Ausmbtech

G'day all!

I have a '02 C32 that I've been taking to the track recently. I was wonder what other people have done to their cars to help reduce understeer. (I know i need a LSD, I'll get to that one day!) I've heard that fitting a set of rear rims to the front as well can help but I'm looking for any other fix' out there.


The second thing I was wondering was if anyone had retrofitted somehow a set of shift paddles or buttons to the sterring wheel. Later models do so through the steering column module which this model doesn't have. I was thingking of running some wiring from the selector module but again......no harm in asking.

Anyone else here from Australia?

Alex.

eugeneC55

Well, let's see- I don't track my car, I'm not from Australia and I had no idea my steering wheel has steering column module,but I still want to welcome you to the board! I'm sure you'll get your answers here

AWDman

welcome. glad to see another c32 being tracked.
there's tons of info buried on the site-search the usual way or search posts from myself, fifthring, zeppelin, cyncarver,....usually one topic will have the guys that track all contributing.

Fifth Ring

Here are a few ideas:

1. Go with wider tires (235 or 245) up front, even on the original wheels.

2. Get stickier tires. R compounds (e.g. Toyo T1R) are good but not suitable for every day use. So try a summer tire.

3. Camber. Negative camber (top of tires closer to each other than bottoms) is the REAL fix, but our suspensions do not permit such an adjustment. Some folks have used washers to space out the lower control arms. I've not looked at this, but might.

4. Fatter rear stabilizer bar. I think RennTech has one that's fatter than the AMG bar.

5. Stiffer rear spring/shocks in relation to front. This is no easy fix. You would need to go with a top notch product like Bilstein PSS9 struts all around and then fiddle with settings.

6. Sell the C32 and buy an M3!

Keep in mind that understeer is preferable to oversteer in most situations -- but oversteer is more fun!

PS: I was watching Mad Max last night. Love those Aussie muscle cars!

Ausmbtech

Street milage has dropped off quite a bit lately so I've increase camber and castor to maximum adjustment on both sides (something I wouldn't do while street driving time was relatively high to help keep tyre wear down). It has around 1'30-1'50 neg camber on both sides at the moment.

What i had in mind already was either the increase rear sway bar size which would reduce traction due to increased wheel lift or fit a set of rear rims to the front with 245/40/17.

Has anyone had any problems fitting the std rear wheels (8.5x17 34et) on the front?

Fifth Ring

I'm running four standard rear wheels (see photo above) with 245s. No interference at all. Looks pretty good too. (My wheels are OEM AMG wheels with the centers painted.)

AWDman

https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c55-amg-w203/177161-anyone-using-rear-wheel-size-up-front.html

ausmbtech - how did you increase camber?

not sure what you're trying to say re sway bars- but- stiffer in back= reduces inside rear wheel lift- dials out understeer.

Fifth Ring

I thought that a stiffer rear bar increases lift on the insider rear - depending on how soft the front is.

AWDman

some info here http://www.teamscr.com/sway.html

my H&R rear bar was very nice upgrade to handling.

i'm of the opinion that a stock c32 may only achieve neutral cornering with a reverse stagger. ie- bigger footprint infront vs back..or...sticker rubber in front vs back.

MercedeSC32

quick q...5th ring...are yur wheels glossed?

Ausmbtech

Camber and castor are adjusted on the front by installing the adjustment bolts from benz. They can only give you 3 different positions on each suspension arm but in combination they can provide enough adjustment.

I'll track down the part number tomorrow.............while i'm finding 2 rear rims for the front......

Fifth Ring

Yes. Painted centers, polished lips, and clearcoated.