Instability during overtaking?
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Instability during overtaking?
Hi! I have a Merc W202 C220D Classic and it runs pretty good, except for one small thng: when I overtake bigger SUVs, trucks etc. at speeds exceeding 90kph quite often I get pushed aside by the air flow. A friend of mine has a petrol C220 and he drove me like hundred times and that never happened to his car. I find the clearance of my C-class a bit higher than his, probably this is the problem? I have stock suspension settings and the tires are brand new Continental PremiumContact 195/65/R15 on stock rims. With the old winter tires it was the same ... any suggesstions? I also attached an actual picture of the car (still with the winter tires, but the height is the same).
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From: the Evergreen State!!!
'99 C230K2.3
this is not a hard fast rule, but...
you could easily (and expensively) go w/ a wider (and larger dia.) rim setup, then go w/ obviously lower profile tires to boot... this would give you ALOT more overall stability AND handling characteristics over stock, you will def b amazed! (especially continental stock tires!)...but...i have a real feeling that your alignment is in question here, as any "normal" oem vehicle shouldnt exhibit any "out of the ordinary" push from these trucks, they obviously have to pass once in a while too!
(hondas; small toys; aspires;etc)...and some of these guys are really small and light, much lighter than u r!!! anywayz, what im suspecting is that your alignment is set "too" neutral toe and/or camber or even positve camber (doubtful though)...this would allow the slightest road variation or wind or big truck to veer u from your intended pathway!!!
hopethishelpz!!!
you could easily (and expensively) go w/ a wider (and larger dia.) rim setup, then go w/ obviously lower profile tires to boot... this would give you ALOT more overall stability AND handling characteristics over stock, you will def b amazed! (especially continental stock tires!)...but...i have a real feeling that your alignment is in question here, as any "normal" oem vehicle shouldnt exhibit any "out of the ordinary" push from these trucks, they obviously have to pass once in a while too!
(hondas; small toys; aspires;etc)...and some of these guys are really small and light, much lighter than u r!!! anywayz, what im suspecting is that your alignment is set "too" neutral toe and/or camber or even positve camber (doubtful though)...this would allow the slightest road variation or wind or big truck to veer u from your intended pathway!!!hopethishelpz!!!
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From: the Evergreen State!!!
'99 C230K2.3
heytrenkov!
im curious did ya get it in the shop 4 diagnoses?!!! keep us posted so we all can harness the knowledge 2 get her!!!
im curious did ya get it in the shop 4 diagnoses?!!! keep us posted so we all can harness the knowledge 2 get her!!!
Last edited by kalicocat; Jul 9, 2007 at 04:52 AM.
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Well actually in the last couple of weeks I wasn't at home at all, and was travelling all over the country. That's why I didn't go to the service yet, probably the next week I'll go to check out what they'll say. Thanks for the advices, but the ride with the low profile tires is a bit rough, or is it?
Another thing: when I overtake big vechicles with 20kph more than their speed (for ex. they drive with 100kph and I pass with 120) the car wobbles, but when I pass with 200 (120mph) it stays flat. The air pushes it down and it's much more stable, so I guess I should drive with 200 all the time
Just kidding, I'll start looking for some AMG rims with matching tires probably, but I wonder what to do with the almost brand new Continentals ...
Another thing: when I overtake big vechicles with 20kph more than their speed (for ex. they drive with 100kph and I pass with 120) the car wobbles, but when I pass with 200 (120mph) it stays flat. The air pushes it down and it's much more stable, so I guess I should drive with 200 all the time
Just kidding, I'll start looking for some AMG rims with matching tires probably, but I wonder what to do with the almost brand new Continentals ...
Last edited by trenkov; Jul 10, 2007 at 01:04 PM.
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W123 - 1981, w202 C200
Try AMG MonoBlock Wheels
i have theses and i like them
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...4x032&code=yes
i have theses and i like them
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...4x032&code=yes
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: the Evergreen State!!!
'99 C230K2.3
sell em
... no, the ride isnt really that rough till you get into 18's and up, and start rolling w/ any lower profile than 50-45...then the ride begins 2 get a little stiffer as u go...as i said before though, i really believe ur alignment may be in question here...poss balance of tirez could help, but it doesnt really sound like it appliez here...usu u would get a shimmy, more intense @ certain speedz, then it would go away as u go beyond that envelope...outta balance can sometimez affect handling, esp steering and returning from a pass, but it doesnt seem 2 b ur case...id check the alignment, esp. if i was about 2 invest couple a grand in new wheels and tirez!...1 bone is def cheaper than replacing that expensive meat 6-9 mos down the road (no pun intended!
)...
keep on keepin' on...
... no, the ride isnt really that rough till you get into 18's and up, and start rolling w/ any lower profile than 50-45...then the ride begins 2 get a little stiffer as u go...as i said before though, i really believe ur alignment may be in question here...poss balance of tirez could help, but it doesnt really sound like it appliez here...usu u would get a shimmy, more intense @ certain speedz, then it would go away as u go beyond that envelope...outta balance can sometimez affect handling, esp steering and returning from a pass, but it doesnt seem 2 b ur case...id check the alignment, esp. if i was about 2 invest couple a grand in new wheels and tirez!...1 bone is def cheaper than replacing that expensive meat 6-9 mos down the road (no pun intended!)...keep on keepin' on...
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The problem is not with the tires if you are talking about shear stability. Your suspension may be well worn and need replacing, in which case you could install the sportline/sport suspension for the 202. This will no longer be a problem at all. I recently drove a 2000 C230K with sport package on a 1200mile + trip, at speeds over 190km/h for most of the trip, often staying at 210km/h. This involved passing many large trucks and this problem never arose.
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