"Sport", how do I tell and the effect on ride? (W210)

[markc]

I have just returned to the MB world after a short spell with a smaller, more "sensible" 4 cylinder car and treated myself to a 2001 E430 Tourer as my daily driver.

Fortunately I don't do too many miles so I can spend the initial outlay saving, over a smaller or diesel engined version, on fuel over the next 5 years AND revel in the silky fabulousness of V8 power

It's barely run in with just 72K having passed under the wheels. Speaking of which the car is wearing the "Sport" spec 17x8 alloys and 235x45x17 tyres. What else does "Sport" give me i.e. how can you tell a "Sport" from a non sport, other than these wheels?

The car feels a fair bit firmer than my old 1998 E320 Tourer (225x55x16) and also looks lower... and meaner I assume the suspension is lower/firmer and this combined with the lower profile tyres makes it ride more harshly.
The tyres aren't in the first flush of youth and I'm going to need some new rubber at one end fairly soon. I was considering fitting some plumper rubber, perhaps 225x50x17 to soften the ride a touch. I realise this will raise the gearing by about 2%, which might actually make the speedo acurate but has anyone else done this on the 17" wheels? Do the taller tyres cause any rubbing issues? Any other thoughts or comments?

Cheers

Mark

 

[camerafodder]

The sport should have firmer springs. On the 211 it is also about 15mm lower. Not sure if that's the same for a 210.
Welcome to the forum.

 

[andy27168]

I have just returned to the MB world after a short spell with a smaller, more "sensible" 4 cylinder car and treated myself to a 2001 E430 Tourer as my daily driver.

Fortunately I don't do too many miles so I can spend the initial outlay saving, over a smaller or diesel engined version, on fuel over the next 5 years AND revel in the silky fabulousness of V8 power

It's barely run in with just 72K having passed under the wheels. Speaking of which the car is wearing the "Sport" spec 17x8 alloys and 235x45x17 tyres. What else does "Sport" give me i.e. how can you tell a "Sport" from a non sport, other than these wheels?

The car feels a fair bit firmer than my old 1998 E320 Tourer (225x55x16) and also looks lower... and meaner I assume the suspension is lower/firmer and this combined with the lower profile tyres makes it ride more harshly.
The tyres aren't in the first flush of youth and I'm going to need some new rubber at one end fairly soon. I was considering fitting some plumper rubber, perhaps 225x50x17 to soften the ride a touch. I realise this will raise the gearing by about 2%, which might actually make the speedo acurate but has anyone else done this on the 17" wheels? Do the taller tyres cause any rubbing issues? Any other thoughts or comments?

Cheers

Mark

Hi,
Stick to standard tyre sizes as the Cruise Control/Speed Limiter Function and possibly the ESP system may not function correctly.

 

[markc]

The sport should have firmer springs. On the 211 it is also about 15mm lower. Not sure if that's the same for a 210.
Welcome to the forum.

Thanks camerafodder. I'll try and get hold of a 2001 E Class sales brochure, that should list all the differences.

Hi,
Stick to standard tyre sizes as the Cruise Control/Speed Limiter Function and possibly the ESP system may not function correctly.

Andy, these systems would only be confused if I changed some and not all of the tyres. Even then a 2% differance, in rolling radius of 1-3 tyres, probably wouldn't effect them. If I did go to a differant size I'd change all 4 tyres anyway.

I know the anti roll bar bushes and drop links wear quite quickly, are there any other suspension components that might have worn and could contributing to poor'ish ride? I believe that the wagons have hydraulic spheres on the rear, for ride height control, that could wear out?

Cheers

Mark

 

[GordonTarling]

Was there ever a 210 Sport? Not sure I've heard of one before.

 

[renault12ts]

As above, There wasn't (in the UK) a sport W210.

It's either a Classic, Elegance or Avant Garde. The AG is effectively the sport version, with lower, firmer suspension. However the standard wheels would have been 16".

Are you in the UK? If yes...what does it say on your gear shift?

 

[ShinyF1]

Mine is like yours - Avantgarde spec with option "676 - sports chassis with 5-hole light alloy wheels and wide tires (с 01.09.1996)"

Ride adversely affected, and poor to drive in town with pitted roads and speedbumps [front sumpguard has intimate relationship with the road it's so low].

But it does look good, and handles very well out of town:

 

[markc]

Was there ever a 210 Sport? Not sure I've heard of one before.

As above, There wasn't (in the UK) a sport W210.

It's either a Classic, Elegance or Avant Garde. The AG is effectively the sport version, with lower, firmer suspension. However the standard wheels would have been 16".

Are you in the UK? If yes...what does it say on your gear shift?

Sorry chaps, to clarify my car is an Elegance model. The handbook refers to the "Sport Package" in the Technical Data section. According to it, all 2001 E430's came on 17" wheels but the Sport Package gave you 8" wide ones instead of the regular 7.5" ones.

My car looks VERY similar to one pictured above, except Dark Blue rather than Dark Green

Cheers

Mark