Changing Suspension on C350
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
C350
Changing Suspension on C350
Hey all---pardon my ignorance, but on the way to changing my suspension setup on my 2009 C350 (I want to make it more stiff, and minimize body roll), what would I start out doing? Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 3
From: Ohio
X3 and 2012 C coming soon
Are you lowering it? You can have a stiffer suspension any height with H&R coilsovers. Bilstein coilovers will allow you adjust the stiffness too. If you don't mind going about .50" to .75" lower, you can install Eibach or H&R springs. H&R Super Sports will make it even lower. Finally, you can probably get away with Bistein HD Shocks with your OE springs. They have been known to raise other cars a bit.
http://www.hrsprings.com/
http://www.bilsteinus.com/cart/ymm.p...el=C350&zenid=
http://www.eibach.com/cgi-bin/start....ach/index.html
http://www.hrsprings.com/
http://www.bilsteinus.com/cart/ymm.p...el=C350&zenid=
http://www.eibach.com/cgi-bin/start....ach/index.html
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
C350
Thanks a lot! I probably don't need to lower the car, but i thought stiffer suspension would clear some of the washiness I feel over the car during hard turns and bumps. Is there any that you personally recommend?
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Hagen, Germany
C180K AMG 18" 2009
You might want to check these as well. Quality stuff with quite some racing experience. Fully adjustable, so you'll find a road/daily driver setup easily.
http://www.kw-suspension.com/us/
http://www.kw-suspension.com/us/kw_variant_3.php
http://www.kw-suspension.com/us/
http://www.kw-suspension.com/us/kw_variant_3.php
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
You also could just start with Eibach front and rear anti-sway bars, also from Tire Rack if you want to try this in steps.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
C350
Thanks guys---the one thing that has left me dissatisfied with my C350 is what I would call body roll. In my definition, its lateral motion in the car over bumps (not up and down like a traditional harsh ride)--sometimes minor, but enough that it irritates me. I hope that putting in the H&R coilovers as well as sway bars will fix this.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,809
Likes: 4
From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
Thanks guys---the one thing that has left me dissatisfied with my C350 is what I would call body roll. In my definition, its lateral motion in the car over bumps (not up and down like a traditional harsh ride)--sometimes minor, but enough that it irritates me. I hope that putting in the H&R coilovers as well as sway bars will fix this.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 9
From: Delaware
2004 Mazda6, 1993 RX7
Thanks guys---the one thing that has left me dissatisfied with my C350 is what I would call body roll. In my definition, its lateral motion in the car over bumps (not up and down like a traditional harsh ride)--sometimes minor, but enough that it irritates me. I hope that putting in the H&R coilovers as well as sway bars will fix this.
Last edited by kevink2; Jan 27, 2010 at 01:46 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
If that's what really bugs you, like going at an angled approach over speed bumps, then all the posts about stiffer springs and bars will improve handling (if done right) but will not help you. Smaller ( ie C300 Lux ) or no sway bars will. Keep oem springs. You want to soften roll stiffness at front and rear.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
C350
Hey guys---thanks a lot. It's a difficult thing to describe, but basically what i'm feeling is that when the car goes over uneven pavement, instead of an up and down harsh motion of the car, what I feel is that it feels floaty and I perceive lateral motion of the car. Kind of like when you are on a rollercoaster and your head bangs against the headrests from side to side. The car doesn't feel well planted on the road; i.e. really harsh rides feel very planted, you just feel every bump. In my case, the suspension is soft but it seems to create lateral motion over uneven pavement (almost like a mild skating motion--how skates go across ice)---I have no issues with roll during turns.
Cars I've driven with stiffer suspensions (like BMW's), tend to plow right through uneven pavement--so i feel more motion in the vertical (y axis) rather than horizontal motion (x axis) that I feel now. The horizontal motion is much more bothersome to me.
I hope I've explained better.
Cars I've driven with stiffer suspensions (like BMW's), tend to plow right through uneven pavement--so i feel more motion in the vertical (y axis) rather than horizontal motion (x axis) that I feel now. The horizontal motion is much more bothersome to me.
I hope I've explained better.
Last edited by stallion150; Jan 27, 2010 at 06:49 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
I've not tried the following on any car since my 1977 3 series, but based on your comments, which are actually a quite uncommon concern, I would try having the rear sway bar removed, as kevink2 suggested, drive it around and see if the change is directionally correct for you. The ideal solution may be a less stiff bar than stock if having no bar takes it too far for you...perhaps the C300 Luxury spec, if it is unique.
BTW, what tires are you running?
BTW, what tires are you running?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
C350
**I should also say that switching from 18'' wheels to 17'' wheels made a huge difference in dampening this sensation.
Yeah, i totally get i'm in the minority in noticing this; but unfortunately it makes the car less enjoyable. Thank to you guys for your help.
I'm running 17'' Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 tires.
Yeah, i totally get i'm in the minority in noticing this; but unfortunately it makes the car less enjoyable. Thank to you guys for your help.
I'm running 17'' Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 tires.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
**I should also say that switching from 18'' wheels to 17'' wheels made a huge difference in dampening this sensation.
Yeah, i totally get i'm in the minority in noticing this; but unfortunately it makes the car less enjoyable. Thank to you guys for your help.
I'm running 17'' Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 tires.
Yeah, i totally get i'm in the minority in noticing this; but unfortunately it makes the car less enjoyable. Thank to you guys for your help.
I'm running 17'' Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 tires.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey....jsp?type=GTAS
(To find MXM4, you'll need to look at the bottom of the list!)
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
C350
Thanks guys that makes a lot of sense. What's weird though is when I test drove an M3 and a 335i both with 18'' wheels, I noticed none of this lateral motion over bad roads. Both beamers felt rough over bumps, but felt much more planted on the road than my C350; meaning no side to side motion of the car, just a momentary up and down over bad road. Both have noticeably stiffer suspensions than my C350, but i vastly preferred that type of ride to mine.
Maybe what I feel is due to a combination of the qualities unique to the C350's suspension plus larger tires?
Maybe what I feel is due to a combination of the qualities unique to the C350's suspension plus larger tires?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 9
From: Delaware
2004 Mazda6, 1993 RX7
When we tried out our C300 4matic vs similar A3 and 3 series BMW's, it was obvious the c300 was more set up for a softer, classier ride. I have 1000's of miles of track circuit experience, and pushed all cars. And the M3 is not even close to a c350.
You didn't verify the speed bump issue I gave, so softer bars may not be the trick ... stiffer shocks, springs, and suspension bushings, or perhaps a BMW.
Or it could be "just get used to it" .
You didn't verify the speed bump issue I gave, so softer bars may not be the trick ... stiffer shocks, springs, and suspension bushings, or perhaps a BMW.
Or it could be "just get used to it" .
