Sportline, 500E, AMG, the quest for better handling in a W124

[XJguy]

Well much to my chagrin my 94 E320 needs everything that makes it bounce changed at 103k miles.

I already have H&R springs, Bilstein sport shocks and the corresponding bump stops, etc. I also have all the components for the rear suspension and bushings new from dealer. I have a Sportline front sway bar, and a 210 rear sway bar.

New tie rods are in.

But now I need everything else up front. I dont want to go the polyurethane route, since I have done that to other cars and its not a nice way to live with on a daily driver, no matter what, they squeak and degrade faster than OEM rubber. Also while I do want better handling I don't want to feel the hairs on a caterpillar's back as I drive down the road.

So I am aware that the higher performance W124s had some components that helped them handle better. My question is what are those components as they pertain to the front end. I figure since I need to replace everything I might as well go with the best I can get.

I am looking for part numbers too please.

Oh and I looked through all the Stickies here and on other sites and have not come across any concise information. Many thanks.

 

[WDB124066]

This guy seems to dabble...

https://www.facebook.com/HedgehogMotorsport

 

[Niks]

Poly's are a bit of a grey area as its an individual preference. Some feel its fine and makes the car feel more solid, others feel they need to have a spine surgery. It's all about what you are used to.

Hedgehog does some amazing great stuff, but bare in mind 95% of his customers are people who track their cars - so there's a purpose to poly bushes. I'd stick to normal bushes in your case.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Use MB oem parts. My 190 Cosworth handling and ride have been totally transformed by reverting to original.

 

[bolide]

Define "handle better"

The E320 Coupe is a fairly soft car, even in Sportline form, and the car has a lot of body roll when cornered enthusiastically. Trying to modify one to "improve" it will be a tricky undertaking

I'd leave it completely standard, or change it to Sportline spec, or change it to AMG spec if you can find out what that was

Bear in mind that the softest spring in the suspension is the tyre sidewall. Stiffer springs will put more cornering loads into the tyre sidewall and exacerbate tyre scrub & roll-under

The only non-standard W124s I've driven that I thought were any good were AMGs

Nick Froome

 

[marbee]

Xjguy,

I've currently been contacting bilstein shock suppliers. I was wondering how much interest I could find on a Group Buy for bilstein shocks. Would u be interested as this might help?

Thanks

 

[John Jones Jr]

I already have H&R springs, Bilstein sport shocks and the corresponding bump stops, etc. I also have all the components for the rear suspension and bushings new from dealer. I have a Sportline front sway bar, and a 210 rear sway bar.

I think if you want to avoid ploy bushes the easiest route is to look for Sportline suspension components and see if you can get a Sportline steering box too. Also look at fitting 17'' wheels with suitable profile tyres. Then get a 4x4 wheel alignment carried out.

But if you are looking for the 'best' in handling, road holding & comfort you really should get the car inspected by suspension pro's first and take onboard their advise, could be the wisest expenditure of the lot.

 

[jaymanek]

500E anti roll bar helps a lot...

 

[XJguy]

Thanks for the replies.

To recap, I do have the Bilsteins shocks, H&R springs, and Sportline front bars. I am also running 17" wheels with ultra high performance low profile tires. All this is already on the car. But there is still too much body roll. Once I swap out all the bushing through out the whole car this might be slightly better. What I want to know if what components for the front end can I use other than standard that may help? The front lower control arms especially.

 

[WDB124066]

Haven't seen any of those modified, but upping the rigidity of the steering linkages in post #2 is a step forward I'd have thought.

Body roll, if you can get a front one off a limo or a Sportline E320 Cabriolet, post 93, you will then have the biggest MB-Genuine anti roll bar for this chassis, not too sure what to balance it with in the rear but the limo bar should work well with the springs you have at least.

Could try a strut brace up front for a bit sharper turn in...

You won't make a 124 sit totally flat in corners comfortably. IMHO.

 

[XJguy]

Thanks again. I will look into those Limo bars. On the 500E boards there seems to be some special ordering going on for some massive nars for the front and rear. Going to try and get in on that.

So it seems the 500E control arm bushings are of no higher performance, so that leaves the Sportline or the AMG.....I dont know if there is a difference.

 

[coupe addict]

I believe the material used is the same on Sportline as on standard, but remember that the much larger internal diameter with constant outer diameter will have the effect of making the bush seem stiffer. Similarly, the changes in diameter within the ARB affect the dynamic response quite significantly (which is why C124 drivers are so fond of the late model 320 Sportline ARB ) so the effect you're aiming for with poly bushes is already being achieved through the dynamic structural design.

 

[bolide]

How exactly do you want to "improve" the handling?

Reducing body roll is a reasonable goal but every change you make will have repercussions elsewhere. Just changing an ARB might seem like a change with no downsides, as it's a spring that "just" affects lateral stiffness, but there are a number of knock-on effects. Stiffening the front ARB always results in more understeer and, for a car that is reluctant to turn in, more understeer is exactly what you don't need

Also the ARB, as the stiffest spring in the car, will store & then release a lot of energy. It doesn't have a damper so the energy will be released into the front suspension after the initial load reduces. This puts more energy into all the bushes, mounts & etc

If you want to analyse what can be improved on an E320 Coupe, drive an E220 Coupe. I don't think they sold them in North America, but it's the same car with two cylinders and 100 Kg less. The 220 turns in brilliantly compared to a 320

The extra weight in the 320 is all forward of the front axle line, so it's in the worst place possible. Have a look at a BMW Z4 with a six-cylinder engine and see where the front cylinder is, then think about how it turns in

[YOUTUBE]nfZ12UGiisM[/YOUTUBE]

Nick Froome

 

[WDB124066]

Anybody making fibreglass bonnets...

FWIW Late model AMG's has Sportline springs with AMG dampers which I think were Bilstien units.

 

[RKC-benz]

How exactly do you want to "improve" the handling? Reducing body roll is a reasonable goal but every change you make will have repercussions elsewhere. Just changing an ARB might seem like a change with no downsides, as it's a spring that "just" affects lateral stiffness, but there are a number of knock-on effects. Stiffening the front ARB always results in more understeer and, for a car that is reluctant to turn in, more understeer is exactly what you don't need Also the ARB, as the stiffest spring in the car, will store & then release a lot of energy. It doesn't have a damper so the energy will be released into the front suspension after the initial load reduces. This puts more energy into all the bushes, mounts & etc If you want to analyse what can be improved on an E320 Coupe, drive an E220 Coupe. I don't think they sold them in North America, but it's the same car with two cylinders and 100 Kg less. The 220 turns in brilliantly compared to a 320 The extra weight in the 320 is all forward of the front axle line, so it's in the worst place possible. Have a look at a BMW Z4 with a six-cylinder engine and see where the front cylinder is, then think about how it turns in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfZ12UGiisM">YouTube Link</a> Nick Froome

This is wise and informed. Not my thread but thanks Bolide... You properly know your onions...!

 

[WDB124066]

You could also go the E500 shock route and arrange to have an extra load spring put into the front strut itself.

With the roll bars you need to balance these front and rear, just upping the size of the front will tend not to balance the car.

Increase the tyre pressures, can make a quite a bit of difference on these, you'll know when you've gone too far.

Or maybe just get used to it, letting your elbow dig into the glass where the window meets the trim, adjust the passengers seat so you can do the same with the arm rest/seat area and wind a bit more on. I've never lost traction in mine yet! Has anybody else ever had a 124 let go...?

 

[RKC-benz]

You could also go the E500 shock route and arrange to have an extra load spring put into the front strut itself. With the roll bars you need to balance these front and rear, just upping the size of the front will tend not to balance the car. Increase the tyre pressures, can make a quite a bit of difference on these, you'll know when you've gone too far. Or maybe just get used to it, letting your elbow dig into the glass where the window meets the trim, adjust the passengers seat so you can do the same with the arm rest/seat area and wind a bit more on. I've never lost traction in mine yet! Has anybody else ever had a 124 let go...?

That's the spirit! Rock and lots of roll!

 

[WDB124066]

There is a tie rod end without damping you can fit to your Driver's [LH] side, part 000 338 54 10....

 

[Niks]

I don't know how the hell you drive yours if your wanting more from the Bilstein, H&R and Sportline setup. That's pretty much an AMG setup right there, so I wouldn't even bother wasting time with that.

I think in your case it would be best to poly bush your car, which includes Front LCA bushes, Rear subframe bushes, Multi-Links and Adjustable rear camber arms. That would stiffen the suspension considerably and sort you right out for your driving style. Send me a PM, I'll get you hooked up with it.