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Originally Posted by Duke2.6
I've never understood what guys were trying to accomplish with aftermarket springs and shocks.
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I never understood what I was trying to accomplish either. Seriously, back then I guess I thought it'd give my Merc a more sporting character or something.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Duke2.6
My suggestion: Unless you're trying to turn it into a race car, take the springs and shocks back to OE spec.
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When I took delivery back in 2010 from a used dealer after buying sight unseen it needed the (as I now know, usual) slew of jobs: the wiring harness, head gasket, suspension arms/bushes, even a trans overhaul as second slipped. The springs and shocks were no good either so never really got to trial good condition OE spec. If I do as you suggest I wonder how my existing rims will look with the higher ride height. I imagine original spec springs and shocks also call for original wheels and tyres so the fatter tyre gives the illusion of filling up the arches. My indy mechanic just sources the stock 8-hole alloys from the local dealer so I might need to be sitting down when I call them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Duke2.6
Back in the day I made fairly frequent trips between southern and northern California. If I was in a hurry I drove I-5 and my '88 190E 2.6 special order five-speed rode like and S-class an got 30 MPG.
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Ah, a stick 190E 2.6 sounds like a joy, and much livelier than a slushbox E320 I'd imagine. In the 90's I had a garden variety '87 Nissan Skyline R31 (sedan) with a creamy 3.0 L motor (RB30E) and a five speed, a gem of an engine that I even liked more than the M104. It was quiet like the M103 but kicked down really hard.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Duke2.6
All and all it's a superb freeway cruiser while at the same time being a pretty damned good back road athlete.
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Agreed. What I didn't know before I got my Merc was how it'd modify my driving to super content and laid back. I just cruise around town and rarely get bothered by much at all. A safe motor in more ways than one.