How to Improve ride quality?
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Joined: Jul 2024
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c300
How to Improve ride quality?
Man I love this car but I despise the way it rides especially from the rear. Swapped out the shocks last week to a softer set and it improved a bit but nowhere near what’s acceptable. I never would have fathomed a MB would ride like this. The suspension is fine. The tires are all around near the end of life but that’s not the problem. It’s like the dampening just isn’t right from the factory and my old E90 330xi did exactly the same thing and independent spring/shock placement is virtually the same setup on both cars. When you go over a hole in the road it’s like the suspension doesn’t rebound quick enough and the car just slams to the ground. Best I can describe it. Has anyone had any luck fitting springs from a Luxury model? Or aftermarket? Hell even a spring from a different model or completely different manufacturer car. These are pretty basic looking springs. I could care less about the handling decrease, I drive like an old man. I just want the car to ride better.
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Joined: Apr 2021
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From: Scottsdale, Arizona
2001 E55AMG
Man I love this car but I despise the way it rides especially from the rear. Swapped out the shocks last week to a softer set and it improved a bit but nowhere near what’s acceptable. When you go over a hole in the road it’s like the suspension doesn’t rebound quick enough and the car just slams to the ground. Best I can describe it.
Trenton O. Gibson
tgibson@highline-autos.com
Highline Autos
Direct: 602.909.9216
Office: 480.348.0777
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c300
No, just the shocks, and it rides better. My next thing is the springs. I don’t think there’s anything actually wrong with the car, it’s just how these are I’m assuming. But I can’t stand it. There has to be a way to improve the ride quality.
Trenton O. Gibson
tgibson@highline-autos.com
Highline Autos
Direct: 602.909.9216
Office: 480.348.0777[/QUOTE]
Trenton O. Gibson
tgibson@highline-autos.com
Highline Autos
Direct: 602.909.9216
Office: 480.348.0777[/QUOTE]
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
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From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
RIDE QUALITY....
you know, it pretty easy to miss-diagnose suspensions and guess shocks are not working well... when something else is upsetting suspension geometry.
Aged rubber parts deserve parts-canon :
Replace front + rear stab-LINKS
Ball joints
control arms
Aged rubber parts deserve parts-canon :
Replace front + rear stab-LINKS
Ball joints
control arms
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 765
Likes: 171
From: Walnut Creek, CA
325Ci, 325Cic, C300
I just serviced all 4 corners last month. While a lot smoother, my C300 Sport certainly still lives up to the “sport” moniker.
Any chance you own a truck or SUV? I find the only time I find it jarring is when I just got done driving my truck. In a drive or two though, I’m back at home.
There’s just no substitute to suspension travel, unfortunately.
Any chance you own a truck or SUV? I find the only time I find it jarring is when I just got done driving my truck. In a drive or two though, I’m back at home.
There’s just no substitute to suspension travel, unfortunately.
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2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2024
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c300
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 13
Likes: 1
c300
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,990
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From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
bumpiness canceled
The part list I shared is how I canceled the harshness out of my comfort trim.
I am sure some of that is applicable to sport trims.
My once bumpy struts now compress like new again.
The struts absorbing bumps restored lost smoothness above 50Mph.
The point being that any suspension trim can become bumpy, not only short springs.
Thread Starter
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c300
you know German suspensions... looking forward to your best fixings.
The part list I shared is how I canceled the harshness out of my comfort trim.
I am sure some of that is applicable to sport trims.
My once bumpy struts now compress like new again.
The struts absorbing bumps restored lost smoothness above 50Mph.
The point being that any suspension trim can become bumpy, not only short springs.
The part list I shared is how I canceled the harshness out of my comfort trim.
I am sure some of that is applicable to sport trims.
My once bumpy struts now compress like new again.
The struts absorbing bumps restored lost smoothness above 50Mph.
The point being that any suspension trim can become bumpy, not only short springs.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,990
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From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
...LOL...
None of those things are going to make the car ride bad. They’ll make a hell of a racket or effect steering or braking if in the front, but they won’t make the suspension stiff. You can completely remove the seat bar links and feel zero difference driving over bumps. I think the problem is the springs. What springs to replace them with is the question. The rear shocks I replaced had absolutely nothing wrong with them at 15yrs and 96k mi. I had a 2013 M3 comp pack coupe that literally rode like a Cadillac compared to this car.
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Joined: Sep 2013
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2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
Man I love this car but I despise the way it rides especially from the rear. Swapped out the shocks last week to a softer set and it improved a bit but nowhere near what’s acceptable. I never would have fathomed a MB would ride like this. The suspension is fine. The tires are all around near the end of life but that’s not the problem. It’s like the dampening just isn’t right from the factory and my old E90 330xi did exactly the same thing and independent spring/shock placement is virtually the same setup on both cars. When you go over a hole in the road it’s like the suspension doesn’t rebound quick enough and the car just slams to the ground. Best I can describe it. Has anyone had any luck fitting springs from a Luxury model? Or aftermarket? Hell even a spring from a different model or completely different manufacturer car. These are pretty basic looking springs. I could care less about the handling decrease, I drive like an old man. I just want the car to ride better.
Seems like since you need them anyway, you don’t lose anything by starting there.
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c300
Stock 17in staggered setup. 225/45 F and 245/40 R. I know the worn tires are definitely contributing to the ride but I also know it’s more than this. I’m not going to go replacing every suspension arm that has a rubber busing at 97k. The rear shock mounts were perfect with zero signs of wear or cracking.
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Stock 17in staggered setup. 225/45 F and 245/40 R. I know the worn tires are definitely contributing to the ride but I also know it’s more than this. I’m not going to go replacing every suspension arm that has a rubber busing at 97k. The rear shock mounts were perfect with zero signs of wear or cracking.
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,497
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
I usually don't listen to Scotty Kilmer, but he makes a good point about tires and ride comfort and handling in this video.
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From: Colorado
G550
Stock 17in staggered setup. 225/45 F and 245/40 R. I know the worn tires are definitely contributing to the ride but I also know it’s more than this. I’m not going to go replacing every suspension arm that has a rubber busing at 97k. The rear shock mounts were perfect with zero signs of wear or cracking.
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From: MA Coast
W204 2010 C300 4matic Sport M272
I had 4+yr old tires on mine, the tread was still ok but the sides were cracking everywhere. The ride was horrible. I replaced all 4 tires with inexpensive tires off Amazon and what a difference, felt like a new car again.
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2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
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From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
His comments about tires and ride quality are not new or unique to him. It's just that he reiterates some good points. But I agree, he is hard to stomach. I keep Rolaids nearby if I happen to see any of his videos.
