barto32

I have a 2000 C230K Sport that is in need of lowering. I was wondering if anyone out there has tried out both the HR and Eibach spring kits (or any others) and whether there is any real difference between them. I would prefer the HR since it only lowers the car about 1.3 inches (I really don't want to be one of the guys who lowers his car so much that he gets stuck on manhole covers) (Eibach says their kit is about 1.7) but I'm concerned about the ride quality. Does anyone know if the Eibachs are softer?

Are there new shocks that I can use that won't make the ride too harsh?

I don't want to turn to car into a street racer, I just can't stand the fender well space (the car looks like an SUV it has so much), and want to lower it without screwing up the ride.

How much harsher is the ride with HRs? Eibachs?

Does anyone have any experiences, advice, and/or ideas?


(PS thanks to the other members who have been helping me out with this, I just wanted some more info,

2~s0L~t

WELCOME ABOARD --- ur at home here...

DougandhisC280

Eibach and H&R will both lower it about the same. The ride will still be smooth but the handling will be drastically improved. My C280 has been lowered a couple of inches with Carlsson springs. You will need to change the shocks to either Bilstein Sports or Koni Yellow Adjustables. Use their numbers only as an estimate because every Mercedes is different in the way it reacts to lowering. Some don't hardly lower at all and some people have had to add springs pads because it lowered too much. Oh yeah, don't forget to get an allignment.

timecop369

Try these Brabus on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2424897764

I got them on my ride and it's great!

timecop369

C230Kompressed

he wants info on the c class, not on other cars that will lower and not lower.......tell us about your drop doug...whats your setup and what do u think of it.......

barto32

Thanks, I read that the Bilstein shocks are pretty stiff, can the Koni's be adjusted not to be (so stiff)?

2~s0L~t

i believe the konis are stiffer... so i hear at least. however, yes they can be adjusted from racing stiff to a little less i do believe... ask soldsep or TP or scorchie on this one. PM one of them.

i hear better stuff about the bilstein sports than the koni's barto...

DougandhisC280

I meant other C Classes, not just other Mercedes. Yes the Bilstein sports are stiff. They are not uncomfortable. Brabus springs are also good. You can even go with Vogtland. I did a ton of research before lowering my car and here is what I came up with. H&R, Eibach, Brabus, Carlsson, and Vogtland will all lower your car about the same 1.5 inches. Intrax will lower it a little more and be a little stiffer. Eibach makes Carlsson springs and I'm pretty sure they make Brabus springs too. From what the companies told me Eibach is slightly stiffer than H&R and Vogtland but not as stiff as Intrax. As far as the shocks go, I have never had the Koni's so I don't know how they are. I have the Bilsteins and I think they are great. I have 18 inch wheels on my car along with the other stuff and my car still rides very smooth. The bumps are a little more pronounced but not intrusive. You must replace your shocks if you lower your car. I learned the hard way and blew mine within 10 hours of lowering my car. Talking about uncomfortable, try stiff springs with no shocks.

barto32

Thank for the help Doug, 2 SoL t, timecop, and kompressed.

narci

I have a Bilstein sport and eibach combo. In my case, the car sits too low for me.(#2 up front #3 back no finger gap at all between the tires and fender). The ride is almost identical to the stock C36 setup.

HYPERI0N24

Yes, pads are really important...just remember to get the right ones! I think Tp, Soldsep, and Scorchie remember about my situation during installation a while ways back. Thanks again Scorchie for the back-up pads! By the way, Bilstein + H&R = Dope A** Combo.

Lata,
D

ryhi

i have h&r's on my 99 c230k. im running #1 pads up front...and no pads in the rear, although my rear springs were covered with this really strong rubber tubing with metal lining on the inside on about 1.5 coil on each end of the spring...here is a pic of how my drop looks...im on stock shocks, and i have to say the ride is still pretty good, but obviously not as good as stock. after i installed the springs i noticed a major change in handling. sprinting through corners and turns is a lot better, and you wont feel like your car is going to tip over

ryhi

in fact...i think my car handles a lot better than that se-r spec v you see in the backround

barto32

hey ryhi,

Thanks for the pic. Are those the stock 15s on your car? What is your tire size? About how much gap would you say is between the front tire and wheel well? The rear? (I can't quite make it out on the pic.) Thanks,

ryhi

theres 1 finger in the front..and like BARELY 1 in the back....i forgot what tire size i had since i now have 17s...but i remember someone told me that they are thinner than how they came from the factory....60? instead of 65? iduno....