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  #1  
Old 06-11-2004, 03:35 PM
fhmajid
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Genuine Sportline Suspension for E320 Wagon

Hi All,

Did some research into European E320T variants and discovered that we got all sorts of goodies, which are not available in the US, including factory Sportline vehicles and E36T AMG.

Anyway, for those who might be interested in replacing their wagon's suspension with a sport option, the sportline parts may be a better solution than fitting 500E springs, as I have done.

The part numbers for springs and shocks are listed below for your convenience and may be obtained from Roland Zimmerman in Germany (Roland.Zimmermann@speed-autoteile.com). Please note that I have not confirmed yet whether shocks would fit US cars.

1. Rear hydro pneumatic shock absorbers 124 320 38 13

2. Front shock absorbers 124 320 35 30

3a. Front shock abs. repair kit 124 990 00 99

3. Rear suspension springs 124 324 23 04

4. Front suspension springs 124 321 29 04

Drop me a note if you have questions.

Farrukh

ps. prices are comparable to discounted US components. I have not installed these yet, since I only recently installed the 500E components and am not ready to take everything apart again. Parts are from Sportline car with VIN: WDB1240921F281010

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  #2  
Old 06-11-2004, 07:28 PM
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: CT/CA
Posts: 14
What did you not like with the E500 suspension on your wagon? Was it an easy install or did you encounter difficulties with fitment? I have recently just purchased all the e500 components for my 1995 wagon and am curious as to your need to swap them out for the sportline suspension. Before I begin my transplant I would like to know your views on the e500 version, both pros and cons. My goal is to lower the car, to stiffen the ride without sacrificing completely the comfort, to get rid of that awful mush and to minimize body roll. Am I on the right track with the e500 parts or am I missing something? Thanks, Scott
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  #3  
Old 06-14-2004, 04:22 PM
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GSXR gave me the pn# from the Euro EPC.

Please note the different rear springs based upon what options you have. USA cars with sunroofs, etc. almost always get the 69+ points spring.

:-) neil
1988 E36T AMG
1993 500E

124-320-38-13 - Hydropneumatic spring leg

124-324-23-04 - Rear spring, soft/short (low points, to 68)
124-324-28-04 - Rear spring, firm/tall (high points, 69+)
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  #4  
Old 06-14-2004, 04:59 PM
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Thanks for the heads up. I did order and recieve everything you had listed in a previos discussion which had the lower/softer springs. Unfortunately MB does not stock 1993-4 500E sway bars. Still waiting for them and will install all suspension when they arrive. Any thoughts about alignment specs? Thanks, Scott
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  #5  
Old 06-14-2004, 07:18 PM
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Go to a Mercedes dealer, and ask the shop techs who the best alignment person is.

Schedule to have him align your car front & rear to 1993 300E SportLine specs.

If you can, meet with the alignment tech, and let him know what you want, and that you will be back if he doesn't do it right.

Insist on a test-drive afterwards, and a printout of the BEFORE and AFTER alignment specs.

:-) neil

Last edited by ke6dcj; 06-15-2004 at 11:11 AM.
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  #6  
Old 06-15-2004, 09:15 AM
fhmajid
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Wagonpass,

I have never been entirely satisfied with the 500E setup mainly because I could not get rear struts which were valved according to the 500E's rear spring characteristics. On crappy northeastern US roads, a mismatched strut/ spring combination can provide harsh ride as well as skipping over bumps and higher than usual oversteer.

Even though the accumulators provide damping, bear in mind that the rear struts contribute to damping. They are oil pressure based and oil as you know is viscous. Forcing a viscous fluid under pressure through a valve/ orifice will result in a damping factor.

At least the Sportline car has a fully engineered suspension.

Neil,
I am happy that you, as the resident expert on 124 wagon tuning, have joined the discussion.
Care to elaborate for Wagonpass on your feelings about the 500E setup - you've certainly driven your car harder than mine, albeit on CA's decidedly nicer roads?
Also, please clarify your comment on USA cars getting the taller/ firmer spring. USA cars were not offered with that spring family (Sportline) at all. Do you simply mean to say that if the car has a sunroof (=extra weight), it gets the taller/firmer spring?
The VIN I provided was from a car optioned like a US car. Are you saying that the Part number I have is suboptimal?
Please advise.
Thanks and regards
farrukh
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  #7  
Old 06-15-2004, 10:58 AM
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I've found the 500E setup in the front (struts & springs) perfect for everyday driving.

However, like you said, the 500E rear springs expect the 500E rear struts which are not only valved, but have limiting springs just like the 500E front struts.

As such, a 500E rear spring and wagon rear struts are a little soft. I put in 300E rear Sportline springs for the regular rear shocks, and it feels much better.

I hope to get the Wagon Sportline self-levelling struts and rear springs some day, but today with a 500E rear swaybar and new acccumulator I'm very happy.

Mercedes choses its springs by a point option system.

99.9% of all USA cars are heavily optioned compared to Europe, and thus have higher points, which means a stiffer and sometimes taller spring.

Also, just the base points of the wagon plus the sliding roof equates to enough points for the "higher load"/taller spring, at least per the MB EPC.

BTW: I'm now in the crappy roads of Jacksonville, Florida.

:-) neil

Last edited by ke6dcj; 06-15-2004 at 11:28 AM.
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  #8  
Old 06-15-2004, 11:46 AM
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Here's an interesting tidbit from the USA/NA MB EPC:

The Sportline Wagon's front springs (124.321.29.04) was also used on the 124.020/300E; 124.051/300CE; and 124.052/E320.

The Sportline Wagon with self-levelling and the low-point rear spring (124.324.23.04) was used on the Sportline 124.030/300E and 124.032/E320 with NO self-levelling.

The Sportline Wagon with self-levelling and the high-point rear springs (124.321.28.04) was used on the Sportline 124.051/300CE with no self-levelling.

The Sportline 300CE with self-levelling used a 124.324.27.04 (low point) or a 201.324.36.04 (high point) rear spring (are these springs stiffer and/taller than the Sportline Wagon's rear ?).

So, it seems like there are various springs to use in a SportLine setup of the wagon, depending on the points.

:-) neil
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  #9  
Old 06-15-2004, 02:45 PM
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Thanks Niel for the clarifacation and the information on the Sportline set up. I was not aware that Sportline was an option on a wagon. Was this availible for the E320 in 1994-1995 in the U.S. or was it only in Europe? Before I install the 500E rear springs which were a little soft for your liking, Which Sportline spring did you choose in place of the 500E spring? If I do choose to go with the rear Sportline spring I want to make sure I get the right ones that match the ride height of the front and rear 500E. So far I have purchased:
Front shock-1243205730
Front springs-1243213504
Front shim-201-3210984
Front 500E Sway bar

Rear springs-1243243004
Rear shim-2013250944
Rear 500E sway bar

Accumulators
Tie rods

Have you done any engine modifacations?
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  #10  
Old 06-15-2004, 05:20 PM
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Sportline was not offerred on the W124 wagon in the USA.

I'm using the 300E Sportline 124.324.23.04 rear and front springs, because I autocross.

Previously I used the 500E springs, which are FINE for everyday driving, esp. rough roads.

I have a 1995 C36 engine & tranny on my wagon, along with a 500E brake system (master cylinder; booster; front & rear calipers & rotors).

:-) neil
1988 E36T AMG
1993 500E
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  #11  
Old 06-16-2004, 09:15 AM
fhmajid
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Neil,

What shocks are you using front and rear?

Also, which car did you find to ride more comfortably (big issue in Philly/ NYC area), your wagon (with 500E setup) or your 500E? I find that my 500E rides better than the wagon, despite that the wagon is fitted with 215/55/16 Pilot HXs and the E500 is fitted with 245/45/17s S-03s.

Further, when I first made the change, I fitted 215/55/16 Pilot Primacys on the wagon and ride was awful. Each road irregularity was transmitted painfully - which made me ponder. The E500 is far more comfortable.

The wagon is currently in the shop. I am having the level controller checked for internal leakage and have just replaced the accumulators.

So, what brings you to hot and sticky Florida?

Farrukh
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  #12  
Old 06-16-2004, 09:58 AM
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I'm using 500E front struts and the stock wagon rear struts.

The wagon with 16-inch wheels (225/50R16) and 500E springs front & rear was the best ride. I'm running sportline 300E sedan springs for Autocross. I also run a 300E Limo bar front, and 500E rear bar.

The 500E is smoother ONLY because it has more sidewall on the tires. If I go to 17-inch wheels on the 500E, the ride is comparable.

I moved to Florida with my company's HQ relocation.

:-) neil
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  #13  
Old 06-16-2004, 01:50 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT
Posts: 140
Hey Neil:
You mentioned that with the 500E springs, the wagon rear felt a little soft for your taste. Do you think that replacing the wagon rear shocks with the euro sportlines might be enough to stiffen up the rear a bit with a 500E spring setup?
Brian
__________________
Brian
1995 E320 wagon
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  #14  
Old 06-16-2004, 02:22 PM
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No idea.

However, remember the 500E rear self-levelling struts have internal buffers/limiting springs. So once the spring has reached x-limit, it basically stops it dead.

I don't know if the Sportline Wagon self-levelling does this.

Anyone have a source at SACHS who can verify or get specs ?

:-) neil
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  #15  
Old 07-09-2004, 08:05 PM
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Well guys, the transformation of my e320 wagon suspension to the e500 set up is finally done. In addidion to the suspension I chose to put on 17 x 7 enkie wheels with toyo proxies all around. The characteristics of the car have completely changed. There is little to no body roll, the ride is firm yet still soft only as a Mercedes can be. The overall ride quality and feel for the road is approaching that of my 2003 e500 sedan! What a difference. Thank you all for your input and expertise.

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