Car wallows at high motorway speed - Can anyone advise?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Oxford / Birmingham
2001 C240 Elegance Auto Lthr
Car wallows at high motorway speed - Can anyone advise?
Hi Everyone,
I have a C240 Auto and have an odd problem. At motroway speeds of 80-100Mph my car seems to "wallow" / "duck & dive" / wander right and left a bit. It is not in a single direction but I do have to keep my wits about me to correct it all the time.
Not sure if this is the cause but I had the following done recently:
1) Bushes were de-squeeked (actually didn't stop them groaning and creaking)
2) replaced 2 rear tyres. Tyres on front are Conti Sport Contacts and the new tyres on the rear are Conti Premium contacts
The problem is that I know I will be fobbed off when I take it in to the dealer and I wanted some ammo prior to my sceduled visit for a "b" service next week.
The car has approx 55000 miles on it (i.e. 2nd "b" service). Are the C240's prone to wallowing at high speed. I dont seem to reacall it being a problem prior to having the above done. I took the car back to the tyre place and got them to re-balance the tyres just in case and I have also checked my pressures and they are okay. Not sure what they sprayed onto the bushes but could this have made them too loose and this causing the problem (probably silicone spray)?
The only other thing I can think of is excessive cross wind. Is the C particualrly susceptable to this?
Cheers,
P
I have a C240 Auto and have an odd problem. At motroway speeds of 80-100Mph my car seems to "wallow" / "duck & dive" / wander right and left a bit. It is not in a single direction but I do have to keep my wits about me to correct it all the time.
Not sure if this is the cause but I had the following done recently:
1) Bushes were de-squeeked (actually didn't stop them groaning and creaking)
2) replaced 2 rear tyres. Tyres on front are Conti Sport Contacts and the new tyres on the rear are Conti Premium contacts
The problem is that I know I will be fobbed off when I take it in to the dealer and I wanted some ammo prior to my sceduled visit for a "b" service next week.
The car has approx 55000 miles on it (i.e. 2nd "b" service). Are the C240's prone to wallowing at high speed. I dont seem to reacall it being a problem prior to having the above done. I took the car back to the tyre place and got them to re-balance the tyres just in case and I have also checked my pressures and they are okay. Not sure what they sprayed onto the bushes but could this have made them too loose and this causing the problem (probably silicone spray)?
The only other thing I can think of is excessive cross wind. Is the C particualrly susceptable to this?
Cheers,
P
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 125
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From: SF Bay Area
C240
My C240 is very stable at 85-90 mph - i havent gone any faster in it but it doesnt feel like its at its limits. The kind of motion your describing sounds like there's something wrong with your car.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
I don't have a sedan but the coupe I have is pretty tight at 80-100 mph, even before any suspension mods. But going with a cup kit will certainly help with new shocks/springs in one neat package but see if lowering it 2" will be more than you want. If you go with coilovers instead you'll have the choice to lower it to any height within it's range.
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Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 59
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From: Oxford / Birmingham
2001 C240 Elegance Auto Lthr
Hi Everyone,
Thanks for the advice and comments. I'm not really into mods but I will ask MB to check the shocks out to see if they are worn.
I run my tyres at: 34psi rear and 32psi front
Cheers,
P
Thanks for the advice and comments. I'm not really into mods but I will ask MB to check the shocks out to see if they are worn.
I run my tyres at: 34psi rear and 32psi front
Cheers,
P
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,377
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From: Vancouver Island, B.C. Canada
2005 smart cabrio; 2008 Mercedes-Benz B 200
Oy
I'd say have the toe setting checked. That sort of wanderiness is unusual in my experience. The two different tread patterns may also be having some influence here. I'd always stick to the same tread pattern on all 4 wheels. Also, I don't like Continentals, try a different brand next time.
Considering the car is capable of over 230 km/h, this cannot be normal behaviour. Oh and if your dealer says they can't deal with it because the speed limit is 70 MPH in the UK, tell them the speeds were reached in Deutschland.
Considering the car is capable of over 230 km/h, this cannot be normal behaviour. Oh and if your dealer says they can't deal with it because the speed limit is 70 MPH in the UK, tell them the speeds were reached in Deutschland.
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C240 02
yeah u dont need mods for this problem, as someone said before check the tire pressure, make sure the shocks are good, get a balance, try to rotate the tires and see if maybe bad luck and u got another bad set of tires. if all those fail for sure take it to the dealer
by the way, i have a C240 and i have taken my car up to 130mph on a track and the car does not wallow and is built to be a stable car. also its a heavy car. no the car should not wallow at all period.
by the way, i have a C240 and i have taken my car up to 130mph on a track and the car does not wallow and is built to be a stable car. also its a heavy car. no the car should not wallow at all period.
