Wagon Changes and SportLine on 500E
 

Well, I broke down a month ago, and decided that with the baby ridding in the wagon more often, I've got to get a less stiff ride.

Step 1:
Go to +1 wheels (225/50R16) & tires from +2 (225/45WR17). 15-inch wheels don't fit anymore due to brake caliper upgrades.

Step 2:
Replace all SportLine springs with 500E springs.

Step 3:
Replace front SportLine struts with 500E struts.
Kept the SportLine front swaybar.

The ride is so much smoother, but "stiffens" up when pushed. I've returned to the 17-inch wheels/tires and it is still VERY smooth.

Unfortunately, the front now rides about 1/2-inch HIGHER than SportLine.

Of couse this got me thinking. . .

How would the 500E ride with SportLine front struts? I'm thinking fabulous. I'll install SportLine springs AFTER a week with the SportLine struts because I really believe the SportLine springs have less compliance than the 500E springs.

We'll see this weekend . . .

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

Neil,
Do you have any pictures of the wagon with 500E struts/springs? I definitely want to lower the wagon but have not made up my mind on how to proceed. As you know, I have E500 struts in the front of the wagon too and as you say, the ride is smooth. :)

Thanks!

I'll post a picture later this week.

BTW- I had the wagon next to 1995 W124 wagon that I found for a friend, and the 500E springs just slightly lowers the 1988 wagon, maybe a 1/4-3/8 compared to the 1994 W124 wagon.

I REALLY want to go to SportLine shocks & springs upfront on the 500E, just not enough time with a new baby . . .

:-) neil

Which spring pads are you using?

1-bump in front; 2-bump in the rear.

:-) neil

Sounds very interesting Neil, I'm looking to do front shocks on the 500E and your idea sounds cool....BTW, what pads you running on your 500E? I just got a set of 1 front and 2 rears and wonder how much of a lowering/ride effect it'll have when I get them installed. Anybody got a different pad combo that they like?

The 500E is running "4-bumps" upfront and "3-bumps" in the back.

BTW- I installed the SportLine front struts on the 500E, and while the ride is a little stiffer it doesn't seem unbearable. I'll have to go on a longer than 15-minute drive.

However, talk about NO LEAN in turns. Seems to definitely take away the initial "mush" of the 500E struts.

:-) neil

Don't forget, my 500E brothers, that early '92 cars had stiffer front struts. When mine become worn, that's what's going in:)

Also, the 500E uses a LARGER/STRONGER pinch-bolt on the strut to knuckle assembly, that is torqued to 150 NM, not 125NM.

If you install Bilstein, Koni, or other non MB 500E front struts (including MB SportLine), you will have to enlarge the pinch-mounting hole to accommodate the larger pinch-bolt.

DO NOT replace with the smaller bolt, although it fits and will bolt-up. The engineers went to a larger bolt due to the increased load of the 500E.

The wagon's suspension is as follows:
Front: 500E struts & springs; SportLine Swaybar & bushings; 500E calipers

Rear: 500E springs & 500E rear swaybar; 500E calipers

The 500E front is currently running SportLine front struts and loving it.

Those SportLine front springs are just too unforgiving when combined with 17-inch wheels, SportLine bushings (control arms & swaybar), SportLine swaybar, and SportLine struts for everyday driving.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E