Before I spend hours and hours on the phone with parts guys at Mercedes dealers and time spent researching all over the world wide web, can anyone enlighten me on the different suspension setups on W210's?

I have a 2000 E430, and can't stand the suspension. It is way too soft. The car wobbles like a bobblehead doll that has been shaken.

I've been told that the standard suspension on W210's in Europe is stiffer than the standard setup here in the U.S. Is this true? And if so, what is different? The springs? Shocks? Sway bar?

What suspension changes did the E430 sport have over the regular E430?

Is the Sport suspension different than the E55 AMG suspension?

What do you think is necessary to stiffen and control the ride, without being too harsh? I have twins who are 19 months old, and they ride in the car with me from time to time, so ride quality is a consideration.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Hi,
I have a W208 and i live in Europe, i really think that MB for US have special soft pakage...
I can tell you this because my CLK 430 is quite stiff also with original SHOK absorber.
I think you just have to change yours with adjustable KONI (2 types : red for SPORt with 3 position and Yellow for RACE with also 3 position).
I put on mine the Yellow one and in the postion 0 the car i really stiff i think it is bettre put the RED one.
If you are not happy you can also cahge springs with H&R or EIBACH but you have to decide.
I am back from a trip in Germany were i ride for many mile between 120 and 150 mph and i can tell you that siffer is better .
Hope this help you
Alberto

There is no difference in the suspension between a sport and non-sport E430.
Sport only changed the wheels and body trim.
I also looked into buying the E55 suspension, it was around $3,000.
Not sure about the cost now.

Best of luck.

I'm looking into new suspension set-ups for my W210. The E55 has different springs and sway bars than the stock W210. All I'm looking to do is probably add Bilstein HD shocks with a slightly lower spring.

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Ed
-1984 Mercedes 190D 2.2 5-speed gray market(bought@30,000 miles) (Sold back to original owner@170,000 miles)
-1999 Mercedes E300DT (245,000 miles)
-1999 Mercedes S500 Grand Edition (80,000 miles)

Get rid of the Tall tires and the Stock Spring/shock combo
I Installed H/R Sport springs / Sport Bilstein Shocks/AMG E55 Sway Bars...And a set of AMG 18 inch mono blocks 245/275s on my W210 Estate ..The Wife said..It still rides Great! and Handles a LOT better!

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MBENZNL.com

I suggest that you have your current suspension inspected before modifying it. I have a 98 E320 that has a very firm ride with no "wobbles".

What size and type of tires do you have? I am using P225 50 R16 Michelin Pilot XGT H4.

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Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

I am running the stock size Michelin Pilot Sport tires.

However, model year 2000 - 2002 W210's have 17" wheels instead of 16" like yours.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Yeah, I noticed that over at Benzsport.com, most guys are running H/R sport springs and Bilstein spport shocks.

This might be a good combination.

How much do these springs lower the ride height?

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

I am considering adding Bilstein HD's, too, but Bilstein's website states that they do not recommend using HD's with a lower spring. Instead, they suggest their Sport shocks.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

I know that this thread is a million years old, but I just HAD to say something because there is seemingly a lot of misinformation going on here...

I have a 1998 E430 SPORT, I believe that all Sport models came with the AMG styling/appearance package. I also believe that they came with the bigger 17" wheels. Also, my car in particular has a fairly firm/harsh ride. Very much stiffer than a non-sport model. It has Bilstein Sport Shocks. I have had other E430 sports, and they ALL rode the same.

I have driven other E430s and E420s (1997) and the ride was very soft, almost floaty in comparison. Same with E320 Base models.

I guess Mercedes used to take "sport" seriously. lol

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Current cars:
2000 ML55 AMG, 174k miles
2003 C240 T-Modell, 202k miles
1995 S320, 207k Miles

this generation that lowers cars are either wanabe ricer's or wanabe negro's

That's an interesting theory you got there, corn fed. I suppose you think the Mercedes engineers that designed the w210 sport suspension are also a bunch of "wanabe negro's" too.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

I can say no Merc is designed to bobble like an old caddy and this is likely the result of blown shocks. A lot of 210s in North America have rust issues and broken springs, sometimes even broken spring perches, and replacing the shocks and springs with new parts will likely make a world of difference.

With those parts replaced it will roll and dive but not bobble or pull. If you want it still I really like the Volkland springs and Bilstein shocks on my 202 c36. It moves but feels good for a street car.

Additionally I have a w210 I'm parting out and the contol arms have recent ball joints and bushings if you want them for cheap. It is a pre facelift e320.

Are you serious? Wanabe negro's!!! Please kiss my BLACK ASS!

Or maybe they are just Germans: https://www.mercedes-fans.de/magazin/auto-der-woche/heilung-durch-tuning-tieferlegungs-therapie-am-e55-amg-t-modell-man-sagt-er-habe-magische-saefte-mercedes-s210-e55.3817

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Prost!