Making a 230TE handle

[Sheldy]

I have got a W124 230TE as a runaround and I was wondering how to make the car handle just that little bit better!

Having had experience of the 300TE with sportsline suspension I find the 230 just a bit too 'boaty' tbh!

What are the best ways to get it to handle that little bit better?

 

[clive williams]

I have got a W124 230TE as a runaround and I was wondering how to make the car handle just that little bit better!

Having had experience of the 300TE with sportsline suspension I find the 230 just a bit too 'boaty' tbh!

What are the best ways to get it to handle that little bit better?

How far do you want to go? New bushes, new springs and uprated dampers from Bilstein, Koni or Sachs. Thereafter you will require to enlist the skill of a good handling specialist e.g. Harvey Bailey, AMG, Rennsport, Brabus

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[Ramius]

Hi.

I have the 300te 24 and find that while shes still smooth and delicate shes also quite a handler for her size.

Another option might be to grab the parts from another TE boat being scrapped?

 

[Bolide]

Standard vs Sportline

In general I think the benefits of Sportline vs standard are overstated. If you return the car to standard spec by replacing whatever's worn I think you'll find it quite acceptable. The quicker rack on the Sportline cars is part of their appeal and that will be an expensive thing to retrofit

One of the big differences between the cars is around 100 Kg in front of the front axle line. The 4-cylinder cars are much lighter and, to my mind, the difference that brings is more noticeable than Sportline suspension

I find Sportline to be a bit too compromised when compared with a standard car. But that's a personal view and i don't think that many people agree with me 100%!


Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Sheldy]

Thanks for the replies guys,

Clive, I wasn't really wanting to go as far as fitting adjustable koni's or poly bushes (I have them on my Sierra Cosworth!). Both for cost reasons and comfort. The estate is my family car so comfort is a factor!

Ramius, thats kind of the idea I had in mind but I was really wondering what parts have to be transferred and is it likely to be expensive or as Bolide said would it be better to just renew existing shocks and bushes with new standard items?

Also I've noticed my dads 300TD estate seems to sit lower at the front and handle better, it doesn't look like an aftermarket kit on it, could this have been fitted with dampers from a different model?

 

[clive williams]

Thanks for the replies guys,

Clive, I wasn't really wanting to go as far as fitting adjustable koni's or poly bushes (I have them on my Sierra Cosworth!). Both for cost reasons and comfort. The estate is my family car so comfort is a factor!

Ramius, thats kind of the idea I had in mind but I was really wondering what parts have to be transferred and is it likely to be expensive or as Bolide said would it be better to just renew existing shocks and bushes with new standard items?

Also I've noticed my dads 300TD estate seems to sit lower at the front and handle better, it doesn't look like an aftermarket kit on it, could this have been fitted with dampers from a different model?

Sheldy,
If you consider that the car is currently wallowing like a boat then changing the suspension from a dismantled car will also probably prove to be knackered. You will waste time and money on worn out components and be in denial about the results.
Refreshing the vehicle with new bushes/springs/dampers to standard spec but good quality (not MB!) will transform a tired wagon.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[Bolide]

Low front end

Also I've noticed my dads 300TD estate seems to sit lower at the front and handle better, it doesn't look like an aftermarket kit on it, could this have been fitted with dampers from a different model?

My old 1987 250TD is very low at the front end and is, AFAIK, completely standard (no suspension work in the last 10 years). It also handles better than any W124 I've driven

Whether there was a big difference with early cars I don't know, but the diesel engined cars have a heavy engine and all early cars on original springs must be sagging a bit. I suspect the early cars had subtly different geometry as my 250TD turns in brilliantly

I think a soft front end, big front bar and a stiff rear end may be the setup you want. Whether it's worth chasing that by modifying the car I don't know

I think the front bar, bushes & geometry are critical. My 250TD turns in, rolls & loads up the bar but then can be steered very accurately. Later cars seem to change attitude, then roll & understeer more as you add lock, which suggests a softer bar. Certainly changing direction mid-corner in a later car isn't really on, which is a surprise after my old diesel!


Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk