C36 AMG 4 speed 0 to 190 kph

[yao500e]

Really cool demonstration of a 722.3 4 speed C36 0 to 190 kph.

It hits 100 kph faster than I thought and it switches gears quite fast too.

 

[bgalakazam]

C36 is my dream car. It's out there with R129 and W140 in my top 3. Sadly, very hard to find any in decent shape and price.

 

[195910]

Its a great little car. My 97 5-Speed now has 260K km with full Mercedes history. My most trustworthy car.

@yao500e I am looking at options for the OE height suspension springs, any recommendations? front-end is sitting low

 

[yao500e]

Its a great little car. My 97 5-Speed now has 260K km with full Mercedes history. My most trustworthy car.

@yao500e I am looking at options for the OE height suspension springs, any recommendations? front-end is sitting low

first off, i am so jealous you have '97 model C36 with me1.0 and 5 speed! bravo! I have a 4 speed '95 model.
It is a fantastic car! I love driving the C36! its basically the same size, lengh as modern Porsche 911's now!!

that is strange that your car sits low. My car is a USA C36, so stock springs were very high sitting in the USA. I cut my springs 2/3 inch and dropped my car about 1.25" inches all around.

If your car is sitting too low, i honestly suspect it could be your front struts are failing rather than your springs going bad. Springs usually dont go bad after a long time and driving much. Was your front always sitting too low?

 

[yao500e]

C36 is my dream car. It's out there with R129 and W140 in my top 3. Sadly, very hard to find any in decent shape and price.

I agree. C36 is just so good! I know the later model C43 is faster with its V8 but I enjoy the inline 6 m104 more on the C36!
They do come up for sale. Lower mileage very good condition cars will cost more but its worth it! find one! buy one!

 

[g300d]

Its a great little car. My 97 5-Speed now has 260K km with full Mercedes history. My most trustworthy car.

@yao500e I am looking at options for the OE height suspension springs, any recommendations? front-end is sitting low

You can also tune height with the spring spacers if that is the only thing the springs need to address?

 

[TerryA]

I almost purchased a 95 C36 with low milage and a Starmark Warrenty but it wasn’t in the cards. I have long arms and found the driving position for me to close to the steering wheel. It felt uncomfortable. I did love the car but went on to purchase my 500E which was a great fit for me and I love it.

I did get to drive my English friend’s C43 while visiting in the UK. I put almost 200 miles on it driving it from Harrow on the Hill to the east coast and back. He was opening a PUB on the coast. It was a blast! A little wierd though driving from the right seat.

 

[yao500e]

I almost purchased a 95 C36 with low milage and a Starmark Warrenty but it wasn’t in the cards. I have long arms and found the driving position for me to close to the steering wheel. It felt uncomfortable. I did love the car but went on to purchase my 500E which was a great fit for me and I love it.

I did get to drive my English friend’s C43 while visiting in the UK. I put almost 200 miles on it driving it from Harrow on the Hill to the east coast and back. He was opening a PUB on the coast. It was a blast! A little wierd though driving from the right seat.

you actually did better buying the e500 over the long term! so the stars were aligned for you here

W202 C43 is amazing. V8 grunt and a bit faster but i am partial to the C36 m104 and heritage of the C36.

You should still hunt for a C36 now! haha

 

[195910]

first off, i am so jealous you have '97 model C36 with me1.0 and 5 speed! bravo! I have a 4 speed '95 model.
It is a fantastic car! I love driving the C36! its basically the same size, lengh as modern Porsche 911's now!!

that is strange that your car sits low. My car is a USA C36, so stock springs were very high sitting in the USA. I cut my springs 2/3 inch and dropped my car about 1.25" inches all around.

If your car is sitting too low, i honestly suspect it could be your front struts are failing rather than your springs going bad. Springs usually dont go bad after a long time and driving much. Was your front always sitting too low?

I don't see any issues with the suspension, the struts are dry and it takes bumps and rough roads well. Its just too low for stock ride height, you can't put a finger between the tire and the fender.

 

[yao500e]

I don't see any issues with the suspension, the struts are dry and it takes bumps and rough roads well. Its just too low for stock ride height, you can't put a finger between the tire and the fender.

was it always this low or did it lower more over time?

 

[195910]

was it always this low or did it lower more over time?

I think it is sitting lower now than a few years ago

 

[yao500e]

I think it is sitting lower now than a few years ago

if your car is dropping in height, chances are it's struts. i never heard of springs losing height but struts do for sure over time. you said it seems like your struts are ok, but you should definitely get it checked or change.

 

[gsxr]

if your car is dropping in height, chances are it's struts. i never heard of springs losing height but struts do for sure over time. you said it seems like your struts are ok, but you should definitely get it checked or change.

On the 124/129/201 which all share the same front suspension design, yes, the front ride height drops over time as the struts age. Like, up to 1/2" drop over 5-7 years compared to brand new struts. It's not the springs - new ones won't change anything. This doesn't affect the rear shocks, btw.

I'm not familiar with the W202 suspension but if similar, the fronts could experience the same phenomenon.

 

[yao500e]

On the 124/129/201 which all share the same front suspension design, yes, the front ride height drops over time as the struts age. Like, up to 1/2" drop over 5-7 years compared to brand new struts. It's not the springs - new ones won't change anything. This doesn't affect the rear shocks, btw.

I'm not familiar with the W202 suspension but if similar, the fronts could experience the same phenomenon.

exactly. its definitely struts starting to fail.
It has happened to my C36 already.

 

[gsxr]

Note that old / worn struts may still perform normally (or at least acceptably), even when they are old and the ride height is lower than new. Unfortunately there isn't anything you can do besides adjust spring pads, if possible, as the struts age.

 

[yao500e]

Note that old / worn struts may still perform normally (or at least acceptably), even when they are old and the ride height is lower than new. Unfortunately there isn't anything you can do besides adjust spring pads, if possible, as the struts age.

when struts to fail, they get stuck in lower height. you are correct, it happens in front and not rear for some reason.

 

[195910]

exactly. its definitely struts starting to fail.
It has happened to my C36 already.

@yao500e which Struts did you install? I am sure bilstein made the same strut for aftermarket as well

 

[yao500e]

@yao500e which Struts did you install? I am sure bilstein made the same strut for aftermarket as well

I dont remember the exact model number, but its yellow bilstrein front struts. year 1995 and 1997 should be the same model.. I'll try to dig and find the part..
but thinking over your front lowering over time.. its definitely not the springs.

edit, i believe its bilstein B8 yellow struts