W211 Avantgarde - Sports suspension?

[Rosemeyer]

I have a soft rear shock absorber and have been looking at alternative replacements, but it's raised a question.

In the Bilstein Catalogue it refers to shocks for a W211 with 'a standard chassis', or one with 'sports suspension'.

The question I have does an Avantgarde have 'sports suspension' as standard, or was 'sports suspension' an option that could have been specified on any W211?

I have the VIN decode for my car and there's nothing in it which refers to any sort of suspension option.

Hope someone can clarify.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I've seen W211 avantgardes advertised with sports suspension before, so maybe it's correct?

 

[Dieselman]

Avantgarde means sports suspension.

 

[Dryce]

Avantgarde means sports suspension.

The W211 E-Class brochures indicated that the AG had 'lowered suspension' whereas the 'Sport' had 'Lowered Sport Suspension' - it strongly implied the two were different.

Edit:

Sport Suspension was option code 486. Standard on the W211 Sport and an option on the others - inc AG. (Comfort suspension was standard on the Classic and Elegance and an option on the AG only).

 

[Dieselman]

The Sport model wasn't available in 2004, Avantgarde was the sportiest suspension available then.

 

[Dryce]

The Sport model wasn't available in 2004, Avantgarde was the sportiest suspension available then.

OK. Checked and my brochure is 2005 - I was given it in early 2006.

 

[ace571]

Avantgarde was the sportiest suspension available then.

Not quite correct.

The Avantgarde W211 had "low slung chassis" as standard. Sports suspension was an optional extra.

The standard wheels on a W211 were 16". Upon upgrading to 17" 5 spoke or the 17" 5 spoke double arm wheels from the factory, sports suspension was a necessary order along with the wheel upgrade.

 

[Dieselman]

Sports suspension was an optional extra.

On Classic and Elegance models. The major part of the Avantgarde designation was the sports suspension.

The main differences were suspension, blue glass, dark birds eye maple wood trim, Xenon headlights, different alloy wheels.

 

[Dryce]

On Classic and Elegance models. The major part of the Avantgarde designation was the sports suspension.

The main differences were suspension, blue glass, dark birds eye maple wood trim, Xenon headlights, different alloy wheels.

I just re-read the brochure table. It does distinguish between the AG suspension and the Sports suspension. The latter *is* an option shown for the AG.

It also states the airmatic 'replaces comfort, lowered, or sports suspension where relevant'.

Maybe the brochure is misleading?

 

[evdok]

On Classic and Elegance models. The major part of the Avantgarde designation was the sports suspension.

The main differences were suspension, blue glass, dark birds eye maple wood trim, Xenon headlights, different alloy wheels.

Correct as i have all the above!

 

[Rosemeyer]

Hmmm, thanks for all the responses, though I'm not sure they have answered the question lol.

My car has 16 inch wheels, and does not have the sports suspension specified as an option so....

And a quick question EVDOK, who did your remap?

 

[ace571]

I just re-read the brochure table. It does distinguish between the AG suspension and the Sports suspension. The latter *is* an option shown for the AG.

It also states the airmatic 'replaces comfort, lowered, or sports suspension where relevant'.

Maybe the brochure is misleading?

It's not misleading.

When I ordered my W211 AG I opted for the otional 17" 5 spoke wheels (same design as the standard 16s)

It was compulsory to order option 486 sports suspension. The standard AG chassis is lower than Elegance/Classic but not full sports spec.

The later Sport cars got 486 as standard, and 18" multi spokes.

 

[RichardM]

When I ordered my Aventgarde in early 2003 as others have said it came with lower suspension, but sports suspension was an optional extra, and was mandatory if you specified 17" wheels. That is what everyone here is saying (except Dieselman).

 

[Rosemeyer]

From all the replies I'll take it that mine does not have sports suspension as it's on 16 inch wheels and doesn't have the 486 option. That helps in the choice of new shockers.

Thanks for everyones input, this is such a great place to learn

 

[Dieselman]

From all the replies I'll take it that mine does not have sports suspension as it's on 16 inch wheels and doesn't have the 486 option. That helps in the choice of new shockers.

Only it doesn't because your car is lowered with stiffer springs, so can't use the standard dampers.

Put your VIN number up and someone can check the actual coding of your car.

I've just checked for a W211 320Cdi and the p/n for a rear damper for cars without self levelling but with codes 486 and 954 is A2113260200...Umm because they are the option codes for the lowered sport suspension.
Mercedes refers to suspension lower and stiffer than standard as sport suspension. 954 is the option code for Avantgarde and they have always called Avantgarde suspension "sport" suspension

Standard dampers are:
A2113265100 for classic and Elegance (955)

The reason Mercedes specify sport suspension with larger wheels is so they look and ride correctly.


HTH. Sometimes you just gotta swim against the tide...

 

[Rosemeyer]

The VIN is WDB2110262A696889. The data card doesn't mention Code 486, but does state

'Code 954 Equipment Package for Advantgarde Vehicles' ( whatever that consists of)

 

[Dieselman]

Your car is code 954, Avantgarde so the damper number applies as that fits for code 486 "Sports suspension" and 954 "Avantgarde".

For the springs the codes 486 SPORT SUS.... / 952 SPORT PACK./950 SPORT PACK. AMG/9.. 54 AVANTGARDE / 952 AND 954 AND 486 / 950 AND 954 AND 486 / 950
AND 954 / 952 AND 954 / 951 AND 494 / 950 AND 494 / 952 AND 494 / 951 AND 494
get lumped together.

 

[ace571]

Your car is code 954, Avantgarde so the damper number applies as that fits for code 486 "Sports suspension" and 954 "Avantgarde".

For the springs the codes 486 SPORT SUS.... / 952 SPORT PACK./950 SPORT PACK. AMG/9.. 54 AVANTGARDE / 952 AND 954 AND 486 / 950 AND 954 AND 486 / 950
AND 954 / 952 AND 954 / 951 AND 494 / 950 AND 494 / 952 AND 494 / 951 AND 494
get lumped together.

Begs the question - why 486 had to be applied to 17" wheels on a AG?

Unless the dampers are the same but other suspension components are different?

 

[effbee584]

This thread is about original configuration of a car. If you want a 'Vehicle Specification Sheet', Daimler Chrysler in Maastricht is the place to contact, as follows ...........

Tel: 00800 1 777 7777
email:[email protected]

I dealt with an English lady, Helen Pritchard in 2007, received a personal email with my queries answered, plus the spec sheet for my car.

Send them the Chassis No and as long as their system works the same, I am sure you will receive a satisfactory response.

 

[Rosemeyer]

I have all the details of the car as someone has been good enough to provide the data sheet against the Vin number, and as I have said, it doesn't have the 486 code listed against it, and the 954 option just says generic avantgarde fittings.

I'm going to email a dealer and get their view.