W203 Frim Ride

[withey]

My W203 seems to be a very firm ride - you can really feel all of the tiny divets in the road. Is this usual, my tyres are the correct pressure..

Is there anything i can do to make it a softer ride?

 

[Rory]

Which model W203 have you got, what size wheels, and what make and model of tyre?

 

[withey]

It's a 2006 C180K.

I will need to check the Tyres, I think they may be 17" Continentals (one ones that refer to Mercedes in the spec). Wider tyre on the back of the car than the front.

 

[withey]

Fronts are Continental (not sure of exact model) - 225/45/91W 17"

Rears are Continental Sport Contact 2 - 245/40/91W 17"

The outside rim of the passenger front side seems to be quite worn but i think this may have been curb damage rather than anything else.

 

[Smatt]

Would be worth getting it looked over. Track rods & susp bushes commonly need replacing & can have a big effect on ride quality & the solidness of driving experience. They will make the ride more clattery.
However, I am no expert, so could be a number of reasons!
Is your car a sport, or does it have a sport(firmer) suspension?

 

[withey]

Yeah it's a Sport which I'm starting to think is why it's a harder ride....

 

[Rory]

Mine is an Avantgarde on standard suspension, 16" wheels. And I'd say mine is firm, bordering on harsh. So I'd probably find yours horrendous.

Not sure what the Conti tyres are like, but mine came on Bridgetone Turanza ER30's - 205/55R16 on the front and 225/50R16 on the rear. Bridgestones are noted for stiff sidewalls and they felt like iron rings rather than rubber tyres! I put Michelin Primacy HP's on the rear as soon as possible but it didn't make a significant difference. However eventually the fronts wore out and replacing those with HPs made a bid difference to the ride - it's a lot more compliant, and quieter too.

Having said all that the lower profile of your tyres mitigates against finding much improvement with better riding tyres.

 

[withey]

So I guess the only option would be to swap the suspension over? Could get expensive....

 

[Rory]

So I guess the only option would be to swap the suspension over? Could get expensive....

Based on how my car is, I doubt it would make a significant difference, and changing the car away from its standard spec is a potential can of worms.

 

[markjay]

Yeah it's a Sport which I'm starting to think is why it's a harder ride....

Mine is 2006 180k Classic, and I find the ride quite reasonable, though not as soft as my other (French) car.

The Classic BTW has same-size tyre all around i.e. it does not have the wider tyres at the rear.

You could try and have the tyre pressure set to the lower of the two options (i.e. not the fully-laden one) but I wouldn't go below that.

 

[charlie2]

More than likley front anti roll bar link rods and support bushes,felt i had same problem earlier this year changed thease parts and all was well. total cost of parts £31.00 so well worth it.

 

[Insain]

if you have the avantgarde (sport) it will have the stiffer suspension, so yes you will feel more on the road but it will drive better

if you have the elegance then the suspension is much softer so its more smoother but less of a drive if you know what i mean

 

[Insain]

it all depends on what you are coming from as well?

i used to drive the new CLC which was too soft on the suspension. my w203 is much stiffer and it feels so much better...........!!