C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007
View Poll Results: Are you happy with the stock suspension on the C32?
Yes, I love the stock suspension.
5
21.74%
No, I plan to or already have upgraded the suspension
18
78.26%
Voters: 23. You may not vote on this poll

Are you happy with the stock suspension on the C32?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Sep 26, 2002 | 03:04 PM
  #1  
Accord's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,261
Likes: 13
From: Afghanistan / South Florida / Camp Lejeune, NC
2008 BMW M6, 2008 Ducati 1098, 2008 Ducati Monster S2R1000, 1971 Ducati Scrambler
Are you happy with the stock suspension on the C32?

The biggest complaint about the C32 seems to be with the suspension. Are you happy with the stock suspension?
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2002 | 04:38 PM
  #2  
misu55's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Gladwyne, Pa
2002 C32 AMG
No, I'm not completly satisfied with my suspension, I've had the car for over 1 year now and it still bothers me once and a while. It seems way too soft in turns to me. I guess I was spoiled by my last car (an E36 M3) which really did have a fantastic suspension. I already have H&R springs in my possession ready to be installed, I'll wait and see how much those help before doing anything else. Other than that, I love my C32.
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2002 | 05:33 PM
  #3  
FrankW's Avatar
MBworld Guru
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 18
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
I'm okay with the stock setup.

How much is the H&R set?
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2002 | 06:10 PM
  #4  
Bux's Avatar
Bux
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 1
G
I was ok with suspension until

I hit up the auto-x track, cause i sat shotgun in my friends modded e36, it hugged the track and spoiled me wanting to get suspension mods but now i don't know if i should get just springs or kleeman speed sensitive (to go all out or not) :p
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2002 | 06:16 PM
  #5  
Mach430's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 35,855
Likes: 3
From: Southern CA
Go with H&R springs and our adjustable sway bars. The difference will make it handle better than a stock E46 M3.
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2002 | 06:18 PM
  #6  
Accord's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,261
Likes: 13
From: Afghanistan / South Florida / Camp Lejeune, NC
2008 BMW M6, 2008 Ducati 1098, 2008 Ducati Monster S2R1000, 1971 Ducati Scrambler
Ben, how much are the H&R springs and the Swaybars?

Also, how much do the H&R springs lower the C32?
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2002 | 06:33 PM
  #7  
otoupalik's Avatar
MBWorld Founder
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,599
Likes: 7
From: Scottsdale (aka The Surface of the Sun)
Re: I was ok with suspension until

Originally posted by ro0zy
I hit up the auto-x track, cause i sat shotgun in my friends modded e36, it hugged the track and spoiled me wanting to get suspension mods but now i don't know if i should get just springs or kleeman speed sensitive (to go all out or not) :p
Roozy,

As a BMW racer and one with extensive knowledge of suspension set-ups (specifically track related), I can tell you that the C32 is good, but needs a few things.

1. springs
2. sways
3. camber

The first is easy - many dealers including us have them in stock.

The second, well, ours are awesome. Vadim's (my partner who develops our parts) C32 is so hooked up now with the springs and sways it feels much like a stock e46 M3. Close to, but not quite as good as the e36 M3.

The third we are working on. We might have some answers today actually as we are setting the car up for CEC's Euro TunerFest time trials this weekend.

Thanks

Brad
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2002 | 08:25 PM
  #8  
Franco's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
2002 C32
The impressions I get when driving my stock C32 is that the suspension is tuned so that it can handle the powerful engine without adversely affecting the ride quality. However, when driven aggressively, the car understeers and body lean is noticable.

If you have an aggressive driving style, I would suggest a suspension upgrade.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 26, 2002 | 08:45 PM
  #9  
Bux's Avatar
Bux
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 1
G
found it

VIDEO - C32 Nasty body roll This will make everyone want to upgrade....evosport wanna hook me up?


(ignore the amusing sound made by mr.camera man)
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2002 | 08:59 PM
  #10  
Accord's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,261
Likes: 13
From: Afghanistan / South Florida / Camp Lejeune, NC
2008 BMW M6, 2008 Ducati 1098, 2008 Ducati Monster S2R1000, 1971 Ducati Scrambler
That is some crazy body roll. Just by changing lanes you can see a monsterous gap between the tire and fender. I am definetly getting some H&R Springs and Evosport sway bars thanks to Roozy .
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2002 | 10:57 PM
  #11  
rrf's Avatar
rrf
Super Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 711
Likes: 1
S4?

Was that shot from that "slow" S4 of Zerin ?

I think Roozy is also talking about the last few frames where the C32 has trouble hanging in the left turn, starts complaining, and uses up what is left of the road.
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2002 | 11:35 PM
  #12  
Bux's Avatar
Bux
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 1
G
no zerin in that vid, im just showing the body roll that occurs if you gun it a little.
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2002 | 12:50 AM
  #13  
AmgBoy's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Portland, Oregon
Roozy

Hey when I was talking to Zerin he said that he used to hang out with a guy who drove a C32 or something, would this be you? In one of his videos on his website he shows a sign come up from the read sun shade on a C32 saying "F#ck You" and I remember people saying that was your car?? Just was curious if you used to chill with him.

Later Guys,
AmGbOy
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2002 | 01:02 AM
  #14  
Bux's Avatar
Bux
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 1
G
yes

Thats me ...just met up with him a couple weekends ago.
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2002 | 01:03 AM
  #15  
sticky2's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
Heh, speaking of zerin, I was supposed to buy his s4. I went to hartmann motorsports and test drove it with my buddy, and it was very fast, very nice ride. Hartmann then said he wanted to drive it. So he drove it, all crazy, and showed what it would really do. The next day I got a call from zerin saying the cv joint was broken, and it would cost 2k to fix. Man, I was pissed. When we left the car it was fine, and I didn't want responsiblity for that. Anyway, to make a long story short, don't deal with scott hartmann. He is an *******, and does not take responsibility for what he, or his employees, do with cars people leave.
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2002 | 02:18 AM
  #16  
rrf's Avatar
rrf
Super Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 711
Likes: 1
Brad, you are bad!

Brad are you saying publicly in a C32 AMG (W203) forum that the E36M3 handles better than the E46M3 and the E46M3 is better than the C32? Blasphemy, jail that man!

j/k I think you are probably right, I have never driven a E46M3 though. My feeling is that bigger swaybars will make an important contribution, springs alone won't make the C32 behave like the E36M3. Where are my handcuffs?

Camber, how much would you add?
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2002 | 09:47 AM
  #17  
otoupalik's Avatar
MBWorld Founder
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,599
Likes: 7
From: Scottsdale (aka The Surface of the Sun)
Yep - I made those bold statements!

I am in general not a huge fan of sways. The rule in race car set-up is that you get it right then add sways just to fine tune. So to say that I was skeptical about the improvement on the C32 is an understatement. However, driving the car for 5 minutes made me a believer!

As for camber, if you can get 1.8 to 2.0 degrees of negative camber, that will help the turn in and understeer TREMENDOUSLY!

Thanks

Brad
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2002 | 08:01 PM
  #18  
FrankW's Avatar
MBworld Guru
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 18
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
DAmn...am I the only one who thinks the C32 is not a race car, and it's fine the way it is?

isn't there suppose to be someone else that thinks like me? i saw two vote for "it's fine the way it is"
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2002 | 08:13 PM
  #19  
Accord's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,261
Likes: 13
From: Afghanistan / South Florida / Camp Lejeune, NC
2008 BMW M6, 2008 Ducati 1098, 2008 Ducati Monster S2R1000, 1971 Ducati Scrambler
The C32 may not be able to compare to the MP4/17, however it is a sports car built on racing heritage. It is one of the most race worthy cars on the road today.

Reply
Old Sep 27, 2002 | 08:32 PM
  #20  
otoupalik's Avatar
MBWorld Founder
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,599
Likes: 7
From: Scottsdale (aka The Surface of the Sun)
Frank,

Of course you are not alone, in fact you are in the majority. However, the C32 is a sports car in sedans clothing. Those who are true enthusiasts find the car lacking in a few key areas, that's all.

This is certainly not a "your right, I'm wrong" type scenario. This is all about perspective!

For those who came from a 7-series or a E or S-Class, this might be too sporty. For those from an M3 this is not sporty enough.

Thanks

Brad
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2002 | 10:36 PM
  #21  
FrankW's Avatar
MBworld Guru
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 18
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
So, i guess i got stuck in between since my previous car was a 2000 328Ci sport/premium. I think the 328Ci was more sporty than C32, but i guess i'm not too found of the bumpy ride anymore.
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2002 | 11:19 PM
  #22  
otoupalik's Avatar
MBWorld Founder
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,599
Likes: 7
From: Scottsdale (aka The Surface of the Sun)
Frank,

You don't have to have a bumpy ride to have better handling!

Thanks

Brad
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2002 | 12:40 PM
  #23  
b4chow's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 567
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
won't just chaning to H&R springs blow your shocks in a few months?
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2002 | 01:13 PM
  #24  
otoupalik's Avatar
MBWorld Founder
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,599
Likes: 7
From: Scottsdale (aka The Surface of the Sun)
Originally posted by b4chow
won't just chaning to H&R springs blow your shocks in a few months?
No, it will not.

Thanks

Brad
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2002 | 02:41 PM
  #25  
rrf's Avatar
rrf
Super Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 711
Likes: 1
Buying EvoSport Sways

I will be buying the EvoSport sway bars. Put me down for a set at the "good" price, before it expires.
I'll send email to Brad/Ben.

Rich

Last edited by rrf; Sep 28, 2002 at 03:09 PM.
Reply


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:00 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE