I am a newbie here & basically a DIY person. I have a 1998 W210 E200. Its ground clearance is very low. I have replaced rhe raditor and supporting bracket 2 3 times as it gets hit cruelly on speed bumps.

My car rides on 195/65 R15 and I do not want to change to bigger tyres due to handling issues. These are with steel rims.

I am aware that there are PU spring buffers available to help my problem but they hardly add 10 mm and alter the spring rate.

I am seriously thinking of replacing the stock radiator and support bracket from a different car brand, which is almost same in width but shorter in height so that with the new system installed I can get rid of this nagging issue.

My existing radiator has 4 hoses connected. 2 to the engine (upper and lower) and 2 to the coolant expansion tank.

What options do I have ?? Can somone please help me out.

Best,

 

Is the ground clearance due to you lowering the car? It seems that a new set of springs would adjust your ride height and solve this issue. Please let me know if I'm not understanding something correctly.


-Dmitry

 

Thanks for reply. I havent ever lowered the car. Its on stock 195 x 65 r15 yokohoma tyres.

I have already removed the radiator, fan and radiator support bracket from the car.

I have replaced it with a radiator and fan assy from Ford 1.4 tdci engine.

Although its small in size and weight but I have by passed the stock fan speed controller with a combination of W1209 and a headlight relay from another car. Now I am able to keep the coolant temp at precise 80°C even in crawling speeds in heavy traffic. I have set w1209 to switch on the relay at 76°C. When temp rises to 76°C, W1209 relay kicks in and kicks another heavy duty auxialiary relay which switches the fan on.

This mod has not only solved my low ground clearance issue but also solved the engine heating to 100°C in heavy traffic crawling speeds in low gears.

I have also removed thermostat valve. Since I am in a tropical country, this mod has helped me a lot.

Any other suggestions most welcome. If anyone needs pics of this mod, please feel free.

Please note that this mod is just in testing phase and I havent finalised it yet. The radiator is hanging on Zip Ties and a heavy duty nylon rope. After running 1000 kms I shall fabricate and weld a new radiator support bracket for the ford radiator.

​​​​​​​Best,