Floaty Feeling when changing lanes at speed
 

Hello everyone,

I am about to pickup a C280 in a few days, but I had a question regarding something I felt while driving it. I took the car on the highway during my test drive and while changing lanes the car felt a little floaty. The seller said that he thinks one of the sway bars is loose, but I'm not so sure this is the cause.

Could it be the bushings? End links? What should I look for after I get it?

Thanks!

Maybe you should look before you get it. A few bucks now could save you huge bucks later.

I'm not super concerned about it because I'm getting a great deal. So do you have any actual ideas of what it could be?

No idea, but sometimes great deals don't turn out to be after the fact.
Are the tires bald? Was the road wet?
For a few bucks, a quick inspection at an alignment shop may pin point the problem. Aftermarket parts are not that expensive if your a good on line shopper.
It's up to you, but I would look at it before the check left my hand.

The tires aren't bald, but don't have a lot of tread left. No the road wasn't wet.

I'm in Hawaii, an inspection would probably run me $140 and a bunch of time. Traffic is horrible here and it took me about an hour to go 18 miles.

I can do most work myself so even if I need to swap bushings/sway bars/tie rods/control arms, etc, I'm not worried about labor costs.

I will more than likely replace bushings and suspension parts anyways, but if fixing the floating feeling is an easy fix I'd like to fix it sooner rather than later.

$140.00 bucks.......You need to move. and quick :-)
If your a DIY kinda guy, and have good safe jack stands, you can probably find the problem.
There was an article on the web a day or so ago, and it said Hawaii is the most expensive city to live in. Miami has a lot of beaches, and beach bunnies.....
Hope you solve the problem

Shipping is killer here too!

I really need to look at the underside of the car to see if it's really anything related to the swaybar. I guess it's possible for a swaybar to go bad, but I'm thinking it's more something else, i.e. an endlink.

I've got three jacks, four jackstands, and ramps. :)

Hawaii is expensive! I drink a LOT of milk and it's six bucks for a gallon.

The article said that milk was as high as $10.00 a gallon. You need to buy a cow.
I live in Central America, and I ship everything out of Miami. I always buy on line with shipping include (to Miami) and from there, my shipping is around $40.00 for most items, with tax and duty included. Good deal for me, but 3 to 5 weeks to get.
I use a shop here for all suspension work, as it generally requires alignment after. It is deadly cheap here, and the soap to wash your hands after working on the car is probably more expensive. For $1500.00 US a month, you live like a King, and that includes rent, maid, food, entertainment, utilities, gas, insurance and so on.

If you're not wanting to do a pre-purchase inspection, then definitely get under the car and check it out for yourself. Definitely could be something bushing related. Can always ask questions or take a stroll around our tech forums for more help as well. Good luck with the purchase.

-Luccia