nowings

Does anyone know where to get stiffer than original springs for a 2004 C230 without changing the ride height?

Even with adjustable Koni's the car wallows a bit in the turns so hopefully stiffer springs (or anti-roll bar?) will make it better.

phister

If you want better handling I recommend getting thicker front and rear sway bars..you'll definitely feel the handling difference. More than getting stiffer springs.

tommy

Any non-custom springs will lower the ride height. Phister's recommendation is a good one.

nowings

Kind of what I thought. I'll start with the front sway bar and see how it goes. It looks like Evosport and Eibach are no longer making them for the W203 so it's either H&R or the C32 bars. I'm guessing the C32 bars would only be a little stiffer than the OEM C230 bars so H&R is the only choice.

tommy

Exactly. The Amg bars are a slightly thicker coat hanger than the one you now have. The H&R bars are what you want.

VVF

And the H&R is a slightly thicker (4mm) coat hanger than the AMG bar



This thread is useful also: https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...-sway-bar.html

slammer111

Keep in mind that too thick a bar will cause your wheels to leave the ground under extreme conditions, such as certain parking lot ramps if you hit them diagonally.

tommy

But that's half the fun!

Actually, "too thick a bar" is a bit leading. I wouldn't call my Eibachs too thick, even though they do the three-wheeled driving thing as you've described. I would say those very rare (ie, about 3-4 times in my 7-8 years of owning them) occurrances are worth the trouble, when you feel the change in driving.

nowings

That does sound like something that would leave me grinning. I only ordered the H&R front bar for now. Has anyone else tried leaving the rear bar stock?

VVF

You are gonna get massive understeer. Read the thread I posted

tommy

Once again, that could be fun too.

VVF

Hmm, especially when one hits a curb on the outside of a turn.
I'd better opt for a thicker rear bar and oversteer - now that is fun

nowings

Just a follow up. I installed an H&R front bar only and used the softer setting. Easy job, took maybe an hour and got great results. Now it's much more stable and solid feeling. Way less wallowing and it doesn't seem to have cost anything in ride quality. I'll try the harder setting next then decide if a rear bar is worth getting.

tommy

A matched set is always better, just ask Pam Anderson.