W124 not bliss

[hlnngl]

Hi, I have a 1994 E300d estate. I've had an enormous amount of work done on the suspension over the past 3/4 months since I purchased it - so it's also also got new tyres, and last week had a full 4 wheel alignment (it still pulls left but Ive found a whole sticky on that which should help me!).

I've now ticked off many of the items to look for on a E300d - new ARB bushes/ball joints/rear suspension arms/rear strut mounts/propshaft doughnut/rear subframe mounts/steerer damper/new steering box etc. Each time it's come back from the garage I've expected better - it's been small incremental improvements and I feel much happier with it now, BUT it's still not a smooth ride, I can feel virtually all road bumps - my question is, is this normal?? Do I have unrealistic expectations given my car is nearly 20 years old and 195k + miles? Before I purchased the car I was hoping for a blissful ride, as I had read from some other review.

I suspected the spheres having read lots of posts, but two separate independent Merc garages have checked and said they are fine, no problems, same with the front shocks. Is there something else I may have missed? Should I ignore the garages and have the spheres and front shocks replaced? Any advice greatly appreciated ...

 

[trapperjohn]

First off welcome to the forum and 124 ownership.

What tyres did you have fitted and what size please? Tyres can make a huge difference to 124 ride (well any car really) The spheres will be in line for a change at that mileage but if two indies say they are ok they should be just that.

CHEERS

 

[grober]

A W124 should give you a magic carpet ride. Are you running standard tyres and wheels at the correct tyre pressures. Hard suspension is often down to sphere failure. The internal diaphragm may not have failed but the nitrogen may have leaked out- and as the suspension relies on the correct nitrogen pressure to function??? Other possibility is someone has fitted uprated/lowering springs at some point. The problem with older cars is that over the years some component " spec originality" has been lost. What comment do the independents make on the suspension characteristics- do they see it as normal or hard. I would try to get a trial run in as many fellow w124 estate owners cars as possible for comparison.

 

[hlnngl]

Many thanks - when I purchased the car it had 17" AMG copies on it, which I assumed were the reason for the hard ride. I soon changed these to 15" 15 hole Merc alloys, with recommended Conti 2 tyres in the original size (v glad on the size, makes them v cheap - my last car was an S Max, and a set of 4 tyres on that was £750). I've followed all the advice that Nick Bollide has given at great expense, hence my slight frustration that the car just doesn't feel that smooth - should I really have to warn my family to brace when going over speed bumps, for example?!

 

[grober]

Many thanks - when I purchased the car it had 17" AMG copies on it, which I assumed were the reason for the hard ride. I soon changed these to 15" 15 hole Merc alloys, with recommended Conti 2 tyres in the original size (v glad on the size, makes them v cheap - my last car was an S Max, and a set of 4 tyres on that was £750). I've followed all the advice that Nick Bollide has given at great expense, hence my slight frustration that the car just doesn't feel that smooth - should I really have to warn my family to brace when going over speed bumps, for example?!

Glad to hear you have proper tyres on the car. One thing on the speed bumps that may be disconcerting to previously non MB owners is the immense torsional rigidity [ stiffness] of the bodies of these cars. This makes them very strong in a collision but also means they don't flex at all. Under some rough road conditions this can convey a rather strange sensation best described as being "shaken side to side" This is more likely to be experienced if the car is subjected to twisting forces where one side of the cars suspension hits a speed bump before the other.

PS as trapperjohn says and also bearing in mind you have already spent a large sum of money on renewing suspension components seems remiss not to renew the spheres to complete the package? Are you sure they have bled the suspension hydraulic system correctly?

 

[trapperjohn]

All good in the wheel and tyre department then. As grober says spheres next then - or at the least have a ride in as many 124 estates as you can. Where abouts in the country are you.

 

[balge]

Many thanks - when I purchased the car it had 17" AMG copies on it, which I assumed were the reason for the hard ride. I soon changed these to 15" 15 hole Merc alloys, with recommended Conti 2 tyres in the original size (v glad on the size, makes them v cheap - my last car was an S Max, and a set of 4 tyres on that was £750). I've followed all the advice that Nick Bollide has given at great expense, hence my slight frustration that the car just doesn't feel that smooth - should I really have to warn my family to brace when going over speed bumps, for example?!

That sounds exactly like your spheres gone...what exact 'checks' did these garages perform?

 

[GP801]

Ours had the 15 inch 8 hole alloys on contis when we got it. It should ride very well on that combination. We now have 17inch genuine AMGs with kleber quadraxer all season tyres. Rides a bit harsher but still very smooth. Ours has also had most of the bushes replaced like yours but it really did make a big difference

 

[kth286]

hinng

Have the front suspension wishbone bushes been replaced ?

They can seize with the bolt going through them, the rear one of the two is more prone, and often needs cutting off to remove wishbone.

First, test the front suspension by pushing down on each corner several times.

How does each corner compare, and does the suspension seem compliant ?