Just How Would One Make The Car Handle Better
 

I was just wondering if you had your suspension up to spec, like in perfect condition what could you do to make my car a better handling car. Now i know that these cars were not sport cars but something alittle better would be nice. is there anything that can be upgraded on the suspension other than lowering springs.

Thicker sway bars from the 300TD, metal W115 sway bar links, 15" alloy wheels from a W126 (205/60R15) and give the front wheels just a hair negative camber.

Did you get in on the Vogtland Group buy?

no i didn't get the chance to because i was a little low on money. Some day i will probably just get some custom springs, the way i want them to be. Oh well, thats for another day. and thanks ForcedInduction for the good information. I knew that there was some parts that could be used from other vehicles but just didn't know from which one. thanks.

Well you could fit some Porsche wheels, but then you'd need Porsche hubs. So you fit Porsche hubs, they require Porsche brakes, and Porsche wishbones. Then you'd have to change the chassis because the wishbones wouldn't fit, you'd also need Porsche springs and dampers, and once the chassis was changed you'd have to replace the engine, shell, and interior, for Porsche parts.

Or you could just buy a Porsche.

The rear sway bar is not from the TD's it was special order for limos, ambulances and police vehicles. I would vote for Bilstein HD's, coupe springs, wider tires and the thinnest spring shims that keep you in spec on camber. This was the setup that I had in my old car that just about fantastic. I have to say that the vogtland springs make my car ride on rails, there are some s curves that are fantastic.

Doesn't "camber" mean leaning in on the top? I'm just asking. I don't know. If that's right, why would larger diameter wheels affect the camber? Wouldn't any camber off of dead center cause uneven tire wear?

Tire size would not change camber. 205/60R15 is less than 1% different than the stock tire diameter. However, it has less sidewall rubber for less flex in corners and it is wider for more grip.

Negative camber will make it wear on the inside but it can significantly reduce understeer.

Larger diameter wheels are not connected with wanting or needing neg camber.
Neg camber is the top of the wheels closer together, and a slight neg camber helps the rear tires stay on the pavement in cornering. I am not a proponent of messing with front wheel camber but it might be something someone uses I just don't think it will help that much. Its the rear end coming around I would work on first.

For a car with wide wheels on the rear one wants few degrees negative for better handling and this lowers the wear on the outer edges of the tire. You see Porsches squatting down in the rear with something like 4 or more degrees neg camber. Rear Camber isn't adjustable on the 123 anyway so forget that.

Larger wheels with a reduced sidewall to keep the same (or approx the same) speedometer reading gives better tire response because the sidewalls are shorter and flex less than the taller OE tires on a 14 in wheel.
I vote for the wheel change above all because this also allows you to select from a better choice of tires, and those with sportier response.
HD shocks are the next thing to do if your after better handling but be aware that you are going to lose a lot of the overall comfort as a trade off for better handling. A 123 with all new suspension bushings and the normal "comfort" Bilstein shocks will handle quite well and still feel like a "luxury" car.
If the front sway bar would have been easy to change I probably would have tried that but its a huge PITA.

I'd buy a BMW and enjoy the ride of my car.:D

But for a W126 I'd hunt for some AMG parts, finding an AMG in a junk yard would be gold. It will be hard and expensive but possible.

Or if it was that important just buy an AMG model, but again they are very expensive. For a 560SEL with the full AMG makeover, suspension, body kit, engine, interior, in good shape your looking at $30k+/-. And it will still be a pig compared to what else you can get for $30k, M3, NSX, 911, 308, ect.

A W123 is never going to be a sports car, enjoy it for what it is.

A W123 280e euro with dual fuel injection per cylinder and a 5 speed manual is a FAST car....my dad's dad had one back in Germany, a NEW one....he said it was a land rocket. (My dad got to drive it sometimes) He said it'd effortlessly and quickly top 150mph. Wshew. And, he said you could watch the fuel gauge move while doing so. :D ;)

By modern standards they are slow, only 185hp if my memory serves me. A 4cy Accord produces much more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQW9a0qTCsA&feature=related

They do ok though, MB usualy gears their cars really well.

They did race them, looks like they stuck a big V8 in them, probably an M117. Then stripped it and dropped the suspension. Probably some custom stuff their.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X5oglHaLV8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMA5cQwn3nI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJyC_lugMJw
Here is an AMG W126 that one of our forum members owns. I'd sell my soul for that car, it has the same interior as my SDL, and three times the hp.:D

Put some sticky tires on it. I have Donlop A2s on mine and can not get them to squeal. It has lots of body roll though. T-walgamuth has a 280E with slicks that he auto-x races and does fairly well. For the size, weight and era these cars handle quite well.

If you want it to handle better, you need to gnereally make the suspension stiffer. That would include new shocks, stiffer springs, stiffer sway bars, and stiffer tires. You also would want to lower the ride height (and thus cneter of gravity), usually with shorter springs, and possibly a shorter wheel/tire combo.

Camber is important because as you turn, the tires on the opposite side decamber as the weight transfers. When the tires decamber, the tire contact patch (tire/road connection) distorts and the tire sidewall deflects (end result of that it loss of traction). Adding a bit of negative camber will not affect wear all that much (most irregular tire wear is caused by the toe setting).