Suspension upgrades mentioned in Hemming's

[n/a]

Not a bad write up on our cars.  Article mentioned the "floaty" ride and that many owners upgrade springs and sway bars to reduce.

Compared to a modern car I don't mind the engine power, brakes or comfort but I would prefer less dive, squat and roll in the turns.  This is what makes the car feel old fashioned and less secure feeling when I drive fast.  Would love to take the SL on some of my favorite 914 roads.

However when I'm in the mood for a leisurely cruise I love the SL's smooth ride.

I have some Qs for guys who have improved or researched how to improve:

* Is it really possible to eliminate the bad points mentioned above and not totally screw up the nice ride?  

* I do not like the raised ride height that I've seen from some of the after market springs.  Can you upgrade the springs and keep stock ride height?  

* I know these things need to be done in right combinations.  What needs to change -- sprigs, shocks, tires, ? -- to improve handling but maintain a decent ride?

* Is keeping the vintage 185/80R-14 Michelins I have now out of the question to get max improvements?  I like the vintage look.

* What would 205/70R-14s on a set of 6.5 bundt wheels do for the handling, with or without the suspension mods?  I kind of like that look too.  

* Any suggestions on the tire brand / series for 205 size?  I would want max performance, no white wall.

Look forward to hearing your advice and experiences!

Thanks.  Pete

[Chad]

Not a helpful reply, I know, but...

My 230SL has a fairly firm ride and no dip or dive in strong, hard cornering.  Is this normal?  The previous owner did recently install fresh shocks called KONIs on it, but nothing else, I believe, was changed.

These cars are supposed to have a sporty and firm ride, right?  Is the 230SL ride different from the 280SL in this regard?


-CD-
1967 230SL, 113.042 10
1983 300TDT, WDBAB 93A7DN

[jeffc280sl]

I believe the 230Sl had a heavier front sway bar.  I've been looking to buy one in order to firm up the front end.  The 280SL has a 19mm bar and the 230SL 21 or 22mm.  I seem to remember reading some of the earlier cars had rear sway bars also.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[rob walker]

Pete, the previous owner of my car was a spirited driver and he played around with various settings.
He found the best option was just a set of adjustable shocks on the rear with the standard shocks on the front and standard rate springs.
This along with 205x70x14 tyres on factory alloys seems to work very well with no discernable dive or dip under acceleration.
Not sure about the USA but 205x70x14 tyres are getting very difficult to come by in Europe but agree the looks are great.


Rob Walker

1968 280SL papyrus white/green leather
2004 230 SLK silver

[n/a]

Those replies are certainly helpful, I always wondered what replacing just the shocks would do.  I think I'll get that done in the next few months, won't cost that much and probably should be done anyway, I'm on the originals.  

If that stabilizes the car a little more then that's as far as I'll go, it's not really that bad.

I figured going to the lower profile tire wouldn't do much for the dive and roll but would make the steering respose a little quicker.

And 205 blackwalls woud look really cool on some bundt wheels.  If anyone has that set up please post a picture!

Thanks guys.  Pete

[n/a]

When I got my car last month it had 185/75/14's with Remington tires on stock wheels.  I changed to bundt alloys and 205/70/14 Bridgestons Turanza LST.  

I am very sensitive to handling characteristics and I was surprised that the feel actually seemed less stable overall.  I lowered the inflation from 35 to 30 and it got slightly better;I put new Bilstein's on all around and things got much better, but still not as good as I would've expected.  

Could be the steel wheels are better than the alloys and in reality I think they actually look better.  I would love to increase the handling with new springs and better sway bars, but definitely not at the expense of the great ride.

[rob walker]

Pete a couple of photos attached.

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Rob Walker

1968 280SL papyrus white/green leather
2004 230 SLK silver

[rob walker]

Having done a search, I cannot find what the group feels is the best tire pressures for the 205x70x14 option.
Albert wrote a very good piece some time ago on 185x14s but would the same pressures be correct for the 205x70x14s

Rob Walker

1968 280SL papyrus white/green leather
2004 230 SLK silver

[n/a]

That's a beautiful car Rob.  The wheels make it look sportier and less luxury, especially with the top off like you have it.  Thanks for posting.

My wheelcovers are original but not perfect.  I'd rather spend the money on a new set of bundt wheels than on wheelcovers and then more for the paint.  

Also I'm going to try them with the 185/14 tires and new Bilsteins as a first step.  

[Chad]

I like the ride of the original wheels.  I have the bundt wheels on my W123 300TD wagon and they look good on that, but for the W113 I like think the wheels and wheel covers are more appropriate. What do others think


-CD-
1967 230SL, 113.042 10
1983 300TDT, WDBAB 93A7DN

[JOS]

John Olson,the publisher of the SLmarket letter is an expert on suspensions on our SLs, for information go to his site below.

http://www.slmarket.com/

[TR]

Chad -- I tend to agree.

Tom in Boise
'71 280SL 4-spd, signal red w/lt. tan interior, restored/enhanced

[Bob G ✝︎]

Pete:
How fast do you drive your Pagoda, I mean do you float the rear axle on on ramps?

Bob Geco

[n/a]

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Bob I don't drive the SL hard and don't want to. And I admit that my other cars make the SL seem worse than it is.

What I would like is a more stable feel -- less dive and roll -- in an emergency situation.

The diving especially messes up the chassis balance, which makes any car harder to control. I have to drive the car more defensively than I'd like to maintain good control in case someone cuts into my lane or applies the brakes quickly. The car is nice enough that I have to worry about fender benders.

I'm not trying to turn it into a slot car just something I can worry less about driving. I think the new shocks might help do that. Even a little improvement would make a big difference.

It's fine on the open road, in fact it's fantastic. I don't want to mess up the nice highway ride because I use it for weekend getaways and like the comfort.

Pete