E320 Suspension

[DAMIEN]

Have e320 estate petrol 1997 avantgarde and I find suspension very hard.
Is it possible to raise suspension or soften the ride in any way?
thanks,
DAMIEN

 

[Bolide]

You could change the springs & shocks to the softer spec. But I'd look at the condition of the suspension bushes, arb droplinks & arb bushes before you do that

I'd also have a think about the wheel diameter & tyres you're running - 18s with low-profiles will give a much harder ride than 17s or 16s and some tyres are much harder than others

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[DAMIEN]

E320

Thanks for reply and advice,have already changed the 18in or 16in.

 

[kth286]

Bolide

Do you not think that his self-levelling system has broken ?

 

[Bolide]

Do you not think that his self-levelling system has broken ?

I think something's out of whack but am not confident enough in my knowledge of W210s, and the description of the problem, to suggest what

I certainly wouldn't start buying springs & shocks, though, until I'd looked at bushes & rear suspension

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Jack the Lad]

I have a 2000 E320 Avantgarde saloon which came with lowered suspension, 18 inch wheels & low profile tyres. It is definitely the smoothest car I've ever travelled in and way better than any of the A6 Audis and 5 series BMWs which friends have. It's the only Mercedes I've ever ridden in so can't compare it with others, which must be like driving on jelly, as my spec seems to be considered a hard ride (by Merc standards) by those in the know!

You might reasonably expect an estate to be more stiffly suspended (unladen) than a saloon, but even allowing for that, if it is bad enough to describe as a 'very hard' ride there must be a mechanical problem... or you have an unusually sensitive backside

 

[DAMIEN]

Thanks for all the replies,will leave car and suggestions with mechanic.

 

[OlafMaxwell]

Hard suspensions...

I have the classic suspension set up, we specifically requested this instead of the Avantgarde set up. it has the standard 162 wheels and 225 55 16 tyres.

I tried a car with the harder suspension and 18" wheels, they are fine on motorways but a bit hard on poor country roads.

 

[DAMIEN]

Hi,
mechanic reckons the front springs are kaput,he is replacing them tomorrow,
will report on difference if any.