C63 estate W204 or W205

[Steve84N]

although the extra understeer is very noticeable.

Ultimately I prefer my 205 by a long way for the driving I do. I never got bored in the 204.

@Engadine it seems we have basically identical views on the subject, although you have more experience of the 205. I found the front end so much sharper on the 205, the 204 never digs in during a bend. I put it down to the suspension design as my big 5 Series is the same compared to a 3 Series/204, double wishbone versus Macpherson again.

It took me a while to realise after my test drives but they do offer something different so that one isn't really an exact replacement for the other. You have to work out where your priorities lie to pick the best one for you. I'd have a 205 facelift if it wasn't such a big price hike over my 204. It makes more sense to me to split the roles of the cars and have two for less money than a later 205.

 

[Jobsworth]

essentially, double wishbone front suspension allows the camber to become more negative as the suspension compresses. This offers more tyre grip as load increases, whereas McPherson strut gives you a fixed amount of camber regardless of how hard you are pushing. That’s the fundamental reason double wishbone feels better. Because it is.

 

[Steve84N]

Yep I know.

What's a little surprising is how obvious the difference is on cars that have it. Pain in the backside to work on though, having to clock the springs on the damper.

 

[Jobsworth]

Pain in the backside to work on though, having to clock the springs on the damper.

??

 

[Jobsworth]

If spring wind up is really becoming a problem you can use a lower spring seat bearing, but we are into race car corner weighting here. Or wind ups

 

[Steve84N]

Bit off topic but maybe it's different on BMW. The official procedure uses a laser to align the spring as the bottom of the damper has a fork and because the top mount doesn't rotate you have to get it right.

 

[Jobsworth]

Bit off topic but maybe it's different on BMW. The official procedure uses a laser to align the spring as the bottom of the damper has a fork and because the top mount doesn't rotate you have to get it right.

Well, that’s news to me. I’ve never heard of that at all.