TheBossman

Hey man..pass this to the TEIN rep- if they want my money and want to make a profit, then get the 230k-ss coils out already...I'll donate my car for them to get this thing rolling for 'us'. Hell im local- pshh if that means anything?! thanks
-Geoff

nukblazi

Many of us have used H&R sedan coilovers on our coupes, the fit wasn't perfect (back spacing from the hub was a little off) but there's no reason the coupe coilovers wouldn't work on the sedan. You'd gain wheel/tire clearance.

Tom

ChristianJan

i second that. i wouldnt mind getting some TEINs. price is reasonable. my friend just got his for his IS300. i like it a lot

TheBossman

Why would I want to gain clearance for any other reason other than to prevent rubbing issues? So I guess the TEINs coupe coils would work then from what you're telling me

drexappeal

Carlos, thanks man. I realized that after I started the thread. I'm thinking that the fitment for the 320 coupes would be the same as the sedan, unless someone else would no better.

drexappeal

Geoff, I intially gave them my car for R&D on coilovers because I was interested in getting SS-P (Super Street coilovers w/ pillowball mounts), but what I was told by the rep is that there was a car that came in before me to do R&D for the coilovers.

I know that a 240 went in to do R&D for the coilovers, but I don't know if there was a 230 K SS (mbworld member) that went in before me. What I suspect is that the fitment for the coilovers that are available now would be the same for the 230 K SS, since the coilovers are ride height adjustable.

I understand them doing R&D for the S.Tech springs for the 230k SS because the weight distribution from the v6 engines (240/320) is different than the i4 M271/M111 (230 K). Only reason I know that for sure is that they put the S.Tech prototype springs on my car and I was driving on those for 1 month and a half. While I had those on, the rear was lower by 1/2 inch - 1 inch and the front was raised by 1 inch.

They sent my stock springs to Japan and when they returned, we kept the prototype TEIN springs on in the back and put the stock sport springs on the front. I'm gonna find out more ASAP and keep everybody informed on the status.

As of right now, for those that have a C230 (sedan or coupe), I wouldn't purchase the coilover setup (basic or SS) until we have confirmation that the fitment is the same (which, I'm assuming it would be).

Just for everybody to know, as soon as the S. Tech prototypes are in, I will most likely be selling the stock 230 K SS springs (depending on how it looks). Eventually, I will be getting the TEIN coilover setup, but I will let you all know when the time comes. I'm assuming, it'll be another month until the prototypes are in and I go back for development.

drexappeal

Tommy, don't think I forgot about your request for EDFC compatibility (yes/no?)

Once I find out if the current coilovers that are available for sale are able to fit the 230's, my next question is immediately going to be if the EDFC is available already!

For those of you who have coilovers already, my question is: In order to change the rear shock setting, do you have to remove the rear seat or can you do it through the trunk? Reason I ask is that on a lot of sedans, you have to remove the rear seat to adjust the rear settings and this is where I would REALLY want the EDFC, so I would NEVER have to do this.

tommy

No, I didn't think you forgot - you're as nutty about getting EDFC as I am. :p

lewisliaw

Since theres not much we can play with in the engine/horsepower department I would like to have adjustable suspension, I am also lazy and drive under different kinda to place everyday as a traveling salesman so would definitely appreciate adjusting damping level while sitting in the car.

nukblazi

Hmmm... I guess so...

drexappeal

Nuk, just wanted to let you know I have an email in to the rep to see if he can answer these for you. I did find out, however, that all their parts springs and shocks are made in house. No outsourcing.

drexappeal

What's up everybody.

I got a call last Friday from the Engineer working at TEIN, USA. He told me that the S-Tech prototype springs for the 230 SS are in.

I have an appointment for the 25th and 26th to bring my car in to complete the R&D. After that is complete, I might even automatically upgrade to the Super Street or Super Street w/ pillowball mounts (assuming it's a direct fit).

I'll keep you all up to date on the progress and I'll borrow my cousin's camera to take pics once they are installed.

Blake P

Thanks for the update. What is "S-Tech"?

tommy

It's a name for their spring-only package. Tein.com has listing of their products. Blake, you've been here long enough to know better!

Drex - that's good news. Badger them about the EDFC!

drexappeal

S-Tech is their "sport spring" line. It'll probably drop the car a little lower than the stock "sport springs" on the 230's. Not sure yet though.

drexappeal

tommy, of course. Always have you in mind, when I ask the question...lol.

You know that's my #1 lazy mod that I intend on having for this car at some point

I already had 3 emails into my rep about that, but he still hasn't responded. Since I have to call him to confirm later the final R&D dates, I'm figuring I'll ask him at that time.

Blake P

:p I have made it a rule only to research things I'm interested in, and sport springs are definitely not one of those things. Coilovers are a different story.

drexappeal

What's goin' on folks!

Well, here's the deal with TEIN and the coilovers. The reason I wasn't able to get any answers from the rep I was dealing with was because he left the company (and obviously, I wasn't aware of that).

Regardless, I called today to confirm my appointments for Thursday and Friday next week (25 and 26). My new rep, Sergio, took over the account for R&D on the C230K SS.

So far, he was able to give me GREAT news. R&D will be done for the S-TECH springs (Thurs.) and the SUPER STREET coilovers (Fri.). That being said, I guess we can assume that the set ups for the 240/320 are not compatible with the 230K SS until they have completed the R&D (using my car). Don't worry coupe owners, I already have it written down to ask about compatibility between the sedans vs. the coupes. I have a feeling it should be the same due to all the swapable aftermarket suspensions available right now, but just to be sure, I'm definitely going to ask.

Regardless, this new rep seems cool. Hopefully, he can shed some light on all the questions everybody has had for the past few months. I've already compiled a list of questions posed on this thread. If anybody has any additional questions that haven't been asked on this thread, please reply on this thread. I will add the questions to the list and give them to Sergio when I get to TEIN next week.

Aight, take care everybody. I've gotta get back to work.

drex

Blake P

Thanks for the update Drex. Make sure you ask your rep what the actual difference will be on the 230 c/o's versus the 240/320 c/o's. Fitment should be identical, so it must be more geared toward the performance aspect as it relates to the lighter engine. I know H&R and the other companies never bothered to make unique setups for the 230, so I wonder if it will make much of a difference anyway. I'm about ready to purchase the basic c/o's for my 230, so any info you can provide would be great. Thanks!

drexappeal

No prob., Blake. That's one of the #1 questions I've got down.

SCFALIA

Drex, you're the man. Holla back when it's all said and done. it's pretty awesome that you are doing this r&d work man

drexappeal

I definitely have to say, even though I have very little time to do all this, I'm really soaking it all in and enjoying it and thanks to my Boss (Best boss ever), she doesn't mind and thinks it's really great that a company is using my car for R&D (even if that means me coming in late or leaving early to drop off my car).

When I had my Mazda MX-6, it was such a difficult thing to find the right mods for that car and absolutely nobody interested in developing new parts for it (although there are a lot more now). Having my car now is actually a breath of fresh air compared to trying to find tuners for my old car. I guess the "Benz" factor is always good, and I think especially with the w203. It's just a really nice looking car. It may not be the perfect "tuner" car, but it's got enough of a market (especially with the lease deals going on right now) that I think more and more tuners will potentially start developing aftermarket parts for it.

drexappeal

Just wanted you all to know that my car will be going in tomorrow morning (8/24) instead of thursday (8/25).

I guess they needed one extra day since they are doing R&D for both the S-tech and Super Streets.

Regardless, I should have updates by this weekend for everybody. I've already let the rep know about all the questions you guys have had. if you think of anymore, just let me know and I'll pass the info on.

drex

drexappeal

I found information on how they make their shocks on the Japan website for TEIN, under the Company Profile:

LINK: TEIN Company profile

drexappeal

Okay, so I ended up getting my car back yesterday afternoon and I have some info to share (both good and bad).

What are the spring rates?
Front - 336 lbs/inch, Rear - 448 lbs/inch

What are the compression rates?
TBD

What are the rebound rates?
I have a pdf file that shows these rates, but I don't know how to upload this or host it as an "image". If somebody does know how, email me and I will reply with the pdf file.

What model C Classes (w203) can purchase/install the TEIN coilovers?
At this point, only the 230 K SS, 240, 320, 320 SS are good to go as far as getting these setups for both the BASIC and SUPER STREET coilovers
As for the C32's, I wouldn't be surprised if these would work for you as well since the weight shouldn't be that far off from the 320, but I would call TEIN, USA to inquire. They didn't mention whether it would be good to go. Unfortunately, this is bad news for coupe owners because the coupes have not been confirmed for either the 230 or the 320 in terms of fitment/compatibility. For those coupe owners that are interested in more information or updates on the progress with these, you can contact the rep I was dealing with, Sergio Campos at TEIN, USA.

What spring only options will be available?
S-Tech springs R&D is done for the 230 K SS. I don't know when they will have pricing available, but I've completed my part of the R&D. Now it's only a matter of time until they post them available. As far as I know, there were no snags with those (since I'm currently running on the Super Street coilovers).

Will the SS-P (SUPER STREET W/ PILLOWBALL MOUNTS) be available?
Contrary to what was indicated in their catalog, this might not be possible at this point. There's an issue with the top mount design on the C Class. I will be keeping in contact with them to see if they need my car again for more testing. This one will have to be a "wait and see" thing. Tommy, this is important for us because if the SS-P isn't going to be available/compatible, then that also means NO EDFC

Will there be any setups for the C55 (V8 engine w/ w203 chassis) AMG?
They may need a car for R&D around September. For those that are interested, please give Sergio a call and tell him that Aldrex recommended you. The current setups are not compatible with the C55.