crxsnow

I have a C300 w/ the sport package and 18" rims. The highest point of the arc on the fender (wheel well?) to the ground is 28". Is that normal? The distance from top of tire to high point on fender is 2.5".
I've seen other makes with a smaller wheel gap than mine. If you have the sport package w/ steel springs or sport package w/ Airmatic, can you please list what height you have on your car?


Unsightly wheel gap...

c4004matic

Should have gotten airmatic if you were worried about the gap!!!!!! The regular suspension is set to the highest airmatic setting.
BTW I wouldn't worry about it if I were you it looks just fine to me.

bwoodbmw

I would love to see others actually measure this though...

DanW205

I just measured it on my car (C400 w no sport package). The highest point on the fender is 26 3/4 inches and my wheel gap is much smaller than the one in the picture above....maybe the extra weight of the V6 makes the C400 sit lower than the C300?

c4004matic

Try this vid:

bwoodbmw

Interesting that a C400 would sit a full 1.25 inches lower than a C300.... both on "sport" suspension. There seems to be a lot of inconsistency with ride height so if we could get more ground to fender measurements with how the car is specced it might be interesting.

chuckieboy

I just got a rwd c300 sport and my gap is also 2.5' in the front and even larger in the rear. My car looks a lot like the original posters.

It is odd that the space is so much larger than a C400 even though I got the sport which supposedly lowers the suspension.

Did you ever figure out if this is the correct height or are there strut spacers or something that needed to be removed for shipping?

Raido31

C400 has heavier engine which could explain lower height if there are no other changes

bartola

That video shows the european links for airmatic - these links replace the factory links (only on airmatic suspension). Search for airmatic lowering you will see how low the car gets with airmatic. - One of the reasons I ordered my car with it.

bartola

Over time and use it will settle a bit lower than that (from experience with my CLA and BMW E46). Or get a lowering kit.

vic viper

All Mercs has a point system for calculating spring stiffness, the C400 have more points in the base build pattern and then you add points for every option added, such as Auto transmission, moon roof and so on.


This should make every vehicle similar in height but they will never be exactly the same.


I am surprised how Mercedes over time always seem to have chosen a rather large weheel gap, even on sport models,
looking at the competition such as BMW or Audi they usually have a much more aggressive stance.

vsnlweb

Agreed with Bartola. Over time you suspension will settle and get lower. This can take up 6 months based on some people. Should settle to around half to an inch. They're all different unfortunately.

oachim

Mine is 28 inchs as well and looks similar to yours, crxsnow

Strange to see it is so different from c400 as it has same weight - 1650 kg, 4matic, automatic transmission, etc

Their calibration system might miss something as the photo below does not look good to my eyes - rear wheel.

Suggestions, other then touching the springs are highly appreciated - wheels, tires, etc. car hasn't been delivered - would it be possible to change them before delivery and get 19" wheels instead ? Any experience on similar trading ?

Thankfully
Amo

jkyriakou

I specd the AMG line with steel springs.

It sits beautifully low. On 19s however. I'll post pics tomorrow.

vic viper

Bigger wheels wont change anything, the distance between tire edge and fender will still be the same as the wheel has the same outer diameter (if using the correct size tires that is)

oachim

Should I understand I cannot fit 50 or 55 tires instead of current 45 ?

Thank you
Amo

vic viper

You could but it will look horrible and your speedo will be off.

mdsbuc

This, of course, is absolutely true by way of measurement, but visually there is more of an illusion of filling the space better with the bigger wheels. The eye is drawn to the outer edge of the wheel, and the "blackness" of the combined space for the tire and the wheel well is diminished.

BenzC400

My C400 in with AIRMATIC and 19 inch wheels in comfort mode measures 27 3/4 inches from the ground to fender

oachim

Which is the correct tires size for 19" wheels ?

Than you
Amo

vic viper

225/40 and 255/35

chuckieboy

I just measured mine from the ground and it is also 28"

I have the same as you, sport and 18" c300. So this sounds normal if a bit disappointing. The car just looks too tall even though it does drive great.

Hopefully it will drop over time as others have suggested.

oachim

vic, do you know the reason for the difference between front (225/45) and rear (245/40) - my current setup ?

those 3-4 mm ( or maybe 5-6mm ) seem to have a visual impact at least in my case ...

thank you
amo

oachim

maybe I'm wrong, but according to my calculations by changing 18" 245/40 with 19" 255/35 (rear) the distance btw. tire and fender should decrease by 4 mm ... of course, don't know the visual impact...

any photo of AMG exterior + standard suspension (485) + 19" wheels is appreciated + C300 or C250 bluetec 4 matic ...

thank you,
amo

mikbar2

4 mm is equal to app. 1/8 of an inch. Not much for the price of tires.