rparrish22

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?

FastDonzi

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.

Supafly

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...

rparrish22

I wonder if this car has been modified? I would have to get it up on a lift to see. The winters in cleveland are no fun for getting under the car right now.

atl2nyc

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.

rparrish22

It is the stock amg package wheels with 225-45-zr-17s front and 235-40-zr-17s rear.

stormkenny3

can't say i have had this problem for the most part mine has a very nice ride

FEGELEIN

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.

rparrish22

I understand rides getting rough by lowering and changing tires, this one looks stock so I guess the question is "How did it ride before you modified it?"

Chi500

I had a 2003 CLK500 that I got rid of at about 40,000 miles. One of the reasons why was that the shocks needed to be replaced. That might be your problem.

1badazzamg

I Feel The Same Thing Im My 04 Clk500..it Feels Like Its Due To How Light Weight The Rear Of The Car Is..i Get A Lots Of Play When I Hit Bumps And Potholes!

Blue3vGT

Drive an 06 Mustang GT and drive the CLK again, and you will know all is a-ok!

rparrish22

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.

OJwerks

if it "wobbles" then its not a rough ride... its a "too soft" ride and that can be product of blown shocks... or even one blown shock is enough to cause that.... springs normally dont go out so quickly as shocks do... and will normally out last several sets of shocks before needing replacement....

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..

rparrish22

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.

trikoid

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.

rparrish22

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.

rparrish22

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.

stormkenny3

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.

stormkenny3

could u explain a bit more, was it just slight cuts on inside of tyre, how many tyres had this problem, ect.

thanks

rparrish22

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.

stormkenny3

will do