Unsatisfying handling on W208!!!

[SQ_W211]

Hello all,

I am hoping someone can assist me with a major problem with my Car, When i say problem, its not really an issue, but more of a concern. I am not happy with the body roll/Handling of the car. In most sharp corners, it seems to go all over the place and doesnt seem to stick to the road as well.

Its a W208 CLK 230 with standard suspension however i have upgraded alloys to 18X8.5 wheels all around. These alloys came with cheap non branded wheels which i think also might be adding to the problem but I don't want to change them as yet as they have only really done 1500 miles.

I am thinking about fitting better suspension or stiffer springs to get that satisfaction from ride. Is this a wise choice?? Can i ask other W208 owners if they are satisfied with the ride and handling.

Any suggestions?

Regards

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

If your car is a elegance then it was never really intended to have laser Sharpe handling.

The avant-garde set up will be a bit harsher but will handle on the corners far better.

Make sure the existing shocks are ok and no broken springs.

 

[SQ_W211]

Shocks and springs are fine and it is elegance so that explains it. Do you think its worth changing the suspensions to a stiffer/lower one?

 

[Rory]

I have a W203 (facelift) Avantgarde and I would describe it as unsatisfying too. It's not a patch on the company Peugeot 406s and (especially) the Mondeos I've had before.

What I have found is that on the odd occasion where I've driven the car hard, it responds much better, almost as if it seems to hunker down and get stuck in. Bizzarely (for a "Mercedes") it's worse when being driven gently.

 

[d215yq]

My car's just developed similar symptoms - car rolls and twists and rear slides about on uneven surfaces, i've found its a rear shock gone (leaked fluid all over drive and rear of car keeps bouncing when pushed down and then let go).

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

I have a W203 (facelift) Avantgarde and I would describe it as unsatisfying too. It's not a patch on the company Peugeot 406s and (especially) the Mondeos I've had before.

What I have found is that on the odd occasion where I've driven the car hard, it responds much better, almost as if it seems to hunker down and get stuck in. Bizzarely (for a "Mercedes") it's worse when being driven gently.

Which aspect of the ride are you unsatisfied with Rory?

 

[television]

My car's just developed similar symptoms - car rolls and twists and rear slides about on uneven surfaces, i've found its a rear shock gone (leaked fluid all over drive and rear of car keeps bouncing when pushed down and then let go).

They are very easy to change

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

They are very easy to change

Yes and do change the pair at the rear.

 

[SQ_W211]

does anyone know the suspension set up on an Avantgarde??

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

Same as yours but stiffer springs and anti roll bars, and different shocks.

 

[SQ_W211]

ok so I think stiffer/shorter springs is an option and could be the way to get slightly better ride quality and better handling.

Should I get new shocks as well or just get the springs? I dont might slightly rough ride as road now a days aren't that smooth anyway and i am use to lower/stiff ride.

 

[power-steering]

May be down to "play" in the power steering system. This could be caused by general wear and tear, pot holes or even hitting curbs..

 

[SQ_W211]

surely the body roll cant be due to power steering being at fault???

 

[power-steering]

you say you turn into a corner and it doesn't stick, wants to go all over the place.. we have this problem time to time and sometimes do find it's down to play in racks/boxes... column uj's.. but as others have also stated could even be a suspension issue.

Where are you located, you can always pop in for a free check with us.

Our address is:

Power Steering Services
Unit 5 Brookmarsh Industrial Estate
70 Norman Road
Greenwich
London
SE10 9QE

Good luck,
Jay

 

[Rory]

Which aspect of the ride are you unsatisfied with Rory?

Not ride (although that's not great) but handling.

Hard to describe really, but the car is hard to place accurately and always feels a bit "uncertain".

I really mainly use the car for long motorway runs, and on those fast, curved, intersection link roads (M40 South to M5 North for example, but there are many others) then the car feels like it's all over the place at 60 MPH or so.

I think it's all connected with the steering issue on W203 (they're often very camber sensitive). I've recently changed the original Bridgestone Turanza's (noted for stiff sidewalls) for Michelin Primacy HP's and it's noticeably better.

 

[SQ_W211]

you say you turn into a corner and it doesn't stick, wants to go all over the place.. we have this problem time to time and sometimes do find it's down to play in racks/boxes... column uj's.. but as others have also stated could even be a suspension issue.

Where are you located, you can always pop in for a free check with us.

Our address is:

Power Steering Services
Unit 5 Brookmarsh Industrial Estate
70 Norman Road
Greenwich
London
SE10 9QE

Good luck,
Jay

Thanks Jay, I am going in for A service soon and will get suspension checked out and if need be, may come over to get it checked for any steering issues.

 

[power-steering]

No problems mate. Good luck.

 

[drivinggod09]

must say the handling on my CLK230 Advanguard is spot on maybe a bit bumpy on the potholed roads in town but supurb on twisty a and b roads

 

[SQ_W211]

must say the handling on my CLK230 Advanguard is spot on maybe a bit bumpy on the potholed roads in town but supurb on twisty a and b roads

Well thats sorted then, i will get the suspension changed and maybe lower it a little to get the handling spot on like yours.

 

[drivinggod09]

toyo proxes t1-r i think you will find will make a big difference if you dont mind the rapid wear rate