E320 Cab Suspension Upgrade--Help with Tradeoffs!
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Newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
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E320 Cabriolet
E320 Cab Suspension Upgrade--Help with Tradeoffs!
Hi to all here. I've dug into this and other forums without a definitive answer to this question:
What are the handling trade-offs inherent in various degrees of "Sportline" modification for this car? I'm not an aggressive driver, but would like this car to corner flatter and drive with more stability. I'd also like to limit the cost. So, I see the following scenarios:
1) Add Bilstein HDs and call it a day. Worthwhile?
2) Add above plus front/rear "Sportline" sway bars. Much incremental benefit? What about just the front bar?
3) Go the whole nine yards with shorter springs, sport shocks and the bars. Worth the expense for a driver like me?
I'm asking for feedback in light of what I'm looking to get out of the car. I know the optimal scenario is 3), but if you were in my shoes, would you compromise? Thanks for your feedback. Ken in NYC
What are the handling trade-offs inherent in various degrees of "Sportline" modification for this car? I'm not an aggressive driver, but would like this car to corner flatter and drive with more stability. I'd also like to limit the cost. So, I see the following scenarios:
1) Add Bilstein HDs and call it a day. Worthwhile?
2) Add above plus front/rear "Sportline" sway bars. Much incremental benefit? What about just the front bar?
3) Go the whole nine yards with shorter springs, sport shocks and the bars. Worth the expense for a driver like me?
I'm asking for feedback in light of what I'm looking to get out of the car. I know the optimal scenario is 3), but if you were in my shoes, would you compromise? Thanks for your feedback. Ken in NYC
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 622
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S500
Ken, I have Eibach springs and Koni adjustables on my cabrio along with a set of 18x8 wheels. Car drives awesome. The last step will be RDMTEK strut mounts and all will be complete. The cabrio swaybar is .5mm thinner than the 500E one, no point in changing that.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 65
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From: Madrid
E 220 Coupe E 320 Cabrio AMG E 300 Diesel
I will order my proposals by price:
If you want more stability while concerning is fundamental to change the sway bars from standard to Sportline which are thicker. But it’s very important to change both front and rear sway bars because they are specially tuned depending on axles weight compensation (look for sway bars for your car: they are different depending on version). Changing only one sway bar will unbalanced axle stiffness and will make your car dangerous while concerning.
The next will be to change shock absorbers by sporty ones. They will help to sway bars to hold car in curves.
Finally you could change springs for harder or harder and shorter (but take into account that is springs are shorter shock absorbers must be shorter too). The cheapest solution is cut your current springs. When you cut a spring it’s stiffness increases (to do this ask another users about how many length of spring you cut).
As respect to Mercedes original Sportline tuning don´t care about its hardness, it’s not a radical sporty car. I fit my car win original Sportline swaybars, springs and shock absorbers and it’s much more precise and stable without losing too much comfortability, now it’s perfect.
If you want more stability while concerning is fundamental to change the sway bars from standard to Sportline which are thicker. But it’s very important to change both front and rear sway bars because they are specially tuned depending on axles weight compensation (look for sway bars for your car: they are different depending on version). Changing only one sway bar will unbalanced axle stiffness and will make your car dangerous while concerning.
The next will be to change shock absorbers by sporty ones. They will help to sway bars to hold car in curves.
Finally you could change springs for harder or harder and shorter (but take into account that is springs are shorter shock absorbers must be shorter too). The cheapest solution is cut your current springs. When you cut a spring it’s stiffness increases (to do this ask another users about how many length of spring you cut).
As respect to Mercedes original Sportline tuning don´t care about its hardness, it’s not a radical sporty car. I fit my car win original Sportline swaybars, springs and shock absorbers and it’s much more precise and stable without losing too much comfortability, now it’s perfect.
Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 117
Likes: 1
300CE 24V Sportline 1991
Cutting springs?????
I don't think so.
This tactic might suit young blades who play with old Fords but, really, you have a Mercedes 124 Cabriolet. You're way above that sort of thing.
If you want shorter springs, get them. Springs from H&R, Eibach, Bilstein (in the B12 kit, for example) are not costly. The cost of replacing them, unless done onesself, will be greater than that of the springs.
Also remember that you MUST get the right springs. There is a points system used by MB, Bilstein (and probably the other good ones too) that tots up the number of points applicable to each axle. Even a radio adds 1 point to the front axle. Auto box, air-con add points too.
With your car, think 'Quality.'
The best to you.
RayH
This tactic might suit young blades who play with old Fords but, really, you have a Mercedes 124 Cabriolet. You're way above that sort of thing.
If you want shorter springs, get them. Springs from H&R, Eibach, Bilstein (in the B12 kit, for example) are not costly. The cost of replacing them, unless done onesself, will be greater than that of the springs.
Also remember that you MUST get the right springs. There is a points system used by MB, Bilstein (and probably the other good ones too) that tots up the number of points applicable to each axle. Even a radio adds 1 point to the front axle. Auto box, air-con add points too.
With your car, think 'Quality.'
The best to you.
RayH
Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 117
Likes: 1
300CE 24V Sportline 1991
Point taken but ...
With the greatest respect, I think the only solution that's cheaper than installing correct springs is to sell the 124.
Sorry, but I cannot imagine ANY justification for cutting springs. The shape of most springs changes at the ends to provide the contact points. If you cut them, the contact points will not impinge on their supports at the right angles with who knows what results.
I know it's easy to spend other people's money but we 124 types do tend to stress the quality of these cars. Only by fitting quality parts do we preserve that quality.
The best to all.
RayH
Sorry, but I cannot imagine ANY justification for cutting springs. The shape of most springs changes at the ends to provide the contact points. If you cut them, the contact points will not impinge on their supports at the right angles with who knows what results.
I know it's easy to spend other people's money but we 124 types do tend to stress the quality of these cars. Only by fitting quality parts do we preserve that quality.
The best to all.
RayH
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Madrid
E 220 Coupe E 320 Cabrio AMG E 300 Diesel
Sorry but you are wrong. The W124 springs can be cut by only one end. As you say, the top can't be cut because last spira is planified to seat perfectily with rubbers. But the other end can be cut perpendicular to spiral axis (not perpendicular to spring axis).
When I first bought Sportline springs for my one my W124's I realised they was the same (material and thickness) unless number of spiras. So when I fit the second one I cut the springs the some amount I have checked with previous. I sure they has exactily the same behaviour as originals!!. No doubt is the cheaper solution.
As I said, reducing number of spiras increases proportionality the rigidity constant of a spring.
So I've talked about my personal experience about this dilema: 'to cut or not to cut'; because I made both solutions and you sure I'm right!!
When I first bought Sportline springs for my one my W124's I realised they was the same (material and thickness) unless number of spiras. So when I fit the second one I cut the springs the some amount I have checked with previous. I sure they has exactily the same behaviour as originals!!. No doubt is the cheaper solution.
As I said, reducing number of spiras increases proportionality the rigidity constant of a spring.
So I've talked about my personal experience about this dilema: 'to cut or not to cut'; because I made both solutions and you sure I'm right!!
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2009
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E320 Cabriolet
Thanks and Resolution
Thanks to all for your perspective. There are as many "best" solutions as there are 124 owners, which I suppose is a credit to individual taste. I decided to go with Bilstein HDs and call it quits. I'm told the US Cabrios got the "Sportline" sway bars anyway. And the spring-thing seems like too much expense for the benefit. As well, the result may be a little harsh for NYC area driving. I do side with posters who implore me to enjoy the car for what it is and go with a quality solution. Best to all, Ken in NYC
