Glyn M Ruck

I wonder if W204's fancy (non advanced agility control) dampers are retrofitable?

johnand

They "appear" to be OK visually, no leaking present. It is slight at this point, so I can probably live with it a little longer. Just not ready to spend that kind of $$$ on the suspension yet.

Control arm bushings look fine too.

johnand

Interesting, may take a look and see. I was thinking of going with the Koni FSD's as replacements. Haven't decided on whether I want to go with lowering springs or not.

Glyn M Ruck

Koni have a good reputation - Lowering is not sensible in SA - Too many speed bumps, raised drain covers & other road hazards. My car had seen a minor front apron touchdown at delivery new!

LILBENZ230

Don't lower.

johnand

I was waiting for you to chime in on that

LILBENZ230

I realize I am in the minority but I think lowering makes a car look ridiculous. Frank pointed out to me once, though, that pre-facelift cars sit much higher than our facelift Sport models. If you have crappy roads and stuff and don't plan to drive 10/10ths or at a track why lower?

Even if I didn't absolutely hate the way a lowered car looks, my C230 is stiff enough. If the ride became stiffer it would be uncomfortable.. like.. maybe a 135i which has a ridiculously harsh ride. Also I stress enough as it is about the already low front end over speed bumps and turning in and out of driveways. I just don't get it, I guess.

johnand

You also have much stiffer bushings than my car has. I probably won't lower, just for the shear fact that the car will likely bottom out on my driveway. My Sentra does already, and it is not very low.

I would just love to have the front about 1" lower and the rear about 1/2". IMO, that would give the car the perfect look/stance. Honestly, I am so used to driving cars with highly modified suspension, I think the 203 rides quite soft. I obviously have a skewed view. I would absolutely love to track my car someday too.

Though, I do agree for the most part the suspension in the 203 Sport is damn good, as it has decent handling and good compliance, though I feel the suspension is a tad under dampened in stock form and has too much understeer. So, I may just swap to Koni FSD's, add the Eibach rear swaybar and call it a day.

LILBENZ230

Understeer is a complaint I hear from you and Drew and I think it has to do with the V6 added weight and somewhat softer suspension. My 05 doesn't have an understeer problem although it will if pushed to the max.

I wish my car had the suspension and steering modifications from your 2007, actually. Mine feels more stiffly sprung than the 2007 I have driven.

LILBENZ230

Anyway, I can't believe these parts are already worn out. Are you super sensitive to things or is it really that noticeable? Judging by the posts I read daily on this forum I must have one of the better W203 examples.

johnand

I am very sensitive to changes in driveability in my vehicles. It is like I said very slight at this point. It did in fact start to happen after hitting a few incredibly deep holes created in the road that was under construction. Even at very slow speeds the suspension bottomed out and completely extended a few times with incredibly loud bangs.

LILBENZ230

I hate when that happens! I am pretty sensitive but maybe not as much as you. The women I know could have a tire fall off and they'd never notice till someone pointed it out.

Glyn M Ruck

The first thing such bangs usually damage is the sway bar links. I think the valve pack in your struts is getting lazy.

W203E35

A quick question for you guys...can a broken engine mount affects the way your car handles?

Glyn M Ruck

Karo - slightly - anything that allows weight of the engine's magnitude to move around in the chassis can harm handling.

You really need to get that thing fixed before the other mountings fail on engine & tranny.

If you break another mount you could end up doing a lot of damage - e.g. the engine going through the radiator & aircon condenser & fan etc. under heavy braking. This could also damage exhausts, gear shifter etc. You must replace that mounting.

W203E35

Thanks Glyn, I'll take care of that pretty soon. I'm trying to figure out what suspension parts I need to change to make my car the same when I first got it so then I can order everything at once and have a long weekend of repair.