On the subject of Euro Sportline parts the front antisway bar on my 1990 300TE 24V Sportline is larger on the mid diametre than the non sportline models, but on GSXRs data base he lists all wagons and sportlines the same i.e. 124-323-68-65 27.5mm inner, 22mm mid, 18mm outter mid, 22mm outter
the bar on my car measures 28.5 mid so I presume 24V EURO TEs use the Limo type bar ?, was the quick ratio steering box a standard SL feature or a sub option because my freinds same year, same model car as the normal ratio stg. box? Going off subject slightly the interior in my car as the shaped sport seats similar to 16V 201 but wider with stitching like the 500E I have not seen another car like this. Linds UK

Regarding the H&R W210 rear swaybar does anyone know the spec for the E55T rear bar ?, also regarding fitting larger rear bars to SLS do you need the relevent clamp and arm for the height adjuster ? Many thanks Linds UK

Linds,

I should make a note on that spreadsheet - it includes USA models only. There was never a Sportline package offered in the USA for station wagons or V8's, only for 6-cylinder sedans, coupes, and cabrios. However in Europe, there were a LOT more options! It is very likely that a Sportline wagon would use the front "limo" bar that is 28.5mm in the center.

Another thing I should note is that I got my data from the EPC, and measuring every bar I could get my hands on, then comparing measurements & part numbers. The problem is, some models (like station wagons) used a different part number from the factory, which was superceded to a newer part. So, on my spreadsheet, I only list the last part number. I do not know if the dimensions would change from one to the other or not. If anyone has more data, please send it my way. Oh - I did not list any information on the 4Matic models at all - sorry.

I had looked up W210 AMG model rear sway bars and they all seem to use 18mm, I think. About the SLS clamp, I would think it's possible to bend it to fit the larger bar, assuming the size increase is relatively small. Or get the 500E clamp (designed for an 18mm bar) if you have a smaller bar (15.0-16.5mm).

__________________
Dave
Boise, ID
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So, the wagon that I praised as having been transformed (500e front bar, struts,springs, rear 500e bar, springs) is actually not complete. The rear of this car bounces like a pogo stick!! It is as if the rear springs are not communicating with the hydro system at all. Is there a way to get the e320 rear hydrpneumatic valving to be that of the 500e rear hydro system. As stated in previous threads, the 500e springs are looking for the 500e dampening and rebound. The e320 system is not sufficient to obtain the ride of the 500e. Does anyone recalibrate the hydro systems or are they just the way they are? Car is actually dangerous at speed over bumps or dips and needs solution. Is there a sportline hydfro system that is confirmed to fit U.S. cars?

Yes there is a "Sport" solution for your rear damping. Scroll to the bottom of the attached text file. Alternately, the 500E rear spring leg (hydro shock) should work well. Ask Neil V what he used in his 360TE AMG wagon.

Update: The 500E sedan rear shock won't fit the wagons - my bad!

Attached Files

124_suspension.txt (4.0 KB, 215 views)

Does the 500e Hydro shock fit in a U.S. e320 wagon with SLS? Where can I buy them?

For part sourcing, call FastLane (link at top of page), alternately call Rusty (800-741-5252). For Euro-specific parts, neither of them can get them... you'll need to contact Speed-Autoteile.com. For AMG specific parts, get a quote direct from AMG in Germany as well, sometimes it's cheaper to buy direct from them and eliminate the Mercedes middleman (at least it's cheaper to buy the full suspension kits, than to buy the separate parts from MB Germany.)

If it's bouncing like a pogo-stick, most likely your accummulators (aka, nitrogen spheres) are ruptured and you need to replace them.

A good test, is to disconnect the self-levelling rod and manually operate the valve lever's position. The suspension should go up and down. If it does go up and down, then it's the accummulators (they have a MTBF of about 90K miles) that need to be replaced.

The W124 500E self-levelling struts are NOT interchangeable with the W124 wagon due to the different mounting style.

With proper working struts and accummulators, both 500E rear springs and SportLine rear springs work well the wagon's self-levelling suspension WITHOUT the "pogo-stick" like feeling.

:-) neil
1988 E36T AMG
1993 500E

Thanks for the info, Neil. I incorrectly thought you had used 500E rear shocks on the wagon. I was wondering about the mounting though. I forgot to mention in my first reply that the "pogo" symptom did sound like an accumulator issue - ooops. The file I uploaded includes the wagon-specific Sportline part numbers, if you want to get stiffer damping than the stock E320T SLS shocks. They ain't cheap though.

With due respect to Neil, resident expert on 124 wagon mods, I would have to humbly disagree that the accumulators are necessarily at fault.

I also have 500E springs in my wagon and absolutely hate them. I recently replaced the accumulators and still have the very same sensation that WagonPass described. Fine over a smooth road but just crap over bumps. Feels as if the springs are bounding around all alone with the dampers sleeping. Yet, independently the damping function is working fine. I have adjusted the SLS system countless times to find the right ride height which provides the correct complimentary stiffness to spring and nothing feels right. Bear in mind that the greater the volume of oil in the strut tower, the stiffer it is in rebound and compression. Simple fluid dynamics since the oil ultimately is forced through a valve which in itself causes some damping effect.

Anyhow, finally convinced that the 500E springs are too soft, I have managed to get a hold of Euro Sportline rear springs. I will install these ideally this weekend with the stock shocks to see how they feel. If still inadequate Ill buy Euro Sportline shocks.

Regards
farrukh

When myh suspension work was done this past summer I replaced the accumulaters and all rubber associated with the suspension components. I guess that I could have bought bogus replacements or been taken by the mechanic, anything is possible, but I think the answer here lies with the rear sportline hydro. The issue is really one of bump and rebound, and my sense is that the e320 hydro shocks and SLS system are very different from the 500e. We all need to find someone with the answer to stock bump and rebound settings for stock e320 wagon and 500e. The answer will most likely be that they are very different and cannot be compensated with a spring rate/height/spacer/rubber or anything else. Think of the original design and intended use for the two vehicles.....grocery hauler vs M5 fighter. Who has the answer?

Hi guys, I recently tried to order the Eibach spring kit for my TE here in the UK . The brochure lists the 124T models but the technical guy at Eibach said that they had encountered so many strange handling problems with the SLS eqquiped cars that they would no longer reccomend fitting lowering springs with SLS. He only wanted to supply if I was to remove SLS, which is not an option for me. Whilst on the subject of Eibach I purchased their 210 rear antisway bar which measures 20mm and after 2hrs struggling with removing the old bar and more struggling purswayding the even larger Eibach bar into place I was overjoyed to find that a bend in the new bar collided with the SLS sensor bracket! I was most impressed! So for now I have a Euro Sportline rear bar, Euro Sportline/ Limo front bar , Sportline TE front and rear springs, standard dampers and Hydros. The ride / handling is OK, roll control is improved but overall a dissapiontment compared to my Evo 201. I think the Eibach bar would fit the non SLS sedans without any problems. Regards Linds

Linds, thanks for the info on the sway bar. Any chance you can post a photo of the Eibach W210 20mm bar? I thought it was a "straight" bar, same as your original Sportline bar? That's a bummer it doesn't want to fit. I'd buy it from you if you were closer.

BTW, I think lowering springs should work fine with SLS on a standard 124 (not a Sportline), but only if you get the factory Sportline SLS rear shocks. Those will be valved properly for the reduced ride height. I can definitely understand having issues with lowering springs and standard SLS shocks, I had not heard of that before, but it makes sense. I also would not want to remove SLS as some people have done. I like the system (when it works properly!)

Why would you want Eibach springs for a factory Sportline model, btw? Isn't your car already about 1 inch (25mm) lower than a standard 124? Did you want it even lower?

BTW, I checked the Euro EPC, the 6-cyl station wagons (124.090 [M103] and .091 [M104]) came with 27.5mm front bars standard and 28.5mm for Sportline models. In the rear, standard models have 15.0mm, and Sportline models have 16.5mm bars.

Hello again , Iam sorry but I was so down about the bar that I didnt take any pictures I managed to clean it up and returned to Eibach luckily!. Basically the bar mount points are identical but from the mid point to just before the RH body mount the bar bulges rearwards by about 30mm, right where the SLS valve body bracket and link lever live!. I guess thats the problem with trying new ideas , when I get the credit from Eibach I will go with the E500 bar. Another strange thing that as happened is that I swapped the front springs with my 24v Sportline and the 12v now sits higher at the front by 20mm, kind of the reverse of what I was hoping for! Both cars have AC, cruise etc and I would:nt have thought that the weight difference between 12 to 24V would be that great. I will try loosening the front suspension and retightening with the car on its wheels to see if this improves matters. Regards Linds