Question about 034 Sportline Springs

[TimL]

Does anyone know what the differences are between the 036 OEM springs and the 034 Sportline Springs (400 E and E 420)? Would it firm up the ride?

 

[gsxr]

036 springs are firmer than 034 due to the increased chassis weight. The only "upgrade" beyond stock 036 springs would be AMG E60 springs which are slightly firmer. NLA of course, but you could get custom ones fabricated if you want them badly enough. Basic specs are on the W124performance website:

https://www.w124performance.com/docs/mb/W124/124_coil_spring_specs.pdf

Wire diameter, total length, and number of coils isn't quite everything needed to determine actual spring rate, but it's probably 90%+ of what you need. Note that the cabrio Sportline front springs miiiiiight be a slight bit firmer than stock 036, but there's no equivalent rear spring to match it.

 

[TimL]

Thank you Dave. I had thought that the 034 is about equal in weight to the 036 and accordingly was wondering if the Sportline version of the 034 spring would mean an improvement in handling, but it sounds like that is a dead end

 

[Klink]

From what I can see, the rare 124.034 Sportline suspension is essentially the 124.036 springs (but adapted to the weight difference), with124.036 shocks and bump stops on the front. It uses differently calibrated rear struts IF it is fitted with the optional SLRS. It uses the known Sportline rear shocks if the car is without SLRS. The .036 and Sportline .034 use the same torsion bars front and rear.

In my opinion, the best handling improvement that one can do on a street driven124.034 on stock wheels is to obtain a set of obscenely expensive and fast wearing European summer performance tires. So much the better if you can find a set of the late Euro .034 only set of 7X16" wheels and fit them with obscenely expensive and fast wearing European summer performance tires in size 215/55/16.

What also works wonderfully is the known Sportline 7X15" fitted with Euro summer 215/60/15. I did that with friend's .034 as he had a perfect set of 5 of the 7" wheels. On 215/60/15 Pirelli P6000 (the originals, not the "all season" made for USA version). It was perfect. Everyone that drove it was amazed. @oaklandw124, that's a car you have now if I'm not mistaken...

 

[gsxr]

@Klink! YOU'RE ALIVE! Been worried about you, pal...

 

[northNH]

My 420 has Sportline shocks F&R, Sportline springs F&R, Sportline ASBs F&R, all per EPC.
7.5 x 16s with 215/55 Michelins.

Now rides and handles like it shoulda’ from the factory, delightful…
And could still stand to be a bit stiffer and less tippy.

 

[Jlaa]

In my opinion, the best handling improvement that one can do on a street driven124.034 on stock wheels is to obtain a set of obscenely expensive and fast wearing European summer performance tires. So much the better if you can find a set of the late Euro .034 only set of 7X16" wheels and fit them with obscenely expensive and fast wearing European summer performance tires in size 215/55/16.

1) Praise be @Klink was once lost, and now he has been found!

2) I think @kiev has a 124.034 with the 7x16 wheels……. But I do not believe he has the obscenely expensive Euro summer perf tires. These must be something like Mich Pilot Sport 4 (WITHOUT THE “S”) or Conti ExtemeContact 6 or sumpin’.

 

[Klink]

@Klink! YOU'RE ALIVE! Been worried about you, pal...

Just pathologically busy. Mostly self-inflicted first world problems.

1) Praise be @Klink was once lost, and now he has been found!

2) I think @kiev has a 124.034 with the 7x16 wheels……. But I do not believe he has the obscenely expensive Euro summer perf tires. These must be something like Mich Pilot Sport 4 (WITHOUT THE “S”) or Conti ExtemeContact 6 or sumpin’.

Not exactly. In these sizes and aspect ratios they tend to be a little more tame, but often even more expensive. These are the tires that truly try to be “all things“ and they largely are, except for winter capability and wear rate. I haven’t looked for a good while, but nowadays, the Michelin will probably be a Primacy 3. Pirelli probably some latest variant of the P7. If you’re curious, go to the European websites for some of these major makers and see what they have on offer. Once again, you’ll see how our market is so hopelessly dumbed down.

 

[oaklandw124]

From what I can see, the rare 124.034 Sportline suspension is essentially the 124.036 springs (but adapted to the weight difference), with124.036 shocks and bump stops on the front. It uses differently calibrated rear struts IF it is fitted with the optional SLRS. It uses the known Sportline rear shocks if the car is without SLRS. The .036 and Sportline .034 use the same torsion bars front and rear.

In my opinion, the best handling improvement that one can do on a street driven124.034 on stock wheels is to obtain a set of obscenely expensive and fast wearing European summer performance tires. So much the better if you can find a set of the late Euro .034 only set of 7X16" wheels and fit them with obscenely expensive and fast wearing European summer performance tires in size 215/55/16.

What also works wonderfully is the known Sportline 7X15" fitted with Euro summer 215/60/15. I did that with friend's .034 as he had a perfect set of 5 of the 7" wheels. On 215/60/15 Pirelli P6000 (the originals, not the "all season" made for USA version). It was perfect. Everyone that drove it was amazed. @oaklandw124, that's a car you have now if I'm not mistaken...

Yes, Klink, I still have the car and the Sportline wheels. A very nice combo!