E320 ( w124 ) suspension question need input
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From: Lee's Summit, MO ( Kansas City area )
1994 E320 Wagon
E320 ( w124 ) suspension question need input
I have a 1994 w124 E320 wagon.
The car is equipped with the hydropneumatic ( ? ) self leveling suspension.
The car is wonderful but has signifcant float on the highway, specifically what I would call poor rebound damping. Seems to take too long to recover from a big road dip, etc.
I would like to tighten this car up if possible. I would guess there would be two ways to go:
1. Replace aged stock suspension ( front shocks, springs, and rear hydro shock units )
2. Replace front shocks and a local Mercedes shop has suggested possibly getting rid of the hydro rear units and fitting regular shocks.
Route #2 seems like the most effective route to me, as I could fit upgraded Bilsteins or something all around to firm up the car.
Any ideas, from those of you in the know, on what the best course of action would be, without turning the car into a hay cart ride, but with the goal of getting rid of the Lincoln Town Car feel?
Thanks for advice!
Matt
The car is equipped with the hydropneumatic ( ? ) self leveling suspension.
The car is wonderful but has signifcant float on the highway, specifically what I would call poor rebound damping. Seems to take too long to recover from a big road dip, etc.
I would like to tighten this car up if possible. I would guess there would be two ways to go:
1. Replace aged stock suspension ( front shocks, springs, and rear hydro shock units )
2. Replace front shocks and a local Mercedes shop has suggested possibly getting rid of the hydro rear units and fitting regular shocks.
Route #2 seems like the most effective route to me, as I could fit upgraded Bilsteins or something all around to firm up the car.
Any ideas, from those of you in the know, on what the best course of action would be, without turning the car into a hay cart ride, but with the goal of getting rid of the Lincoln Town Car feel?
Thanks for advice!
Matt
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
I think if you get rid of the rear and replace with Bilsteins you will lose the self leveling feature wwhich could be important particularly in a wagon. I would renew the std set up and this way you will not have to be a test pilot
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From: Belgium
When the gas ***** (forgive me if it is not proper English) are defective, the car will not hold the road. Even more, when driving really bad roads, the care will bounce.
Just replace those *****.
Patrick
Just replace those *****.
Patrick
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From: Vancouver Island, B.C. Canada
2005 smart cabrio; 2008 Mercedes-Benz B 200
suspension
Patrick is right: you should assume that the hydropneumatic "spheres" are suspect and have them changed out for new ones if necessary.
Have you owned the car from new? I presume this degree of "floatiness" is not normal in the W124.
This may sound ridiculous, but I'd recommend taking the car to a Citroën specialist, if there is one anywhere near you. Citroën invented this type of suspension, have now perfected it, and all of their half-decent touring cars had (and have) it.
The reason I suggest this is that the typical Mercedes-Benz dealer may not be sufficiently experienced with this type of suspension system to do the work efficiently (meaning a hefty labour bill). One ride with a Citroën technician should be all it takes to condemn the "spheres" or correctly diagnose any other problem related to the rear suspension.
Have you owned the car from new? I presume this degree of "floatiness" is not normal in the W124.
This may sound ridiculous, but I'd recommend taking the car to a Citroën specialist, if there is one anywhere near you. Citroën invented this type of suspension, have now perfected it, and all of their half-decent touring cars had (and have) it.
The reason I suggest this is that the typical Mercedes-Benz dealer may not be sufficiently experienced with this type of suspension system to do the work efficiently (meaning a hefty labour bill). One ride with a Citroën technician should be all it takes to condemn the "spheres" or correctly diagnose any other problem related to the rear suspension.
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From: Vancouver Island, B.C. Canada
2005 smart cabrio; 2008 Mercedes-Benz B 200
Well...
That depends upon the size of the local dealers, I think. Around where I live, if the two dealers have one car with this rear suspension that they still service, I'd be surprised. Therefore the mechanic asked to look at it would have no experience with this particular technology. And a nice labour bill would be racked up, from the inexperienced mechanic just reading the manual.
Around here I'd take it to the Citroën place. Even there have been no Citroëns sold in Canada since 1974, there are still a few specialists around. They could do the diagnosis (probably for free) and then I'd get the M-B shop to do the work (or do it myself).
Around here I'd take it to the Citroën place. Even there have been no Citroëns sold in Canada since 1974, there are still a few specialists around. They could do the diagnosis (probably for free) and then I'd get the M-B shop to do the work (or do it myself).
