C220 SC evo suspension

[Corrado]

Hi, I've recently started driving a C220 CDI Sports coupe evo. Don't know whether I'll get used to the taxi in the drive every morning, but it drives very well with more than useful motorway acceleration, and the auto box, again a first, is pretty slick.

Going over some of the roads maintained to Surrey County Council's high standards I've noticed an unusual feeling that I can imagine as being the body moving side to side a small amount at the rear. The car is only a couple of years old so, although high mileage, is only just run-in. It could be that I need more time to adapt to the way the car rides, but if anyone has other explanations I'd be pleased to hear. And if it is a mechanical thing, what chance is there that it would be covered by the 3 yr MB warranty?

I'm not sure I'd have asked this if I hadn't seen scary reports of suspension component replacement at 50K miles elsewhere on the forum.

Over to you.....

 

[Ian B Walker]

Hello and welcome. Have a check at the sub frame mountings as they can perish over time and give an uneasy feel to the car.

 

[fredfloggle]

They normally give an indication of wear by getting clunky first , and the Evo's are not very tolerant to tyre pressure variations - I'd take a look at tyre pressures too.

 

[Corrado]

Result

For the W203 brigade, thought you may be interested to hear the outcome. On the first visit to the dealer the foreman spent an hour or so riding around in the car - with me trying to explain the fault. Roads near the dealer were too smooth for the snag to show up. The workshop checked the suspension components and found everything to be in good nick, so I left with his reassurance that it was pretty good, and excellent as far as the normal W203 pull to the left is concerned. The next thing would be for laser alignment check, not covered by warranty. Back on the normal roads and the problem was as noticeable as ever. I played around with tyre pressures - sure, it made a difference, but only slightly.
Last week it went in again. We got over the hurdle of who would stump up for an alignment check so I left it with the garage, who loaned me an E320 estate for a few days. Nice motor, and very responsive for such a large beast. (We won't mention - too much - the accident whilst reversing the driver's seat into the laptop stowed behind it . Broken screen with 2/3 illegible). Back to the coupe, the result of the alignment check was a small adjustment to the tracking and they also replaced the rear shocks, even though the old ones, they said, showed little sign of wear.
Result: It drives sooo much better - and I've realised that the bite on the steering is now even L-R. :bannana: Bumps are now firm, as you'd expect, but they don't nudge the car sideways.
It sailed through it's first MOT :bannana: - but I'd have been a grumpy old Hector if it hadn't.

Thanks to those in the forum who've helped, whether directly, or via the postings in similar threads. Walking into the dealer with an idea of what may be at fault is (forgive the bs) "empowering".

You can wake up now!!

regards,
Richard

 

[kjay]

Congrats on persuing your case. And glad you got a result.
Have similar problems with mine and not resolved them yet.
Am fitting some lowered Eibach springs shortly and am ordering some rear dampers on the assumption that one or both are not performing as they should.
I reported the problem as soon as I bought the car. But since I have fitted 18" wheels and (soon) Eibachs, I dont hold much hope of getting an alignment check under warranty.
I'll see how it feels after susp. is done.

Did they tell you what the bill would of been if you were paying?

 

[Corrado]

I wasn't given the total, but laser alignment check would have been £100, and fittings to adjust (if required) could be around £90.
I don't know the cost of dampers, or the cost of fitting. In any case I'd now be off to one of the well-reputed independents to have that done.
cheers, and good luck.

 

[BlackC55]

Did you see Darren?

 

[Corrado]

Did you see Darren?

I did, thanks. He was v. helpful in arriving at the arrangement over the alignment check and did the check and tracking adjustment, though I didnt get the chance to speak with him again when collecting the car.