E320 CDI Sports Suspension Option

[Bowruss]

Hello everyone

I've had my E Class estate for a week now and it's great!

It's an Avantgarde 2004 and has the sports suspension with the wider and probably lower profile tyres. It goes round corners like it was on rails and seems a lot more level than my brother's E 320CDI Avantgarde without the sports option although his rides a bit smoother - probably the higher profile rubber.

Does anyone know if the dealer can tweak the suspesion? I know this seems a bit nerdy since I'm already well impressed with the handling but we're all seekers after the truth aren't we?

Regards, Russ

 

[jberks]

I don't think there is anything the dealer can do, aside from possibly converting it to AMG spec for some insane amount. I have the same setup as you and as it is, she's just on the right side of comfortable so I really wouldn't want to tweak it any further. It's fun out cornering the boy racers though!

 

[clive williams]

Hello everyone

I've had my E Class estate for a week now and it's great!

It's an Avantgarde 2004 and has the sports suspension with the wider and probably lower profile tyres. It goes round corners like it was on rails and seems a lot more level than my brother's E 320CDI Avantgarde without the sports option although his rides a bit smoother - probably the higher profile rubber.

Does anyone know if the dealer can tweak the suspesion? I know this seems a bit nerdy since I'm already well impressed with the handling but we're all seekers after the truth aren't we?

Regards, Russ

Hi Russ,

Please don't take this the wrong way - can you make the most of the suspension you already have? Modern cars have limits, which are so high in standard form that most people don't have the capability or (should not) have the opportunity to explore. Suspensions systems are all about compromise so a sports suspension is likely to favour handling over comfort. Anything more than that would deal in unacceptable compromises that would affect everyday motoring enjoyment.
If you want a car with 'ultimate' handling go build a special and use it in a competitive environment - track days or rally stages otherwise IMO its a waste of time and a frustrating experience.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[Bowruss]

Thanks Clive and jberks.

I think you're right Clive. I also full agree with what jberks said. The car is so good as it is it would be a shame to try to get some small improvement which can only be felt in extra special circumstances and possibly reduce the car's comfort for everyday use. It was just that the non MB dealer I bought it off thought dealer tuning was possible and I thought I'd check it out with you guys.

Thanks again, Russ.

 

[clive williams]

Thanks Clive and jberks.

I think you're right Clive. I also full agree with what jberks said. The car is so good as it is it would be a shame to try to get some small improvement which can only be felt in extra special circumstances and possibly reduce the car's comfort for everyday use. It was just that the non MB dealer I bought it off thought dealer tuning was possible and I thought I'd check it out with you guys.

Thanks again, Russ.

Hi Russ,

I suspect your dealer gave a slightly misleading idea of the 'tuning' that was available. Some MBs (not all) have the facility within their suspensions to adjust certain parameter like castor, toe-in/out and camber to enable the designed set up to be reached regardless of manufacturing tolerences. This adjustment could be labled 'fine tuning'.
I supect that a knowledgable suspension expert could dial in a more sporty feel but it would be at the expense of other compromises and I doubt whether the fitters at MB garages have that ability. In any case there would be a lot of costly testing involved.
I have in the past used the adjustment facility on a (sadly) departed Audi to adjust the camber on the front to give 2 deg neg. instead of the 1 deg neg. as standard. The aim was to improve the front end grip, which it did at the severe expense of tyre life. The car would corner just like a big BMC Mini and had unbelievable grip but ground the inside edges mercilessly especially when manoeuvring in the supermarket car park. Tyres lasted about 25% of their normal life having to cope with the reduction in available grip especially in a straight line. I soon put the camber back to standard as I found that I could only enjoy it about 1% of the time when the wife let me use the car on my own!
It is still worthwhile taking your car to a good suspension workshop and have the whole thing laser aligned to close standard specs and you will (probably) be surprised at the improvement. That same Audi I mentioned above I bought with 1.5deg -ve on the N/S and 1.5deg +ve on the O/S! The N/S ball joint had been previously replaced correctly but the O/S was as produced in the factory - it just goes to show how much effort is applied by the production staff and dealership subsequently to have let such a badly handling car do 70k mls on the public highway.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210