2003 CL600 Sport Ride Quality
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 198
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2003 CL600 Sport Ride Quality
I have a brand new 2003 CL 600 Sport in Brilliant Silver with every option that I'm actually trying to unload because the ride is terrible.
I love pretty much everything else about the car, so I wish there were some way to address it. I drove a 2001 CL600 Sport and didn't think it was much better/different, so I don't -think- its a problem with my car. However, I drove an SL500 Sport today and thought it had a better ride than my CL, which really shouldn't be the case.
My car is ok over large road items like expansion joints and manhole cover, but its over relatively smooth road that its annoying: it transmits -every- minor road imperfect right to your seat. The Sport mode makes no difference at all, but I don't think it should (it only effects the ABC damping).
If this is really the way its supposed to be, do I have any aftermarket options for improving the ride in terms of replacing the shocks/struts a with less aggressive profile?
Any suggestions are very welcome... I'd really love to love this car!
I love pretty much everything else about the car, so I wish there were some way to address it. I drove a 2001 CL600 Sport and didn't think it was much better/different, so I don't -think- its a problem with my car. However, I drove an SL500 Sport today and thought it had a better ride than my CL, which really shouldn't be the case.
My car is ok over large road items like expansion joints and manhole cover, but its over relatively smooth road that its annoying: it transmits -every- minor road imperfect right to your seat. The Sport mode makes no difference at all, but I don't think it should (it only effects the ABC damping).
If this is really the way its supposed to be, do I have any aftermarket options for improving the ride in terms of replacing the shocks/struts a with less aggressive profile?
Any suggestions are very welcome... I'd really love to love this car!
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 159
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From: Boston Ma.
2017 S63 Cabriolet Black With Porcelain 2019 Range Rover Velar Special Edition
ride Quality
I had a 2003 sl500 and now have a 2003 cl500 sport what i noticed about the ride is on the cl500 silky smooth on most roads.
But on real sharpe bumps the abc does not have time to respond so it sound like i experienced the opposite. But the ride on the sl was very tight, quick responding,and not as harsh over sharpe bumps. and acually really comfortable, but so I have a cl55 coming in two months I think the ride will be like the sl. Also the first thing i would check is tire pressure I run all my cars at 29 psi
if the tires are at 36 psi or higher I would better that's your problem. I know other readers will tell you different on the tire pressure , But give this a try and let me know how it works.
But on real sharpe bumps the abc does not have time to respond so it sound like i experienced the opposite. But the ride on the sl was very tight, quick responding,and not as harsh over sharpe bumps. and acually really comfortable, but so I have a cl55 coming in two months I think the ride will be like the sl. Also the first thing i would check is tire pressure I run all my cars at 29 psi
if the tires are at 36 psi or higher I would better that's your problem. I know other readers will tell you different on the tire pressure , But give this a try and let me know how it works.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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Yes, I tried dropping the pressure as low as 28, didn't seem to make much difference. It did smooth it out a bit over harsh bumps, but that's not the part I'm having trouble with, its on the otherwise decent stretches of road that it seems to be amplifying things...
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 80
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From: Cincinnati, Ohio
2024 GLE450e
How many miles do you have on the car? I have a 2002 CL500 sport and the ride at first was rough. After about 3-4000 miles, the ride smoothed out allot. I think it really had to do with the tires. Also, the car sometimes rides rough until the tires heat up.
Now, the ride is no longer harsh on smooth roads and the car feels great.
Now, the ride is no longer harsh on smooth roads and the car feels great.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
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From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
Originally posted by JFawwaz
you can turn off ABC and the ride will be smoother. Its probably mostly due to the larger 18" sport wheels
you can turn off ABC and the ride will be smoother. Its probably mostly due to the larger 18" sport wheels
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
I had a CL500 with standard 17" wheels. I didn't like he look and added the 18" AMG wheels with Y rated Dunlop's.
The ride was always smooth with the CL, but definitely softer on the 17" tires. I guess this was mostly due to the fact that the 18" were Y rated and the rubber needed some warm-up time and of course the smaller rim size.
Now I haven't heard anyone referring to a CL as a rough ride. What were your reference cars?
Wolfman
The ride was always smooth with the CL, but definitely softer on the 17" tires. I guess this was mostly due to the fact that the 18" were Y rated and the rubber needed some warm-up time and of course the smaller rim size.
Now I haven't heard anyone referring to a CL as a rough ride. What were your reference cars?
Wolfman
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 469
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From: So. Cal
2024 S580 | 2024 Escalade ESV Sport Plat | 2022 X5M Competition
I think ABC in the "normal" setting provides a smoother ride, but obviously with more body roll/lean. I notice on the freeway, if you put it in sport mode while driving straight, the ride gets a little bumpier.
If you really think it's too stiff, maybe you should ask the dealer to check it out. There should be a difference between the sport and normal ABC modes.
If you really think it's too stiff, maybe you should ask the dealer to check it out. There should be a difference between the sport and normal ABC modes.
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 87
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
2003 Mercedes SL55
Dave your comments amuse me. I'm finally getting the road feel I get in a BMW, and I love it. If you want that wimpy indistinct ride quality, get an Audi or a non-sport Merc.
Mercedes is impressing this Bimmerhead. Merc build quality far exceeds BMW IMHO, but the BMW drive quality was always what attracted me. BMW failed in fit and finish AND in the techno-gadgetry. OK, some of you think the Techno stuff is passe, I don't.
The CL600 is a great car. Something that is truly a step ahead for Mercedes.
Mercedes is impressing this Bimmerhead. Merc build quality far exceeds BMW IMHO, but the BMW drive quality was always what attracted me. BMW failed in fit and finish AND in the techno-gadgetry. OK, some of you think the Techno stuff is passe, I don't.
The CL600 is a great car. Something that is truly a step ahead for Mercedes.
