Suspension problems...(stock)
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Harm City, MD
E350 Coupe (2010)
Suspension problems...(stock)
Anyone experienced looseness in their stock suspension. Here is what I am dealing with... it almost feels like I am constantly hydroplaning or getting pulled into groves in the road all the time while driving. I drive about 55 miles one way to work so its not just a few roads I am on. Its gotten progressivly worse since the winter. I guess it just feels like I am not firmly attached to the road in anyway.
Any ideas what may be causing this?
I have it in the shop already and am just trying know what to expect.
Any ideas what may be causing this?
I have it in the shop already and am just trying know what to expect.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Nashua, NH
2008 VW GTI
When I swap on the C7 wheels the car wants to follow every crack and dip on the roadway. I really have to grip the wheel and pay a little more attention until I get used to it. It's just the way it is with wider tires.
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The C7 tires are notorious for tram lining, meaning they will follow every road imperfection. If you used standard size snow tires during the winter and just switched back to the summer tires, it can be very disconcerting.
Thread Starter
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From: Harm City, MD
E350 Coupe (2010)
Ok well I just got off the phone with the dealership and they are trying to tell me that the castor is off on the allignment and that the C230 does not come from the factory with an adjustment for this so they have to order two bolts to make the adjustment ....
This bringing the total cost for an alignment to $300+
WTF!
This bringing the total cost for an alignment to $300+
WTF!
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From: Atlanta, GA
C230 coupe 6sp
My car doesn't have the C7's but when I put the AMG swaybars on, I noticed more of what you are describing. The more rutted the road from trucks, etc, the worse it is. I think it is "normal" to some degree. You have to decide how bad yours is and if you want to spend money to try to change it.
Thread Starter
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From: Harm City, MD
E350 Coupe (2010)
So how much should I expect to spend?!
Since I havent put on aftermarket rims and havent put on new springs or shocks why do I need a castor adjustment.
Thats crap that they cant get it back to manuf specs just by making the proper adjustments, without adding bolts that should have been in place to begin with.
Since I havent put on aftermarket rims and havent put on new springs or shocks why do I need a castor adjustment.
Thats crap that they cant get it back to manuf specs just by making the proper adjustments, without adding bolts that should have been in place to begin with.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: British Columbia
C230K Sport Coupe
I would recommend everyone try this. Most of us with Evolution (C7) replace their 17" for something else (presumably 16") for winter driving. If, like me, you do your own tire changes, make sure you check your tire pressures!!! A pressure imbalance or low, can cause the tramming effect to become quite exaggerated. I noticed this on my car when I swapped out my winters for the Evolutions. Checked my pressures, and viola... better. Tire wear also has a roll here. The more worn your tires, the more trammy they will become. Remember, these are performance, low profile radial tires with a stiff sidewall, they are going to PERFORM! Performance has a price.
Good luck with Castor fix!
Good luck with Castor fix!
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Thread Starter
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From: Harm City, MD
E350 Coupe (2010)
All four tires are brand new...
Never have used anything But C7 wheels on my car.
I refuse to pay more money to mercedes for the Castor fix because I have a stock setup still and they cannot explain to me why the car cant be put back to the manufacturer's specifications without new bolts.
When I goto the shop to get work done I am paying for the fact that they have to tools to do the job.
Never have used anything But C7 wheels on my car.
I refuse to pay more money to mercedes for the Castor fix because I have a stock setup still and they cannot explain to me why the car cant be put back to the manufacturer's specifications without new bolts.
When I goto the shop to get work done I am paying for the fact that they have to tools to do the job.
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally posted by Enze6997
All four tires are brand new...
Never have used anything But C7 wheels on my car.
I refuse to pay more money to mercedes for the Castor fix because I have a stock setup still and they cannot explain to me why the car cant be put back to the manufacturer's specifications without new bolts.
When I goto the shop to get work done I am paying for the fact that they have to tools to do the job.
All four tires are brand new...
Never have used anything But C7 wheels on my car.
I refuse to pay more money to mercedes for the Castor fix because I have a stock setup still and they cannot explain to me why the car cant be put back to the manufacturer's specifications without new bolts.
When I goto the shop to get work done I am paying for the fact that they have to tools to do the job.
Unless the car is consitently pulling in one direction, there is nothing wrong with the alignment. About the only thing you could do is ask more more tow in...it will reduce the car's agility, and increase tire wear, but should make it less prone to following the pavement.
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From: Stamford, CT
2003 C230
Outland, I don't buy that
I owned a 99 M Coupe with 35 series tires on it and it never tramlined. Same with my 740i It had 45 series tires and it never tramlined either. It must be something with the suspension geometry that's causing this, let's not blame the tires. It seems that my brand new C230 Sport sedan is exhibiting the same problem. Are those rims the same as what you guys call the "C7" package?
Thanks
CZ
p.s. I will be bringing the car in for that shortly...
Thanks
CZ
p.s. I will be bringing the car in for that shortly...
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 461
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From: Atlanta, GA
C230 coupe 6sp
Re: Outland, I don't buy that
Originally posted by czachari
I owned a 99 M Coupe with 35 series tires on it and it never tramlined. Same with my 740i It had 45 series tires and it never tramlined either. It must be something with the suspension geometry that's causing this, let's not blame the tires. It seems that my brand new C230 Sport sedan is exhibiting the same problem. Are those rims the same as what you guys call the "C7" package?
Thanks
CZ
p.s. I will be bringing the car in for that shortly...
I owned a 99 M Coupe with 35 series tires on it and it never tramlined. Same with my 740i It had 45 series tires and it never tramlined either. It must be something with the suspension geometry that's causing this, let's not blame the tires. It seems that my brand new C230 Sport sedan is exhibiting the same problem. Are those rims the same as what you guys call the "C7" package?
Thanks
CZ
p.s. I will be bringing the car in for that shortly...
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Ohio
2010 C300 4matic
Originally posted by speedfrk
I even put 30 in for hwy trips since handling isn't a concern, but comfort is.
I even put 30 in for hwy trips since handling isn't a concern, but comfort is.
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From: Atlanta, GA
C230 coupe 6sp
Originally posted by Matt230K
Comfort is nice, but so is gas mileage. On a highway trip you will definitely get better gas mileage if you run it a bit higher than that.
Comfort is nice, but so is gas mileage. On a highway trip you will definitely get better gas mileage if you run it a bit higher than that.
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From: Ohio
2010 C300 4matic
Originally posted by speedfrk
My car gets 31 mpg at 75mph on the hwy. two more psi might get me 31.2mpg. I'll take the comfort.
My car gets 31 mpg at 75mph on the hwy. two more psi might get me 31.2mpg. I'll take the comfort.
Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 144
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From: Dallas
C230 K
how many miles do you have on the car?
Originally posted by Enze6997
Ok well I just got off the phone with the dealership and they are trying to tell me that the castor is off on the allignment and that the C230 does not come from the factory with an adjustment for this so they have to order two bolts to make the adjustment ....
This bringing the total cost for an alignment to $300+
WTF!
Ok well I just got off the phone with the dealership and they are trying to tell me that the castor is off on the allignment and that the C230 does not come from the factory with an adjustment for this so they have to order two bolts to make the adjustment ....
This bringing the total cost for an alignment to $300+
WTF!
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,416
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From: Charlotte, NC
Had: 1987 300TD, Had: 2004 C230 Sport Sedan, Have: 2014 E350 Sport, Have: 2019 S450
After reading this post, drove two co-workers cars:
2002 330Ci w/sport package
2002 330i w/sport package and M-wheels
Both above cars follow pavement seams, road crowns, etc., like a dog following a racoon. Same feel as my 230SportSedan, but with a ride that will knock your fillings out.
This effect is most likely due to the large tires - and is not limited to C-sport cars.
2002 330Ci w/sport package
2002 330i w/sport package and M-wheels
Both above cars follow pavement seams, road crowns, etc., like a dog following a racoon. Same feel as my 230SportSedan, but with a ride that will knock your fillings out.
This effect is most likely due to the large tires - and is not limited to C-sport cars.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 350
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From: Stamford, CT
2003 C230
Lynn, I think both BMWS had Pilot Sports on them
The C230K sedan has Michelins. The MCoupe had even lower profile tire ( 35 series ). I remember that the front shocks were not screwed in vertically. They were screwed in at an angle pointing backwards a bit to enhance high-speed stability. That car was awesome even @ 140mph.
CZ
CZ
