I own a 1999 E 300 Turbodiesel and want to upgrade the suspension to the equivalent of the E55 AMG. It is my understanding that my car (due primarily to the weight of the cast iron diesel engine block) actually weighs about the same as the E55. If this is the case, it would seem that I could easily use the springs/shocks/sway bars from an E55 on my car. Is this actually possible?

Also, I intend to upgrade wheels and tires afterward, but am trying if at all possible to avoid modifying any bodywork to accomodate. I'm interested in the AMG Monoblock II's (same as the E55) and have been told that the following setups will work with my STOCK suspension:

1) Front & Rear 8 X 18 wheels with 235-40-18 tires.. or..

2) Front 8 X 18 wheels with 235-40-18 tires and Rear 9 X 18 wheels with 265-35-18 wheels.

Will these setups actually work with my CURRENT suspension, and ALSO after the suspension changes?

If not, what is the most aggressive setup I can get away with?

Any other suggestions/advice would be helpful also!

Many thanks.

Jay Gibbs

Someone else with an E300Turbodiesel. Just did some mods to my Euro '97. AMG Monoblocks 7.5*17 with 235/45 Continentals, straight fit. Also K&N Air filter (quicker response from gearbox and turbo). Fully synthetic oil (even quicker response). Chipped by www.superchips.co.uk to 200bhp+. Just as quick now as the new E320CDI,which is selling here since May. Have not tried any suspension mods but I would like to tighten it up further. Interested to hear how you get on. Since new tyres/wheels went on one problem has become worse. Excessive noise/play in the front suspension/steering bushings. Only 57k miles but driven very hard on bad roads. Have heard of replacement teflon bushings. I'd try them if I could track them down.

Thanks for your response, Eddie. My car is still bone stock (nothin' wrong with that!), but I"ll probably be changing at least the wheels and tires at first, then suspension. Sounds like you've got "quite the ride" with all the mods you've done.

As you know, it's a great car to begin with, although over in the U.S., diesels aren't popular at all compared to over on your side of the world. (I still can't understand why a car this good isn't more popular here... it's pretty darn fast, AND it gets almost 40 MPG on the highway!) As a matter of fact, my car was one of the last off the boat from Germany in 1999, and may well be the last "new" diesel that we'll see over here. U.S. emissions regulations have effectively eliminated diesels over here, and I just read that Mercedes will not be bringing any more over.
It's too bad because I've heard that the new CDI is an awesome car!

I'll keep you updated as I make the changes to my car, and if I hear of any that may be of interest to you,I'll let you know.

Jay

Would "Sport" be the equivalent of "Avantgarde" in Europe? That's my spec. Lower than standard E with 16" instead of 15", although I've gone to 17". I must admit it's very good as is, but I'd like to tighten it up some more, particularly up front. Pity about you guys not getting the CDI's. I've driven the E320CDI and it's wicked. The S400CDI is on sale in Germany now.Brabus are offering to chip the 320 to 245bhp. That should be fun.

Thanks for the info. In the U.S., the cars come standard with relatively aggressive wheels and tires to begin with (7.5 X 16 alloy wheels and 215-55-16 tires.) I will, however, be going up to at least 17" (and more probably 18" at some point.)

As for the suspension, according to the specs provided in the Mercedes brochure, the E300 Turbodiesel curb weight is 3,640 lbs. The E320 (gasoline) weighs 3,460 lbs.,so the E300 weighs 180 pounds MORE than the gas car, and that weight is directly over the front wheels. ( this is due mostly to the additional weight of the cast iron engine block and turbo system in the diesel vs. the aluminum engine block in the E320.) If I use the springs from the E320 "sport" wersion, (there is no diesel "sport " version available here) those springs are designed for a car whose front end is 180 pounds LIGHTER, hence the heavier car will overly weigh down the springs, the car will ride too low and probably will ride softer than what I have in now.

The other possible option is the suspension from the E 430 Sport which weighs EXACTLY the same as the E300 TD (3,640 lbs), however in the Mercedes brochure, it DOES NOT state that there are any suspension upgrades included in the E 430 package. As written, the sport package includes (and I quote from the brochure) ..."contoured front airdam, side skirts, rear valence, projector beam foglights, and low profile 235-45-17 performance tires..." end quote- There is no mention of upgraded springs, shocks or sway bars.

So essentially I still do not have a definitive answer. Any other ideas out there?
Any ideas Benzmac? Help!

Jay

Jay,

I have a '97 E420 and I upgraded to 18" wheels with 235-40/18 tires. I have had no problems with clearance, however my suspension is stock. I don't know for certain about the '99 models, but for 97-98 the sport package was all cosmetic, save for the upgraded wheels and tires. I have seen lowered E's with more radical tire fitments, but I don't know if the cars had to be modified. I would assume the fenders would need to be rolled.

Did you want to lower your car for cosmetic or performance reasons? If it's cosmetic, the 18" wheels will make a dramatic difference in the look. I'm going on vacation for a week, but if you like, when I get back I can take some before and after pics.

Lloyd

The only significant suspension (performance that is) difference is swapping to E55 spec suspension pieces. The W210 does NOT have "sport" suspension as did the previous generation E-class (W124). I'm not sure if the spring rates would be perfect for your diesel engine but it would be the most sporting (100% OE) option out there. You could try talking to Luke at Tirerack for a suspension recommendations (Eibach/H&R springs with Koni/Bilstein/etc shocks) If you do E55 spec suspension then the next logical step would be E55 spec wheels/tires. Doing that however you would be wise to roll the fenders (as did AMG on the E55). It takes ALL of the elements of the suspension, tires, bodywork, etc working together to get best results.

Hope this helps...Lee

Thanks Lloyd and Lee. I am definitely looking for both the performance AND cosmetic advantages of such a switch. I'd like to narrow the gap between tire and fender for the cosmetics, and for performance, as the past owner of a 190E 2.3-16, I'd also love to have that kind of an awesome handling car again!

I think I'll give the E55 suspension a try- and Lloyd, after your vacation, if its not too much trouble for you to put together before and after pictures of your car with your wheels, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks for the responses and advice.

Jay