SLK55 (R171) 2004 - 2010: SLK200K, SLK280, SLK350, SLK55, SLK55 Black Series

Understeer problem in the SLK55

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Dec 20, 2009 | 04:30 PM
  #1  
Juggarnaut's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
...
Understeer problem in the SLK55

I've see a couple videos online on the SLK55 and there was a consistent issue of understeer in the SLK55 which could be solved with punching the gas pedal to induce oversteer. Has anyone here addressed the understeer issue on the SLK55, maybe wider front tires? Sway bar? or something else?
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2009 | 02:00 PM
  #2  
SLK55R's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
'10 Porsche Turbo PDK, 500e, GL450
what have you tried

regarding your suspension? I've gone with KWv3 coilovers and they do seem to help a lot.
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2009 | 07:22 PM
  #3  
AMS Performance's Avatar
Former Vendor of MBWorld
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,935
Likes: 5
AMG
Tires, upgrade your tires and that will make a significant difference. With Dunlap Direzza Z1s almost zero understeer on the R171s. The Z1s run a good 1/2 to 1" wider than normal so you can stick with stock sizes and still see big improvement in the way the car looks & performs.
Reply
Old Dec 24, 2009 | 12:30 PM
  #4  
imducati's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: SF bay area
slk55 2005; e320 2004 sport
I went with the strut brace bar which made a massive difference:

https://mbworld.org/forums/slk55-r17...strut-bar.html

I also go these tires which took some time to break in, but are excellent:

Sumitomo HRTZ III mounted (245/40/18 front and 265/35/18 rears)
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2010 | 06:07 AM
  #5  
kenysl's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
SLK 55
Hi imducati,

Can you elaborate a little more on the benefit of the strut brace on your slk 55? so the response has change a lot?

What about rear strut, have you changed that too?

Thanks
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2010 | 01:03 AM
  #6  
imducati's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: SF bay area
slk55 2005; e320 2004 sport
The front strut brace causes the turn-in to be a lot sharper and seems to understeer less.
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2011 | 12:45 PM
  #7  
nmslk's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, MN
'05 SLK55 AMG
Originally Posted by imducati
The front strut brace causes the turn-in to be a lot sharper and seems to understeer less.
Is the strut bar you bought specific to the SLK55 or is it made for the 280/350's and it happens to also fit the 55?
What is the part# at Wiechers Sport?

Thanks,
nmslk
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2011 | 05:34 PM
  #8  
A' La F1's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 194
Likes: 2
From: Redondo Beach, CA
2006 SLK 55 amg, 2002 CLK 430 Cab (hers), 1989 944 Turbo (sold), CLK 500 (sold), 125cc shifter kart
Lowering (best with coil overs) coupled with the strut brace did the trick for me. Also the LSD made a huge difference. All in now a proper handling sports car. Here is more info on the strut brace:

http://www.slkworld.com/general-disc...ther-r171.html
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:27 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE