Just wondering, when new, how plush should a 124 ride?
Mine isn't too plush to be honest and wondering if new suspension parts would fix this?

I have an 08 Audi A4 and it's ride is much much much better. I drove the brand new 5 series BMW and it's ride is also unbelievable. A bit better than the Audi I would say.

So, should the 124 ride like that?
And what do the new cars have? The Audi feels like it's cushioned by clouds!

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Smoke Silver 1994 E220 Coupe Automatic
0 kilometers 6 September 1994
100,635 kilometers - 6 September 2010

You are comparing a suspension on a car built from 1986 to 1995 to a 2008....really?

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'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

...I'm sure when it was brand new that the ride was pretty smooth but with the newer seats and electronic suspension components in the performance cars, there will be a noticeable difference. Mine is a little stiff when hitting bumps in the road or uneven roads but on good road, it is very smooth and quiet. I'm sure if my seats were repadded to new and I replaced all suspension components there would be a noticeable difference but for now, it is better than my '05 Altima SER.

You are fail

I've had an '88 300E since nearly new. It came with pirelli tires, not good. Replaced them with the proper sized michelins and it rode and handled much better and quieter too. 60K miles on it now. It's always been firm, A bit too firm to be honest for a luxury car. Suspension and wheels are stock.

I have a Porsche 928 of the same vintage and mileage that rides about the same and it's a sports/gt car.

interesting topic. We've had quite a few 124's ...and they've all felt a bit different from each other..

not too long ago, i had a chance to drive a 1993 300e.. with 40k original miles. It was a noticeable improvement over mine with 139k.

I can't describe the ride exactly.... it was still firm and tight. I don't think they were ever meant to be Buicks.

I think you would have to completely re-do the rubber.... I'll be sub frame bushings would go a long way

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

Honestly, you would have to redo the sub-frame bushings, engine mounts, control arm bushings, ball joints, fronts struts, rear shocks, rear suspension links, sway-bar bushings, and even new springs to truly get an example of what a new W124 rides like... but even then you may start to run into frame flex and metal fatigue with a 24 (1986) to 15 (1995) year old car with high mileage...

My W124 rides a bit rough, I need new struts and shocks bad, and I think one of the right rear suspension links lost a bushing so it is rattling...

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2006 BMW M5 "Heidi" @ 109,000 miles
2005 MBZ C55 AMG "Lorelai" @ 165,000 miles
1991 MBZ 300E "Benzachino II" @ 165,000 miles
1990 MBZ 500SL "Shoshanna" @ 118,000 miles

(On the hunt for a good used M103 engine as of 6/10/23, PM me if you have one to sell!)

I bought my 300TE new at the same time as a co-worker bought a new BMW 5-series wagon. My wagon was tight, firm but well isolated. At low speeds things like broken concrete could be felt, but not harshly. It came new with Michelin tires which also help.

My friend's new BMW rode and sounded much cheaper and harsher in my opinion, made me very happy that I chose the Mercedes.

It shouldn't shudder or shake, rattle or knock. When it hits low-speed bumps it is a little more firm than many, but IMO better than a FWD Cadillac which I always felt was a harsh ride over things like broken concrete, yet floaty at speed, ... odd. Anyway, the 124 is mostly in its element on the freeway. At freeway speeds and above it should absorb the energy of small to moderate bumps without any drama, which is why it is so at home at 130+.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Plus, the car is 20 years old and needs to have EVERYTHING in its suspension replaced, whereas the 2008 doesn't.

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

The 124 suspension seems to be tuned more for handling than ride.

On mine, I am in the process of replacing all of the rubber bits. I replaced all the links in the rear. On the front I have replaced the left strut, control arm, ball joint, strut mount, and sway bar bushings.

I have new tie rods, and everything for the right side. I bought boge / sachs struts for the front. My stuff is probably all original with 235,000 miles on it. At 175,000 it got a new steering stabilizing shock, and an idler arm repair kit.
I also need to put in the bilstien rear shocks I bought from a member of the forum.

Then next year I will put in new flex discs and center support bearing.

At this point, it should be almost like new.

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1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

I also have a low-mileage 1987 Peugeot 505, incredible ride/handling especially over broken/rough pavement. The W124 is rougher over bad roads but vault-like, quiet, solid. Benz for the highway, every time.

The W124 has a very nice ride in my opinion. Softer (with touring shocks) than a W126 with HDs, thats for sure. But very nimble. Its one of the best riding cars I've been in overall. It gets big points in the "solid" category. It never feels bouncy or weak like so many cars. Its tight and firm.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

My 300E has 117,000 miles on it and is about to turn 18 the suspension is still original with the exception of the tie-rods and ball joints which were replaced about 1.5 yrs ago.

I recently went on a road trip with a friend who happened to rent a 2009 B-Class, which is also a compact car like your A4.

I bet that the suspension on the B-class is state of the art, but as far as ride comfort goes, my W124 seems to do a much better job at absorbing road imperfections . with the B-class you can practically feel every bump in the road, which from experience seems like a characteristic of a modern euro suspension.

I agree with the above posters. In my opinion the suspension offers the best of both worlds, it’s firm, and offers good handling, while providing a nice smooth comfortable ride for the passengers.

PS
i have had a ton of people/passengers compliment the ride quality of the W124(a couple of friends have even claimed that the next car they buy will be a W124), so if you are not satisfied, it might be time to get yer hands dirty the suspension seems like its pretty simple to work on , and there is a ton of info on the forum

A B class is not in the same class as an A4. B Class is with 1 series and A3.
I've been in a 1 series and it's ride is not good, but I am sure it's handling is great.

I didn't think this question was so ridiculous as a lot of people made it sound. Todays car has to ride well but also very importantly it has to handle well too. 20 years ago I am sure Mercedes were more into a soft ride than good handling.

Either way, the question was primarily if the 124 ride should be very plush with all new parts in the suspension?

__________________
Smoke Silver 1994 E220 Coupe Automatic
0 kilometers 6 September 1994
100,635 kilometers - 6 September 2010

No not plush, it has always had a firm ride, as was common for European sedans. A very solid feel, but not jarring. Tires are the first most important link in ride quality, cheap tires will make the car feel cheap, no way around it.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff