C208 55 AMG... should i get one?
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00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
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Out Of Control!!
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From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
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2003 AMG SL55, 2002 AMG CLK55, 2002 AMG ML55, 2005 ML350, 1995 S320 LWB - totaled
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Some feedback on the lower control arm (LCA) polyurethane bushings from LPD Auto (my completely unsolicited response):
First, those of you that know me also know that I'm typically mod-averse when it comes to my CLK55, which was purchased new in June 2002. I added the factory extended warranty before that first year was up, so my coverage is extended to June 2009, or 100K miles.
I've done some little (mainly cosmetic) modifications to personalize it, but stopped short of doing much of anything else, except for going to 18" Monoblock IIs and adding the euro-spec springs.
Thank goodness we have a resource locally (Atlanta) that not only understands our cars inside and out, but also has the desire to experiment.....it also helps that mbenzman owns two AMGs (ML55, W208-55 cabrio) and a 500E among many other cars, which spells credibility in my book. Aside from just being competent (he's the one who de-Malcomized Ted Baldwin's beast), Rich is "one of us" and is active in participating in many of the meets, including the Private AMG Track Day coming up this week.
Now on to the feedback....
I am sorry I didn't have this mod done when I picked up the car 5 years ago, when it was new (I've had that 60mph shimmy in one form or another - from slight to moderate - since I picked the car up)! I always chalked it up to needing tires or perhaps switching up to 18s.....Keep in mind, my W208/55 only has 33K miles on it and the main LCA bushings that came out of that car were already shot! They are definitely the weak part of the 208, 202 and 210 suspensions....probably others too.
I had a long list of things I had done at "Benzwerks" which is Rich's shop in Roswell including:
- Super ATE brake fluid
- Install SS lines
- Install new main LCA polyurethane bushings
- Remove 18s and install 17s
- Inspect brake rotors and pads, r/r as necessary
- Oil and filter change
- Coolant flush
- Diff. fluid change
- Tranny fluid change
- Alignment + high speed balance
- New steering damper
- Install new adjustable bolts
- New wiper insert!
I did notice a smoothness after the tranny and diff fluid changes and this will become routine maintenance for me every 30K miles.
I picked up the car Friday after work and Rich showed me the stock bushings he took out. The rubber along the inside of the metal sleeve had already separated, rendering the bushings virtually useless. I didn't have much time for a test drive when I picked it up, but drove over 100 miles yesterday afternoon and I couldn't be more happy! The car is ROCK-STINKIN' SOLID and get absolutely no shimmy of any kind. Remember, I did an alignment, went back to 17s and had the wheels high speed balanced, so I'm sure I couldn't give all the credit to the bushings, but I had experienced shimmy previously after having all these services performed (and they helped), but never ELIMINATED the issue.
Remember what you felt like when you bought your car? Excitement....elation? I feel like I have a brand new car again!
First, those of you that know me also know that I'm typically mod-averse when it comes to my CLK55, which was purchased new in June 2002. I added the factory extended warranty before that first year was up, so my coverage is extended to June 2009, or 100K miles.
I've done some little (mainly cosmetic) modifications to personalize it, but stopped short of doing much of anything else, except for going to 18" Monoblock IIs and adding the euro-spec springs.
Thank goodness we have a resource locally (Atlanta) that not only understands our cars inside and out, but also has the desire to experiment.....it also helps that mbenzman owns two AMGs (ML55, W208-55 cabrio) and a 500E among many other cars, which spells credibility in my book. Aside from just being competent (he's the one who de-Malcomized Ted Baldwin's beast), Rich is "one of us" and is active in participating in many of the meets, including the Private AMG Track Day coming up this week.
Now on to the feedback....
I am sorry I didn't have this mod done when I picked up the car 5 years ago, when it was new (I've had that 60mph shimmy in one form or another - from slight to moderate - since I picked the car up)! I always chalked it up to needing tires or perhaps switching up to 18s.....Keep in mind, my W208/55 only has 33K miles on it and the main LCA bushings that came out of that car were already shot! They are definitely the weak part of the 208, 202 and 210 suspensions....probably others too.
I had a long list of things I had done at "Benzwerks" which is Rich's shop in Roswell including:
- Super ATE brake fluid
- Install SS lines
- Install new main LCA polyurethane bushings
- Remove 18s and install 17s
- Inspect brake rotors and pads, r/r as necessary
- Oil and filter change
- Coolant flush
- Diff. fluid change
- Tranny fluid change
- Alignment + high speed balance
- New steering damper
- Install new adjustable bolts
- New wiper insert!
I did notice a smoothness after the tranny and diff fluid changes and this will become routine maintenance for me every 30K miles.
I picked up the car Friday after work and Rich showed me the stock bushings he took out. The rubber along the inside of the metal sleeve had already separated, rendering the bushings virtually useless. I didn't have much time for a test drive when I picked it up, but drove over 100 miles yesterday afternoon and I couldn't be more happy! The car is ROCK-STINKIN' SOLID and get absolutely no shimmy of any kind. Remember, I did an alignment, went back to 17s and had the wheels high speed balanced, so I'm sure I couldn't give all the credit to the bushings, but I had experienced shimmy previously after having all these services performed (and they helped), but never ELIMINATED the issue.
Remember what you felt like when you bought your car? Excitement....elation? I feel like I have a brand new car again!
Last edited by Chappy; Apr 8, 2007 at 06:10 AM.
