W203/CL203 Suspension (Shocks/Springs/Sway Bars) Discussion/Upgrade Thread
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Royal Oak, Michigan
Moped
nope.. rims rub on coilovers... 
boohoo... what do you think? anyone with the same coilovers with the same problems??? do we really need 5mm spacers???
boohoo... what do you think? anyone with the same coilovers with the same problems??? do we really need 5mm spacers???
Last edited by skittles; Aug 6, 2009 at 02:19 AM.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
which coilover did you get again? and the rim you got from kira was et35 on 8.5 right? depends on how bad the rubbing is. you may only need a 3mm generic spacer, but you risk having vibration since those are never hub centric. H&R does make a 5mm those are hub centric to the hub, but not the wheel. those should be vibration free. If you really want vibration free you could run a 10mm which is definitely vibration free and hub centric to both hub and wheel. 10mm only if your wheel is ET35 right now, but with the 10mm you'll have ET25 for offset and will have more chance with rubbing on the fender if you go too low.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,458
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From: Royal Oak, Michigan
Moped
hey frank thanks fo the reply. i got the H&R coilovers.. i have 5mm H&R spacers and 10mm H&r spacers from my old wheels.. 10mm is too thick, i had them on even with just h&r springs and they would rub already.. 5mm is just right but theres a vibration. i dunno if its caused by the spacers or the coilovers or alignment or balancing??
if i dont figure this out, ill take it to a professional suspension shop.. or just HMS.. but i really wanna save the moola first..
if i dont figure this out, ill take it to a professional suspension shop.. or just HMS.. but i really wanna save the moola first..
Last edited by skittles; Aug 6, 2009 at 11:09 AM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: South Coast Metro/Cerritos/Yorba Linda California
'05 C230K '10 GLK350 '13 SMART
the wheel is probably not sitting on the OEM hub anymore w/ the 5mm spacers which is causing the vibration. I run 3mm and have no issuse since the wheel has alittle bit left to sit on
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 290
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w203 M111 E20 ML EVO
I just switched to eibach pro kit and noticed that my rear sits a little lower than front, so...
1. Normally, is it lower in rear or front ?
2. What's better, Positive Rake ( lower in front ) or Negative Rake ( lower in rear ) ?
1. Normally, is it lower in rear or front ?
2. What's better, Positive Rake ( lower in front ) or Negative Rake ( lower in rear ) ?
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Nutley, NJ
2013 C300 4Matic Sport
I have the Pro System Plus (shocks, springs, sways) and I noticed the same thing. The rear tires tuck below the fenders, but that's just due to the design of the body...the rear isn't lower (the kit lowers it 1.2" all around) it just looks that way because there's no fender gap.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Look at FrankW's Obsidian obsession thread. Link below his signature. Page back & you will see some side on pics. His set up is perfect. So is splinter's. Half the cars on this forum have the tail over dumped for good handling.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 7
From: Va Beach, VA
05 C230K SS (sold), 06 C55 (sold), 08 Yamaha R1 (sold), 16 X5M
so im confused...why does H&R sell both 12mm and 10mm end lines for like a $40 difference if its "adjustable"...and whyd o they sell both for all c230,c32, and c55 models? which one is supposed to work? this guy last page is complaining about his being too small and one guy says amg has 12mm endlinks...well wtf is H&R selling 10mm end links for the amg versions and 12mm for the c230 versions if they only take a specific size!?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,537
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2006 C350 Sport 6MT
Sway Bar info as requested
The main purpose of the sway bar is to reduce vehicle's lean during cornering.
A stiffer sway bar increases the roll resistance on which ever end you put it on. Increasing the roll resistance on either or both ends will reduce roll. Because increasing the roll resistance on one end will reduce the traction at that end and increase the traction (generally) at the other end, changing the roll resistance on one end selectively allows fine tuning of the suspension oversteer/understeer balance. Its actually a bit more complicated than that, but that's a general description.
People get a larger aftermarket sway bar to reduce body roll, and if they pay attention, to also fine tune the balance of the suspension roll bias. Some sway bars are adjustable which is a plus. You could also reduce the size of a sway bay for the opposite effect if needed.
The main purpose of the sway bar is to reduce vehicle's lean during cornering.
A stiffer sway bar increases the roll resistance on which ever end you put it on. Increasing the roll resistance on either or both ends will reduce roll. Because increasing the roll resistance on one end will reduce the traction at that end and increase the traction (generally) at the other end, changing the roll resistance on one end selectively allows fine tuning of the suspension oversteer/understeer balance. Its actually a bit more complicated than that, but that's a general description.
People get a larger aftermarket sway bar to reduce body roll, and if they pay attention, to also fine tune the balance of the suspension roll bias. Some sway bars are adjustable which is a plus. You could also reduce the size of a sway bay for the opposite effect if needed.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,537
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2006 C350 Sport 6MT
From H&R Site
About Sway Bars
Suspension tuning doesn't stop with the springs and shocks. To really get your car dialed in, you'll want to look at a wide range of other components in your arsenal, including swaybars. Most modern performance-oriented vehicles now come stock with sway bars. The main purpose of a sway bar is to make the outside springs seem stiffer in a corner which is ideally what you'd want for the best performance.
Swaybars are used to counterpart the lean and roll you experience from your springs. If you are seeking flatter cornering with less wallowing in the turns then you should definitely be considering sway bars as a crucial upgrade to your car's suspension components. Sway bars are also often available with adjustment holes in the end link mounting tabs, which prove to be a useful tool for dialing in the handling attitude of the car, from understeer to oversteer.
The beauty of upgrading to stiffer sway bars is that they not only have a minimal impact on ride quality, but also they allow the use of softer springs so that a car can be set up for a cushier around-town ride and a flatter cornering attitude. Stiff springs and a very stiff sway bar can reduce body roll so much that the car's breakaway is hard to predict. Roll gives you some warning before you run out of grip. Most sway bars can be installed with basic hand tools.
About Sway Bars
Suspension tuning doesn't stop with the springs and shocks. To really get your car dialed in, you'll want to look at a wide range of other components in your arsenal, including swaybars. Most modern performance-oriented vehicles now come stock with sway bars. The main purpose of a sway bar is to make the outside springs seem stiffer in a corner which is ideally what you'd want for the best performance.
Swaybars are used to counterpart the lean and roll you experience from your springs. If you are seeking flatter cornering with less wallowing in the turns then you should definitely be considering sway bars as a crucial upgrade to your car's suspension components. Sway bars are also often available with adjustment holes in the end link mounting tabs, which prove to be a useful tool for dialing in the handling attitude of the car, from understeer to oversteer.
The beauty of upgrading to stiffer sway bars is that they not only have a minimal impact on ride quality, but also they allow the use of softer springs so that a car can be set up for a cushier around-town ride and a flatter cornering attitude. Stiff springs and a very stiff sway bar can reduce body roll so much that the car's breakaway is hard to predict. Roll gives you some warning before you run out of grip. Most sway bars can be installed with basic hand tools.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 7
From: Va Beach, VA
05 C230K SS (sold), 06 C55 (sold), 08 Yamaha R1 (sold), 16 X5M
right so which one will fit on an '05 c230k? the 10mm or 12mm? there was a guy that posted a few back that said his size didn't fit...so if it didn't fit how does "preference to aggressiveness" came into play at all in that situation!?
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 627
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From: Los Angeles
2011 C63 AMG
Please help if possible
there is a set of H&R CO's from an slk for sale in the classifieds that I am interested in, how can i figure out if these will work on my 02' coupe.
Also there is a set of SLk H&R Cup Kit for sale, how can I tell if these will fit either.
I am really looking for a way to modify my coupe's suspension without having to buy a brand new kit. I only have 33,000 plus miles on it and am debating of just getting some Eibach or H&R springs and eventually replace the shocks once they are blown or when I can afford to really do so. Also is it recommended to do the sway bars if I am changing the suspension?
Thanks for any help
here is a link to both classifies posts
https://mbworld.org/forums/parting-o...-coilover.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/suspensio...p-kit-h-r.html
there is a set of H&R CO's from an slk for sale in the classifieds that I am interested in, how can i figure out if these will work on my 02' coupe.
Also there is a set of SLk H&R Cup Kit for sale, how can I tell if these will fit either.
I am really looking for a way to modify my coupe's suspension without having to buy a brand new kit. I only have 33,000 plus miles on it and am debating of just getting some Eibach or H&R springs and eventually replace the shocks once they are blown or when I can afford to really do so. Also is it recommended to do the sway bars if I am changing the suspension?
Thanks for any help
here is a link to both classifies posts
https://mbworld.org/forums/parting-o...-coilover.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/suspensio...p-kit-h-r.html
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 18
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
in the US although I have not confirm it. all W203 other than C32/55 should have only the 10mm end link sway bars.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,055
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From: SoCal. Desert
'16 E350, gone: '03 c230k
H&R sport springs
model: '03 c230k sports sedan
miles: ~65K
springs: H&R sport springs, #4 pads in rear
shocks: Bilstein Sport f&r
wheels: stock 17" w/Michelin pilot sport 225/45's
comments: Just wanted to add to the 'database' - know there's lots that has been said on this combo all ready. Unfortunately, I forgot to measure before I installed the springs... But, at the points w/yellow x's in the pic (where the seams meet), the measurements are front: 10.5", rear: 12.0". To me, the rake looks perfect and the drop is perfect. Mind you, I didn't want the car 'slammed' - I'm a mid 40's guy who hauls around his 3 kids every morning on small town roads which could easily compete for worst in America. I haul kid's friends, regularly put heavy stuff in the trunk, and every now and again have to go on dirt roads. Too stiff and/or too low would be a bad thing, but the stock '03 suspension left me wanting ...
The ride is much, much improved. What is lost in suppleness is made up many times in response & precision. The turn in is much more quick now and the steering more direct. The ride is really very nice all around. From what I can tell, it's a tad lower and stiffer than the '04.5+ sport suspension. Not too stiff at all for cruising IMHO - I struggled deciding whether to go with the HD or sport shocks/struts. Glad I went with the sports - I don't think wifey will complain a bit. The cornering flattened out noticeably with the spring/shock combo. The stock sway bars are on until I can get new bushings for the H&R bars (anyone know of an aftermarket source they'd care to share???), but I'm sure they will only add to the goodness.
Bottom line is I'm a happy camper and I'd do it again in a heartbeat! Cheers!
miles: ~65K
springs: H&R sport springs, #4 pads in rear
shocks: Bilstein Sport f&r
wheels: stock 17" w/Michelin pilot sport 225/45's
comments: Just wanted to add to the 'database' - know there's lots that has been said on this combo all ready. Unfortunately, I forgot to measure before I installed the springs... But, at the points w/yellow x's in the pic (where the seams meet), the measurements are front: 10.5", rear: 12.0". To me, the rake looks perfect and the drop is perfect. Mind you, I didn't want the car 'slammed' - I'm a mid 40's guy who hauls around his 3 kids every morning on small town roads which could easily compete for worst in America. I haul kid's friends, regularly put heavy stuff in the trunk, and every now and again have to go on dirt roads. Too stiff and/or too low would be a bad thing, but the stock '03 suspension left me wanting ...
The ride is much, much improved. What is lost in suppleness is made up many times in response & precision. The turn in is much more quick now and the steering more direct. The ride is really very nice all around. From what I can tell, it's a tad lower and stiffer than the '04.5+ sport suspension. Not too stiff at all for cruising IMHO - I struggled deciding whether to go with the HD or sport shocks/struts. Glad I went with the sports - I don't think wifey will complain a bit. The cornering flattened out noticeably with the spring/shock combo. The stock sway bars are on until I can get new bushings for the H&R bars (anyone know of an aftermarket source they'd care to share???), but I'm sure they will only add to the goodness.
Bottom line is I'm a happy camper and I'd do it again in a heartbeat! Cheers!
Last edited by mtnman82; Sep 8, 2009 at 10:41 PM.
