I just purchased a 2000 GLE with 119K miles. It is in pretty good shape for the most part.

The rear wheel wells are just starting to show rust signs. Is there anything that can be done to prevent them from rusting out (I'm in Cinci, salted roads in winter)?

The ride seems really rough. Hitting bumps or potholes is almost bone-shattering.If you were to ask me, it feels like this car has a stiff suspension.

When I bought the car, the tires were all around 27psi. I filled them to 36 in front and 32 in back. The tires are Michelin Primacy MXV4's, stock size on stock GLE rims (16"). (edit: found out they were 38 in front and 35 in back!)

Does a worn suspension act like this, or should it get more bouncy and softer as the struts wear out? I'm used to shocks on older cars wearing out and the car hitting a bump then bouncing a lot after. This car seems to be the opposite.

Could someone have upgraded the suspension with a performance suspension? Any way to check this?

Finally, my gas mileage is just under 25mpg in mixed driving (65% highway, 35% city). Is this good?

Thanks!



Pictures of rust just starting:





Pictures of front struts (either side):

 

Congrats on the purchase. You will find tons of info here!

The only real fix to the rust is to cut out and replace. Anything else is just slowing it down.

You can look at the shocks/springs for a brand name or take a pic and we can help. Honestly, if you took a pic of the side of the car we can tell if it is lowered. Of course worn suspension could cause harsh bumps too.

Your gas mileage is good!!

The tire psi is higher than mine. Im usually 27-32psi.

 

Rusting rear wheel wells are a fact of life for these cars. Once it's started, you really need to get it repaired asap. It's scary how fast the cancer spreads once it's started. Earlier this year, I had both wheel arches repaired (new metal) by a local body shop. It's definitely worth the effort.

As for your ride...Proper normal-load tire inflation is 32 on all four tires. 36 in the front is way too much. Hitting a bump with the fronts is probably tooth-rattling with that inflation level.

Fuel mileage seems ok for the mix of driving. New plugs and filters might be in order, just to make sure.

 

Thanks for the help!

See, the rust hasn't really started yet, but it's close. I'm wondering is spraying clear coat might help, or something to protect the surfaces from rust?

I'll lower the tire pressure.

What are the signs that you need new struts?

I'll try to get pictures but it's nasty outside today.

 

Welcome to org. A lot of people that I know like to make their cars look pretty but don't pay attention to the inside. Change or fluids keep up on the maintenance and that maxi will be good.

 

Once rust has started (and, if it's visible, it's beyond started) you have to attack it directly. Clearcoating isn't going to help anything. If it's like mine, the rust started from the underside and bubbled up through to the surface.

 

Hello. I posted pictures showing the rust. It's really not too bad right now, but I don't want it to get worse.

I also took a picture showing the ride. I don't think it's lowered.

Also pictures of the two front struts.

What do worn struts feel like?

And if I do need struts, which and where to purchase? I found these on ebay for about $600
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Strut-Shock-...198be3&vxp=mtr

BTW, when my son filled the tires, he did it in the freezing cold. Now in warm weather, they were 38 driver front, 37.5 pass front, 34.5 both rear. I lowered all 4 to 32psi.

Thanks!

 

worn struts feel like ****, lol. do you wanna lower your car at all? i upgraded my strut/springs with autozone struts (forgot name) with Megan springs and noticed a HUGE difference, car felt alot better w/handling and going over bumps. i spent just under $600 for the springs and all 4 struts, w/lifetime warranty thru autozone.

 

Worn struts won't give you a rough ride. What may be the case as that the previous owner replaced the struts with a higher performance strut. That will give you a harsher ride. I discovered that when I installed KYB struts.

Looking at the photos, the springs look kinda new for 119K miles and the strut boots are in excellent shape and that makes me think that both the struts and springs were replaced.

Also, increasing the air pressure in the tires also adds to the roughness. I used to run 34 front, 30 rear. Now with the KYB struts, I run 30/28.

 

Thanks for the help. I think lowering the air pressure helped. I think I'll lower it to 30 / 28 and see how that feels.

I'd say the main issue with the ride is (was with the tires too full) that it was harsh. Even with a sipping lid on top, my wife sipped some coffee and I hit a bump and she got a coffee bath. I'd call it the exact opposite of a Cadillac ride. It feels like the car is very light and the springs are too stiff.

I'm trying to soften the ride.