Need Sportline model number for align? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bobjohnston · #1 10-09-2001, 01:22 PM

Does anyone have the model number for the Sportline E series cars, particularly 93 to 95 E320? I installed lowering springs on my E420 (Euro sport MB springs- thanks to M.B.Doc) and want to get the car aligned to sportline specs which should come close to my ride height (I maybe slightly lower). I understand that many shops use the vin or model number to dial up the specs, and would like to take this info to the alignment specialty shop.

Thanks

JCE · #2 10-09-2001, 01:37 PM

This may help:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=954&highlight=alignment

mbdoc · #3 10-09-2001, 07:14 PM

Bob, the 500E(W124.036) specs are the closest to SP/line specs & that is what I use for lowered W124 chassis cars. OF course the Sportline C124.052 specs are almost the same! HOW does the car look & feel now???

bobjohnston · #4 10-10-2001, 09:58 AM

I am SOOO happy with the way the car looks and handles. I ended up using 1 bump pads in the front, but had to use 4 in the back to get the car level. We'll see how the alignment works out camber wise. I have not yet changed to an E500 rear sway bar, it seems that it just may not be that much different than the E420 and, as you said, a big job to replace. I do have the E500 front sway and HD bilsteins for the V8 W124's installed all the way around. The car sits just right, lower, but not slammed. A lot like a E500, maybe slightly lower, but not much. The handling is quite firm, but still sport-touring in nature. (I drove a friend's E420 that had all E500 suspension parts installed and found his car a little too stiff for my liking.) The car feels ROCK stable in cornering, like on rails. NO top heavy, side to side rocky feeling typical of other Benzes that I've driven.

I'll post pictures next week and let you know how the alignment worked out.

Thank you again for researching the spring numbers.

bobjohnston · #5 10-15-2001, 03:59 PM

(This is also posted in the regular shop forum)

Is it possible or likely that worn bushings in the camber strut in my 94 E420 could cause excessive negative camber? Likewise for the bushings in the lower control arm (spring arm), or are these even replaceable?

I just installed MB Euro Sport springs that are made for the european version of this car, yet even with 4 nub pads, the camber is just over 2 degrees negative on each side. The alignment specialty shop says don't worry, but I'm the one paying for the tires, and maybe bearings. The bushings don't appear bad, but something is causing the camber situation. I replaced the springs myself, so replacing the camber strut should be within my capability (I hope), making this a reasonably inexpensive repair.

The car does sit lower, so I expected some negative camber back there, but not this much. Something must be worn, or the european car uses some other different components in the rear suspension. I know that K-mac and others make a kit, but I would rather repair a worn suspension piece than modify it.

Any experience or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

mbdoc · #6 10-15-2001, 05:56 PM

Bob, sounds like a rear alignment problem?? This is common on lowered MB's. We try to shoot for no more than -1.5deg on the rear camber. Worn BUSHINGS won't cause this problem. If you rotate the tires often, 4-5k miles you won't see much of a problem. AND the handling is much better with negative camber!@!

bobjohnston · #7 10-15-2001, 06:18 PM

Yes, it does seem like an alignment problem, but since the camber isn't adjustable, I'm stuck with either replacing a worn part or raising the height. Since I'm already at the thickest spring pad, it seemed to me that there had to be either a worn part or the Euro sport model has different suspension links or lower control arm. Surely the car wouldn't have just over 2 degrees negative camber in the rear from the factory. Or could it??

JCE · #8 10-15-2001, 09:04 PM

BoB: If all else fails, I belive there are a couple of threads in the archives about adding rear camber adjustment. I know there are replacement adjustable arms from a couple of sources as well.

-fad · #9 10-16-2001, 11:20 AM

MB DOC-

Are 500E/E500 alignment specs the same ('92-'94)?

...compared to other E-class sibling alignment specs, do the E500's alignment specs dictate more neg camber to front and rear?

tks-fad

#10 10-23-2001, 08:49 AM

bob,

Were you able to get some pics of your car now that you have the euro suspension?

bobjohnston · #11 11-01-2001, 08:43 PM

Look at post "E420 Euro Sport pics"

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