W210 E55 Lowering Lowdown ...

[2000BEAST]

I have my stock AMG Monoblocks out for powder coating and double polish on the lips. Will look trick, but still stock - I like that. Re-did brake linings with Porterfield pads (huge improvement - no dust and no fade). Got trim rings for headlights, and swapped all halogen bulbs for xenon look alike. K&N filters, Pilot Sport 2's. Infinity BassLink, and Infinity 1" tweets up front. Thinking about a HPS 2nd gen blower once they get all the wrinkles out. NOW - I want to lower this sucka about 1" (no more). Dont want to be slammed, don't want to wear a kidney belt. Can take a little stiffer spring rate (10-15%) though, for better cornering. I know the various aftermarket spring options - BUT - based on your experience (actually did this) what would you do to accomplish this 1" lowering without losing too much of the stock around town ride ? Aftermarket springs with fat pads ? Cut Stock springs ? Interested in your opinions, I only want to do this once ... THX !

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[AMGfan]

Originally Posted by 2000BEAST

I have my stock AMG Monoblocks out for powder coating and double polish on the lips. Will look trick, but still stock - I like that.

Re-did brake linings with Porterfield pads (huge improvement - no dust and no fade). Got trim rings for headlights, and swapped all halogen bulbs for xenon look alike. K&N filters, Pilot Sport 2's. Infinity BassLink, and Infinity 1" tweets up front. Thinking about a HPS 2nd gen blower once they get all the wrinkles out.

NOW - I want to lower this sucka about 1" (no more). Dont want to be slammed, don't want to wear a kidney belt. Can take a little stiffer spring rate (10-15%) though, for better cornering. I know the various aftermarket spring options - BUT - based on your experience (actually did this) what would you do to accomplish this 1" lowering without losing too much of the stock around town ride ?

Aftermarket springs with fat pads ? Cut Stock springs ? Interested in your opinions, I only want to do this once ... THX !

Pics...please!!!!

[E55Cent]

My car is lowered about 1 3/4" with H&R spring and #1 pads. If you want a nice ride and only a 1" drop. You might want to go with Eibach springs and I think you can use your stock #3 pads. Eibach lowers less than H&R and rides softer. I'm very happy with my Koni H&R set up. I would guess I'm only 10% stiffer than stock. Most of my ruff ride is coming from my 19" low profile tires and high air pressure (to help with negative camber).
Good luck, make sure you show us before and after pix.
Mario

[tjcMBE55AMG]

The question I have on Eibach lowering springs is whether or not you have to change the dampers. Opinions?


TJC

[E55Cent]

Originally Posted by tjcMBE55AMG

The question I have on Eibach lowering springs is whether or not you have to change the dampers. Opinions?


TJC

If you have under 40k you can get away with the stock ones but if you are over it wouldn't hurt to get new ones. I have heard the stock E55 Bils can go over 100k.
Mario

[JamE55]

Originally Posted by 2000BEAST

NOW - I want to lower this sucka about 1" (no more). Dont want to be slammed, don't want to wear a kidney belt. Can take a little stiffer spring rate (10-15%) though, for better cornering. I know the various aftermarket spring options - BUT - based on your experience (actually did this) what would you do to accomplish this 1" lowering without losing too much of the stock around town ride ?

Try considering Bils & H&R setup with #1 pads all around. Should do the trick. You'll probably get 1 finger gap all around.

[paulunm]

Where might one find these pads? I assume they are a kind of spacer that sits on the spring?

[JamE55]

Originally Posted by paulunm

Where might one find these pads? I assume they are a kind of spacer that sits on the spring?

You can find them at your local MB dealer. Think they sell for about $20 bucks or something like that. They are a rubber piece that sits on top of the springs.

[E55Cent]

Originally Posted by JamE55

Try considering Bils & H&R setup with #1 pads all around. Should do the trick. You'll probably get 1 finger gap all around.

I havd H&R with #1 pads and it is way more than just a one inch drop. If he only wants a 1" drop he might stay with the stock #3 pads and go with Eibach.
just my 2cents
Mario

[2000BEAST]

E55 Cent - you are correct - I would imagine that you got nearly 2" of drop by using the H&R Sports and the smallest (#1) spring pads.

Your car looks awesome - but not what I'm after = 1" drop.
I guess I will try having the stock AMG springs cut (with a wheel, not a torch) and see what that gets me ...

[E55Cent]

Originally Posted by 2000BEAST

E55 Cent - you are correct - I would imagine that you got nearly 2" of drop by using the H&R Sports and the smallest (#1) spring pads.

Your car looks awesome - but not what I'm after = 1" drop.
I guess I will try having the stock AMG springs cut (with a wheel, not a torch) and see what that gets me ...

If your going to cut one coil you might want to go with the #1 pads because I'm guessing you would have to cut 2 coils to get a one inch drop if you kept the stock pads. The pads are cheap they are only $6 bucks each.
Good luck
Mario

[allenjdmb]

1) You're going to be disspointed with the short pads only. I tried it on my 00 and 01 with poor results. The US OE springs and shocks are just not designed to work well for the sportier type driving you have in mind. But it shouldn't change things that much, you say, as all that's changed is the ride height. All I can say is on both my 210 E55's, it didn't give anywhere near enough lowering and the springs/shocks did not appreciate it. If you want to do it right, it will take, at least, the Euro spring/ shock setup, which still may not be enough for you.
2) I'm not positive, but I don't think the OE on the 210 55 is Bilstein. I think it's Sachs. But the Bilstein would be the best way to go.
3) Again, not positive, but does Eibach even make a dedicated spring for the 210 E55? They didn't when I had my car, but they may now.
Hope any of this helps.

[E55Cent]

Originally Posted by allenjdmb

1) You're going to be disspointed with the short pads only. I tried it on my 00 and 01 with poor results. The US OE springs and shocks are just not designed to work well for the sportier type driving you have in mind. But it shouldn't change things that much, you say, as all that's changed is the ride height. All I can say is on both my 210 E55's, it didn't give anywhere near enough lowering and the springs/shocks did not appreciate it. If you want to do it right, it will take, at least, the Euro spring/ shock setup, which still may not be enough for you.
2) I'm not positive, but I don't think the OE on the 210 55 is Bilstein. I think it's Sachs. But the Bilstein would be the best way to go.
3) Again, not positive, but does Eibach even make a dedicated spring for the 210 E55? They didn't when I had my car, but they may now.
Hope any of this helps.

I know for a fact that my car came stock with Bilstein's that I replaced with Koni. I have seen Eibach for the 210 and about four other brands.

[allenjdmb]

so you may be right. And I didn't say Eibach didn't make a spring for the 210. I said for the 55 210. They are not necessarily interchangeable.

[DTM-AMG]

this is the perfect timing on thread and post, thank you gents.

i currently have HR springs and stock Bilstein shocks, though i am not sure what the last owner has on the car interms of "pads" used. the car has 19s with almost zero fender/finger gaps. the ride quality is quite nice for my taste(really like those Bilsteins dampers)

could you kindly advice which pad i should pick up from MB parts counter so i can raise the car slightly to avoid rubbing when i have passenger in the back seat

TIA

btw, MB part numbers would be great as my local dealer has no idea what i am requesting

[CES99E55]

Do you have to redue the entire install to get the new pads in? Also can you see the pads from under the wheelwell at all?

[E55Cent]

Originally Posted by CES99E55

Do you have to redue the entire install to get the new pads in? Also can you see the pads from under the wheelwell at all?

It is possible to see what spring pads you have by looking under the car and above the spring. There are rubber nipples on the pad ranging from 1 to 4. To chane out the spring pads you need to have spring compressor to remove the springs. The shock can stay but the bottom bolt will need to be removed.
Mario

[JamE55]

Originally Posted by E55Cent

There are rubber nipples on the pad ranging from 1 to 4.

There's #4? Must be new or something but the range of pads has always been 1 to 3.

[E55Cent]

Originally Posted by JamE55

There's #4? Must be new or something but the range of pads has always been 1 to 3.

I was told there where 4 from the dealer. I know the E320 and E430 have more pad options than an E55.
#1 5mm
#2 9mm
#3 13mm
#4 17mm
I'm kind of guessing on numbers but I think they are very close.

[JamE55]

Oh yeah that's probably why. I was just thinking for the E55 application only.

[2000BEAST]

Hmmmm... still a little puzzled.

At this point I think that I will get the H&R's and put #3 or #4 (fat) pads on. That will probably give me approximately 1 1/8" drop, and a little stiffer (but not too stiff) ride. Agree ??

Also - to you guys that have put the H&R SPORT springs on - I want a little stiffer cornering spring, but dont want to lose the MB "boulevard" (around town) ride quality.

Since the H&R's are progressive, I'm hoping that is what I will get - Agree ?? THX !

[tjcMBE55AMG]

Please let us know how this turns out!


TJC

[tjcMBE55AMG]

Bumping this thread because I'm still planning to lower my W210.

So what's the consensus on the preferred setup?


TJC

[Chappy]

Originally Posted by 2000BEAST

NOW - I want to lower this sucka about 1" (no more). Dont want to be slammed, don't want to wear a kidney belt. Can take a little stiffer spring rate (10-15%)though, for better cornering. I know the various aftermarket spring options - BUT - based on your experience (actually did this) what would you do to accomplish this 1" lowering without losing too much of the stock around town ride ?
Aftermarket springs with fat pads ? Cut Stock springs ? Interested in your opinions, I only want to do this once ... THX !

I took the liberty of highlighting some portions of your first post. I would not recommend cutting your stock springs, but rather ordering a set of OEM euro-spec springs from evosport or another reputable source.

Good luck

[Fast55]

Chappy, you're saying that the euro spec springs are different than US spec W210 E55 springs? Shorter? stiffer? both? Do the stock Bilsteins still work with them?