R171 Handling = Heavy?Challenging?Crap?

[Guest jonnybravo]

Hi All,

(Honest Thought Sharing, No Pun intended regarding Topic.)

I've just came back from a Wee Hour night drive on my usual/fav route and I can't help feeling one thing about my car which I hope to get some 2nd opinions. PLEASE feel free to share.

*Does anyone else feels that the handling of the SLK(171) is rather crappy?*

For E.g. comparing a W204 to R171 going round a bend:

++ Let's say Lornie Road towards Adam Road, the entrance to PIE Jurong Circular bend ++

[W204]

The C-class just goes round it comfortably at 80 km/h (Yes i go through this bend very often therefore i always keep a look out at the speedometer) with the aircon on, radio & nice comfortable seats with lumbar support. No sweat. so easy.

[R171]

BUT for the SLK, it's like a struggle! the tyres starts squeaking (CSC3),steering's so hard & my grip tightens on the steering nervously! There's hadly any confidence for me to try any higher speed than 80 km/h! I even think it's the limit!

I mean, something must be wrong right!?

The driver factor is definitely constant. So what is wrong??? Am I driving the SLK wrong? do I need to go for a "How to bring the SLK round a corner for idiots" course?

I'm just quite sad & puzzled by this.

Anyways, Pen your thoughts away.

Jon

P.S. both cars are stock.

[Guest blackknight]

jonnybravo wrote:

Hi All,

(Honest Thought Sharing, No Pun intended regarding Topic.)

I've just came back from a Wee Hour night drive on my usual/fav route and I can't help feeling one thing about my car which I hope to get some 2nd opinions. PLEASE feel free to share.

*Does anyone else feels that the handling of the SLK(171) is rather crappy?*

For E.g. comparing a W204 to R171 going round a bend:

++ Let's say Lornie Road towards Adam Road, the entrance to PIE Jurong Circular bend ++

[W204]

The C-class just goes round it comfortably at 80 km/h (Yes i go through this bend very often therefore i always keep a look out at the speedometer) with the aircon on, radio & nice comfortable seats with lumbar support. No sweat. so easy.

[R171]

BUT for the SLK, it's like a struggle! the tyres starts squeaking (CSC3),steering's so hard & my grip tightens on the steering nervously! There's hadly any confidence for me to try any higher speed than 80 km/h! I even think it's the limit!

I mean, something must be wrong right!?

The driver factor is definitely constant. So what is wrong??? Am I driving the SLK wrong? do I need to go for a "How to bring the SLK round a corner for idiots" course?

I'm just quite sad & puzzled by this.

Anyways, Pen your thoughts away.

Jon

P.S. both cars are stock.

For me the SLK is superb in handling in comparison with a E that I am driving now, the C class should be more nimble player compared to the E, but roadster being roadster, you need to drive it to feel it. Not sure how long you have driven the SLK for, but maybe it is a matter of getting used to the different driving characteristics of different cars.

Mine has no squeak at all...CSC 3 front and CSC5 back.

[Guest jonnybravo]

Hi Blackknight,

I've been driving the SLK in total for 4 years.

& the C Class for 2 weeks.

And the problem is i am realizing how easy it is to bring the C Class round a bend!

This can't be correct!

Jon

[Guest blackknight]

jonnybravo wrote:

Hi Blackknight,

I've been driving the SLK in total for 4 years.

& the C Class for 2 weeks.

And the problem is i am realizing how easy it is to bring the C Class round a bend!

This can't be correct!

Jon

Strange...:shocked:

[Guest jonnybravo]

And check this out.

Unladen Weight

SLK = 1,465 KG

C-Class = 1,500 KG

Jon

[Guest blackmercs]

jonnybravo wrote:

Hi Blackknight,

I've been driving the SLK in total for 4 years.

& the C Class for 2 weeks.

And the problem is i am realizing how easy it is to bring the C Class round a bend!

This can't be correct!

Jon

Whats yr setup & mods for both on the handling?

[Guest jonnybravo]

blackmercs wrote:

Whats yr setup & mods for both on the handling?

Both Stock.

[Guest blackmercs]

jonnybravo wrote:

Both Stock.

Hmmm strange!! Always tbought a roadster handles better than a sedan.

[Guest Feilong108]

Yup...i always tot two doors always better in road performance than 4 doors

[Guest jhun_4040]

easiest solution, drive down or meet us up or la kopi or our next event.

wif so many experiences one, drive awhile can know agar agar if it is right or wrong ?

Tio bo Poison King !

[Guest blackmercs]

jhun_4040 wrote:

easiest solution, drive down or meet us up or la kopi or our next event.

wif so many experiences one, drive awhile can know agar agar if it is right or wrong ?

Tio bo Poison King !

Mods u calling me?

[Guest jhun_4040]

blackmercs wrote:

Mods u calling me?

there can only be one 东邪 西毒

so u r 西毒

[Guest skid]

sounds strange indeed.. let the experts advise...

[Guest ACSLK]

jonnybravo wrote:

Hi All,

(Honest Thought Sharing, No Pun intended regarding Topic.)

I've just came back from a Wee Hour night drive on my usual/fav route and I can't help feeling one thing about my car which I hope to get some 2nd opinions. PLEASE feel free to share.

*Does anyone else feels that the handling of the SLK(171) is rather crappy?*

For E.g. comparing a W204 to R171 going round a bend:

++ Let's say Lornie Road towards Adam Road, the entrance to PIE Jurong Circular bend ++

[W204]

The C-class just goes round it comfortably at 80 km/h (Yes i go through this bend very often therefore i always keep a look out at the speedometer) with the aircon on, radio & nice comfortable seats with lumbar support. No sweat. so easy.

[R171]

BUT for the SLK, it's like a struggle! the tyres starts squeaking (CSC3),steering's so hard & my grip tightens on the steering nervously! There's hadly any confidence for me to try any higher speed than 80 km/h! I even think it's the limit!

I mean, something must be wrong right!?

The driver factor is definitely constant. So what is wrong??? Am I driving the SLK wrong? do I need to go for a "How to bring the SLK round a corner for idiots" course?

I'm just quite sad & puzzled by this.

Anyways, Pen your thoughts away.

Jon

P.S. both cars are stock.

Hi Jon,

W204 also C350 like your SLK350??? same tyres on both car? or could it be your SLK suspension going up lorry soon?

cheers

[Guest jonnybravo]

I don't know but my previous R171 also felt inadequate in the handling where I was pretty sure the suspension was fine.

The current suspension on this one only went for 20,000KM so it should be fine too.

Jon

[Guest i6u]

jonnybravo wrote:

I don't know but my previous R171 also felt inadequate in the handling where I was pretty sure the suspension was fine.

The current suspension on this one only went for 20,000KM so it should be fine too.

Jon

I do have that same feel but then I was going much faster (ND)... just got that uncomfortable feeling that you are not in control..

[Guest jonnybravo]

i6u wrote:

I do have that same feel but then I was going much faster (ND)... just got that uncomfortable feeling that you are not in control..

The stock shocks & springs are too soft i think.

Maybe it's time to change.

Previously I was on Bilstein + Eibach. lower, handles better but the hardness is just unbearable. Not to mention the increase in the creaking of the roof.

If on KW V3, i cannot imagine the discomfort level + the amount of creaking.

+ nowadays the quality of roadworks is just horrible. Digging & patching up everywhere.

I can't seem to find good old roads anymore.

Jon

Jon.

[Guest i6u]

jonnybravo wrote:

The stock shocks & springs are too soft i think.

Maybe it's time to change.

Previously I was on Bilstein + Eibach. lower, handles better but the hardness is just unbearable. Not to mention the increase in the creaking of the roof.

If on KW V3, i cannot imagine the discomfort level + the amount of creaking.

+ nowadays the quality of roadworks is just horrible. Digging & patching up everywhere.

I can't seem to find good old roads anymore.

Jon

Jon.

Anyone tried KW V3 on R171 to share experience?

[Guest ACSLK]

i6u wrote:

Anyone tried KW V3 on R171 to share experience?

Hi i6u,

am on KW V3............

life will never be the same ever after...............Superb.........drive up Sepang (my passenger can sleep all the way, damp comfortable) of course handling is also 1st class.

to me lowering spring is abit rocky, rock the boat plus according to Jon on our Sunny SG road@#$%^........the more we should install KW V3 for better road holding and have a tighter cornering.

cheers

[Guest Zack]

erm.. 1 qn.. will upgrading the suspension improve straight line stability?

[Guest jonnybravo]

Zack wrote:

erm.. 1 qn.. will upgrading the suspension improve straight line stability?

Yes.

Jon

[Guest ACSLK]

Zack wrote:

erm.. 1 qn.. will upgrading the suspension improve straight line stability?

Hi Zack,

at what speed for straight line?

cheers

[Guest blackmercs]

ACSLK wrote:

Hi Zack,

at what speed for straight line?

cheers

I think depends the ride power & whether he gots steel balls or not.

[Guest ACSLK]

blackmercs wrote:

I think depends the ride power & whether he gots steel balls or not.

ok, understand........

point taken.......

cheers

[Guest Zack]

alamak.. im not tt bad la.. im a slow driver.. haha..

eh.. for example, like those 1.5/1.6l jap car.. feels very light/unstable/vulnerable when travelling at maybe ard 120? will upgrading springs or changing to coilover help improve their stability?