Sofening the ride C350 Sport

[BlueGriff]

Has anyone on here successfully softened the ride on a w204 sport ? I tried an Elegance spec and found it too soft an vague so bought C350 sport but it is so very hard and uncomfortable I don’t know that I can live with it long term. Thing is the handling and turn in is not that sharp even though it is rock hard so you suffer the crashy ride without any real benefit. Bit disappointed really to find how poor the handling is compared to the far more compliant BM I had before.
Wondered if it was possible to simply go down a spring rate or two to soften it a bit. I routinely change the springs on the TVR and then reset the ride height, damping and geo depending on mood. I can change it from hard as a hard thing to soft and comfy in an afternoon.

 

[Dr-Nab]

What tyres are you running on? My E-class on 18s with conti tyres crashes and bangs over every bump going but on 19s with vredesteins it is smooth and settled.

 

[Simon_M]

I would suggest maybe dropping the tyre pressures a bit - what pressure are you running agaisnt what it says in the handbook. Never presume the dealer has set the tyres to the correct pressure.

I have an 204 estate running on 19s and it is very firm but not uncomfortable.

S

 

[ace571]

Are you running 18s? If so, might be easy to switch to 17s which are widely reported to give a better ride with the sports suspension.

Otherwise it's a bit tricky to suggest solutions - retrofitting Elegance would have been an obvious choice, but as you found it too soft that's clearly not an option.

 

[ace571]

I have an 204 estate running on 19s and it is very firm but not uncomfortable.

S

Any pics Simon?

 

[Red C220]

Our 220 sport estate runs on the optional 17" rims which are firm but comfortable as opposed to the 18" wheel which becomes crashy.

 

[Simon_M]

Any pics Simon?

Just don't mention the model name as you'll rattle the animals cages

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/members/simon_m-albums-c63.html

 

[The _Don]

Is it a w204 c63 amg ?

 

[Simon_M]

No, S204 C63 AMG

 

[ace571]

Simon - that is GORGEOUS!

 

[FamilyPack]

Are you running 18s? If so, might be easy to switch to 17s which are widely reported to give a better ride with the sports suspension.

That was my thought.

Even mine on 18's is way better than the BMW M-Sport on 19's with run-flats.

(You're not using run-flat tyres are you?)

 

[FamilyPack]

Just don't mention the model name as you'll rattle the animals cages

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/members/simon_m-albums-c63.html

Oo, nice.....

 

[HB]

Has anyone on here successfully softened the ride on a w204 sport ? I tried an Elegance spec and found it too soft an vague so bought C350 sport but it is so very hard and uncomfortable I don’t know that I can live with it long term. Thing is the handling and turn in is not that sharp even though it is rock hard so you suffer the crashy ride without any real benefit. Bit disappointed really to find how poor the handling is compared to the far more compliant BM I had before.
Wondered if it was possible to simply go down a spring rate or two to soften it a bit. I routinely change the springs on the TVR and then reset the ride height, damping and geo depending on mood. I can change it from hard as a hard thing to soft and comfy in an afternoon.

Eibach pro kit springs and some Bilstein B6 dampers will sort it. No more crashing just a totally controlled quiet compliant ride with no body roll.. Also a slightly lower stance it will look super.
Send me your plate I'll give you an awesome price.

 

[HB]

mistake

Has anyone on here successfully softened the ride on a w204 sport ? I tried an Elegance spec and found it too soft an vague so bought C350 sport but it is so very hard and uncomfortable I don’t know that I can live with it long term. Thing is the handling and turn in is not that sharp even though it is rock hard so you suffer the crashy ride without any real benefit. Bit disappointed really to find how poor the handling is compared to the far more compliant BM I had before.
Wondered if it was possible to simply go down a spring rate or two to soften it a bit. I routinely change the springs on the TVR and then reset the ride height, damping and geo depending on mood. I can change it from hard as a hard thing to soft and comfy in an afternoon.

Eibach pro kit springs and some Bilstein B6 dampers will sort it. No more crashing just a totally controlled quiet compliant ride with no body roll.. Also a slightly lower stance it will look super.
Send me your plate I'll give you an awesome price.

 

[grober]

You could even go to Bilstein B6 adjustable 10's where you have a choice of ten manually adjustable shock rates and you can tune the suspension to your personal preferences. The standard MB AGILITY CONTROL suspension is one of the weakest aspects of their recent cars imho.

 

[BlueGriff]

Thanks for the replies.
They are 18 inch rims with Dunlop SP Sport rubber, would have preferred 17 inch ones but all the used ones seem to be sat on 18s. Not really fussed what it looks like, more interested in how it drives. Could try lower pressures but it is so stiff and feels so vague I am wondering if a suspension bush or anti roll bar is seized. Sadly (perhaps stupidly) I bought it from a main dealer so absolutely no help or advice available from them unless I want to pay. Had it a week and suggested they check the Geo is right, which they are very happy to do for just shy of 200 quid.
By the way the fronts are worn it looks like the previous owner did run lower pressures. As I am a new boy on the forum I am not able to send emails via the site yet but an idea of cost would be good, perhaps you are able to email me via the forum then I can reply.
Did ask a local tyre place about options with softer sidewalls but they were not convinced that would help a lot. Their best suggestion was toyos which are a lot softer but they did say I would chew up the rears very quickly.
If I could find out what the standard spring rates are I would happily stick on something slightly softer, may be 75 or 100lb lb all round and give it a go with the standard damping. I run adjustable Nitrons on the Griff which may be an option but they are a motorsport damper and may not last the miles well.
Just a bit disappointed to buy a nearly new car and find it is a bit rubbish. Sat nav is very chocolate teapot, rain sensing wipers happily wipe a dry screen but are less keen when it is raining, engine or rather gearbox has an annoying hesitation when pulling away sometimes and only realised when I got it home how horribly plastic it is. I think the sun visors are made from recycled chocolate box liners and the gear knob feels as thin as a yogurt pot. All a bit of a shock after the 530 I had for 8 years where everything was just right from the start, worked and kept working. Sorry to rant but feel better now.

 

[rob_miller]

Had it a week and suggested they check the Geo is right, which they are very happy to do for just shy of 200 quid.
.

If you've only had it a week then surely they should check it free of charge.

 

[BlueGriff]

If you've only had it a week then surely they should check it free of charge.

Quite.
You would also think it would have the Leather gear knob as per the advertised spec and when I asked, does it have the latest software revision ? I should have known that did not include Command which has a stone age map.

 

[grober]

Assuming its not a new car?? The previous owner may have already " fiddled" with the suspension--- and not in a good way! You haven't got the electronic Dynamic Handling package have you?

 

[BlueGriff]

Spoke to the previous owner who had it for about a year and got rid because it was uncomfortable and it really is stiff, it is stiffer than the TVR when I have got it set up super hard for slicks.