benzdiyer

I just purchased an 07 CLK550 with two bad struts. I'm hoping to get some feedback on the difference in comfort and performance when comparing the Bilstein Coilover set, or the Bilstein Shocks paired with Eibach lowering springs.

The lowering kit costs $854:
http://performance.importrp.com/i-17...glUaAu7g8P8HAQ

The Coilover kit costs $1146.61:
http://www.carid.com/bilstein/b14-se...JE4aAu-j8P8HAQ


BTW... Special thanks to Rodney for providing such great info all throughout this forum.

kb24forlife24

Coilovers offer more adjustability, but IMO they're not needed for daily street driving. If you plan on taking your car to the track, it's a different story. Check the last few pages of the wheel fitment thread for pictures of my car on Eibach springs and Bilstein shocks/struts.

benzdiyer

kb24forlife24,

Thanks!... I'm not planning to take it to the track. I like your ride height and will go with the Bilstein/Eibach set (Hopefully it doesn't rub with 19's). I now have to find somewhere that has them in stock. I found them for $754 but they are estimating 12 - 16 weeks for delivery from Germany:
http://www.ajusa.com/Bilstein-46-181...it-acb26a.html

BTW, have you heard of anyone trying the ebay 10pc suspension kit for $224?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261515898089?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

kb24forlife24

You could buy the Eibach springs and Bilstein shocks/struts separately if that helps?

I have not looked into that 10 piece kit but I wouldn't trust that package.

Eojj

Lol dang 12-16 weeks to get something from Germany?

I'm actually conflicted on getting coilovers vs strut/shocks n springs as well. It seems the b14's are right on the price point to consider getting; however, I see more people going with the pss9's (which are clearly more $$). Can anyone with b14's make a comment??

One of the members here has a set up just like KB's on 19's without rubbing. So I think you'll be fine, just make sure your offsetts are right

Fatz

I'm using the B8s with H&R sport springs. I like the levels of firmness and control of the bilsteins.

If I were buying today I would go with coilovers. I don't track my car but I do quite a bit of highway driving in the summer and fall of the year. I would raise the height and soften the ride a bit for these trips.

But my car is not really a daily, although I drive it a lot, and I'm retired with no responsibility.......

Rudeney

I do not like those Chinese control arms. The "torque strut" control arm uses a fluid-filled bushing that needs to articulate in all three dimensions. I'd go with genuine MBZ parts, or OEM Lemfoerders. I found all 4 front control arms from partsgeek.com for just under $300 delivered.

benzdiyer

Rodney,

Greaaat... I wish I read your response sooner. I purchased a 10 piece kit since the car had 150k miles. At the time I figured, it was cheap enough to be a guinea pig for the forums. Now that you mention that they are fluid filled, I'll have to be careful not to tear the ends while installing. Once I install them, I 'll provide pics/feedback. We'll see how long they last.

benzdiyer

Fatz, I may as well go with the coilovers. I can't seem to find anyone that stocks the Bilstein set. The cost difference is about $300 and my patience is wearing thin. I found the Bilsteins separately, but the cost amounts to the same as the coilovers. I'm anxious to see how the CLK550 will handle in tight corners.

Congrats on your retirement.... That's my dream life... to retire, have no responsibility, travel, and work on cars from time to time

Rudeney

Be sure to tighten the control arm bushing bolts (where they attach to the frame) only with the vehicle weight on them. If not, they will be in the wrong position and you will definitely damage the bushings. You can do this with the vehicle raised on jack stands and then lift the wheel hub with a jack, just enough to take the weight off the jack stand.

benzdiyer

Rodney, thanks for the tip. I'll be take a day off and getting it all done at the same time. I hope to be able to drain out all fluids, replace all control arms, sway bar links, tie rod ends, and install the coilovers. The WIS is also on the way. I'm appreciative of any more tips you suggest. In the meantime, I'll be reading through these forums.