C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

New C32, ride is too rough, what to check?

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Old 08-17-2014, 01:42 AM
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'02 C32
New C32, ride is too rough, what to check?

Hi everyone, just purchased a fairly modded 2002 C32 recently and am starting to get it back into shape after it was neglected a little bit by a college kid. Love the car, and just put a quick 6000 miles on it over two weeks on a run around the country.

The wife, however, is pretty bummed about the ride quality: small bumps reach into the cabin, large bumps are hell, and I've been bottoming out (tire to wheel well) pretty often, mostly on highway bridges, with maybe 500lbs of people and cargo for the recent trip. I'm not sure what exactly the culprit is. Here's what's in it:

106,000 miles
255/35/18 Potenza RE760 Sports, new in rear, 75% in front
Renntech springs (ride height is -low-, no gap in back at all, probably #1 pad)
K-mac bushings
H&R front sway bar
stock (Sachs?) shocks and struts.

So, any idea what to suspect here? Maybe a combination of low-profile tires, stiffer springs, and possibly worn struts? Something else? Any help would be appreciated before the wife makes me buy a pr***!

Last edited by basc; 08-17-2014 at 01:50 AM.
Old 08-17-2014, 02:34 AM
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Current: C217 V12TT AMG Previously: C55 AMG, SL65 AMG
Originally Posted by basc
Hi everyone, just purchased a fairly modded 2002 C32 recently and am starting to get it back into shape after it was neglected a little bit by a college kid. Love the car, and just put a quick 6000 miles on it over two weeks on a run around the country.

The wife, however, is pretty bummed about the ride quality: small bumps reach into the cabin, large bumps are hell, and I've been bottoming out (tire to wheel well) pretty often, mostly on highway bridges, with maybe 500lbs of people and cargo for the recent trip. I'm not sure what exactly the culprit is. Here's what's in it:

106,000 miles
255/35/18 Potenza RE760 Sports, new in rear, 75% in front
Renntech springs (ride height is -low-, no gap in back at all, probably #1 pad)
K-mac bushings
H&R front sway bar
stock (Sachs?) shocks and struts.

So, any idea what to suspect here? Maybe a combination of low-profile tires, stiffer springs, and possibly worn struts? Something else? Any help would be appreciated before the wife makes me buy a pr***!
Pretty much those three things. I suspect you test drove and bought the car without her, which now you find to be ill advised?
Old 08-17-2014, 04:27 AM
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2002 C32AMG
Originally Posted by basc
So, any idea what to suspect here? Maybe a combination of low-profile tires, stiffer springs, and possibly worn struts? Something else? Any help would be appreciated before the wife makes me buy a pr***!


If you're not willing to go back to stock suspension components the best way to get some cushion is some higher profile, soft sidewall tires but cornering will suffer badly and tires aren't cheap.
Old 08-17-2014, 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by C3Duece
If you're not willing to go back to stock suspension components the best way to get some cushion is some higher profile, soft sidewall tires but cornering will suffer badly and tires aren't cheap.
I am actually ok with bringing the suspension back to stock in this case, but would prefer avoiding the cost of new wheels and tires. I've found almost everything already, but can you recommend a good source for stock springs?
Old 08-17-2014, 01:44 PM
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'03 C32, '14 Durango R/T, '10 Touareg TDI
Where are you located? I have a set of stock springs from my '03 C32 with about 60K miles. I put on Eibachs a couple months ago. $100 plus shipping?
Old 08-17-2014, 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by steverwrx
Where are you located? I have a set of stock springs from my '03 C32 with about 60K miles. I put on Eibachs a couple months ago. $100 plus shipping?
Nice, pm sent.
Old 08-18-2014, 12:05 AM
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c32 amg
rough ride c32amg

My c32 was too rough also with H&R coilovers. I "detuned" to Bilstein sport shocks/struts and H&R springs from Tire Rack. Car still lower than stock ,but looks good and much better ride. I have a set of AMG stock springs listed on Ebay for 150.00 if interested, this includes shipping. I can drop the cost a bit,but shippingfrom VA to CA is pricey. item # on ebay is :151379862498 dusty

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