Nice alignment settings for "driven" street car
08-02-2015, 03:19 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Nice alignment settings for "driven" street car
Hi folks, just bought a 2012 W204 M156. (Photos to follow in appropriate thread)
Wondering what alignment settings will work for our somewhat bumpy and very twisty often wet roads here in NZ.
I am after setting that will provide predictable and tireless handling. Where I got to with my BMW was:
Front: 0.025" a side toe, -1.2 camber, 6.5 castor.
Rear: 0.035" a side toe, -1.5 camber.
The 540i did not have rack and pinion though. Wondering if I need less front toe for the MB. The Beema does have Eibach sway bars and Bilsteins hence the conservative camber settings.
Thoughts?
FYI, I am looking at AFE filters, an EC/Velos tune, and 245F/265R or 275R Michelin PSSs. Actually not sure whether to go 265 or 275 on the rear. Interestingly the 540i's tire widths are the same stock as the C63 albeit with about half the power. I did go from 235F/255R to 245F/265R on it as well but it became a little more vague than with the stock widths running PSSF/PS2R and then PS3F/PS2R...
Does that happen to the Cs especially for folks running 275R?
Foot note; driving in NZ really is all about the corners rather drag racing. Some fantastic twisty stuff.
Wondering what alignment settings will work for our somewhat bumpy and very twisty often wet roads here in NZ.
I am after setting that will provide predictable and tireless handling. Where I got to with my BMW was:
Front: 0.025" a side toe, -1.2 camber, 6.5 castor.
Rear: 0.035" a side toe, -1.5 camber.
The 540i did not have rack and pinion though. Wondering if I need less front toe for the MB. The Beema does have Eibach sway bars and Bilsteins hence the conservative camber settings.
Thoughts?
FYI, I am looking at AFE filters, an EC/Velos tune, and 245F/265R or 275R Michelin PSSs. Actually not sure whether to go 265 or 275 on the rear. Interestingly the 540i's tire widths are the same stock as the C63 albeit with about half the power. I did go from 235F/255R to 245F/265R on it as well but it became a little more vague than with the stock widths running PSSF/PS2R and then PS3F/PS2R...
Does that happen to the Cs especially for folks running 275R?
Foot note; driving in NZ really is all about the corners rather drag racing. Some fantastic twisty stuff.
Last edited by Missionary; 08-02-2015 at 04:18 AM.
08-02-2015, 08:56 AM
#2
Would factory recommended alignment specs not work for you? Your alignment shop should be able to look at that pretty easily on AllData or equivalent system. Curious why you need anything other than factory specs for a car that's still factory suspension.
08-02-2015, 02:42 PM
#4
Member
Thread Starter
I didn't see that coming.
In that case I will be adding the camber/caster adjustment bolts to the list. It this the best way to get adjustable settings front and rear?
To get adjustable camber front and rear and caster front how many sets of 000-333-09-71 will I need or are they just for the front? Do these bolts allow +- adjustment or is it only really in one direction. I assume the former.
Stating the obvious somewhat but the question was asked, tuning your alignment setting can have a positive impact on how it feels and performs. Turn in, balance, hook up, transitional and static stability all factors that can be optimized/tailored to your preferences.
Bigtickets, Case1906, Diabolis and track fiends any thoughts?
In that case I will be adding the camber/caster adjustment bolts to the list. It this the best way to get adjustable settings front and rear?
To get adjustable camber front and rear and caster front how many sets of 000-333-09-71 will I need or are they just for the front? Do these bolts allow +- adjustment or is it only really in one direction. I assume the former.
Stating the obvious somewhat but the question was asked, tuning your alignment setting can have a positive impact on how it feels and performs. Turn in, balance, hook up, transitional and static stability all factors that can be optimized/tailored to your preferences.
Bigtickets, Case1906, Diabolis and track fiends any thoughts?
08-02-2015, 06:21 PM
#5
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2012 C63;1971 280SE 3.5(Sold);2023 EQS 450 SUV 4 Matic (Wife's)
If you want adjustable camber and caster on the front and camber on the rear you will need to install aftermarket bushings or camber plates such as those sold be K-Mac. The adjuster bolts for camber and caster are for the front only. They allow a + or - orientation and are not otherwise adjustable. They allow about .3 of a degree of adjustment in either direction.
08-02-2015, 06:52 PM
#6
Member
Thread Starter
Got it. So I would need 4 x 000-333-09-71 for the front?
Trying to make the call 265/275 for the rear? Any preference for a handling rather than straight line acceleration focus?
Trying to make the call 265/275 for the rear? Any preference for a handling rather than straight line acceleration focus?
08-03-2015, 10:19 AM
#7
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2012 C63;1971 280SE 3.5(Sold);2023 EQS 450 SUV 4 Matic (Wife's)
If you wish to adjust camber and caster on the front you will need four bolt kits. They come with nuts and special inserts to orient the bolts in the mounting openings in the suspension frame. The part number I have from my 2010 is 000-333-10-71 on my dealer invoice. Best to double check the number you have.
I am running 265 MPSS on a 10" wide wheel but only because I could not get them in 275 when I needed to replace one with a screw in the sidewall. I never push mine hard enough to really tell you if there is much of a difference in handling between the two sizes. If you are running them on OEM wheels the 275 may be getting a little wide and may compromise handling a little or so I read in a thread here I think.
I am running 265 MPSS on a 10" wide wheel but only because I could not get them in 275 when I needed to replace one with a screw in the sidewall. I never push mine hard enough to really tell you if there is much of a difference in handling between the two sizes. If you are running them on OEM wheels the 275 may be getting a little wide and may compromise handling a little or so I read in a thread here I think.
