OK here is one I havent seen discussed much..but then I am pretty new to this. My 98 C class has since new been what you might call "hypersensitive" to steering input at high speeds, like above 75 or so. The car came with Conti's, and when they wore out at about 33K, I installed Michelin MXV4 Plus Energy tires. The problem is that there is a very subtle wander in the lane (estimate about 1/2 to 2 inches) at 75 and up. I.E. you can hold the steering wheel steady doing 90 or so the car distinctly moves around. It is yet even more sensitive in a cross wind situation. Anyone has a recent C class that exhibits this behavior? Yes I had the alignment checked, but I did not ask exactly was the toe centered, or was it maybe in spec at the wrong end (maybe in spec but not enough toe-in). I wonder if this chassis demonstrates this as a normal behavior, due to oem toe/caster/camber and weight distribution.

Up to 65 or so the steering is rock solid....This phenomenon makes the car somewhat squirrely to drive, and makes you really focus your attention at high speeds. BTW...no difference with the Conti's or Michelins...same behavior. Also....tire pressure per the book.....and more pressure aggravates it. (i.e. running 34 psi makes it more sensitive yet)

I would hate to find out that this car has this characteristic in it's chassis...Anyone have a similar experience with this car? Yeah I am anal too.... (Larry )) but I have driven plenty of european sedans that don't move around at all at 90 plus.....(BMW...Volvo) I am convinced this is a real phenomenon. My wife has noticed this as well.....

Any ideas or similar experiences?

TIA , dave

I have found this wandering to be characteristic of the tires. I've had my C280 in excess of 140 mph with my Pilot SX-GTs with no problems at all. I did have the speed limited reprogrammed, so it will, in fact, go this fast.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DSinger:
I have found this wandering to be characteristic of the tires. I've had my C280 in excess of 140 mph with my Pilot SX-GTs with no problems at all. I did have the speed limited reprogrammed, so it will, in fact, go this fast.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

How and where did u get your speed limit reprogrammed?


------------------
SKY-The Legend of Speed
My car: 1999 C280 Brilliant Silver Metallic
My dream cars:
AMG CL55

AMG S55

Dave

Install a set of Koni shocks and your car will feel "glued to the road" at any speed. The ride is great too. Align the car with maximum caster, close to zero camber, and standard toe should help also. Good luck.

Yours is a C class? Koni shocks all 4 wheels? And are you using Michelins or something else? I assume caster and camber are independently adjustable on the 202?

There is a good MB shop locally...thanks for the tip. I will ask them if they can adjust and give it a try. Might be worth checking the basic alignment anyway...it was checked when new for the wandering....it has been 35K miles.

SKY: Interesting about the speed limiter. I assume you are saying that yours has (had) a speed limiter on it? I have had mine up to about 95 mph or so with no indication that the throttle or spark were being cut back to limit speed. I didn't know that it had a limiter....what speed does it kick in at? Actually I started to get a bit nervous at 95 because of the steering wander...it was moving around enough that I had to slow back down.....so if it engages at 100+, I wouldn't have seen it. ???

Thanks , dave

[This message has been edited by djenkins2 (edited 11-07-2000).]

No, I have an S-Class. The Koni comment applies to all vehicles. Koni is adjustable on the rebound setting so you can fine tune your ride/control to your liking. A higher rebound is what give cars the glue to the road feel. However I would use the softest setting to begin with because they are already stiffer than stock out of the box.

Regarding the Michelin, I have a set of Pilot Z4 that drives ok, not great. Some Michelins I have had are horrible. Anyway, I would do the shocks first before changing tires.

I would also have the car aligned by the dealer because they will not only check the alignment with the steering straight, they will also check it when the wheels are turned. I have not seem an independent shop that does it. Good luck.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by djenkins2:


SKY: Interesting about the speed limiter. I assume you are saying that yours has (had) a speed limiter on it? I have had mine up to about 95 mph or so with no indication that the throttle or spark were being cut back to limit speed. I didn't know that it had a limiter....what speed does it kick in at? Actually I started to get a bit nervous at 95 because of the steering wander...it was moving around enough that I had to slow back down.....so if it engages at 100+, I wouldn't have seen it. ???

Thanks , dave

[This message has been edited by djenkins2 (edited 11-07-2000).]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No, I haven't reach the top-speed in my C280 yet, but I thought all MBZ cars that comes to US and Canada has limiter on them. In the case of C280, it is limited at 210KPH which is approx 130mph. I am just curious how DSinger reprogram the speed limit. I only pushed my car to 200KPH, haven't push it any further but it should go up to 210KPH, but don't know if it'll keep going.


------------------
SKY-The Legend of Speed
My car: 1999 C280 Brilliant Silver Metallic
My dream cars:
AMG CL55

AMG S55