Suspension Gurus Chime In
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From: The Sunshine State
01 W210 E Klasse | 02 W 463 G-Wagen | 06 Land Rover LR3 HSE
Suspension Gurus Chime In
I know nothing about suspensions thus looking to get input in terms of my options. I recently purchased a 01 E430 and put on the E55 18 inch AMG wheels staggered set up. The rear tire is 275 and the front is 245.
Below are some of my questions, as always your input would be much appreciated:
1) After putting on the AMG wheels I feel that I sit a little higher have I really ended up raising the car ?. I thought the 18 inch tires were thinner so overall the net change should be 0 going from 17 inch to 18 inches.
2) The ride quality really has not gone down that much but on bad roads I hear a lot more noise from the tires. Currently I have the Michelin Pilot Sport is this brand the best and quietest tire for the 18 inch AMG’s?
3) Can the stock spring pads be changed to lower the front and the back at all? I searched the forums and read about it but am not clear. I don’t want to lower the car and make the ride any harsher. If I have ended up raising the car with the AMG’s I would really like to just get it back to the original height with 17 inch stock set up. What are my options?
Cheers
Below are some of my questions, as always your input would be much appreciated:
1) After putting on the AMG wheels I feel that I sit a little higher have I really ended up raising the car ?. I thought the 18 inch tires were thinner so overall the net change should be 0 going from 17 inch to 18 inches.
2) The ride quality really has not gone down that much but on bad roads I hear a lot more noise from the tires. Currently I have the Michelin Pilot Sport is this brand the best and quietest tire for the 18 inch AMG’s?
3) Can the stock spring pads be changed to lower the front and the back at all? I searched the forums and read about it but am not clear. I don’t want to lower the car and make the ride any harsher. If I have ended up raising the car with the AMG’s I would really like to just get it back to the original height with 17 inch stock set up. What are my options?
Cheers
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: SFV, SoCal
2022 CLS450 AMG 4Matic
I'm not a "suspension guru" by any means but I've had a bit of practice.
1. I don't think you sit any higher since you're going from a 17" wheel with a thicker tire to an 18" wheel with a thinner tire. Your fender to tire gap might look larger due to the thinner tire creating the illusion that you're sitting higher but that's all.
2. One can't comment unless speaking from his own experience about "which tire is the best." What I might think is the best for me might be the worst for you. I have Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires on mine and I love them.
3. Yes, you can change the stock spring pads which are probably #2's and/or #3's to #1's (the numbers are listed if you do a search). See the picture of my E55 in my sig; I am sitting on stock AMG springs and #1 pads. If you do not want your ride to get any stiffer or "harsher" at all but you want to sit a bit lower, try just changing your spring pads to #1's all around. If that doesn't make you happy then I would suggest picking up a set of used E55 OEM stock springs and #1 pads; then you're E430 should sit like my E55.
I hope this helps and good luck!
1. I don't think you sit any higher since you're going from a 17" wheel with a thicker tire to an 18" wheel with a thinner tire. Your fender to tire gap might look larger due to the thinner tire creating the illusion that you're sitting higher but that's all.
2. One can't comment unless speaking from his own experience about "which tire is the best." What I might think is the best for me might be the worst for you. I have Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires on mine and I love them.
3. Yes, you can change the stock spring pads which are probably #2's and/or #3's to #1's (the numbers are listed if you do a search). See the picture of my E55 in my sig; I am sitting on stock AMG springs and #1 pads. If you do not want your ride to get any stiffer or "harsher" at all but you want to sit a bit lower, try just changing your spring pads to #1's all around. If that doesn't make you happy then I would suggest picking up a set of used E55 OEM stock springs and #1 pads; then you're E430 should sit like my E55.
I hope this helps and good luck!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,546
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From: SFV, SoCal
2022 CLS450 AMG 4Matic
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: NorCal
'99 C43, '12 C63, '13 E350, '14 Sprinter
I'll second the nod for a set of E55 springs. They ride with the same soft "Benz" feel, yet lower the car nicely (not ricely). The proof is in my wife's E430 which now sits at a much more appropriate height and rides soft enough for her, yet still allows me to tear it up when I want to.
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Tire science 101
Just figure out what the numbers mean,guys.
245=width sidewall to sidewall in mm=24.5cm/2.54=9.64in.
35=profile as a % of tire width above so 9.64*.35=3.38in rim to tread
you need these math facts,to stop playing guessing games.
also,tire tip,for everyones future reference,in figuring out stagger,speedo error,the like,go to
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
the best tire size calc. on the www
ohlord
"GOT MATH?"
So with the setup above your front tires are going to be slightly taller then the rears and the rears are going to turn a few more rpm per mile.
245=width sidewall to sidewall in mm=24.5cm/2.54=9.64in.
35=profile as a % of tire width above so 9.64*.35=3.38in rim to tread
you need these math facts,to stop playing guessing games.
also,tire tip,for everyones future reference,in figuring out stagger,speedo error,the like,go to
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
the best tire size calc. on the www
ohlord
"GOT MATH?"
So with the setup above your front tires are going to be slightly taller then the rears and the rears are going to turn a few more rpm per mile.
Last edited by ohlord; Aug 24, 2007 at 12:00 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: TX
13 Lunar Blue GL550, 06 Imola Red BMW X5 4.8is, 04 Gold Honda Ody
I'll second the nod for a set of E55 springs. They ride with the same soft "Benz" feel, yet lower the car nicely (not ricely). The proof is in my wife's E430 which now sits at a much more appropriate height and rides soft enough for her, yet still allows me to tear it up when I want to.
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 194
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From: Toledo, OH
88 535is, 89 318iT
And to add to ohlord's addition, you want less than 5% difference in overall diameter to not really affect other wheel revolution dependent systems (speedo, traction control, etc.). 2-3% or less is ideal.
David
David
