chuckieboy

I just got my C300 Sport RWD with 18' AMG wheels in the US and there is a huge gap between the top of the tires and the bottom of the wheel well. In front it is about 2.5 inches and the rear is even larger.

I can't see any transport blocks or anything on the struts/springs but I haven't jacked up my car.

Is this normal? My 06 BMW 325 with Sport Package and 17' wheels has a tiny gap (about 1 inch).

Raido31

Pictures?

chuckieboy

Here is a pic.

notabenex

you dont have airmatic, correct?

chuckieboy

No airmatic. Just sport and 18" wheels.

Germancar1

I was afraid of this, but yes even the RWD C300 sits too high. I have no idea why this is. No other 4Matic Benz sits up this high. It is like they're forcing you to buy the 19 inch wheel. Sucks. This C is the most brilliant small car Benz has ever produced, but it needs some tweaks. Ride height is one of them, quality control is another.

M

StanNH

Isn't the outside diameter with the lower profile 19's the same as the higher profile 18's? Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought the 19's were lower profile tires.

Germancar1

I don't think it is going by the looks of the 19' wheel when on the car, but it could be just a visual trick. I'm not really sure anymore.

M

CO2010

Here is my RWD with AMG 19's and no airmatic.

djejglk

I saw one the other day, pulling out of a parking lot (wasn't sure what the wheel size was). The first thing I thought was that it looked like it was sitting up too high. My w204 has 17" wheels, and still looks about right.

That's weird, but maybe it's for a smoother ride?

oachim

looks great ... we need to understand what's under the hood - standard suspension ( code 485 ) or the sport one ( code 486 ) ? also the ground to fender height might be helpful ...

just the sport package information is not enough as markets are bundling different suspension options under this label ...

thank you in advance,
amo

mihaelb

In the US, you can't separate AMG looks package from AMG sports suspension, so CO2010 has the AMG sports package (with sports suspension and 19" wheels)

oachim

I'm afraid we do see some car built in US having P31 option ( P31 AMG SPORTPAKET EXTERIEUR ) and equipped with 485 suspension ... for more information you might want to check the Ground to fender thread ... could it be different from state to state ?

Jchungster

This is how my RWD C300 Sport sits, if that helps at all with your comparison.

chuckieboy

Wow. This looks lower than mine!

Can you measure the height from the ground to the top of the fender (my is 28") and the gap from the top of the wheel to the top of the fender (mine is around 2.5").

I would also be curious if on your build sheet you have the 485 (non-sport) or 486 (sport) suspension.

I need some ammunition to get the 486 springs put on my car if they had the wrong spring put on my car at the factory.

Jchungster

I have the sport package which includes sport suspension.

chuckieboy

I have the sport package also which should also include the sports suspension. But for some reason, my car looks taller than yours...

rustycruiser

Like Chuckieboy, I have the AMG Sports Package in the US, which should include Sports Suspension (Code 486). Yet like him, I have Comfort Suspension (485).

So being curious, I just spent 30 min looking up C Class data cards. I went to Cars.com, and by picture I chose a number of Sports Package w205s with both 18, and 19 inch wheels. The ads all list the VINs, and I could find the data card using them. Evey car I looked up with the Sports Package had 486 Sports Suspension.

So why does my car (and Chuckieboy) incorrectly have 485 Comfort Suspension? How could this happen? In the US, if you have the Sports Package, you should have Sports Suspension.

If anyone wants to check their data card, I used this site : http://carinfo.kiev.ua/cars/vin/mercedes

Raido31

Is the ride harsh on the standard springs?

Jchungster

Now I'm curious... Will check my VIN today and let you guys know what I have.

Jchungster

I have confirmed that I have 486 SPORTS SUSPENSION.

chuckieboy

Wow. That is really crazy then. Are you in the US and when was your car manufactured? Mine was built in late January I think.

Jchungster

I am in the US and mine was built in January as well. You sure you don't have the sports suspension? Have you taken it by the dealership yet?

chuckieboy

I asked the dealer for a build sheet and they said they couldn't get it. So a forum member got it for me. The Russian site online does not have my build as I think the car is too recent. I just picked it up 2 weeks ago.

My build sheet that the forum member got for me shows the 485 suspension and not the 486. I have the rest of the sports package including AMG wheels, steering wheel, etc.

I guess I need to contact MB USA maybe. This is very disappointing as its my first Mercedes after 20 years of BMW and Audi's.

chuckieboy

Interestingly, the ride is harsher than my '06 Sports Suspension BMW 325. But I like stiff rides so I don't mind.