How Rough Is Ur Ride
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland Ohio
2003 Clk 500
How Rough Is Ur Ride
I just recently purchased a used 2003 clk500 and went from a 350z. So I did not notice the ride until my wife pointed it out. Below 40 mph it rides pretty rough. Also if we hit a bigger bump the tail end sort of rocks or shakes a bit. It is just as rough if not more than my old 350Z over bigger bumps. I guess my concern is, Do I need new coils or shocks, could my sway bar be broken? Is this normal since it is a "sports car". Does all thr CLK500s have a rougher ride for performance? I thought it would be smoother being a mercedes.
Tech Info
2003 CLK500
48000 miles
1 minor accident - dent on top of bumper, decklid replaced and broken passenger tail light.
Any help would be appreciated?
Tech Info
2003 CLK500
48000 miles
1 minor accident - dent on top of bumper, decklid replaced and broken passenger tail light.
Any help would be appreciated?
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 605
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From: NJ,USA
'10 c63,'03expedition,ducati999,22'Donzi
i drove a bunch of M3's prior to buying my clk ,witch i thought where much stiffer compared to the clk.since i have a long commute i opted for the auto and the smoother ride. i dropped the clk with H&R springs and it still feels nice. not as harsh as i thought it would be.i have never been in a 350Z so i can't compare the two.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 655
Likes: 1
I drive the racism out of BadDebt. ;)
i used to own a racebred civic hatch dumped on a 2.5 race drop all around on H&R springs with 45 series tires and that was a rough ride...
now im on 19s with 35 and 30 series tires with a H&R sport drop on my clk and the backend rattles and jitters a bit.. a lot rougher than when stock...
now im on 19s with 35 and 30 series tires with a H&R sport drop on my clk and the backend rattles and jitters a bit.. a lot rougher than when stock...
Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 236
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From: ATL
CLK 550
What size wheels and tires are you running? And are your springs and shocks stock? That can make a big difference. I run 18"s now, and the ride feels much harsher than when I am on my stock 17s. Also, I'm lowered on Brabus springs.
From a comparison perspective with other vehicles, I was in my friend's E92 a few weeks ago and I felt my ride comfort on aftermarket 18"s was comparable to his stock setup. On the flipside, it's night and day when compared to my wife's RX -- the Lexus riding much smoother of course.
From a comparison perspective with other vehicles, I was in my friend's E92 a few weeks ago and I felt my ride comfort on aftermarket 18"s was comparable to his stock setup. On the flipside, it's night and day when compared to my wife's RX -- the Lexus riding much smoother of course.
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 350
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From: NYC
'12 CLS 550 4matic
A lot of the rough ride can be blamed on the wheel and tire combo, although didn't your Z have the same type of configuration?
My 550 rides a little rough in the city, but w/ 35's all around and the stock MB lowered suspension, it is par for the course.
My 550 rides a little rough in the city, but w/ 35's all around and the stock MB lowered suspension, it is par for the course.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland Ohio
2003 Clk 500
Yeah it is a weird feeling and I wonder if it could make the car loose control easier in bed weather. My Z had a stiff ride but the rear end did not wobble. I should see if my dealer has a new one I can test drive. See if it does the same.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 846
Likes: 1
From: Miami, Maracaibo, Bogota
not stock.
I would try upgrading all four (4) of your shocks with Bilsteins.... that should take care of your issues .... it IS a used car and you mention a slight accident... so you really have no idea what the car has seen in its past..
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 38
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From: Cleveland Ohio
2003 Clk 500
How are Bilsteins, I would like to have some smoothness to the ride. I know i put some sport shocks on a little import tuner I had back in the day and it made my ride so stiff.
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 223
Likes: 3
From: Orlando, Florida, USA
09CLK550Cab 61k miles
What tires do you have, and what are your pressures? The gas lid says 30-38 psi depending on the speed you will be driving, right? I set it to 33 for winter and 35 for summer, but 30 is much softer. I have pot holes, so I can't run the pressure too low or else I may pop a tire.
Also, the tires make a big difference too. Some have really stiff side walls and some are for comfort. I think the ContiSportContacts I have have pretty soft-medium sidewalls.
Also, the tires make a big difference too. Some have really stiff side walls and some are for comfort. I think the ContiSportContacts I have have pretty soft-medium sidewalls.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 38
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From: Cleveland Ohio
2003 Clk 500
i have some continental tires on there. They need to be replaced. It could be the combo of my shocks and tires. I would run out and get the model but it is another cold cleveland night. Tuesday is supposed to be about 60 so i am going to jack up the car and take a look under there. Besides the obvious gas leak is there any other way to see if a shock is busted. I know about the bounce test but if just one shock is bad the other will make up for it on a bounce. I will post the tires on here to tuesday.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 38
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From: Cleveland Ohio
2003 Clk 500
Hey just a heads up on the previous post. Everything was ok on the suspension. It ended up my tires were much worse than I thought. It was on the inside edge so I could not tell. I replaced my tires and it rides great now. I bought some Nexen N7000 tires and so far they are great. Good traction and a quiet ride. I just need to see how well they wear. The rating was 360 but I am not sure how that will work with cleveland roads and a maniac behind the wheel.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 481
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From: Kilmarnock, Scotland, UK
clk 500 2003
very glad to hear this man, since i am looking for problems more than ever(just my way lol), i suspect i have same problem as u, my back tires are brand new, front one's need replaced and your post gives me confidence that will help my ride quality.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Kilmarnock, Scotland, UK
clk 500 2003
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 38
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From: Cleveland Ohio
2003 Clk 500
Funny thing kenny I read your post and it was the worst on the inside edge of my Right Rear tire. It was worn so bad that the steel belt was shredding. I was having trouble on wet roads and was very impressed that even with those tires my clk500 made it through a foot and a half of snow blizzard. So either the tech was right or a lot of clks have RR alignment problems. Let me know what u find out.
