C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

W203/CL203 Suspension (Shocks/Springs/Sway Bars) Discussion/Upgrade Thread

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Old 01-05-2006, 01:26 PM
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'09 A4 S Line
I highly recommend the TEIN coilovers. I'm running a set of Basics on my C230 sedan. Like Drex said, your best bet for a nice drop from stock 2004.5+ C230 ride height is a set of coilovers.
Old 01-05-2006, 01:45 PM
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Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Originally Posted by kingkong
ok the pics

i think the drop is alright, but the camber look bad ***

others with cupkit, whats your camber at ???
Looks like you are running on thicker spring pads in the rear. Try changing them to #1 or #2 spring pad and see if that makes a difference for the ride height you're looking for. Just for frame of reference, all the sport models come stock with #2 spring pads.

Also, keep in mind, spring pads are ONLY for the rear. No spring pads in the front.
Old 01-05-2006, 02:36 PM
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'07 SLK55, '04 C32, '04 Escalade
question about springs, are the H&R springs reliable? will they screw up my cambers? is it gonna look bad?
Old 01-05-2006, 02:55 PM
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bone stock E55 AMG
if u STFF, u'll know...
Old 01-05-2006, 02:56 PM
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Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Originally Posted by MercedeSC32
question about springs, are the H&R springs reliable? will they screw up my cambers? is it gonna look bad?
H&R is a reliable company, but why would you change from AMG springs to H&R. The drop isn't that significant (especially in the front).

Anytime you change the ride height of a vehicle, it will have an effect on the camber. The camber won't be bad, since the ride height will not change drastically from the AMG springs you currently have on your car.

Besides, camber is not about how it looks, but is more about how it will affect performance and tire wear.
Old 01-05-2006, 04:25 PM
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'07 SLK55, '04 C32, '04 Escalade
how much of a drop is there for h&r?
Old 01-05-2006, 06:00 PM
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Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Originally Posted by MercedeSC32
how much of a drop is there for h&r?
From the AMG springs, I'd say you'd get around the same amount of drop as other 230 sport sedan owners that went with H&R springs. Consensus average has been around 1/4 - 1/2 inch drop at most.

I'm pretty sure the C32 comes with a #2 pad in the rear as well, so the rear will be more noticeable.

Either way, I think it would be a waste of money.
Old 01-05-2006, 11:22 PM
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06 Granite Grey c230
this might be a dumb question but whats the basic difference between a cupkit and coilovers?
Old 01-06-2006, 01:30 AM
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C200K (w204)
Cup kit consist of a matching spring and a set of damper, it similar to our stock suspension but provide lowering and stiffer ride. Coil over on the other hand can be height adjusted.
Old 01-06-2006, 10:45 AM
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Pardon my ignorance but are the Cupkit springs for the C-class the same springs (in terms of length and tension) to the one's H&R sells as just springs? Thanks in advance.
Old 01-07-2006, 11:41 AM
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anyone??? I'm about to buy springs and would like to get this information before committing to buying a set. Thanks.
Old 01-07-2006, 01:00 PM
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Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
You should've done some research first before jumping the gun and just going to buy springs. Just buying springs will not be much of an upgrade from the stock springs you have on your '06 sport sedan.
Old 01-07-2006, 01:00 PM
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Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Originally Posted by Johnjohn13
anyone??? I'm about to buy springs and would like to get this information before committing to buying a set. Thanks.
Save your money and get coilovers later on.
Old 01-07-2006, 01:04 PM
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Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Originally Posted by Sanny
this might be a dumb question but whats the basic difference between a cupkit and coilovers?
Cup kit is a matching spring/damper combo similar to the sport sedan setup (i.e. aggressive springs/shock combo - non adjustable). It's only offered by H&R and is more worth it for luxury 240/320 owners rather than sport 230/320 owners or even 230/280/350 owners for '06.

Coilovers are springs/shock combos that are adjustable. Depending on what company you go to and what setup you choose, that will depend on what portion of the coilover is adjustable. Search for the suspension threads and read the two suspension threads that are stickyed at the top.
Old 01-07-2006, 06:49 PM
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06 Granite Grey c230
Originally Posted by Johnjohn13
anyone??? I'm about to buy springs and would like to get this information before committing to buying a set. Thanks.
i have a very new pair of eibach pro kit id love to get rid of. i can get u a pretty good deal with install if u are in the so california area.

i ithnk i will take that money and get coilovers.
Old 01-07-2006, 08:11 PM
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Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Originally Posted by Sanny
i have a very new pair of eibach pro kit id love to get rid of. i can get u a pretty good deal with install if u are in the so california area.

i ithnk i will take that money and get coilovers.
Sanny, that's a very smart play IMO! Lemme know when you're ready to do it. I have a place in So-Cal I can recommend you to that will do install also.
Old 01-07-2006, 10:06 PM
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06 Granite Grey c230
thanks drexappeal! keep ur ears open for me? probably no one wants to do that particular upgrade anwyays.

my installer recommended r and w coil overs? but im not trusting him too much anymore, he installed the eibachs.

have you heard of those? he said i could still get h and r if i really wanted to.

when you adjust your coil overs can you like do it on the fly? or do you have to jack up one wheel to take pressure off?

but, he said hed take out the springs of the eibach and put them in a new car and do the install of the coilovers at the same time (when/if i find a buyer).
Old 01-08-2006, 02:21 AM
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Get the TEIN coilovers Sanny!
Old 01-08-2006, 03:33 PM
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06 Granite Grey c230
Originally Posted by Blake P
Get the TEIN coilovers Sanny!
how much do u tihnk i can get them on my car for with the install?

thanks blake p
Old 01-08-2006, 04:29 PM
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Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Originally Posted by Sanny
how much do u tihnk i can get them on my car for with the install?

thanks blake p
Sanny, Blake lives in Fresno.

If you want to get TEIN Basic's just figure anywhere in between $800-900 for the coilovers. Depending on where you go, install can be anywhere from $50-200.

Since you're in L.A., if you're really interested, hit me up a PM.
Old 01-08-2006, 05:27 PM
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Yea, I'd say you can get them installed for anywhere between $1,000 (what I paid) and $1,200.
Old 01-08-2006, 06:58 PM
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06 Granite Grey c230
sweet thats ALOT lower than what i was anticipating acutally. I am sending u a PM now.
Old 02-07-2006, 11:10 PM
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06 C350, 90 535im
Only a couple of the links worked for me whats up!
Originally Posted by drexappeal
PLEASE NOTE: I've been compiling this information over the past year and never got the time to filter it down, correct it etc., but I figured it would be helpful.

Also, this is mainly for “newbies” that want to know what suspension options they have for this car (so that there's no excuse for starting a "new" thread on this topic), as well as a "refresher" for "oldies" that still haven't changed their OEM set up. Just another one of “drexappeal’s helpful hints”.


W203 (C CLASS) SUSPENSION OPTIONS

Springs:
AMG - http://www3.mercedes-benz.com/omb/am...c/fahrwerk.htm
Brabus - http://www.apsportsline.com/echocart...products_id=73
Carlsson - http://www.carlsson.de/en/tuning/c-k...hrwerk/01.html
Lorinser – Check Evosport (MBWorld sponsor) or Lorinser website
Eibach -
H&R - http://www.hrsprings.com/site/frames/frameproducts.html
Renntech - http://www.renntechmercedes.com/spla...lass_w203.html
Vogtland


Shocks:

Brabus – same URL as above or check Brabus for more info.
H&R – same URL as above
Koni – Check Puremotorsports (MBWorld sponsor)
Bilstein - http://www.bilstein.com/html/applications/index.htm

Integrated Spring/Shock combo:
H&R Cupkit – same URL as above
Carlsson Sport suspension – same URL as above

Coilovers:
Bilstein PSS-9 Coilovers (Fully adjustable damper and ride height) - http://www.bilstein.com/html/applications/index.htm
Carlsson RS Sport Suspension (Fully adjustable damper and ride height) – same URL as above
KW Coilovers (Fully adjustable damper and ride height) - http://www.kw-gmbh.de/e_version/gewi...erke/index.php
H&R (Ride height adjustable only) – same URL as above
TEIN Super Sprint (Fully adjustable damper and ride height) – IN DEVELOPMENT

Sway Bars:
AMG
H&R

Check out Evosport’s website for some of the suspension set ups:
http://www.evosport.com/product/default.aspx

Check out Pure Motorsports website for some suspension set ups:
http://www.pure-motorsport.com/produ....php/CA=7/PA=7


Good luck, Everybody.

PS…If anybody can add to or correct any of the information on this thread, please feel free to PM me and I’ll edit what I’ve already indicated or you can just reply on this thread.

Moderators, if you want to sticky this, please feel free to do so. It might even be good for the AMG w203 thread, but figured I'd post here first and let you guys decide.
Old 02-08-2006, 01:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Ted K
Only a couple of the links worked for me whats up!
The links have probably changed in the (nearly) year that has passed since he made the thread.
Old 02-08-2006, 01:34 AM
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W203 slightly modified
Originally Posted by Blake P
The links have probably changed in the (nearly) year that has passed since he made the thread.
Eibach is used in the AMG cars anyway. They have a pro spring which is progressive and more advanced than the stock springs most people make.

Bilstein have a shock asbsorber (sport) which has a shorter body to give more travel.


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