Does anyone know if you can get spring/shock upgrades that do not interfer with the stock pneumatic suspension system?

I would like the car to handle a little better if at all possible.

Thanks

 

To my knowledge, there is no real way to replace the suspension compnents to imprive handling as the E55 used the airmatic suspension. Your only options are to lower the vehicle to lower the car's center of gravity through an ECU module by Kleeman or Brabus or trick the ecu trough the use of washers and spacers on the suspension arms. There is a lot more information on this if you run a search. Hope this helps.

 

hey guys the E55 already has the best tuned AMG suspension, why wanna play with it? I keep thinking why would anyone change an AMG exhaust to say for example Brabus? either you buy a complete car Brabus or AMG, personally I prefer AMG ...

 

Eibach and H&R will have control modules to lower the suspension and firm it.
They told me that they will realese for the Sema Show.

Regards,
Manuel

 

Carlsson has a module available now. I think it lowers the car a little less than an inch.

EG

 

Cool, I will look into those mods. I just sold my S4 which ran tight and miss the handling but nothing else compared to the E55.

 

Well actually..thats like saying why would you ever change the brakes to a different set. You are assuming that bc it has the AMG logo on it that is it the best that benz couldve done for perfomance on that car. While it may be significantly better than what a standard e500 (in the case of the suspension, i dont know), it HARDLY means that the the car is optimized. Remember, merc is in it to make money, so they will cut corners in favor of better economics, and hitting that older demographic that might not care how its handling characteristics are.
It's also like saying why didnt merc just put in the chip settings and pulley that renntech offers from the beginning, etc. etc. But its pretty sufficient to say that a car sitting lower will help it somewhat.

 

The lower the car's center of gravity is, the better the handling due to a less inernia(sp- I am amazed I got through college with this bad spelling). While we lowered a couple Mercedes with the air suspension (CL55 and E55), the handling did improve marginally without scrificing road comfort.

 

You obviously haven't driven one. I so love mine but it handles like a flatulant rhino in heat (wallows all OVER the place but does so in one big ******* hurry!). The handling SUCKS!!! I have a '95 M5 that I use as a daily driver, now THAT car handles (and has electronic dampers and a SWEET six speed) but doesn't have the creature comforts of the E55 nor does it have the power. It's plenty fast but doesn't bend my mind like the E55.

 

Agreed.. I was at willow springs with some friends and they were running a 2001 E55 and a 2001 M5 for the heck of it. Both were stock and both did very well for what they are. The E55 actually was faster and felt mroe glued to the road (less wobble and wiggle). I did not take my car out on the track but I can safely say the old E55 turns in more quickly and stays more neutral than the new W211 E55.

The next day I spent 4 sessions lapping a modified C32 and that car was really at home on that very fast track. I look forward to geting back out there asap but I wont be taking the E55 for there is just no point.

E55 is great for getting to the track in style but once there you need a sports car to feel at home.

 

What's all the fuss about lowering the car? It already sits on top of the tires and has limited wheel travel that compromises real world handling. Sure if your city has billiard smooth roads go ahead. But I drive over a lot of crappy roads where "handling" is about the ability of the car to maintain composure over road irregularities as much as ultimate grip on the skidpad.

 

I bought a 96 E320 new and felt that it handled as good as any 4 door car that I had ever driven. In addition it was glass smooth. My only gripe was that it leaned too much. Inspite of that it still inspired confidence and begged to be pushed. I thought that it was the pinnacle of a coil spring suspension. All that I would have changed was to put a stiffer sway bar on the front.

When I got my 03 E500 I was disspointed to find out that I could only get it was with the air suspension. After driving it for 2 years I still felt that the W210 suspension was more refined than the E211.

I traded for my E55 and the suspension is vastly better that the 03 E500 but it still lacks some of the wheel control that coils give you.

Another thread mentioned the suspension that is now in the S , SL, and CL was an improvement over the E's. Is there any way to bolt on the "ABC" on to the E55? Or will I have to replace the suspension with a upgraded E320 coil spring set up in a few years?

 

If I could add my next $$ in performance to the W211 it would definitely be the suspension. I know its not intended to be an M5 with respect to handling but when I get up to 550-600hp with upgrades it will be like old school muscle car...punch and and you better be going straight....except 1000% more refined and luxurious.

 

Not sure if anyone mentioned it but there is a Brabus module available as well that drops that car about an inch or a little more. Think its in the $1500 range.

 

Again I ask - what's th point lowering the car - it's just about looks!

 

My complaint about the suspension is lack of complete wheel control. It may not be suspension as much as it is chassis ridgidity. My W210 seemed to be a bit more stiff with a softer spring. My 03 W211 had a rear seat which folded down and that definitely affected structural ridgity. The E55 is much better but still not quite there.

BMWs tend to have a very ridgid chassis and is great for handling but is not very comfortable IMHO.

Does any one have any info about chassis ridgidity numbers. They used to talk about natural harmonics and how the higher the Hertz the more stiff it is. I haven't heard much talk about these numbers recently. Any thoughts?

 

Lowering the car will lower the center of gravity and that does help handling. Yes, it is mostly a "looks" mod but it will still help some nonetheless.

 

Not 100% sure about this but I think the lower the Hz the stiffer the chassis. MB builds one of the most rigid cars on the road - hence any handling issues are mostly about chassis tuning. I think the Hz for MB run 11-12????

And while I understand that the lower the center of gravity the less the tendency to roll etc. I think that you have to bear in mind that these are street cars that have to deal with road irregularities. IMHO the E55 iis alrady at the limits of the compromise as it srrives from the factory. ANy lower and the car will just be on the bump stops all the time.

 

what are you sacrificing if you add the brabus lowering module and sway bar to make the car lower and more ridgid? is there any comfort you are giving up? if i leave the original 18" wheels on it. i'd like to reduce understeer as much as possible, but not at the price of comfort. those of you have done this, please let me know what your experience was....

please advise.
thanks,
Gareth

 

Former original owner of a rare '95 540i M-Sport (one of 200 made that was essentially an M5 clone inside & out, complete with EDC Nurburgring suspension, Servotronic steering, etc - see http://www.kindel.com/bmw/), but used the 4-liter V8 from the 540i. Definitely not a E34 M5, but the closest thing to a legal US version ever made. No contest between that and the E55 when it comes to power & comfort, but it's handling was confidence-inspiring! Flip the EDC switch to "S" and carve some serious corners! Kept it nine years - until January '04, when I sold it to a Delta pilot who had been looking for one.