W124 experts please

[gunning]

I've decided I do want it a little lower with keeping it stock. I've seen the sport lines, how much lower are they than my stock 300ce 24 valve?

What would get me a good drop similar to the sport line and what other difference does a sport line have over mine? Apart from badges on the exterior.

Any advice for this one?

 

[trapperjohn]

Never an expert myself but others out there are.

Ill probably get blown out of the water but here goes, this is my memory only.

Quicker steering rack. Smaller Sportline steering wheel. Shocks are different and I think the cup holders for the springs are different or at least are the lowest there is. Springs may be a little shorter too. It would take a very keen eye to tell the difference.

Perhaps a sportline "gear knob" too. I have a ratty one of these in my garage somewhere. Other than that the Sportline is fairly stock I believe.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-...529151187?pt=DE_Autoteile&hash=item27efef22d3

 

[carat 3.6]

That's pretty much it, a few of the rubber suspension bush'es are supposedly stiffer but that's it.

IMO sportline is over rated for what it is, at the age these car's are they handle like any other w124.

 

[gunning]

Never an expert myself but others out there are. Ill probably get blown out of the water but here goes, this is my memory only. Quicker steering rack. Smaller Sportline steering wheel. Shocks are different and I think the cup holders for the springs are different or at least are the lowest there is. Springs may be a little shorter too. It would take a very keen eye to tell the difference. Perhaps a sportline "gear knob" too. I have a ratty one of these in my garage somewhere. Other than that the Sportline is fairly stock I believe. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-R129-W124-W201-Sportline-Leder-Lenkrad-schwarz-39cm-/171529151187?pt=DE_Autoteile&hash=item27efef22d3

Thanks John, well I'm glad you've told me that as it's nice to know you couldn't get a much higher spec one than this, I'll probably lower it a little just as I feel they look lovely sitting about 25/30mm lower.

Sadly it's not on the road yet but I couldn't be happier with it!

 

[gunning]

That's pretty much it, a few of the rubber suspension bush'es are supposedly stiffer but that's it. IMO sportline is over rated for what it is, at the age these car's are they handle like any other w124.

I agree, sportline does sound over rated.

It's purely for looks, these old things aren't for racing around in. Its just a shiny car for me to look at really ha!

 

[carat 3.6]

these old things aren't for racing around in.

Speak for yourself.

If you just want to lower it a little try swapping the spring pads for thinner ones,

 

[RKC-benz]

I think that full Sportline spec could also include sportier seats than standard... I believe you could only spec them once you'd got the base Sportline ride and handling package. They're reasonably rare. Otherwise it was as described above.

I lowered my S124 with decent quality H&R springs. It's about 25mm lower with 17" AMG Aero II wheels. It is on a standard chassis and running gear otherwise. Looks and rides super.

 

[RKC-benz]

PS - Trapperjohn - the ride is 25mm lower on Sportline models and it is visually quite marked as the fit and gap between arch and tyre is altered a lot. It doesn't need a trained eye to see the differences.

Std sits really noticeably higher. And experienced commentators like Bolide will tell you that they drive in a noticeably more agile fashion too,

 

[d w124]

What springs did you use??I know you say H&R but most of them I've seen offer 30+ lower

The sportline 20mm lower than standard

 

[coupe addict]

+1

 

[grober]

The angle of the ball joint at the end of the front wishbone was altered slightly also to accomodate the lowered ride height. [ This ultimately governs how much the car can be lowered safety without placing too much restriction on joint movement ] Front wishbone inner bushes and rear suspension bushes were stiffened up slightly also. A good sportline set up is definitely a tauter driving experience- possibly due to the higher steering box ratio but as has been said in many cases the years have taken their toll - elastomer wise -so things may well have loosened up a bit.
Clapping on a set of lowered springs in isolation will lower the ride height but the true mercedes sportline set up is really a combination of subtle changes to many suspension components to get the true effect.

 

[w124nut]

These are the W124 sportline specific suspension parts : 1986-1992

Front spring, 2 each 124 321 29 04
Front strut, 2 each 124 320 64 30
Front anti-roll bar, 1 each 124 323 68 65
Inner bushing, 2 each 124 323 45 85
Outer bushing, 2 each 124 323 51 85
Lower control arm bushing kit, 2 each 201 330 01 75
Lower control arm bushing kit, 2 each 124 330 09 75
Lower control arm bushing kit, 2 each 124 330 06 75
Rear spring, 2 each 124 324 28 04
Rear shock absorber, 2 each 124 320 23 31
Rear anti-roll bar, 1 each 124 326 19 65
Bushing, 2 each 124 326 01 81
Rear sub-frame mounts, 2 each 129 351 14 42

***1992-1995 have different front springs, P/N 124 321 30 04

I cut and paste the above info but cannot explain why the lower control arm bushing kit is shown three times.

 

[RKC-benz]

What springs did you use??I know you say H&R but most of them I've seen offer 30+ lower The sportline 20mm lower than standard

I don't recall the part number but my indy did the research for me and it's worked a treat. I didn't swap out any spring pads so I could go out and measure the distance from wheel centre to bottom of arch... If someone else does standard set up and Sportline we would have answers...

You're right though for sure about the 20mm Sportline drop.

 

[RKC-benz]

+1

+1 for what?

;^)

 

[RKC-benz]

The angle of the ball joint at the end of the front wishbone was altered slightly also to accomodate the lowered ride height. [ This ultimately governs how much the car can be lowered safety without placing too much restriction on joint movement ] Front wishbone inner bushes and rear suspension bushes were stiffened up slightly also. A good sportline set up is definitely a tauter driving experience- possibly due to the higher steering box ratio but as has been said in many cases the years have taken their toll - elastomer wise -so things may well have loosened up a bit. Clapping on a set of lowered springs in isolation will lower the ride height but the true mercedes sportline set up is really a combination of subtle changes to many suspension components to get the true effect.

Nothing was "clapped on" mate! ... Although I do sometimes hear applause when I park it up.

 

[WDB124066]

Those bushings have very specific shock absorbing qualities as does one tie rod end. It could be that there are so many numbers because the bushes are relatively unique to the location where they are installed. The absorbent tie rod end is placed on the driver's side for both LHD & RHD cars for example.

I only have dimensions for Sportline Cabbies, not Coupes, Sedans or Wagons.

 

[coupe addict]

The enigmatic +1 was a lazy support for the general scepticism about the performance advantages of the sport chassis package on quite elderly cars.
However, the Sportline steering box seemed to me a noticeable benefit, I rather like to look of the slightly lower stance, and I prefer the slightly more planted feel of 7J rather than 6.5.
The other anticipated benefits could be achieved almost equally as well by some maintenance work on bushes etc. In particular, replacing front ARB bushes would, on most 124s I've experienced, give a comparable benefit at a tiny fraction of the cost.

 

[RKC-benz]

The enigmatic +1 was a lazy support for the general scepticism about the performance advantages of the sport chassis package on quite elderly cars.
However, the Sportline steering box seemed to me a noticeable benefit, I rather like to look of the slightly lower stance, and I prefer the slightly more planted feel of 7J rather than 6.5.
The other anticipated benefits could be achieved almost equally as well by some maintenance work on bushes etc. In particular, replacing front ARB bushes would, on most 124s I've experienced, give a comparable benefit at a tiny fraction of the cost.

Ah ha!! I haven't driven the Sportline but having come to my E280 S124 from a couple of new S204 models - 350CDi - I can agree about the handling of these old buses. I totally love its character and manners but it rolls like a ship on a stormy sea… It looks better on the road lowered and the wheels in 17" are a better fit in my view.

I agree about bushing; I changed the ARB bushes and it properly tightened up the feel of the front end. It worked really well.

I think in the next year or so I am going to have the rear subframe out and do a full rebuild of everything related to the rear suspension and diff, etc… That should set it squarer still on the road.

 

[magz325]

hi guys. im new here. im from SA. Need some help please. i have a 1991 Mercedes Benz 200 E. Recently the front seatbelts stop working. Its jammed. It doesnt have those automatic arms that come out. So im alittle confused as to why the seatbelts are jammed. Can someone please advise. Thanks

 

[grober]

hi guys. im new here. im from SA. Need some help please. i have a 1991 Mercedes Benz 200 E. Recently the front seatbelts stop working. Its jammed. It doesnt have those automatic arms that come out. So im alittle confused as to why the seatbelts are jammed. Can someone please advise. Thanks

http://www.w124performance.com/service/w124CD2/Program/Chassis/91-502.pdf
Chances are the locking mechanism on the retracting/inertial reel has broken/jammed after all this time- particularly if its the drivers belt as it gets the most wear. As its a safety feature you are probably best to get a new belt +reel assembly if possible.