foosicle204

I know there's some threads on this already but I was just wondering how the car would look if it were dropped with the stock pads in the back instead of the 5mm that most people seem to be doing. I'm thinking on getting either the h&r sports or eibach pro-kit. so if there's anyone with pics of either one I'd appreciate it

rb23lb

I noticed that when I used the 5mm, the rear wheel gap is now uneven with the front...

the rears tuck a little bit with the 5mm pads...

looks nice from behind the car, having the rear end sit lower...

but not sure i like the tuck with the tires since it doesnt match the front...

anybody else have this same feeling?

Norm01

This is the reason I kept stock pads with my H&R SS. My wheel gap front and back is the same however the car sits slightly raked like stock. I prefer this to uneven well gaps.

foosicle204

yea I've never really been a huge fan of the rear being lower than the front look so it looks like stock pads for me! thanks for the input

blue00r6

I've always thought that the 5mm pads in the rear looked silly.

Looks like youre toting around a couple really fat girls in the back seat.

rb23lb

JESUS... another case of me listening to the "majority" opinion of people swapping stock pads for 5mm...

BAD IDEA once again... nobody mentioned the wheel gap issue not being even...

figured back was higher and NEEDED the 5mm pad to BE EVEN



looks like I will be getting rid of these stupid 5mm pads soon!

agedog2gt

This is also new news to me too though i have seen hundreds of c300s lowered on hnr ss springs, i never really payed attention to the height difference..

AMG_79

I lowered my C320 on H&R SS springs with stock spring pads and couldn't be happier. Nice even 40mm drop all round. Front & Rear gaps are completely even.

Cosworth2000

Yes, looks good.

kevink2

When looking at big-drop springs, you need to expand your "majority opinions" to include H&R techs.

Cool is in the eyes of the beholder. Just installing super-drop springs put you in one group .... super drops. This group has no concern with the related changes in Ackerman-angle, bump-steer, and steering axis changes.

Then ... you have the sub-group of super-drop where you are happy to get max drop where ever you can get it, front or rear. Some of these would have installed a 3mm rear pad if available.


Need to be a bit more cautious about assumptions, especially when dealing with the referenced sub-group.

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caligreenzzz

+1

ElJayBird

You and I are in exactly the same spot! I really hope people see these posts...all of the posts I read were about how awesome the Super Sports\5mm pad combo is and how everyone ordering Eibach's or Sport springs were making a bad decision. BAD advice guys...this combo is absolute garbage. The ride is terrible and it looks ridiculous.

I just drove from Austin to Houston, Houston to Galveston, Galveston to Dallas, and then back to Austin tomorrow. My back is killing me...I'm not looking forward to the drive home tomorrow.

I'm tempted to go back to stock pads but I think I'll probably just end up ordering Eibach's and redoing all of it. I'm so pissed.

Sportstick

Depending on what your original objective was, you might want your stock springs back. I left the OE springs and just swapped for the Eibach anti-sway bars. I also have Pilot Sport A/S Plus tires. Short of a C63, I would put this car up against any C Class for handling capability with a very comfortable ride. The appearance of a drop had zero appeal to me, but I was interested in better steering response, reduced body roll and understeer...all accomplished.

kevink2

The spring options for the W204 are limited. For another car I have, Mazda6, RacingBeat offers linear rate 20% stiffer springs with only 1/2" to 3/4" drop. For the turbo'd Mazdaspeed6 version, RPM offfers 30% stiffer linear springs with .7" drop, and even stiffer springs with .5" drop, but require konis to handle the stiff springs.

That said, IMHO, oem bump cushions on the shocks that were not shortened when the SS springs were installed cause the rough ride. Another possibility is the SS dual spring rates. Called progressive, but you can clearly see the dual spacing pattern of the coils. If designed correctly, the car would ride on the soft rate (closely spaced) part of the spring, then collapse these coils and ride on the widely spaced portion when landing after "getting some air" on a sharp hill, or when pitching the car into a corner. I suspect they could be riding on the stiff part by design fault.

An example of very stiff springs go back to an old Triumph I had and built it to SCCA D-Production racing. The front race springs were 100% stiffer than oem, and at full droop were loose in the upper and lower retainer. When the track season (for HPDE's) was over, I just removed the race sway bars, and the ride was great!

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jltjr85

Crap....now I'm scared too...I was on the fence between the sport and Supersports but as I saw all those comments about how the SS were WAY better I ordered the SS. Now I have them in my trunk ready to be installed this week and am nervous if I should spend the money on the install or send them back and go with the sports instead.........

kevink2

Any links to those misleading posts?

Don't toss out the SS until you talk to a tech (not sales guy) at H&R ... normally a high quality mfg. Discuss if the bump cushions on the shocks were supposed to be shortened. An installer may have ignored the instructions.

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ElJayBird

That's a good idea. I'm going to give them a call today. I'll also swing by MB and pick up a set of 13mm pads so I can get back to stock there anyway. I'll decide if I'm going to replace them after speaking with the tech.

IW IE IS IT IA

I wouldn't go Sport's you wouldnt really notice a different try Super Sports ,im planning on removing my Super Sports and putting coilovers

IW IE IS IT IA

how did you get the front to sit so nice,I'm running SS as well but the front sits higher

foosicle204

I mean I guess if I'm dropping it I might as well drop it right? I know people say the stock shocks are fine but does anyone know if the lifetime is shorter with the super sports seeing as the car sits lower. and if I were to go with supersports are there any different or any more adjustments such as camber tow ect. I'd need to make as opposed to the sports.

foosicle204

any big differences in ride quality between sport and super sport with STOCK rear pads?

Sportstick

Until someone invents a universal butt calibrator, you will not get an objective answer. How much is "big"?

Cosworth2000

Who is sitting on Eibach?

foosicle204

I just mean if there's a drastic difference bouncynesswise or if one rides smoother than the other

tanktube67

^
+1

Nobody has mention this before, I'm glad I didn’t change the pads.