Suspension setup...

[GrahamC230K]

Have you noticed your braking distances have reduced since the car stopped diving?

Not braking distance in partuclar no. It doesn't dive as much now though.

Apart from cornering (obviously) the biggest difference I have experienced and wasn't expecting is the way the car accelerates.

When I hoof it out a turning now, it seems to scrabble and go. I notice a lot more wheel spin at lesser throttle - I think before it was squatting a lot more, wasting the energy.

I also find when I do rip it up the road and get a bit of a fish tail on, it behaives much better.

Did I say i couldn't understand why my tyres wear out so quick?

 

[R2D2]

LOL. You'll be trying Jimmys tyres next!

 

[pluggers]

It is looking well nice now m8

I like this pic the best

 

[Dieselman]

Not braking distance in partuclar no. It doesn't dive as much now though.

Apart from cornering (obviously) the biggest difference I have experienced and wasn't expecting is the way the car accelerates.

When I hoof it out a turning now, it seems to scrabble and go. I notice a lot more wheel spin at lesser throttle - I think before it was squatting a lot more, wasting the energy.

I also find when I do rip it up the road and get a bit of a fish tail on, it behaives much better.

Did I say i couldn't understand why my tyres wear out so quick?

Given that the job of the dampers is to hold the tyre in contact with the road isn't this a contradiction, unless the suspension is so hard that the wheel cant move sufficiently to allow for movement.

 

[GrahamC230K]

Given that the job of the dampers is to hold the tyre in contact with the road isn't this a contradiction, unless the suspension is so hard that the wheel cant move sufficiently to allow for movement.

Dunno. More likely I went for a good blat to see what it handled like and gave it more welly than I would day to day and the result had nothing to do with the traction!

It is way better accelerating out of turnings etc though. If it gets a bit of a wiggle on, it seems to straighten up a lot better - much more taught. A scenario I am sure it has improved in.

 

[R2D2]

I had a minor moment in the wet yesterday and the rear snaped back in line with no roll at all. Before I had the suspension sorted it would have rolled and been much less controlable.

 

[BaldGuy]

G,

That looks so much like my old Benz without the tints.... Looks very nice indeed m8...

 

[C240Sport97]

My mates W124 E320 Coupe's shocks were changed (for Sachs Super Touring) yesterday by Steve. The old ones had done 116k!!!

The ride now is fantastic, the handling much sharper and it is also quieter in town. It also rides like a Merc should now, you hear the bumps but you don't really feel them. Before the change, you heard and felt the thud and sometimes sharp thunk of the bumps.

Very worthwhile improvement for a 10 year old, 116k mile car. Shocks were £210 from Jimmy, and fitted for £80 by Steve. Damn good investment. Highly recommended.

 

[R2D2]

I should have done a deal with Sachs shouldnt I !!! Sachs Super Tourings are the biz and thats now four cars now converted. Mine, Jimmy's, Graham's and Seans mate!!

 

[Dieselman]

The new shocks could not be compressedsingle handedly but the old ones compressed very easily. Even more worryingly they took several seconds to return to the proper length when released. At 75,000 miles these shocks are a long, long way past their sell by date!!! Please get your shocks checked.

This is not the way to test a damper and tells one nothing.

A damper is there to stop the spring oscillatinig by resisting the movement.

The only test of a damper is to repeatedly compress and extend the damper and to measure the resistance to movement.

Your new dampers are gas charged so have some extra spring ability extending the damper, the old ones are not gas charged to the same extent. Your new dampers will loose the excess gas shortly.

 

[roj]

Could anyone check if sachs do super touring shocks for the 190? I've tried looking online but the few sites i found don't list the 190.

Ta, Roj

 

[NicDale]

Try www.needforspeed.co.uk Roj.

 

[roj]

Try www.needforspeed.co.uk Roj.

Thanx, but I'm after the Sachs ones as these don't apperar to mess up the ride quality - unless anyone has had experience of Bilstein etc..?

 

[roj]

Just found Boge/Sachs rear shocks on euro car parts, but there's no mention of 'super touring', phoned them and no answer so can anyone shed some light? Are these just straight replacements?

 

[Will]

Just found Boge/Sachs rear shocks on euro car parts, but there's no mention of 'super touring', phoned them and no answer so can anyone shed some light? Are these just straight replacements?

Probably.

I fitted a new pair of 'Boge' shocks to the rear of a 190E a few years ago. Didn't seem to be anything special about them unless I missed something? And IIRC they were bought from German & Swedish.

HTH,

Will

 

[R2D2]

Thanx, but I'm after the Sachs ones as these don't apperar to mess up the ride quality - unless anyone has had experience of Bilstein etc..?

The Sachs Super tourings that three or four of us have fitted firm up the ride and handling without trashing the ride (as can be confirmedby those who went out in mine today at the GTG) Best place to get them is Jimmy!

 

[Will]

Sort of makes me curious what the Sachs would have been like on mine. I'll admit that I bought the Bilsteins from ebay mainly on price , but I have got to say that I am happy with them. I'll never know what the Sachs on a sport with 18s would drive like - I suppose they would be excellent, but maybe not quite so firm?

I don't think my Bilsteins would suit everybody - in the same way that many people wouldn't like a 35 profile on their tyres I suppose?

If you are after a 'very firm' ride, then I reckon those Bilsteins are a bargain though

As a comparison, I reckon that the ride is about the same as a friend's E46 M3?

(Runs for cover!)

Will

 

[roj]

Thanx for tinfo guys! I'll PM Jimmy and see if he lists the Sachs for the 190. The cars I've experienced with Bilstiens(A4, mk4 golf, sierra cossie) are a bit too stiff for my requirements(won't be doing too many track days in it!). It's all down to personal choice I s'pose isn't it?

Ta, Roj

 

[Will]

Thanx for tinfo guys! I'll PM Jimmy and see if he lists the Sachs for the 190. The cars I've experienced with Bilstiens(A4, mk4 golf, sierra cossie) are a bit too stiff for my requirements(won't be doing too many track days in it!). It's all down to personal choice I s'pose isn't it?

Ta, Roj

Obviously the Sachs are brilliant shock absorbers, and are getting fantastic feedback and reviews from all involved - but don't forget that not all Bilsteins are as firm as you would think - they are the original supplier of shocks to Mercedes (they were on my car anyway! )

I reckon you will be very happy with the Sachs - sounds like they fit the bill for your requirements.

Good Luck,

Will

 

[R2D2]

I started this Suspension thread on 3rd January 2005 ie 6 months ago and eventually Opted for new Sachs Supertouring Shocks, No1 Spring caps and left my springs alone. The result was much better handling, better ride, and a car about 15mm lower. Can each person who has done their suspension in the last 6months add their own summary so that we have a diffinative reference section on suspension mods.

Jimmy, Graham, Will ++++