DO ALL W123 CAR HANDLE IS BAD? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Stretch · #1 04-21-2016, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham

When I was still working and used my W123 300D as my work car, putting on 800+ km/week, I had a shop install new shocks. The guy was a great MB mechanic, but also a racing guy - mostly bikes. He decided to put heavy duty shocks on my car. I noticed right away the much harsher ride, especially on some of our rough local roads. I put the standard Bilsteins on my 350SL and it now feels like a modern car - smooth as silk. That is what I prefer - no narrow windy mountain roads to navigate here. Just smooth straight highways mixed with not so good rural roads.

When our 300D was much newer, it would drive as if on rails. Probably the best of the cars we owned at the time. But now, like Paul Lefebre, the car feels loose on the road and has harsh ride over bumps.

I need to check the steering/suspension linkages for wear (Have probably been replaced just once in 440k km). I suspect new front sub-frame mounts would make a difference to ride. On my 350Sl they made a big difference. Need to check front wheel bearings for play too. All when I get time. But at least the old girl IS on the road and my daily driver of choice once again

Finally Paul - Seems trivial, but check your tire pressures. Set them exactly according to the numbers on the fuel fill flap. Too high a pressure on my front tires makes the car feel like it is "floating"!

The HD Bilstein experience I have had was very jiggly on cobbled / paved roads but better on tarmac. The other "comfort" shocks didn't notice the cobbles.

(So the two nuns riding down a cobble road on bicycles joke didn't apply with the comfort shocks)

Graham · #2 04-22-2016, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stretch

(So the two nuns riding down a cobble road on bicycles joke didn't apply with the comfort shocks)

Now, Now. Keep the party clean

Mighty190 · #3 04-22-2016, 12:10 PM

Just to get it out of the way everything in the suspension on a 38 year old car probably needs to be replaced. It will undoubtedly handle better if you do the bushings, end links, ball joints, wheel bearings, and springs. That said it is also a 38 year old luxuary car. Its also one of the last Mercedes with semi trailing arm rear and a suspension designed around bias ply tires. When new it was supposed to be soft and its not going to compare to a 911 or E39 without modification.

If it were a w124, W201, or 107 I'd know what to use from the merc parts bin to make it a bit sportier. Like anything though I'm sure you can get some larger wheels (16") for less sidewall, cut stiffer springs with big sways from a heavier car with similar suspension, and go with bilstein HDs which is essentially what I've done to my 124. One possible source of parts that comes to mind is the W126 (someone who knows better should chime in). I'm sure there is info out there.

To answer your question in your title you do have your work cutout for you. I'm normally not a fan of it when people say "you bought a Mercedes not a Corvette" but my dad had NA 300D 123 when I was a kid and they do move around a lot.

Mölyapina · #4 04-22-2016, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mighty190

That said it is also a 38 year old luxuary car. Its also one of the last Mercedes with semi trailing arm rear and a suspension designed around bias ply tires.

Actually, the W123 never came with bias-plys, and the semi-trailing arm suspension debuted on the W116, which again did not come with bias-plys.

Mighty190 · #5 04-22-2016, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mölyapina

Actually, the W123 never came with bias-plys, and the semi-trailing arm suspension debuted on the W116, which again did not come with bias-plys.

I did not know that. I thought they still used bias ply at the time the w123 was designed. Either way it has a relatively old style suspension design with big sidewalls. Semi trailing arm was done away with after the 123, 107, and 126 when everything moved to multi link which is around when Mercedes entered a new era IMO and design philosophy changed.

Paul LeFevre · #6 04-26-2016, 10:23 PM

It's been a long while since I checked my thread and I thank all that have contributed.

The project has kind of stalled but think I will just replace pretty much everything underneath. I don't think the parts prices are that bad. I'll do the labor. The car is just an around town kind of thing. I'm not looking for a show winner, just a cool ride.

The paint cleaned up pretty well for a cheap repaint. The headlight doors kind of detract from a clean look and damn are the expensive and hard to find.

The driver's seat will be high on the list to re-work the stuffing and get some support under me. I think just fixing the seat will make the car feel not quite so loose.

Does anyone have a thought on removing the front and rear glass? They are both original and the seals are pretty beat up from the sun.

Anyway, thanks all for the thoughts on the handling issues.