I was at the tire shop today, and they had my car a 92 300Ce up on the rack next to a brand spankin new clk 320 on the rack.

I was looking at the rear suspension, and what I notice seemed interesting.

From my overall glance at the CLK Rear Suspension and the 300CE Rear Suspension, they look almost identical.

The rods, busings, arms, stabilizer, spring/shock configuration all appeared to me to be Identical.

Am I just seeing things, or did mercedes not have to change the suspension on the clk from what it was on the 300CE?

I'm sure I am wrong here, but the suspension appeared to me to be identical. The only real difference I noticed was the calipers seemed a little different in shape. Everything else appeared to look identical to me.

What do you all think?

Benzmac, does this seem like I am way wrong here, or is what I saw correct?

Just want to know, seems strange that the suspension would be the same design and possibly parts would be the same on a newer designed car? I woulda though there would be some major refinements in the suspension technology mercedes has develpoed between various models and years...

But I am thinking that you could use a clk suspension on a 300Ce, they looked identical to me. or possibly, if they are the same, would that mean you could do the Sportline suspension upgrade to a clk?

Ohh there was a bad ass clk 430 there too, fully decked out, lowered on 18's, and the rear badge was custom. Instead of CLK 430 it said 2K 430...

In anycase, let me know your thoughts on this. I was thinking it seemed strange.

------------------
'92 300CE
Metallic Black (Blue Flaked) on Creme
Clear Corners
Black Grille Insert
78k Miles

Future Upgrades:
Sportline Suspension
17" AMG Monoblocks or EVO II's
94-95 Tail Lights
Euro Headlights
Chip
AMG Exhaust
http://home.earthlink.net/~asherson/mycar.jpg
Click here to Go To My 300CE Page

It seems to me that you're prtty good at noting those similarities between cars. which I beleive are numerous with MB cars. I think those two cars are completly different and handle the road in their own way .Ever since they came up with the multilink rear suspenssion,those cars have been very good handling they're both design from th same idea but differ in some areas (eg part numbers...) more on that after I check at work today.

------------------
Certified Mercedes-Benz Technician loving his job

Aa 5-link rear suspension is tough to beat...which is why they've stayed with this configuration. However, I'd be surprised if the parts were indeed identical thruout, given the CLK's a smaller car on a smaller chassis.

------------------
All the best, Michael
500E
300TE

Yes indeed, they do look identical from appearance.

I was very pleased to see that they were similar in design. I guess when ya have designed a real nice suspension, ya don't need to change it much to improve it. :)

Alon

------------------
'92 300CE
Metallic Black (Blue Flaked) on Creme
Clear Corners
Black Grille Insert
78k Miles

Future Upgrades:
Sportline Suspension
17" AMG Monoblocks or EVO II's
94-95 Tail Lights
Euro Headlights
Chip
AMG Exhaust
http://home.earthlink.net/~asherson/mycar.jpg
Click here to Go To My 300CE Page

the CLK is based on the C-class and the other one on the E-class. Their rear suspensions may have similar designs but they may be implemented on different scales. The subtle differences determine things like roll centers, which are finely tuned for each chassis.

moreover, because of the differences in vehicle weights and intended characteristics (i.e., sporty vs luxurious), the bushings might not be the same.