W213 ‘Bouncy’ feeling over bumps

[Joe88]

Hi all,

Had my Eclass a little over a month and have noticed something I’ve never experienced in a car before. When at speeds above 50ish, more noticeable at 60-70, when going over sharp bumps/potholes/bridge joints etc, I get a little bounce. It feels like the front wheels are still bouncing for a second after going over the bump, this is mainly felt through the steering but you can also feel it a bit through the seats.

Is this normal? It almost feels like the dampers aren’t absorbing the shock properly and preventing the wheels from bouncing on the springs. It is the selective damping system with 15mm lowering. I’ve previously owned an A7 on soft suspension and 2x A4’s on S line suspension and have never felt anything like this? Could it be the tyres or do I need the suspension checking out? It’s done 43k miles.

Thanks

 

[Blobcat]

I see quite a lot of cars driving with failed shock absorbers, you see the wheels bouncing for awhile after hitting a road imperfection. I’d get the dampers checked.

 

[Joe88]

I see quite a lot of cars driving with failed shock absorbers, you see the wheels bouncing for awhile after hitting a road imperfection. I’d get the dampers checked.

That’s the sort of thing I’m imagining. I followed a car the other day with a failed rear shock but the wheel was bouncing around like crazy! I don’t think it’s quite that bad, but maybe it is time for a trip to the garage.

 

[Janchee]

Hi all,

Had my Eclass a little over a month and have noticed something I’ve never experienced in a car before. When at speeds above 50ish, more noticeable at 60-70, when going over sharp bumps/potholes/bridge joints etc, I get a little bounce. It feels like the front wheels are still bouncing for a second after going over the bump, this is mainly felt through the steering but you can also feel it a bit through the seats.

Is this normal? It almost feels like the dampers aren’t absorbing the shock properly and preventing the wheels from bouncing on the springs. It is the selective damping system with 15mm lowering. I’ve previously owned an A7 on soft suspension and 2x A4’s on S line suspension and have never felt anything like this? Could it be the tyres or do I need the suspension checking out? It’s done 43k miles.

Thanks

I’ve driven an E class on the air suspension and it’s honestly amazing. So if you’re feeling that, get it checked out straight away as those units per corner are seriously not cheap!!

 

[Joe88]

I’ve driven an E class on the air suspension and it’s honestly amazing. So if you’re feeling that, get it checked out straight away as those units per corner are seriously not cheap!!

This one isn’t air suspension unfortunately, that’s what I want the most but budget couldn’t stretch. Just passive, just feels unsettled over bumps and rough roads. I’ve had it checked and apparently it’s all fine but I’m not convinced. Might have to take it to Mercedes directly.

 

[Janchee]

This one isn’t air suspension unfortunately, that’s what I want the most but budget couldn’t stretch. Just passive, just feels unsettled over bumps and rough roads. I’ve had it checked and apparently it’s all fine but I’m not convinced. Might have to take it to Mercedes directly.

How many miles?

 

[Joe88]

How many miles?

44000 now

 

[Janchee]

44000 now

Steering feel fine? Any other symptoms to report? I’ve just had my rear ones replaced at 55k miles and it is a lot better on the rear sway. The front suspension on these is very soft.

One other area is to check mounts and strut top mounts. You can visually check the shock mounts from the engine bay.

What is the spec / year of the W213?

 

[Joe88]

Steering feel fine? Any other symptoms to report? I’ve just had my rear ones replaced at 55k miles and it is a lot better on the rear sway. The front suspension on these is very soft.

One other area is to check mounts and strut top mounts. You can visually check the shock mounts from the engine bay.

What is the spec / year of the W213?

Steering feels ok, there’s a very slight notch when turning at low speed but fine otherwise.
That’s what I’m confused about, it doesn’t actually feel that soft especially over rough roads. It just feels unsettled and a bit hard. Then at higher speed I get the resonance when going over a sharp bump, as if the tyres are bouncing a little for a second after going over it.

The rear does swing around a little when going round bends if I hit a bump.. like I go over it and then the rest of the car reacts to it after?

It’s a 2017 e220 se.

 

[Janchee]

Steering feels ok, there’s a very slight notch when turning at low speed but fine otherwise.
That’s what I’m confused about, it doesn’t actually feel that soft especially over rough roads. It just feels unsettled and a bit hard. Then at higher speed I get the resonance when going over a sharp bump, as if the tyres are bouncing a little for a second after going over it.

The rear does swing around a little when going round bends if I hit a bump.. like I go over it and then the rest of the car reacts to it after?

It’s a 2017 e220 se.

Low speed notch? I've had exactly the same issue. Found the steering gear to be faulty. Read this forum, it may be useful https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?threads/e-class-steering-click.183911/

There are multiple complaints of the w213 feeling unsettled on the road. Are you on Runflats?

If the wheel hits something, and then the steering goes very light for a minute second > This is the shocks.

Front shocks (MB OEM) are about £250 for parts
Rear shocks (MB OEM) are about £180 for parts

Take it to a good MB independent, and take them out for a drive. See what they think.

 

[Joe88]

Low speed notch? I've had exactly the same issue. Found the steering gear to be faulty. Read this forum, it may be useful https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?threads/e-class-steering-click.183911/

There are multiple complaints of the w213 feeling unsettled on the road. Are you on Runflats?

If the wheel hits something, and then the steering goes very light for a minute second > This is the shocks.

Front shocks (MB OEM) are about £250 for parts
Rear shocks (MB OEM) are about £180 for parts

Take it to a good MB independent, and take them out for a drive. See what they think.

Yes only really notice at low speeds but the notch is kind of around 10 o’clock, I’ve felt it at around 30 on a roundabout.

Ive not noticed the steering going light, it’s more of a resonance coming up through the wheel for a second or so and then settles again. It does feel like it’s just bouncing a bit on the springs and the shocks aren’t working properly.

Tyres aren’t run flat but they aren’t a good brand either.. triangle? I think they were put on it to get it through the MOT.

There is a specialist down the road, I’ll take it to them!

 

[mattkh]

........ I followed a car the other day with a failed rear shock but the wheel was bouncing around like crazy!

Was the tyre actually lifting off the road as the wheel was bouncing ?

 

[Joe88]

Was the tyre actually lifting off the road as the wheel was bouncing ?

No it’s still on the road, it’s just like a resonance that comes up through the steering for a second after hitting a sharp bump, like the suspension hasn’t damped the wheels properly?

 

[Janchee]

If it helps @Joe88 , just had an S213 and the front left had this exact same issue. It was a 70 plate with less than 10k miles. MB dealer said they’d investigate but don’t know what they will find.