panz

hello everyone, i am new to this forum!

my glk order is set to arrive in 3 weeks or so, and i am very excited.
i've been reading a lot of forums and reviews about the car, and i've notice that quite a few people complain about the not so great handling of the car.
i see on ebay people selling strut tower braces for the glk that are supposed to improve the handling especially on turns.

does anybody know anything about this strut tower brace? is it worth the investment considering the guy is asking 400 dollars for it? or are there other options that can tighten the steering and make the vehicle sway less?

thank you for your time people

zelko

Having had the GLK for a month now, and also being one of the previous posters who "complained" about the loose steering wheel when I test drove the GLK, I am perfectly fine with the way the steering is handling now.

Baby G

Handling is perfectly fine, there is no need for the strut bar in my personal view.

MBRedux

Buy it, drive it... then decide... tower brace only if you plan on running it hard.. otherwise... it's a crossover... not a car.

GLK4MATIC

I have driven the GLK in it's factory setup and with the brace and can tell you there is no comparison.

MB_Owner

OK, please break the suspense, which do you prefer since there's "no comparison?" I take it there's more coming on the post where you'll discuss in detail the differences you observed and which one you actually prefer?

EnigmaAW

it's a luxury suv, not a race car??????????? i personally think the handling is great! sure i came from an xterra, which is basically an offroad vehicle........ i also think the guy who makes the tower braces is a site member??

NYCGLK

exactly, it's all about what you are used to, where you drive and how you drive. It's not a miata, it's a 4200 pound SUV.

And yes GLK4MATIC makes and and sells the braces and claims it makes a significant difference, we had some fun disucussions about benefits in the past.

panz

it's a luxury suv not a race car for sure, but considering the size of the suv i think the handling could defiantly improve... i don't know, maybe it's because i grew up in italy and i'm a very aggressive driver, but i care about these things a lot
anyways how are the 22s feeling on the car? must look nice man!

panz

hi, are you the guy that was selling the brace on ebay that i also emailed? my name is davide

panz

really? are these discussions still visible?

MBRedux

Yes at another forum site: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/x204...wer-brace.html

NYCGLK

I'm not on registered on benzworld, but similar topic was on MBWorld as well, quick search will find it.

EnigmaAW

ride quality feels the same from 20's to 22's. i'm just more cautious. i go alot slower over bumps and rougher roads. i'm running 255/35/22's there's not alot of sidewall to protect the rims.

NYCGLK

Haha I just got back from vacation (explains why I was absent from this forum past week) and we rented a car in Italy. Drove out of Naples to Sorrento. I had quite a bit of fun driving in Naples as there are no rules to driving whatsoever, whoever has most arrogance gets to go... hehe.

But let's put things in perspective, it's 4200 SUV made by a company not known for good handling. I wish handling was better too, but I wish for that 10% of the time on the roads I drive. If you care about handling and have roads for it, GLK is not the best choice. However, I still have more confidence taking turns in GLK than in 2 previous toyota CARs I had.

MBRedux

You need not be a member... you can read the thread as a guest and maybe discover things that were not said here in this forum.

My roots are from Cimitile, a small town just north of Naples in the hills. Naples and Milan... both crazy to drive in... and I'm originally from NYC.

GLK4MATIC

I am not allowed to say anything about braces on this site except for what I posted. SMERC had a hissy fit and told the mods I called him out so they deleted all my posts on the subject. If I say anymore here he will run back to his Daddy and tell them again. I can be found on Benzworld and myMBonline and can answer your questions there.

Best GLK4matic

Tugzy

Can you please post some quantitative data/numbers showing the improvements? How did you judge this? Subjectively or did you take track data? Any torsional rigidity measurements? Stress/strain gauge measuements on the Bar? I'm curious about your R&D study....

98% of the time an aftermarket strut brace provides zero benefit... especially when you have a well designed rigid platform like the X204.


to the OP, the GLK's handling characteristics has much to do with the quick ratio steering...also, the steering is overboosted such that it feels disconnected. Otherwise the GLK handles very well for an SUV, very little body roll and good road holding in the corners. This subjective opinion is coming from someone who also owns an S2000 with plenty of track time and has a SH-AWD MDX as an alternate vehicle ...

Baby G

GLK4matic easy there eh......

jpjolo

figures. he's trying to quash to competition I guess.

MBRedux

Ahhhh come on guys... lay off... he makes a good looking product.

bigigg

I am selling a strut bar, only $200.. painted red, fits GLK.. NORTH,NJ AREA..pm me for details and pics

radionightster

I have some pills to sell you that make you feel awesome. I've been with the pills and without them and can tell you there is no comparison.

radionightster

Wow, GLK4MATIC really comes across as a douche in this thread:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/x204...r-brace-4.html

It's a great read. People who actually understand automobile suspension start questioning him, and he has nothing to defend himself. Completely unscientific too. He just says "it definitely feels better!!!!" as his only proof. Lol.

MBRedux

I understand suspension extremely well. He may not be able to write very well, but he sure knows how to weld. Do you know anything about welding? If you do, then you must admit, these are very good welds.



As far as how this brace feels, well I think anyone who mods a GLK for street use is not very together anyways.