I like the stiffer ride and handling, it is more like the European sedans, and much like BMW's I have had. However . . . I did change from the stock conti's to Toyo Proxes (bigger size) and the ride got noticably smoother. I went up to 20"x8.5" and lower profile tires (and higher pressures), and expected the ride to get rougher, but it was just the opposite.
My wife drives my car on occasion (and likes it), but refers to driving her Lexus (which she also likes very much as like "driving a sofa". Well . . . the chryslers are NOT a sofa, but something very different. I think her car is very comfortable to drive too, but just not like my C.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PureEnjoyment
Hey guys I was wondering if anyone else felt like their stock suspension was too stiff. My car is about 1 year old now and I do still have the junky conti's on, but I really dont see them as being my problem. It just seems like every small bump in the road is making the car shake.
I travel a lot for work and am forced to get some rental cars along the way. I recently had to drive a '04 chrysler sebring and remember thinkin to myself...."dang I wish my 300c was as smooth as this"....lol. I know that should not be the case, but I was just wondering if other people had the same complaint about the ride being too stiff or if anyone had any fixes.
Not me. I have it on my S430. If one is getting an air ride because they want it (like my grille) then that is fine, if one is forced to get an air ride because of poor suspension tuning or tires, DC should pay for it.
Not me. I have it on my S430. If one is getting an air ride because they want it (like my grille) then that is fine, if one is forced to get an air ride because of poor suspension tuning or tires, DC should pay for it.
Not me. I have it on my S430. If one is getting an air ride because they want it (like my grille) then that is fine, if one is forced to get an air ride because of poor suspension tuning or tires, DC should pay for it.
How would you compare the UAS system to what Benz put on your S430?
My guess is that you have the Conti self sealing tires. My 300C came equipped with these tires. Even though the actual ride is softer than I am used to, my wife complained about feeling all of the bumps in the road. I replaced the Conti's with Goodyear Comfort treads at 6000 miles and the problem went away. It is my opinion, that the sealing layer under the tread makes the tire very stiff resulting in every little bump being transferred into the suspension. . Personally, I would prefer a little firmer ride from my 300C, but it definitely rides better since I replaced the Contis.
How would you compare the UAS system to what Benz put on your S430?
I would agree with the self seal as the main culprit, makes the car bounce and buck all over the road while indeed the suspension is much softer than a Bimmer. The BMW is firm and controlled, one can not say that about the C with the Contis. Without the Contis, the softness shines with a smooth ride much appreciated after living a year with too many bumps and bounces.
To the point Arti, love the MM avatar btw, I have no experience with the UAS. The MB Airmatic is very nice. I leave it on soft 95% of the time It is very stable on all 3 settings and expectedly has more float on soft. On soft pulling into a driveway on slow bumps it rocks like an old Town Car or Buick. Medium is great without float or harshness, and firm is firm, easily stiffer than a 7 Series.
IMO steering is as important as the suspension. The S430 shines, fingertip light in parking and firm at speed and precise. The only thing I hate on the C is the steering, it loads up as if held buy big rubber bands and is rather imprecise.
I went from the self sealing conti's to 20" toyo tires.
The road shock was a little better/less, but not a lot better.
So in my case, I don't think tires make a dramatic difference in road shock. Adding the KWv2's added a little more road shock, to about the same level as the 18" conti's.
Our cars have a lot of positive caster.
I have read a few articles that say a lot of positive caster produces road shock. Here is one of those articles. http://www.ingallseng.com/terms.htm#FrontCaster
Effects of Positive Caster
Vehicles usually have some positive caster specified since this promotes directional stability, however, excessive positive caster can cause two problems. The first is that excessive caster will cause a high level of road shock to be transmitted to the driver when the vehicle hits a bump, etc. The second problem is that a tire/wheel assembly with positive caster has a tendency to toe inward when the vehicle is being driven. If one side has more positive caster than the other, this causes it to toe inward with more force than the other side. This will cause a lead or pull to the side with least amount of positive caster.
Since I have replaced the shocks, springs and tires with no significant change in road shock, I have come to conclude the road shock is likely due to our positive caster.
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