w211 4matic lowered

[jta00r1]

Lowered my niece's e320 4matic yesterday, was easy about 3 hours work (mostly learning curve time). We used my old e350 coils, the stocks are exactly the same as regular w211 coils. Sorry no pics of process but have a few after shots. Yes 4matics can be lowered. lowering coils are H&R from 2006 E350 BTW. Thanks for looking hope you 4matic guys try it.

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[E3504matic]

Interesting. Thanks for posting.

[BRABUS_E500]

This is going to solve a lot of peoples questions

[sdunham]

Interesting, and timely. I'm looking at an E500 4-matic this afternoon and wondered about lowering. So if it can be done with available coils, why aren't there any manufacturers offering kits...? Is is that they just don't see much demand if any...?

[gaazmon]

Originally Posted by sdunham

Interesting, and timely. I'm looking at an E500 4-matic this afternoon and wondered about lowering. So if it can be done with available coils, why aren't there any manufacturers offering kits...? Is is that they just don't see much demand if any...?

E500 has airmatic, or at least the RWD ones do.

[AMGTestDriverNJ]

Wait a second you lost me here. These are stock E350 springs on a 4matic? Was this checked into or just assumed? Eibach DOES make a pro kit for the 08 E350 4Matic I know of but if this works I'd be willing to consider it. I do have a set of H&R's already but they are for a non- 4matic 350 and I was told by H&R they wouldn't work. Where did you get stock springs and what'd you pay for them? Are they cut? Help us out with some more info here. Thanks alot, drop looks nice.Also, any sort of rubbing issues? What are your tire/wheel sizes? Planning on upgrading wheels?

Ok, after re-reading your post it seems you put regular H&R springs for a W211 non-4matic on a 4matic W211, correct? In that case, I can't say this was a smart move. I confirmed with H&R that while the front suspension of the W211 4matic and non 4matic are the same, the rear most certianly is not and because of that difference the springs made for the non 4matic W211 will no work properly with the 4matic. You may want to call into H&R with the part number (usually in red) located on the spring itself or the box if you still have it and see what they have to say about it. It may look good now but If the manufacturer tells me they won't work I wouldn't argue that. Trust me, if I thought it did I would have used these springs I've got sitting here a long time ago!! I'm not knocking your work or anything like that I just want you 2 be safe and informed, thats what the board is for. Whatever you decide to do, good luck, thanks for the post.

[E3504matic]

Originally Posted by AMGTestDriverNJ

Wait a second you lost me here. These are stock E350 springs on a 4matic? Was this checked into or just assumed? Eibach DOES make a pro kit for the 08 E350 4Matic I know of but if this works I'd be willing to consider it. I do have a set of H&R's already but they are for a non- 4matic 350 and I was told by H&R they wouldn't work. Where did you get stock springs and what'd you pay for them? Are they cut? Help us out with some more info here. Thanks alot, drop looks nice.Also, any sort of rubbing issues? What are your tire/wheel sizes? Planning on upgrading wheels?

Ok, after re-reading your post it seems you put regular H&R springs for a W211 non-4matic on a 4matic W211, correct? In that case, I can't say this was a smart move. I confirmed with H&R that while the front suspension of the W211 4matic and non 4matic are the same, the rear most certianly is not and because of that difference the springs made for the non 4matic W211 will no work properly with the 4matic. You may want to call into H&R with the part number (usually in red) located on the spring itself or the box if you still have it and see what they have to say about it. It may look good now but If the manufacturer tells me they won't work I wouldn't argue that. Trust me, if I thought it did I would have used these springs I've got sitting here a long time ago!! I'm not knocking your work or anything like that I just want you 2 be safe and informed, thats what the board is for. Whatever you decide to do, good luck, thanks for the post.

I thought it was the front suspension that was different on the 4matics not the rear? The 4matic front suspension has a double wishbone design while the non-4matics have independent 4-link. The rear suspension of both the 4matics and non-4matics use an Independent 5-arm multilink design.

[jta00r1]

Thanks for your concern, before we started the install we checked intensively for differance in coils. (measured length, check rate from a local machine shop) plus my brother in-law is a engineer in robotics which he knows a little more than most on coil rates. If you are worried than don't do it, I just shared my experienced with you all (thats what forums are for right?) Been driving 1K miles now no problems. Theres no innovation with out someone trying outside the norm, or being scared someone saying you can't do anything when you can.
Good Luck don't be a follower.

[AMGTestDriverNJ]

would you be able to get me the part number on those springs? It would be great to be able to use the ones I have sititng in my house rather than shelling out another $400 bucks. I appreciate your innovation in going ahead w/ that, personally, I don't think I have the same resources as you did to test this idea so in that case it really wasn't worth it to risk it. However, since you've done the research and had the resources, I'll follow suit in this case. Please please please let me know your part numbers or any other way I can confirm whether or not I can do this drop with the springs I have. Thanks

[AMGTestDriverNJ]

please check your PMs!

[CIMulation]

So does this work!? I'm dying for some lowering springs for my E320 4matic!!!!!!

[Busta Riles]

Ditto - bump

[AMGTestDriverNJ]

What do you mean, works? Did it lower the car, of course it did. What are you guys both trying to get exactly out of lowering your car?

[CIMulation]

Originally Posted by AMGTestDriverNJ

What do you mean, works? Did it lower the car, of course it did. What are you guys both trying to get exactly out of lowering your car?

What I'm confused about is this guy saying that he used H&R springs to lower his 4matic. I thought that the regular E320's front springs are totally different than the 4matic fronts. Maybe I'm a bit confused because I thought you were having issues with the springs that you got in your thread. I'm such a noob. Please explain. Sorry.

[AMGTestDriverNJ]

Originally Posted by CIMulation

What I'm confused about is this guy saying that he used H&R springs to lower his 4matic. I thought that the regular E320's front springs are totally different than the 4matic fronts. Maybe I'm a bit confused because I thought you were having issues with the springs that you got in your thread. I'm such a noob. Please explain. Sorry.

He used H&R spring kit made for the non-4matic E-class. Will it lower your car, yes. Is it the safest, best route to go considering all the issues, IMO, no. I'm not having trouble with the springs I have, they are great, the problem really lies with the built in rebound in the shock. Idk how the ride is on the car mentioned in this thread because I've never driven it, but I'm willing to guess that they are dealing with similar driving situations and that it is possible that those front springs which aren't made for the car will cause some troubel down the road. Its possible.

[Busta Riles]

What are the possibilities that could happen.

I just put 19s on my wifes 2005 E3204Matic and it looks like a monster truck as far as i`m concerned.

Is there really no way to lower this car.

[sunny_j]

maybe offset

[buckwild757]

I have a 2008 350 4matic without airmatic, I just put 20's on it and the rear sits higher than the front. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to lower the rear about an 1 inch, or how i could make it level all the around.. HELP please.....

[vinceleo]

I have spent a lotof time search the internet and decided to order the H&R sport springs made for the non 4 matic and try them on my 2008 W211 E350 4 matic.

My mechanic is very knowledgeble on suspensions and has helped me with 4 BMW racecars I have raced over the years as well as the BMW and Porsche street cars that have been modified. so he is not some oil chage expert and I have some knowledge as well. This is my first MB after many years of BMWs (I hated the iDrive in the BMW and I thought the E class looks much better than the 5 series).

With that said, I figured I would take the risk and order the springs. Worse case I take a $50-75 hit on ebay if the springs were all wrong and I had to re-sell them. Here is what we learned... on first glance, the front springs were a couple inches shorter than stock but the cooils were thicker so when we installed them, the result was about an 1-1.25 drop. The rears were also shorter but resulted in closer to a 2" drop as I also removed all three of the spacers on top. Since I don't have the sports package, the rear of my car was very high and the car had a huge rake to it before we swapped the springs. Without the spacers the rake less than an inch. I am debating adding the spacer(s) back. The total of the 3 spacers is approx 1/2" and one of the three makes up 1/2 of that or 1/4". I may add the larger one back in.

To back up, we compared the shape, size and coils between the H&Rs and the stock springs. They looked like what we were used to comparing stock springs to the H&Rs for Porsches and BMWs in terms of difference. Usually a could or two shorter and usually a bit thicker coils for the increased spring rates.

So we took the plunge and spent this morning doing the swap which was only a couple hours for all 4 corners to remove and replace the spings. His shop has all the tools so togehter it wasn't too bad.

So far, the ride is a bit stiffer than stock but not uncomfortable at all. I'd say more like a BMW than an MB. I also replaced the wheels with the AMG sport package 18" wheels. The fender is maybe a 1/4 inch below the top of the tire on the rear. The front fender lip is maybe 1 inch above the tire. As I said, I may re-install one of the rear pads to raise the back approx 1/4".

My concerns so far revolve around the shocks. I am sure by lowering the car, I will shorten the life of the shocks. But even if I cut the life in half, I am OK wiht that. Next, is the rear shock travel. I am concerned that I may be close to the bump stops now and I will know for sure before long. As I said, it was worth gamble to try it.

I know some on the forum may think I'm crazy, because H&R doesn't spec these springs for the MB and you know what, I may be. But after 25 years of modifying and playing with cars, I had to give it a try.

Word of warning... spring rates determine handling and I don't know what the stock spring rates front to rear are for the H&Rs vs the non 4 matic vs the 4 matic. A change in rates can make a difference in understeer vs oversteer. I have not noticed any significant change in handling but any changes you make are your own responsibility.

Vince

[vinceleo]

pic of lowered e350

[JeffyPooh]

IMO - The rear looks way too low. It looks like it's really squatting down under hard acceleration (even while parked in your garage). I wonder how it would look with several people sitting in the rear seats?

Good luck.

[vinceleo]

I agree so last night I added 2 of the 3 "pads" back to the rear which raised the back about 1/2". Now it looks better with more of a balanced look. I still may add the final pad back in which is another 1/16" raise in the rear.

Thanks for the feedback.

Vince

[SmashF15C]

Can someone confirm what happens to camber when lowering the w211? I assume it will be a degree or two more negative, with it lowered, especially at the front. Can the stock camber be dialed back in?

Does lowering a 4matic to the non-4M W211 height put the camber back to non-4M stock settings?

The 4m is about an inch higher than the non-4M car, and I'd like to get mine looking less like a 4x4. It has airmatic so no need to buy different springs.

Thanks,

Smash

[vinceleo]

Lowering the car will generally add negative camber (tops of the tires ponted inward) and a touch of toe out in the front. Dropping my car about in inch in the front added about 1/16" of toe out. If you lower it, you should have it alligned. My summer tires a just about done and because the toe was not off that much (and it was late) we decded to wait on the allignment until I put my snow tires on in about a month or two.

[vinceleo]

Update - it's been approx two weeks and over 500 miles since adding the H&R sport springs (for non 4matic) to my W211 E350 4matic nonsport and so far it has been great. No bottoming out, no skiddish rides, no ill effects that we can tell. The ride is a bit firmer and more sporty.

As noted above, when I first did the install, we did not reinstall the 3 upper spring pads on the rear and it was too low as per the pic above. We subsequently reinstalled the 3 stock pads to raise the rear approx 1/2" which gives the car a proper rake and better look. I will try to snap some pics this weekend.

Vince