks again for all your comments. Certainly given me something to think about.