Public Enemy

I have a question. I was offered, by a family friend, that he could take my car to the shop and cut the springs and I said I will give him a call if I decide to do it. The question is, is it a good idea for me to do this? Because if he cuts the springs I will still get the shox and chamber alignment but it will be a lot cheaper then buying springs. So someone please give me advice.

timecop369

I wouldn't recommend it. Besides... if you ever sell your car, usually people want it stock so you'd have to either go out and buy the OEM again or find a guy that wants your car exactly the way you fixed it up. It'll be more expensive than the $175 you found for those Eibachs. LOL

Also, in my ever quest to find cheaper Bilsteins. Check this website out:

www.megaparts.com

It's a couple bucks cheaper than bimmerzone and about $10 cheaper than www.thebenzbin. Their format for looking at parts are almost identical to those sites.

timecop369

Public Enemy

Yeah I was a little scared about cutting springs, but thanks for the website for shocks man.

timecop369

no problem. I'm still holding out on the shocks and springs... seeing if a friend of mine can get them even cheaper at wholesale price for me. Ironically he's the one that pointed me to the megaparts.com link. I think your www.shocksonline.com link maybe more than megaparts.com since they don't quote the shipping price. Either way, it's only a $10 difference w/out shipping.

but rest assured... my car WILL be SLAMMED correctly (w/ H&R sport springs, Bilstein Sport Shocks, & those OEM camber kits) by the end of Feb. I'll probably have to roll in the fenders too since my rear tires are 245/45/17.

timecop369

Public Enemy

245/45/17?

you have to roll fenders for that size?

timecop369

I felt a little rub this weekend when I had 4 people in the car and my 10" subs in the back. I think all that weight.

timecop369

JasonH

I would not suggest cutting your springs. Spring rates will be off, and your car will handle much worse than stock. It will likely also start to sag unevenly.

Just hold out and get the H&R's. I have been extremely happy with them.

Jason

KWiK

You might want to look into the Vogtland Audio Springs . They lower the car 40mm(1.6") and account for the added weight of your audio equipment.

tpliquid

if u cut the sprigns. then uc ant corner any faster. and be bad ride.

timecop, i can roll ur fenders hehe. 50 bux i gotz the fender roller baby!
oh yea. ur car wont be slammed. will lok like my car. regular drop, uw ant it slammed get HR cup kit. that is slammed!!!

scorchie

Cutting springs isn't a problem, when done properly.

However, most people don't do it properly. And, it shouldn't be used to try and save money. It should be used to attain a certain objective.

Also, you should start out with a good spring when cutting them. Cutting stock C280 springs, although it will raise the spring rate, it will not be nearly as high as if you start with an AMG, H&R, or Eibach spring. The lower rate will allow the car to bottom out easier (because it is closer to the ground).

Also, it's good to have a set of stock unmodified springs around, as timecop mentioned.

-s-

DougandhisC280

I will go with TP and JasonH on this one. Have you ever been driving around and seen one of those bouncing Hondas going down the road? It's because they took the stupid way out and just cut their springs. It's not the shortness of the spring that matters, it's the progressive rate of the spring. If you get an oem spring that's not very tight and cut it, what do you have? A shorter spring that's not very tight. This means that if you hit a big bump your springs will still flex just as much and you will be lower to the ground. So you're going to scrape more often. This is the same for going around a corner at high speeds. Your car will still lean the same but lean lower to the ground. I know you don't have much money to spend on your car right now but if you're not going to do it right, just wait till you have the funds. The last thing you want to do is take the cheap way out on a very expensive and nice car. You're driving the best so only do the best to retain the value. There's my 2 cents.

Public Enemy

Yeah thats true...I dont have the funds right now, but I do not want to ruin this car since it isnt just any old honda or anything....

steve s

thought lowering sport springs r actually one of the cheaper items to upgrade than some of the other items on a mercedes (not calling u cheap , but just that mb aftermarket stuff generally cost a bundle)...how are u getting it cut?

Public Enemy

Well I am only 17 so money is an issue. I dont make much money. So I was just wondering about getting my springs cut, but I changed my mind I am just going to save up for the springs + $150 Labor and get the springs which will be a better investment.

Public Enemy

Oh...and steve those models you build are really great. I make models also but your sticker placement is much better then mine. I always screw up when building the car models.

steve s

practice makes better ...also, those dentist picks, the ones that the dentists use to get off the tartar and crap on the teeth, are very useful for placement. i have like 5 or 6 that are "in stasis," half done...i haven't touched them in years....hehe...got this apache heli that's still waiting for the final clear coat flat base...

AdamsC280

You know what's funny? I was at the MB Service center showing the manager my new Carlsson 1/6 Diamonds and out of the blue, he said that it would look good lowered. I asked him what he suggested as far as springs. He said "Bring your car in the shop and i'll cut your springs with the carbon cutter (no heat)". He's had a couple of his employees do it!

The only problem....100 bones/hr to do it in the shop (about a 2.5-3 hr job).. LOL

I'll hold off for now.

Adam

1996 C280
18X8/18X9 Carlsson 1/6 Evo Diamond Ed.
225/40/18 (F) 255/35/18 (R)

tpliquid

daymn expensive,
get a sett of HR and i'll lower ur car for 150bux. i will do it in 1.5 huors. alright!

lowering@tpscene.com

DougandhisC280

I think you will regret it if you cut your springs.

Public Enemy

Hey doug, I have a 98 C230 and I was looking at Adam's car and I have a question. Does the 98 have like a different body trim, like the side skirts, and front bumper? because my car looks different.

tpliquid

98 + have new model update bumper work and the side skirts watever there called

public u got my email? abuot the wheels?

DougandhisC280

TP's got it right.