Just to let you know, maybe y'all know this, but anyway:

A modification which provides some negative camber on the front wheels, and therefor LESS understeer, more neutral handling, and higher cornering speeds.

I have put m12 washers of about 2 mm thick between the lowest 2 bolts of the front shock absorbers. This way you get about 2 degrees negative camber on the fornt wheels.

Because a standard w201/w124 tends to understeer, this mod is very nice, certainly on a car with 'large' engine (6-es and v8's)

I did this on my w201 with om603turbo, and can throw it around a lot more.

Costs: 2 dollar?

A bit more in the end, because you need to align the wheels again.

Untill now no noticable tirewear on the front, but if you dont ussually go a bit faster around corners, dont do this, because then maybe the insides of the front tires are gone faster than the outsides.

Sounds like a good idea. I want to try this, but I want others to chime in before I try this. Anyone able to support this?

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Mine has 1.5 degrees negative as low as it is. These cars have a very adjustible suspension... just get an alignment and tell them to do negative camber

__________________
The Wolf: That's thirty minutes away. I'll be there in ten.

You are right when you say that negative camber is possible with just alignment. BUT.... at normal ride height of you car, the amount of negative camber that can be created is very little (maybe 0,5 degree maximum).

You are also right when you say that you have a very low car, that has 1,5 degree negative camber.

But with these washers, you get about 2,20 degree negative camber, at NORMAL ride height (more if you lower the car).

For everyday use (here in the Netherlands we have a lot of speed bumps) a very low car is NOT funny.

But again: if you always 'cruise' in your car, on US roads (streets and turns are WIIIIIDE!!!!) this mod is not very useful.

Sporty or track use: a must!

In this category, I'll be content to simply say that the MB engineers knew best how to set up the suspension, then they did so. I'll leave mine alone.

__________________
- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

For normal road use, the safest handling (women)(understeer), and the least tire wear: Yes, then MB knows best.

But if you want higher cornering speeds, and dont care much about a bit more tire wear, the standard setup is not the best.

compromise is the word here.

If MB always did the best for everybody, AMG, Bilstein, Remus, Koni etc etc would all be outta business

I can attest to this.....the front of my 2.6 is lowered by around 1.6 inches + another 20mm since I went from #3 to #1 pads. No camber correction, and I have VERY neutral handling characteristics (though I would say that WIDE low profile tires in all corners and sport struts probably add to this).......and for a daily driver (or freeway driver) this is NOT ideal in any way shape or form.....no matter how hardcore of a driving enthusiast you think that you are. I get exhausted from just trying to keep it in a straight line after about an hour on the freeway. Great for spirited drives through the twisities, but annoying as hell otherwise. I would NOT NOT NOT (repeat NOT) recommend this mod if you are daily driving your 201.

__________________
1999 C43 AMG ~~~ 744 on black, mostly stock
1991 190e 2.6 ~~~ m117 5.6 project car

It is indeed a fact that with negative camber on the front wheels the car 'searches' more in a straight line. I experienced that also with a frontwheeldrive with lots of negative camber.

5 days ago although, I was on the highway about 1,5 hours, driving between 100 and 125 mph, and I didnt notice any searching....
Bilstein set, a bit crappy tires, and small OMP deepdish sport steer on the car.

I drive mine VERY hard in tight twists... with a limited slip diff the understeer would not be an issue, that is next on the list.

Roads here are pretty good, however, so I can see how you would prefer normal ride height.

the only issue I have is the use of a washer as you have described. Does not seem like the best route.

I was wondering why my car will not drive straight on the interstate! now I know.

__________________
The Wolf: That's thirty minutes away. I'll be there in ten.