Best bang for buck to improve handling?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 590
Likes: 12
From: Phoenix AZ
2025 BMW I4, 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, 2008 ML550
Best bang for buck to improve handling?
I've got a 2008 ml550 with the regular suspension (no ABC)
I bought this car over a X5 or Cayenne really because I know the drivetrain is solid (mine is a late 08, almost 09 so no balance shaft issues) and these ML's seem far more reliable.
However the handling sucks. The ML is a true truck unlike the X5 or Cayenne.
Still, I think I'd like to improve handling just a bit so it doesn't feel like it wants to tip over. I think even sacrificing an inch or 2 of ground clearance would be a trade off I am willing to make as that should still be high enough to clear basic off road obstacles.
What is the best bang/for/buck suspension setup when it comes to shocks and springs?
What about swaybar upgrades? Can I drastically reduce roll with a set of used W164 Ml63 swaybars?
I bought this car over a X5 or Cayenne really because I know the drivetrain is solid (mine is a late 08, almost 09 so no balance shaft issues) and these ML's seem far more reliable.
However the handling sucks. The ML is a true truck unlike the X5 or Cayenne.
Still, I think I'd like to improve handling just a bit so it doesn't feel like it wants to tip over. I think even sacrificing an inch or 2 of ground clearance would be a trade off I am willing to make as that should still be high enough to clear basic off road obstacles.
What is the best bang/for/buck suspension setup when it comes to shocks and springs?
What about swaybar upgrades? Can I drastically reduce roll with a set of used W164 Ml63 swaybars?
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 623
Likes: 202
From: CA
11 ML550, 95 Supra TT, 14 Audi S4
IMO, better damping (in particular more low speed rebound) would go a long way to improving handling. B4 Bilstein shocks are slightly firmer than the stockers, but are still pretty floaty. Bilstein also makes a B6, which is billed as stiffer but designed for stock ride height, that I wish I had gotten rather than the B4 in hindsight. They aren't easy to find, although the last time I looked, FCP Euro listed them as available. Eibach makes/made? lowering springs for it at one time, but I've seen complaints about ride harshness with them. I don't know of any anti roll bars, but they may exist.
