Handling improvements

[johned]

Morning All. My current car is a 2013 E220 estate which I love except for the awful cornering ability. Compared to my previous E61 BMW M-sport estate it wallows and rolls into corners and just won't settle down. I was thinking of returning to another M-sport but now am considering some upgrades to improve the cornering ability instead. First thought was to change the 17'' wheels for 18s and see if that helps at all (I think going to 19s may be a bit much). If 18s help I might then consider upgrading the suspension. I'm not looking for something that knocks your teeth out over little potholes but something a bit stiffer and more controlled in the corners. Anyone tried anything similar? Thanks

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I can see your point moving from a M Sport BMW to an Avantgarde or SE Mercedes. I guess the simple answer is you should have bought the AMG Line which is equipped with 18/19in (in some cases 20in) wheels and firmer lowered suspension if you wanted a firmer ride and sharper handling and you also benefit from bigger brakes and calipers. I’d be inclined to swap the car out for the AMG Line

 

[Gazwould]

Eibach Pro kit springs with Bilstein B4 dampers will sort it .

Also find out if the sporty suspension model has thicker arbs .

 

[mioba]

I can see your point moving from a M Sport BMW to an Avantgarde or SE Mercedes. I guess the simple answer is you should have bought the AMG Line which is equipped with 18/19in (in some cases 20in) wheels and firmer lowered suspension if you wanted a firmer ride and sharper handling and you also benefit from bigger brakes and calipers. I’d be inclined to swap the car out for the AMG Line

WHS.

BMW handle differently to Mercs period and more so going from a full beast of M E62 to an E class. I would consult a merc specialist who may well know of firmer suspnsion parts that can be fitted to meet your needs.

 

[johned]

I can see your point moving from a M Sport BMW to an Avantgarde or SE Mercedes. I guess the simple answer is you should have bought the AMG Line which is equipped with 18/19in (in some cases 20in) wheels and firmer lowered suspension if you wanted a firmer ride and sharper handling and you also benefit from bigger brakes and calipers. I’d be inclined to swap the car out for the AMG Line

Cheers Malcom. Good suggestion but the car has been so reliable and, other than the cornering, I'm loath to get shut of it.

 

[johned]

WHS.

BMW handle differently to Mercs period and more so going from a full beast of M E62 to an E class. I would consult a merc specialist who may well know of firmer suspnsion parts that can be fitted to meet your

Eibach Pro kit springs with Bilstein B4 dampers will sort it .

Also find out if the sporty suspension model has thicker arbs .

Cheers Mioba. I'll have a look at those.

 

[LostKiwi]

Before doing anything does it have coils or air suspension?
If air (and being an estate it probably is at the rear at least) you have limited options.

 

[johned]

Before doing anything does it have coils or air suspension?
If air (and being an estate it probably is at the rear at least) you have limited options.

I've checked with a VIN decoder that says it has 'Avantgarde / Standard suspension'. I must admit I thought all the estates had air rear but I've never heard a pump topping the airbags up. On my previous 5 series touring every few days you'd get out of the car and hear the pump run for a few seconds topping the rear airbags up.

 

[V6Matty]

I've checked with a VIN decoder that says it has 'Avantgarde / Standard suspension'. I must admit I thought all the estates had air rear but I've never heard a pump topping the airbags up. On my previous 5 series touring every few days you'd get out of the car and hear the pump run for a few seconds topping the rear airbags up.

You won’t hear it unless the car is running, great things about Mercedes’ is they are so quiet with the SLS, you may however occasionally hear it releasing some air when stopping, mine does this on occasion.

For the fronts you could go for sport suspension, it’ll firm it up a little bit also lower it a further 5mm

 

[LostKiwi]

I've checked with a VIN decoder that says it has 'Avantgarde / Standard suspension'. I must admit I thought all the estates had air rear but I've never heard a pump topping the airbags up. On my previous 5 series touring every few days you'd get out of the car and hear the pump run for a few seconds topping the rear airbags up.

MK1 eyeball is best way to check.
If it's air it'll have a thin pipe attached to the strut somewhere.

 

[johned]

Thanks Gents. Time to grovel under the car!

 

[LostKiwi]

Look across the top of the tyre. If you can see a coil spring it's not air.
If it looks like a fat rubber tube it's air.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

All S212 estates have rear air suspension controlled by a levelling arm on the rear axle. All S212 with full airmatic with ADS (adaptive damping) have a raise/lower button on the transmission tunnel

 

[LostKiwi]

All S212 estates have rear air suspension controlled by a levelling arm on the rear axle. All S212 with full airmatic with ADS (adaptive damping) have a raise/lower button on the transmission tunnel

That's my understanding also.

 

[johned]

Cheers Gents. Checked with recshop and they confirmed it's air on the rear so front springs and rear lowering links ordered. Thanks again for the advice.