URGENT Help: Suspension and drive quality of w204
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
2009 c200 w204
URGENT Help: Suspension and drive quality of w204
Hey suspension and ride quality experts,
My w204 has been my best friend, but the ride quality has been deteriorating. I sadly feel every slight bump, holes, and uneven roads which I wonder why its gotten this worse. I need suggestions on what actions to take in order for my saloon to get back its comfort. She has 75k km or 46k miles on the clock.
Any help will be much appreciated for a young Benz lover.
Thanks!
My w204 has been my best friend, but the ride quality has been deteriorating. I sadly feel every slight bump, holes, and uneven roads which I wonder why its gotten this worse. I need suggestions on what actions to take in order for my saloon to get back its comfort. She has 75k km or 46k miles on the clock.
Any help will be much appreciated for a young Benz lover.
Thanks!
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 378
Likes: 145
From: Canada
2022 EQS 580 4MATIC Sedan, 2010 C-Class C350 4MATIC
Check your struts/shocks and your engine mounts. All will give the car a ride quality you’re describing.
Here is a test to check your engine mounts:
http://www.mercedesmedic.com/check_engine_mounts/
Here is a test to check your engine mounts:
http://www.mercedesmedic.com/check_engine_mounts/
Last edited by Xzero; Nov 12, 2019 at 11:29 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
2009 c200 w204
Thanks for your swift reply.
I went through your detailed thread and I must say you are the man!
Will replacing the struts and shocks drastically improve ride comfort? I still have the stock suspension but pretty much replaced the bushings and crankshaft as far as i recall but I still have a really bumpy ride.
Also, since you are clearly meticulous and skilled, would you know any first actions to take or look with a high RPM shift? I observed that my car shifts at 2,500-3000rpm from a cold start but it continuous on despite reaching optimal temp @ 80 degrees celsius. Any idea?
Thank you so much!
I went through your detailed thread and I must say you are the man!
Will replacing the struts and shocks drastically improve ride comfort? I still have the stock suspension but pretty much replaced the bushings and crankshaft as far as i recall but I still have a really bumpy ride.
Also, since you are clearly meticulous and skilled, would you know any first actions to take or look with a high RPM shift? I observed that my car shifts at 2,500-3000rpm from a cold start but it continuous on despite reaching optimal temp @ 80 degrees celsius. Any idea?
Thank you so much!
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 604
Likes: 29
From: SA
2008 C350-Sport-AMG-Active Agility Pack(Not reliable) +Izuzu KB6 3L(It seems Reliable)+Mazda
Hey suspension and ride quality experts,
My w204 has been my best friend, but the ride quality has been deteriorating. I sadly feel every slight bump, holes, and uneven roads which I wonder why its gotten this worse. I need suggestions on what actions to take in order for my saloon to get back its comfort. She has 75k km or 46k miles on the clock.
Any help will be much appreciated for a young Benz lover.
Thanks!
My w204 has been my best friend, but the ride quality has been deteriorating. I sadly feel every slight bump, holes, and uneven roads which I wonder why its gotten this worse. I need suggestions on what actions to take in order for my saloon to get back its comfort. She has 75k km or 46k miles on the clock.
Any help will be much appreciated for a young Benz lover.
Thanks!
What you describe would feel like when my car is in "sport" mode. Does it feel stiff-?
Do you have a choice between Sport & Comfort modes or similar modes, and how does the difference feel.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 701
Likes: 103
From: Ontario, Canada
2009 C63 AMG, 2010 C250 4Matic Sport
Worn shocks will do it, but so will worn control arm bushings. Have the front control arm bushings inspected, there shouldn't be any signs of leaks around them or cracking in the rubber. When they wear out, the ride becomes really rough in my experience. Some formerly mild bumps in the road can become jarring
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 378
Likes: 145
From: Canada
2022 EQS 580 4MATIC Sedan, 2010 C-Class C350 4MATIC
Thanks for your swift reply.
I went through your detailed thread and I must say you are the man!
Will replacing the struts and shocks drastically improve ride comfort? I still have the stock suspension but pretty much replaced the bushings and crankshaft as far as i recall but I still have a really bumpy ride.
Also, since you are clearly meticulous and skilled, would you know any first actions to take or look with a high RPM shift? I observed that my car shifts at 2,500-3000rpm from a cold start but it continuous on despite reaching optimal temp @ 80 degrees celsius. Any idea?
Thank you so much!
I went through your detailed thread and I must say you are the man!
Will replacing the struts and shocks drastically improve ride comfort? I still have the stock suspension but pretty much replaced the bushings and crankshaft as far as i recall but I still have a really bumpy ride.
Also, since you are clearly meticulous and skilled, would you know any first actions to take or look with a high RPM shift? I observed that my car shifts at 2,500-3000rpm from a cold start but it continuous on despite reaching optimal temp @ 80 degrees celsius. Any idea?
Thank you so much!
Struts & shocks can really improve the ride quality but as noted above, you should check your bushings as well, I missed noting that in my first post.
Engine mounts can also greatly affect ride quality. If the mounts are toast, you have a 400lbs hunk of metal bouncing up and down with every bump and that will in turn wear out your front struts. Then it feels like the roughest ride and you can feel the smallest crack in the road.
As for your RPM issue, I would just be guessing so I don’t have any input on that, hopefully a more knowledgeable member will be able to help with that. If I can think of something or find something out, I’ll be sure to post it here.
Last edited by Xzero; Nov 13, 2019 at 09:51 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
2009 c200 w204
Mine does have the comfort/sport modes. I keep it at comfort yet the ride feels extra bumpy, even when running on a low speed (30kph) my body sways to the feel of the road. I wonder what the fault is or what should be replaced.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
2009 c200 w204
So what shocks are best replacement for comfort? Im tired of a sporty road feel, I need a more smooth ride through daily traffic.
Will do check on the bushings and rubbers. Thanks for that!
Will do check on the bushings and rubbers. Thanks for that!
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
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 378
Likes: 145
From: Canada
2022 EQS 580 4MATIC Sedan, 2010 C-Class C350 4MATIC
My recommendation is Bilstein as that’s what I’ve used on my cars for a few years now.
If you want OE ride quality, get Bilstein B4 struts/shocks.
If you’re going to replace your struts/shocks, you may as well change out the sway bar end-links as well.
RockAuto usually has some great prices for these.
If you want OE ride quality, get Bilstein B4 struts/shocks.
If you’re going to replace your struts/shocks, you may as well change out the sway bar end-links as well.
RockAuto usually has some great prices for these.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 522
2019 S560, 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid
I put Koni FSDs on my car and think they're a nice upgrade for improved comfort with good performance ... a bit pricey, but I like them.
Now that I look, it appears these are superceded with their "special active" model ... http://www.koni.com/en-US/Cars/Produ...pecial-Active/
Now that I look, it appears these are superceded with their "special active" model ... http://www.koni.com/en-US/Cars/Produ...pecial-Active/
Last edited by Tom in Austin; Nov 17, 2019 at 12:16 PM.
