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Sportline specs; ?
Topic Started: Tue Sep 8, 2009 11:52 am (5,550 Views)
RobertE
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As some of you know, I'll be in the market for a 2.6 at some time in the near future. Can someone tell me what constitutes Sportline suspension? Am I right in thinking that the bushes are basically 16 valve spec, or is there much more to it than that? Does it, for example, have SLS?

I know everyone raves about this suspension so it would be sensible to either buy one already to that spec or fit the relevant bits.
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MadMike
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Although I have a Sportline, all I can tell you about the spec is that mine does not have SLS.
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Neil
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SLS was optional, and I think (on a 2.6 at least) that in that situation it would use the same rear shocks and springs as a Valver.
Andy (UKMercTechie) is something of an expert on this.
There are finer points to consider wrt Spring Pads, etc dependent on the car's equipment levels.
The Sportline shocks are made by Bilstein, and still available new.
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aemt
Serial 190E Owner
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Uprated bushes front and rear, uprated ARB's, quicker steering box, stiffer sportline springs 22mm drop, Sports shocks.
I have done all these on the bornite with the exception of the subframe bushes which were next on the list; and installing the steering box which is sitting in my garage - oh and the 16v arb which Al has ready to fit. Chalk and Cheese to standard suspension

Have a look at the Bornite rebuild thread from when Matt did it.

It is a far better drive than standard with no roll in the corners; but not as hard on the posterior as the valver set up
Edited by aemt, Tue Sep 8, 2009 12:10 pm.
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jeremy
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There is a link on a thread somewhere which does give you all the sportline specs ,

It is surprisingly long


jeremy
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RobertE
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Yes, I thought I'd seen a thread but I have failed to find it! So I take it that a 2.6 with SLS and Sportline suspension would be a fairly nice prospect!

Were they 'badged' as Sportline, (i.e a separate model) or was the package merely an optional extra? So many cars have been lowered since new that it's a bit hard to tell...
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Johnboy Mac
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Have a look at General Tech Info section, see last post in 'Our cars new'.
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charl44
More than part of things
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I believe( and I stand to corrected on this) that you could order a sportline and within that order you could select various options mainly to do with the interior and wheels fitted, the sportline came with uprated suspension components as mentioned but you could order sports seat in the front only, this might help as far as some options available,

http://www.baureihe201.de/W201/sportline.htm


Ian
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aemt
Serial 190E Owner
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Sportline suspension option
Front Springs
Front Struts
Front Sway Bar
Inner Bushings
Outer Bushings
Lower Control Arm Bushing Kits
Rear Springs
Rear Shock Absorbers
Rear Sway Bar
Rear Bushings
Rear Sub-Frame Mounts
Sportline Steering box

Interior & Wheels

Sportline 8 hole alloys
Sportline Steering Wheel (390mm)
Sportline Gear Knob (manual or auto)
Sportline Buckets seats (front) light or dark grey)
Sportline Rear seats (bucket or bench) (light or dark grey
Sportline Badge lower front wings
Edited by aemt, Tue Sep 8, 2009 1:53 pm.
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RobertE
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Ok, so I imagine it's down to part number crossovers. Seems like q. a lot of work to change it. I imagine that bushes etc have to compensate for the (q. heavy) engine weight...
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aemt
Serial 190E Owner
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Cost wise it makes much more sense to buy a Sportline and fettle where necessary. Front and rear arm sets £250. OEM springs and Billies £550 etc etc.
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MadMike
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RobertE
Tue Sep 8, 2009 12:58 pm


Were they 'badged' as Sportline, (i.e a separate model) or was the package merely an optional extra? So many cars have been lowered since new that it's a bit hard to tell...
Robert,

My car is a Sportline , it has option no 650,...sports chassis with 15 hole light alloy rims.My car does not have the interior option, ie the Sportline seats.

So my car does not have any Sportline badges. I think only the cars with the Sportline seats carry Sportline badges.



Mike.
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aemt
Serial 190E Owner
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Just in case you wanted the Sportline Badges

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Original-Mercedes-Emblem-Aufkleber-SPORTLINE-W201-W124_W0QQitemZ360095201546QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutoteile_Zubeh%C3%B6r?hash=item53d758b90a&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
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RobertE
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Golly, it all sounds complicated. So I can buy a 2.6 auto/manual (I favour auto) which may announce itself as a Sportline, but actually isn't, but also has some of the attributes..?

I had a spin in Skutter's car at the previous GTG and I thought it utterly great. I have no idea how it was specc'd. I recall my words were: "Ooh! I like this..."
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jeremy
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aemt
Tue Sep 8, 2009 1:48 pm
Sportline suspension option
Front Springs
Front Struts
Front Sway Bar
Inner Bushings
Outer Bushings
Lower Control Arm Bushing Kits
Rear Springs
Rear Shock Absorbers
Rear Sway Bar
Rear Bushings
Rear Sub-Frame Mounts
Sportline Steering box

Interior & Wheels

Sportline 8 hole alloys
Sportline Steering Wheel (390mm)
Sportline Gear Knob (manual or auto)
Sportline Buckets seats (front) light or dark grey)
Sportline Rear seats (bucket or bench) (light or dark grey
Sportline Badge lower front wings


+ Wishbones .

Jeremy
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sportline_stu
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My 2.6 was a standard 2.6. I purchased it with the intention of creating 3.0 sportline+ !

However, if I knew then what I did now about the amount of parts that need changing, to do it again I would source a good condition 2.6 that was a sportline anyway.

For example the steering box is a sportline upgrade and changing it seems not to be something usually considered even by those that change springs and shocks.

Even replacing the wear and tear bits ie the bushes I'm sure it would work out cheaper.

sportline suspension with uprated bushes and ARB's would be a very nice I would imagine!

Stu


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aemt
Serial 190E Owner
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The secret is in checking the Vin for the Sports Chassis option, 650 I think. Whilst some people might have altered the springs/dampers for sportline effect I doubt whether many have gone as far as changing the bushes etc, or in many cases even brought new and original springs and dampers.
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Neil
Newbie
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sportline_stu
Tue Sep 8, 2009 3:42 pm
For example the steering box is a sportline upgrade and changing it seems not to be something usually considered even by those that change springs and shocks.
Should definitely considered by anyone taking their engine out, though ;)

I suppose the old adage "If you want to build a fast car, start with a fast car" does apply here, if you catch my drift.
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aemt
Serial 190E Owner
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ignore this
Edited by aemt, Tue Sep 8, 2009 3:49 pm.
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sportline_stu
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NEIL
Tue Sep 8, 2009 3:46 pm

I suppose the old adage "If you want to build a fast car, start with a fast car" does apply here, if you catch my drift.

Neil, I agree.

Consider springs and shocks (new) alone are going to cost around £500+ and then you need to add the fitting costs.

Add to this wishbones, new bushes, ARB's and interior mods etc and it soon adds up!

I can see why so many people buy £150 generic lowering springs and different alloys and leave it at that!

Robert - find a sportline to play with and save yourself loads of time and money! I would imagine that after driving the 16v models, a standard 2.6 will feel way to 'woolly' for you, even though the ride should be rather nice and smooth compared to the valver.

Stu


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twopointsix
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RobertE
Tue Sep 8, 2009 3:35 pm
Golly, it all sounds complicated. So I can buy a 2.6 auto/manual (I favour auto) which may announce itself as a Sportline, but actually isn't, but also has some of the attributes..?

I had a spin in Skutter's car at the previous GTG and I thought it utterly great. I have no idea how it was specc'd. I recall my words were: "Ooh! I like this..."
"Golly, it all sounds complicated. So I can buy a 2.6 auto/manual (I favour auto) which may announce itself as a Sportline, but actually isn't, but also has some of the attributes..?"

Not complicated at all.

Option 1 = Sports chassis
Option 2 = Sports interior

To check if it has the sports chassis, the VIN will include Option 650 as original equipment.

To check if it has a sports interior - just look. The front seats will have more pronounced side bolsters, the rear will have two individual seats (with headrests), not a bench, and the seat cloth and door cards will be a bolder check pattern (similar to the Cosworth). If it has the sports seats in leather, you'll be very lucky as they are rare.

I priced up converting my daily 2.6 to a Sportline suspension set up two years ago. £1400 + VAT for the suspension parts alone, excluding the steering box. Searched for ages for a proper car with a Sportline chassis instead and eventually found just the right one. It doesn't have any Sportline badges, but I don't care - I know what it is and how it handles (i.e. brilliantly) and that's all that matters.

Nick Froome currently has a very nice one with a cloth Sports interior. Some people on here seem to think it's overpriced at over £4500. I'm not one of them!

Happy hunting!

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RobertE
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Well thanks, chaps, that is really most useful. So 'Sports chassis' is what I'm looking for. Excellent. The interiors of most of my cars look like sh*t anyway, but that's something I can worry about later - after the petrol has run out!
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Tim.W
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I agree. there where in-fact three options: ;)

Upon ordering your 190E from the list of factory options was the Sportline upgrade. The Sportline model had one core option and two subsidiary ones:

Firstly the chassis option – this included lower & up-rated suspension, with stiffer torsion bars & anti-roll bars, lowered springs and shocks making the car lower in-factory by 22mm. In addition this option included a higher ratio steering box, and wider profile alloys than standard, 205/55/15 – the same as the 16v’s.

Secondly the interior – A unique Sportline Interior was made available which where buckets, very similar to the 16v half leather, but with black cloth instead of the leather. This then had the option of buckets front and rear giving 4, or just the front being buckets giving 5.

Lastly the extras
– A slightly smaller diameter leather steering wheel and gear-gaiter with specific gear knob head. Sportline wing badges.

Option one makes a 190E a ‘Sportline’ but examples like mine with the additional ones create the full package. Good surviving complete examples are rare.
The suspension and steering upgrade, combined with the wide profile alloys produce an impressive amount of grip, and make for addictive driving. Whilst the buckets keep you planted low and secure in the car allowing you to throw the car into those corners.
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MadMike
Therapy Needed
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Tim.W
Tue Sep 8, 2009 7:46 pm


Option one makes a 190E a ‘Sportline’ but examples like mine with the additional ones create the full package. Good surviving complete examples are rare.

Yup, have to agree. I have been looking now for two years to get a Sportline interior to go with my Sportline chassis.

As has been said, pretty rare..........but I will keep looking. :P
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bolide
Bolide
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A other people have said, and as per the W124, Sportline = sports chassis plus a few more bits. Sports chassis was always a stand-alone option

SLS was an option, with or without ASD, on the W201

From a driving point of view, I rate W201 sports chassis over W124 sports chassis. It seems better resolved and the lower weight of the cars means that the increase in spring rate isn't too dramatic

I have a sports chassis 2.6 and a 2.6 full-house Sportline at the moment, as well as a 2.0. It's an interesting comparison. A good standard chassis is quite perky and works very well but the additional urge of the 2.6 does suit a slightly stiffer setup

I think the biggest improvement of all is the quicker steering (and the 10 mm smaller wheel) of sports chassis

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk
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Michael
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bolide
Tue Sep 8, 2009 9:56 pm
I think the biggest improvement of all is the quicker steering (and the 10 mm smaller wheel) of sports chassis

I'd agree with you on that Nick. :D
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stwat
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I'm sure im correct in saying, the 16v's have an even quicker steering box than the sportline chassis cars. Only by a bit though.
Edited by stwat, Tue Sep 8, 2009 11:17 pm.
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RobertE
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Wel, I imagine they're exchangeable - I really like the steering on the valvers...
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