Is there anything I can do or purchase to make
my 1999 ML430 ride a little softer?
New shocks or anything aftermarket?
Thanks
Paul

I have an ML430, and think its just the independent suspension and combination of 17", 55 series profile all-terrain tires with an H-rating performance characterisitics. Basically, all the combos made for performing well off and on road with penalty to a quiet ride. One thing you can do, is lower the rear, which lowers the center of gravity, and allows less movement of the independent suspension. Also, change the tires for a more road biased tire. My suggestion, the Bridgestone Dueler H/P. And go with Blisten shocks, they handle the road and bumbs much better then the stock ones.

Of course this all costs money, so do the improvements step by step. First the shocks and lowering it. Then see if you need to do more to the car, like changing tires.

I haven't done anything yet, cause I plan on doing everything at once. First, I plan on getting the ML55 body kit, adding new 18" wheels with 285/50/18 on them, upgrading the brakes, getting manik brush guards and adding another set of PIAA on them, adding side steps, and rear tail light guards.

Good Luck on solving your problemms, I know mine is about to be solved this summer.

------------------
Chirag (Charlie) Patel

99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
93 190E 2.6 w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
2001 C-Class - Maybe

quote:

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Originally posted by TXBill:
One question....did you buy it like that or did it develop this 'rough ride'?

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I bought it that way but did not realize the rough ride until
having it for a while. Thanks Paul




[This message has been edited by Webmaster (edited 04-07-2000).]

Hi Paul,

I've got the 2000 ML 430 and it comes with stock Dunlops which I think provide a decent ride. Is that what you're riding on? I'm not sure the suspension mod's suggested would give you a softer ride but they would certainly affect the handling. Do you live somewhere with poor road conditions where taut handling, high speeds are not an issue?

__________________
Ed "Don't Benz's just feel better..."

Current wives...
2000 ML430 Skyview "The Mel"
2000 CLK430 Cab "The Cab"
85 300D Turbo "The Diesel"

Past wives...
92 300E
85 190E

"One should as a rule respect public opinion in so far as is necessary to
avoid starvation and to keep out of prison, but anything that goes beyond
this is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyranny, and is likely to
interfere with happiness in all kinds of ways."
Bertrand Russell

Hi Paul,

I'd have to say that I disagree with good ol' charlie's statement that lowering the car(Truck) would improve the ride of the ML because it reduces travel of the independant rear. The ML rides much better than an American SUV because it has an independant rear and not a straight axle like the Americans. I suppose you could go to better shocks like Bilstiens, but alot of your ride harshness is probably brought on by the Low profile tires that your vehicle is wearing. Admitedly 70 profile tires won't handle as well as 55 series side walls (and will throw off your speedometer unless you get it recalibrated) but they absorb much more of the road's bumps and irregularities... Also you might check for proper tire pressure, as an over inflated tire will make the ride firmer aswell. Anyways as for a previous commenter's mention of the X5, My girlfriend's parents just bought one and let me drive it when I took her out for dinner, that was the smoothest riding SUV I've ever driven and it handled surprisingly like a sports car too *AWD*. (GASP please dont kill me ML guys, Im a merc fan just like you)

Jason M.