My w126 rides great. It used to ride horrible but I replaced LCA, UCA, guide rod bushings at footwell and LCA, UCA bushings at sway bar, sachs shocks in front, bilstein comforts in rear. Replaced tie rods, Lower ball joints, wheel bearings, that bushing that the drag link connects to with the giant bolt (so tired i cant think right now, i should just go to bed lol). Didnt replace drag link. Replaced steering dampener. Installed eibach lowering springs and cut the rear springs off to achieve a half inch rake. Installed 15 inch wheels with 4 brand new michelin primacy mxv4's and had a 4 wheel alignment done to correct the new parts and the camber from lowering. Car rides marvelous and handles very well in the curves.



The rear suspension is loud over harsh bumps I will admit but everything else is great. It may also transmit a little more noise to the driver also but I dont mind. It has a "grand" Mercedes Benz feel to it. It just feels so stable and planted. It absorbs bumps in a firm but comfortable fashion. Not cushy, but not at all harsh. Lowering certainly probably made the ride harsher but I replaced everything at the same time so I don't know exactly. However body roll has been greatly reduced and the car feels like a train at 100mph.


When I ride in other cars I tend to get annoyed very quickly with the ride quality. Today I rode in my dads 94 Lexus GS300 which has been religiously maintained throughout its life and the way it rode almost made me feel sick. It feels japanese despite being a top of the line luxury toyota. It feels exactly like a 93 LS300, or a 93 camry, or a 93 accord or a solara or whatever. They all feel the same. It absorbs bumps well and quietly but it just doesnt feel like an elegant cruising machine on the highway. It has constant subtle side to side movement which makes you feel fatigued after a few miles and the ride just overall feels plasticky. I suppose this is why I can drive 400 miles to LA and not even get out of benz once. The w126 ride quality, interior, exterior, safety and overall worksmanship combine to make this car simply breath taking. A few months ago an older gentlemen rode in my car and commented on how well it rides for being an 80's car. My grandma made the same comment just yesterday.

It may not ride like a w140 but you have to realize that the w140 is the ultimate mercedes (in my opinion its to complicated and cheap compared to the earlier cars).


Not to mention the suspension and car is ridiculously simple (however im sure its a top of the line spring/shock suspension).

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1981 300SD 512k OM603