I'm sure there're a lot of cars out there that handle well (the "just right" handling factors). However, of all the cars that I, my relative, or friends have owned & tried so far, very few leave good impression. They're either too rough (torture when road is a not at perfection level), or too soft (float like a boat).

* My old 99 SL500 w/ sport package: too rough. It feel like the car has no suspension and no air in the tires at all
* Lexus (GS300, LS400, ES300): to soft.
* My buddy G35 w/ sport package: to rough.
* Lexus IS300: alright, but you don't feel attach to the car. Don't know what it lacks, all I know is that it lacks something.
* My buddy M3 Coupe: too rough
* My buddy E55: feel no different than my old SL500. Back bone killer.
* My buddy S500, C320: no feeling, no attachment
* Co-worker E500 w/ sport package: what sport package ? can't feel a thing.

Of course, if I have a lot of $$, then I can just load myself a S55 or CL55, and then would never complain. Sadly, I can't afford them, not by a long shot. The only car that I think handle really well, good "it" factor between the ride and handling is my old '98 BMW 528i with sport package. It feels just right, regardless of road condition. Had it not for the eletronic nightmare, I don't think I would ever trade that car. It's as perfect as a car could be (talking about car that I can afford). I'm sure the new BMW E60 ride well, but I wouldn't want to be seen inside that ugliness.

Back to my car, I have never really happy w/ my E320. It just to soft. Good for cruising, but that's it. I've seen people going for low profile tires, claiming that they'll improve handling significantly. I don't doubt that. The problem is that lot of low-profile tire cars that I've driven ride like crap: you feel every piece of the road, yet when it turn or stop, the car dip or turn like a Buick. Other cars w/ low profile tires and suspension upgrade ride just like my old SL: you feel like someone put you in a metal box, and drag you along the road. Sure it doesn't tip and tilt, but the torture is so not worth it.

Until I called Phil at mercedesshop.com, and told him that I need a new set of socks. My just too floaty. He ask if I want to try the Bilstein HD, since that's the one the E55 use (minus the spring & low profile tires).

Today, after the shop done putting on the four new socks, it takes less than a mile for me to realize it's the "magic ride" of my old Bimmer that's in my E320 now:. IT IS JUST RIGHT !!!. Not too harsh, not to soft. When you cruise, it's smooth, but when turn and brake came, it's like a train: no tip, no tilt.

I'll probably will still go w/ 17" wheels now, but it's will probably more for the look.

Never thought a Bilstein w/ a set of 55/16 tires could give that magic handling.


Thank you, Phil !!!.

 

thanks for the report. i've only owned my 99 E320 for a few months and still learning its character. but i did think that the factory shocks were subpar. heck, even my truck is quicker on the corners than my benz. I'll give the Bilsteins HD a try.

 

Change the springs as well and you'll find a whole new beast........

 

Presuming you recommend a stiffer spring -- by how much? My ride is basic sedan w/o 4matic.

 

Go with the sock first, then if you find out that it's not stiff enough (or that your body can handle more stiff ride), then go w/ the spring.

Go with both sock and spring at the same time, if it's too much for you, it'll be too late (or costly) to revise.

17" wheels are next for me. I've been enjoying every single ride of my car for the last 3 days. Quite fun to go on/off rame at full throtle.

 

My Eibach's are surprisingly comfy - firm yet not stiff or bumpy at all. You almost couldn't feel the difference in comfort until you reach high speeds and corner. Eibachs are designed to stiffen at high speeds with their variable spring rates. I understand H&R's are even more comfortable but I'd never sat in a car that has them....so can't be sure how they compare.

 

Whitey, I'm sure it's posted somewhere (too lazy to search ) but what is your ride's suspension set-up? I too have Eibach springs with #1 / #3 pad set-up but your car is noticeably lower than mine. Share the knowledge.....

 

Really Joe? I have Eibach springs with Bilstein Sprint Shocks (supposed to travel more and enable a slightly lower stance...but I find this hard to believe....), #1 pads in front and #4s in the back (to compensate for the higher front created by the Eibachs and the dead body I keep in the truck....). Here's a visual :



Note: the left side is higher (is that the case in the US?). Sorry zam2000 for hijacking your thread but hopefully this will be good reference material on the topic.

 

 

Could it be that the Bilstein Shocks would lower the ride that little bit more to make it look just right??? Hmmmm??? I must look into this. You're car definitely sits lower thank mine with the same springs and one number difference on the pad. Interesting...BTW, my measurements are all even on both the left and right side.

 

My mechanic insists that the shocks will have an effect but everyone here says otherwise, so I'm not sure. Might also be the angle I take my pics too. Also from what I have noticed, the E's here seem to sit lower when stock as well, so maybe the spring fitments are a little different.....weird.

 

Yeah, my mech. says the same thing, will not affect. One size difference on the pad though Joe will make about a 4mm difference and that's enough to notice. If you are thinking about eventially getting shocks, do it if and when you change your spring pad because you're already in there. It will save you the cash for the labor of having to do it again if you do one at a time.

 

The thing is....I'm on a thicker (thickest in fact) pad in the back.......really weird, must of different settings for different countries...........

 

That is weird because with my setup and #2 pads all around, I'm barely a hair or two lower in the front...

 

after i get my new wheels put on i'm looking to change susp because the car doesn't feel at all like it did years ago. i saw that eibach has a kit that includs the pro-kit spings and what i think was pro dampers (shocks).
can anyone tell me if they or someone they know has any experience with this setup? i've always heard it's better to have a matched set.
i also wondered if just changing shocks and pads would give me my desired effect of better road feel and handling like i used to get. but am i mistaken in that the mech. would have to pretty much remove my stock springs to replace shocks anyway, thereby making the incremental labor cost to do springs and shocks very little?

 

Jimmy, its the different springs and pads also.

JYO, Gary E420 has done the complete Eibach pro-kit and it looked real nice and low...what I can't figure out is why it looks so different (better) when technically, it should be the springs that affects the height and I have the same.....which led to to believe shocks will have an effect on height...more weird:

 

Well ...I know that but I just can't believe they would be that off. If I put #4's on my rears my car would look like a 4X4 in the back.

 

Can't really explain but surely different springs can have length differences up to 1-2" (or even spring rate differences) right? Also, looking at Gary's ride (assuming he didn't change the pads), mine was much lower in the back on #3's which could be a combination of, or either of the following:

1) Setings/fitments differ in different countries (which may be true as I was told there are certain US standards that these cars have to meet which don't apply in HK)

2) Effect of the heavy load in the back (I'll need to try disposing of it oneday to see)

3) Effect of the shocks.

Anyways, it doesn't matter....fact is, mines too high in the front for my liking and I can't do a thing about it (unless I change the springs)

 

zam2000,
How much did the Bilstein HD cost you?
where can I get a set for cheap??

Everyone,
what do you guys think?
Bilstein or Eibach shocks?

 

can u find eibach shocks (which are made by sachs)? i waited 2 months before i decided not to wait any longer and got the bilsteins. was told they are designed differently, sort of upside down from the conventional types i.e. the "male" part is on top instead of the bottom, which is supposed to absorb shocks better than the conventional designs. pls let us know what you find out.

 

Mercedesshop.com

I paid $460 total, free shipping, no tax.

Another $80 to have them installed.

 

$80 sounds like a really good deal to have shocks installed....is that typical for most garages?

whitey, are you looking for the eibach pro dampers?

 

I was - just had my shocks replaced with Bilstein Sprint Shock a couple of months ago.