W203/CL203 Suspension (Shocks/Springs/Sway Bars) Discussion/Upgrade Thread
#51
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: San Diego, Ca
Posts: 7,737
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
2003 Citron Green C230KMT
i agree with LorinserCClass , this would be a good thread to make a sticky as it has alot of great info. then again would pop up when a search for suspension was done! we have so many sticky threads right now as it is. so hard to say i guess.
#52
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Anaheim California
Posts: 1,304
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2001 C320ss, 2005 Ford F150 Supercrew, GSXR,
Originally posted by Blake P
Not black, but Eibach springs on stock shocks and wheels (with #4 rear pads).
Sorry the pics aren't the greatest, but it's a combination of bad lighting and poor photography skills.
Not black, but Eibach springs on stock shocks and wheels (with #4 rear pads).
Sorry the pics aren't the greatest, but it's a combination of bad lighting and poor photography skills.
#54
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: So-Cal
Posts: 3,069
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
W211 E55 AMG, ML63 AMG, Past 996GT3,ZCPM3,Brabus C32,ML 500
03 C32 AMG
16,000 miles
Stock AMG shocks and sway bars
Intrax Springs ( on for the whole 16000 miles, no sag ,no cut, cut springs are ghetto, they eat up your shocks and make your car bouncy)
Staggered Brabus VI 19's
Toyo T1-S
16,000 miles
Stock AMG shocks and sway bars
Intrax Springs ( on for the whole 16000 miles, no sag ,no cut, cut springs are ghetto, they eat up your shocks and make your car bouncy)
Staggered Brabus VI 19's
Toyo T1-S
#56
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Anaheim California
Posts: 1,304
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2001 C320ss, 2005 Ford F150 Supercrew, GSXR,
Originally posted by Vader13
03 C32 AMG
16,000 miles
Stock AMG shocks and sway bars
Intrax Springs ( on for the whole 16000 miles, no sag ,no cut, cut springs are ghetto, they eat up your shocks and make your car bouncy)
Staggered Brabus VI 19's
Toyo T1-S
03 C32 AMG
16,000 miles
Stock AMG shocks and sway bars
Intrax Springs ( on for the whole 16000 miles, no sag ,no cut, cut springs are ghetto, they eat up your shocks and make your car bouncy)
Staggered Brabus VI 19's
Toyo T1-S
#60
Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: The OC
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2003 Brilliant Silver C230 Sedan
...with #4 spring pad
Model: 2003 C230 Sedan
Miles: 22K
Shocks: AMG shocks and struts
Springs: H&R Springs
Rear pad: #4
Sways: stock
Wheels: 19" Brabus Monoblock VI replicas staggered 8.5" and 9.5" with 37mm offset
Tires: Nitto NT555 tires (235/35/19 and 265/30/19)
Comments: Ride is a little rougher than stock sport suspension on 17" C7 package wheels. The pic is of the car with the #2 rear spring pad....I've changed them to #4's to help raise the rear a bit....I'll post the pic of the car with the #4 pads as soon as I get a chance. NO tire rubbing issues.
pic with #2 pad.....
pic with #4 pad in the rear.....the fender gap better matches the front now....
Miles: 22K
Shocks: AMG shocks and struts
Springs: H&R Springs
Rear pad: #4
Sways: stock
Wheels: 19" Brabus Monoblock VI replicas staggered 8.5" and 9.5" with 37mm offset
Tires: Nitto NT555 tires (235/35/19 and 265/30/19)
Comments: Ride is a little rougher than stock sport suspension on 17" C7 package wheels. The pic is of the car with the #2 rear spring pad....I've changed them to #4's to help raise the rear a bit....I'll post the pic of the car with the #4 pads as soon as I get a chance. NO tire rubbing issues.
pic with #2 pad.....
pic with #4 pad in the rear.....the fender gap better matches the front now....
Last edited by JW230K; 08-20-2004 at 11:34 AM. Reason: update
#61
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Earth
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
NA
Wiedermann's W203 C32-AMG Suspenssion configuration
Model: C32 Sedan (also known in Europe as "Limousine" --"station wagons" in the USA are called in Europe "Estates"--
Miles: Depends when you read this thread...LOL (in 2003, the car was driven a total of 6 thousand miles. Between Dec 2003 and Jan 2004 the car was driven 2 thousand miles! which is 33% of the mileage put in the prior 11 months!. Between Feb 2004 to Aug. 2004 the car jumped --driven-- from 8k to 16 thousand!...oooouch!.. and it goes --if you are reading this passed Aug. 2004 that is!-- )
Shocks: AMG shocks and struts (Euro edition)
Springs: AMG shocks and struts (Euro edition)
Rear pad: Part of the (Euro edition)
Sways: AMG stock (Euro edition)
Wheels: AZEV Type E
Tires: Michellis and recently Pirelli's P7000 Tires: Front: 235/35 Z R19 Rear: 265/30 Z R19
Comments: Ride is much stiffer than the stock AMG suspenssion (forget about "cushy ride" there), handling is great!. Have to be careful on steep driveways, on/off curb ramps otherwise you will at best scrap if not destroy the front bumper. More than TWO adults (@ 145 lbs aprox each) and on dips on the road at highway speeds and the car WILL rub on the rear. Inner fender liners have been rolled to its maximum. There is no problem with the "offset" of the wheels. Current Pirelli's P7000s do have a "wider" lip (about 1/2 inch total when compared to Michellin's Pilot Sport in the same size) than Michellin's Pilot Sports, causing the vehicle to rub against the rear fenders.
Front
Rear/side view of PTS strip/sensors
Cheers!
Wiedermann
Miles: Depends when you read this thread...LOL (in 2003, the car was driven a total of 6 thousand miles. Between Dec 2003 and Jan 2004 the car was driven 2 thousand miles! which is 33% of the mileage put in the prior 11 months!. Between Feb 2004 to Aug. 2004 the car jumped --driven-- from 8k to 16 thousand!...oooouch!.. and it goes --if you are reading this passed Aug. 2004 that is!-- )
Shocks: AMG shocks and struts (Euro edition)
Springs: AMG shocks and struts (Euro edition)
Rear pad: Part of the (Euro edition)
Sways: AMG stock (Euro edition)
Wheels: AZEV Type E
Tires: Michellis and recently Pirelli's P7000 Tires: Front: 235/35 Z R19 Rear: 265/30 Z R19
Comments: Ride is much stiffer than the stock AMG suspenssion (forget about "cushy ride" there), handling is great!. Have to be careful on steep driveways, on/off curb ramps otherwise you will at best scrap if not destroy the front bumper. More than TWO adults (@ 145 lbs aprox each) and on dips on the road at highway speeds and the car WILL rub on the rear. Inner fender liners have been rolled to its maximum. There is no problem with the "offset" of the wheels. Current Pirelli's P7000s do have a "wider" lip (about 1/2 inch total when compared to Michellin's Pilot Sport in the same size) than Michellin's Pilot Sports, causing the vehicle to rub against the rear fenders.
Front
Rear/side view of PTS strip/sensors
Cheers!
Wiedermann
#62
Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2004.5 C320 Sports Sedan
Wiedermann,
Love the look of your Benz!!!
Real Clean and sporty.
I have been thinking of going with 18's but after seeing urs with 19's I might change my mind.
Love the look of your Benz!!!
Real Clean and sporty.
I have been thinking of going with 18's but after seeing urs with 19's I might change my mind.
#64
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Earth
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
NA
Suspenssion!
Mr. ketan:
I appreciate your comments and hopefully you will be able to make a desicion based on all the configurations seen on this thread!
Mr. CitronC230K_03:
Thanks!... (and you have also seen it in person! )
Wiedermann
Originally Posted by ketan
Wiedermann,
Love the look of your Benz!!!
Real Clean and sporty.
I have been thinking of going with 18's but after seeing urs with 19's I might change my mind.
Love the look of your Benz!!!
Real Clean and sporty.
I have been thinking of going with 18's but after seeing urs with 19's I might change my mind.
Mr. CitronC230K_03:
Originally Posted by CitronC230K_03
looks good Mario.
Wiedermann
#65
Super Moderator Alumni
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: West Los Angeles
Posts: 7,684
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
on
5 Posts
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Sorry to bring up an old thread. I've been gone for a while, so I haven't posted on the boards, but I have to ask because I'm looking to get suspension change.
So, I've got a 2004.5 C230k Sport Sedan. I read on this thread that the spring ratio is about 20mm lower on the 2k4.5 vs. 2k4's. Now, I was considering getting the H&R cupkit, but when I went to the parts guys that I usually by from, one of the head mechanics said that the cup kit is only the rubber pad that goes above the suspension. He said to find out how much lower the regular springs are to the "Sport" springs.
Needless to say, I thought that there was more to the "cup kit" than just the rubber pad. Obviously, I'm still getting acclimated to having my EURO, as some of you know that I had a Mazda MX-6 V6 before my Benzo. I've seen a few of you mention PAD NUMBERS (i.e. #2 / #4 / etc...). What are those and how are they significant to the cup kit? Do those represent pads for ride height or for ride comfort (e.g. shocks)? And, if I were to change the "stock" pad that the mechanic had indicated to me, would that lower my ride (without problems) on the stock "sport" springs?
So many other questions, but hopefully some of you can hook me up with some 411 on that.
Thanks in advance
So, I've got a 2004.5 C230k Sport Sedan. I read on this thread that the spring ratio is about 20mm lower on the 2k4.5 vs. 2k4's. Now, I was considering getting the H&R cupkit, but when I went to the parts guys that I usually by from, one of the head mechanics said that the cup kit is only the rubber pad that goes above the suspension. He said to find out how much lower the regular springs are to the "Sport" springs.
Needless to say, I thought that there was more to the "cup kit" than just the rubber pad. Obviously, I'm still getting acclimated to having my EURO, as some of you know that I had a Mazda MX-6 V6 before my Benzo. I've seen a few of you mention PAD NUMBERS (i.e. #2 / #4 / etc...). What are those and how are they significant to the cup kit? Do those represent pads for ride height or for ride comfort (e.g. shocks)? And, if I were to change the "stock" pad that the mechanic had indicated to me, would that lower my ride (without problems) on the stock "sport" springs?
So many other questions, but hopefully some of you can hook me up with some 411 on that.
Thanks in advance
#66
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
'09 A4 S Line
Originally Posted by drexappeal
Sorry to bring up an old thread. I've been gone for a while, so I haven't posted on the boards, but I have to ask because I'm looking to get suspension change.
So, I've got a 2004.5 C230k Sport Sedan. I read on this thread that the spring ratio is about 20mm lower on the 2k4.5 vs. 2k4's. Now, I was considering getting the H&R cupkit, but when I went to the parts guys that I usually by from, one of the head mechanics said that the cup kit is only the rubber pad that goes above the suspension. He said to find out how much lower the regular springs are to the "Sport" springs.
Needless to say, I thought that there was more to the "cup kit" than just the rubber pad. Obviously, I'm still getting acclimated to having my EURO, as some of you know that I had a Mazda MX-6 V6 before my Benzo. I've seen a few of you mention PAD NUMBERS (i.e. #2 / #4 / etc...). What are those and how are they significant to the cup kit? Do those represent pads for ride height or for ride comfort (e.g. shocks)? And, if I were to change the "stock" pad that the mechanic had indicated to me, would that lower my ride (without problems) on the stock "sport" springs?
So many other questions, but hopefully some of you can hook me up with some 411 on that.
Thanks in advance
So, I've got a 2004.5 C230k Sport Sedan. I read on this thread that the spring ratio is about 20mm lower on the 2k4.5 vs. 2k4's. Now, I was considering getting the H&R cupkit, but when I went to the parts guys that I usually by from, one of the head mechanics said that the cup kit is only the rubber pad that goes above the suspension. He said to find out how much lower the regular springs are to the "Sport" springs.
Needless to say, I thought that there was more to the "cup kit" than just the rubber pad. Obviously, I'm still getting acclimated to having my EURO, as some of you know that I had a Mazda MX-6 V6 before my Benzo. I've seen a few of you mention PAD NUMBERS (i.e. #2 / #4 / etc...). What are those and how are they significant to the cup kit? Do those represent pads for ride height or for ride comfort (e.g. shocks)? And, if I were to change the "stock" pad that the mechanic had indicated to me, would that lower my ride (without problems) on the stock "sport" springs?
So many other questions, but hopefully some of you can hook me up with some 411 on that.
Thanks in advance
#67
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: El Pueblo de la Reyna de los Angeles
Posts: 4,604
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The True OG Modded out W203
and dont be sorry about bumping this thread about, that was the whole point to keep it around for others to benefit from.
#68
Super Moderator Alumni
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: West Los Angeles
Posts: 7,684
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
on
5 Posts
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Originally Posted by Blake P
This guy either doesn't know what he's talking about or you didn't fully explain what you meant. The cup kit is a matched spring/shock set up made by H&R. The spring pad is a rubber piece that covers the top of the rear springs and comes in four sizes (1-thinnest through 4-thickest).
#72
Model:2001 C320
Miles: 76,000 miles *gasps!*
Suspension: H&R cup kit
Wheels: carlsson 1/6 DE 18x8.5/9.5
Tires: Bridgestone Potenza s-03 225/255
Comments: no comments fully satisfied with the mods
Miles: 76,000 miles *gasps!*
Suspension: H&R cup kit
Wheels: carlsson 1/6 DE 18x8.5/9.5
Tires: Bridgestone Potenza s-03 225/255
Comments: no comments fully satisfied with the mods
#73
Super Moderator Alumni
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: West Los Angeles
Posts: 7,684
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
on
5 Posts
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Spring pads (stock?)...
Alright, so after Christmas I'm looking to lower my ride.
So far, this is what I understand.
- H&R Cup kit has the best reputation in terms of ride height/ride comfort.
- Cup Kit is a combination shock/spring assembly with a standard drop.
- Different/lower ride height can be established based on the spring pad that is chosen (1-4 available)
- I called H&R for more information and they indicated to me that the "spring pad" is a stock (Mercedes Benz part) that has to be ordered from Mercedes. This is not a "spring pad" that is part of the Cup Kit?
Can anybody confirm this?
Now, this is my dilemma. If the information I've explained above is correct, that would mean that in essence, if the "spring pads" I currently have are anywhere from 2-4, I can basically order #1 pads, run on stock shocks and my car will be lower than "stock" ride height.
Can anybody confirm if I'm right on this point?
I will probably change the entire assembly to avoid any hassle with something going wrong with my suspension/shocks, however, I'd be curious if anybody knew the difference in ride height between the Cup Kit drop and my "stock" 2004.5 spring height?
Has anybody just changed the "spring pad" on their stock springs and noticed any significant ride height change?
Thanks again in advance for any information you all can provide. I'm getting anxious to have the holidays end so that I can spend some money on myself for a change...LOL.
So far, this is what I understand.
- H&R Cup kit has the best reputation in terms of ride height/ride comfort.
- Cup Kit is a combination shock/spring assembly with a standard drop.
- Different/lower ride height can be established based on the spring pad that is chosen (1-4 available)
- I called H&R for more information and they indicated to me that the "spring pad" is a stock (Mercedes Benz part) that has to be ordered from Mercedes. This is not a "spring pad" that is part of the Cup Kit?
Can anybody confirm this?
Now, this is my dilemma. If the information I've explained above is correct, that would mean that in essence, if the "spring pads" I currently have are anywhere from 2-4, I can basically order #1 pads, run on stock shocks and my car will be lower than "stock" ride height.
Can anybody confirm if I'm right on this point?
I will probably change the entire assembly to avoid any hassle with something going wrong with my suspension/shocks, however, I'd be curious if anybody knew the difference in ride height between the Cup Kit drop and my "stock" 2004.5 spring height?
Has anybody just changed the "spring pad" on their stock springs and noticed any significant ride height change?
Thanks again in advance for any information you all can provide. I'm getting anxious to have the holidays end so that I can spend some money on myself for a change...LOL.
#74
MBWorld Fanatic!
My coupe had #1 pads stock. I changed them to #4 when new springs were installed - just as a precaution (don't like tucked look), and clearly overdid. Now the rear sits higher than stock. Shall return to #1. If yours has thicker pads (#2-#4) - then yes, you can put #1 to lower the rear.
Last edited by vadim; 12-20-2004 at 09:25 PM.
#75
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: West Covina, CA
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2004 C230k (SOLD), 2005 C230k (Lease ended), 2004 Carrera 4 Cab, 2007 530i
I installed just the H&R springs with everything else stock. I love the ride and the height. My gf's 05 has about 3 fingers gap between front tire and fender and 2 fingers in the rear. My ride now has everything 1 finger gap lower ther hers all the way around. Wait til money becomes available then I may go with a cup kit. But as of right now, I have no complains.