ck1220k

Since 05 sport sedans are already lowered, I’m debating whether or not to lower my car. I want my baby to look pretty and to handle a little better. I’m thinking of using H&R springs because a friend of mine has them on his C-coupe and it performs pretty good. Would lowering a 1.5 inch F/R make me difficult going against steep roads scratching the bumper? Since I’m a newb please give me some suggestions on whether or not to lower my car. Thanks for the help PPLS…..

FrankW

are those 19s? get some RENNtech springs it'll lower it just enough. H&R will lower it more, but you'll be more likely to scratch the bumper.

ck1220k

1 piece mono6 only comes with 18's .....I wanted 19's but its double the price :p

ctC230K

those wheels look great. i was going to say the stock suspension is already perfect for me but if i were to track it i would definatly want something stiffer. but after seeing that pic i think you should lower it a bit, that's a big gap.

DACHIGGA

Lower it, definitely lower it.

SCFALIA

I have an 05' as well but that gap that you have seems really huge for some reason, maybe it's the angle from the camera. I'm thinking of getting 18's myself but if it is going to look like that, then I definitely have to consider lowering the suspension a bit (which I'll probably do first). Maybe I'm a newb when it comes to this but I have 2 finger space gaps (front+rear) with my stock suspension, so if you kept the diameter tire the same, then the gap should stay the same and tires become more lower profile am I correct? I'm thinking of getting 18x8.5 (front) and 18x9.5 (rear), what are your wheel specs...maybe you can help me out as well, sorry, don't mean to steal your thread....I also heard the rentech springs should give you a nice drop.

drexappeal

If you spent money on the Brabus rims, then you should spend money to lower it! If you want to keep the stock feel, just go with springs and also consider getting an upgraded anti sway-bar setup. Since you're considering H&R springs, you should take a look at the H&R Anti-sways also.

ctC230K

if i am correct, when you go from 17" wheels that look good to 18" or 19" the gap gets Bigger each time, right guys?

what about stock AMG springs from a C32? would those be compatible?

SCFALIA

I second Drex's opinion, he seems to know a lot about suspension, just do some searches and you'll know.

tommy

That's funny - the more searches I do, the less I think he knows.

ct - put down the pipe! When you plus size, the total diameter of the tire/rim combo will stay the same, or at least it should if done correctly. You're correct about the AMG springs, though, but I really think that there are aftermarket companies that do a better job with the parts.

drex has the best option imho. Though, if you really want to get your drop exactly to your liking, I'd suggest looking into coilovers. But definitely look into some new sways.

I'd also suggest some spacers for the rears, to get them to be more flush with the bodywork. Looks good so far!

drexappeal

tommy, shows that you really do pay attention!...LOL.

Seriously, to everybody, I know "about" suspension and available parts and the "basics" of suspension...what certain parts do, what others do...In essence, when it comes to auto "tuning", I like doing research on what products are available and "learning" as much as I can.

Recommendations/opinions I make are purely based on past experience with other cars and what I've learned about our cars over the past year.

I am not an expert. I'm knowledgable to a certain degree, but I repeat, I am not an expert.

Please don't give me that title...hahaha... I'm being totally serious though. I've seen and experienced "auto tuning" for the past 11.5 years (since I was 16). And I've become a fanatic when it comes to comparing different setups (especially with regard to suspension).

There are A LOT of other people on this board who are MUCH MORE knowledgable than me. That being said, I do know enough to evaluate that based on what ck1220k is looking for, he is not necessarily looking to have his car "showing" in auto shows or going to the track to race the car. The more I learn about the suspension, the more my opinion will gain in value, but, once again...to everybody...please don't consider me an expert. Knowledgable, YES. "Most knowledgable" or expert - NO!

lol...that being said, I reiterate the fact that you should lower the car, however, another thing to consider is what MY (model year) is your friend's C-Coupe? Also, what engine? Weight distribution is VERY important when selecting what suspension to go with.

ck1220k

SCFALIA:
mines are 18x8.5 (front) and 18x9.5 (rear) > too

drexappeal: Thanks for the comment, my frds coupe is 02.

Thanks people, I will def lower my car and show u guys how it will look....

drexappeal

Okay, now, it's important that you mentioned your friend's coupe being an '02. That's a different engine from the one you have. The engine your friend has is a M111 (2.3 liter). Your engine is a M271 (1.8 liter). I don't know what the difference in weight is between the two engines, however, if the weight difference is significant enough, you could be looking at more or less of a drop in the front, than your friends. It won't be that considerable a difference (considering that both engines are I4's), but just make sure you do some research on it before just buying the H&R springs. Also, consider the fact that (as far as I understand it), the pre-'04.5 models had higher sport springs than the MY04.5 to present, so in essence, the decrease in wheel gap that you saw in your friend's car may not be as significant if you get the springs in your car.

Those are just some points to consider, but I'm sure you would be able to find out some information from H&R. In fact, when I first bought my car and found this forum, I called H&R directly and talked to one of their techs over there and they told me that there shouldn't be a problem with the cup kit, even though it was not indicated as being compatible for the C230 K Sport Sedan.

drexappeal

Thanks for the vote of confidence! I appreciate it, even if I don't necessarily consider myself "that" knowledgable...lol.

When are you planning on doin' yours? I know we chatted 'bout it, just bustin' ya chops...Drop your car!...LOL...Then again, I shouldn't talk because the R&D with TEIN is taking a while, so I probably won't have my car down until the end of the year (which is fine, cuz then I'll just get my rims first)...LOL. On a good note, about TEIN, even though I'm running on the prototype springs they made (obviously for the v6 w203's) and the wheel gap in front is higher than the stock sport springs on our car (MY 04.5 and up), the springs are definitely stiffer. The height of the front springs obviously is not helping, but as soon as they develop the correct settings for the front (based on my stock springs they have right now), I'm sure it'll be better.

SCFALIA

Drex, still saving up man. Paying for my girlfriends schooling put me in the whole not including my regular expenses, so slowly but surely I'm saving. I know you have a plan to get rims and suspension upgrades over the summer so I'll probably try to do the same. That's funny how tein's temporary replacement springs raised only the front of your car, I bet you look cool at work

ck1220k, I do think you need to lower your suspension though, I don't think the gap difference should change unless you get bigger diameter tires. For me, I only have a 2 finger gap space with stock suspension so I shouldn't expect that to change if I get rims. To be honest, I had my car for about 6 months now so I think my suspension might have settled slightly. good luck with your choice of suspension upgrade, there is so many choices out there that it's kind of hard to decide on.

nlpamg

unfortunately the gap looks pretty large...

what's the answer to this? I'd like to get 19's, but if I have to lower my car, then I'd be somewhat hesitant. thanks

drexappeal

Don't worry 'bout the timeline, bro. Do what ya gotta do? Everything oin' alright with ya lady's situation?

The TEIN's are gonna take a little while longer in R&D (research and development), which is fine with me cuz it's more time to plan out a budget for the rims and suspension.

LOL...dude, you don't even know. I mentioned in the TEIN thread that it looks like a freakin' airplane taking off or landing (whichever perspective you wanna take). The front wheel gap is bigger or as big as the stock "non-sport" springs...and to top that off, the rear is lower by 1/2 - 1/4 of an inch. Oh well, whatever will suffice until my stock springs come back from Japan.

tomz_racing

Interested in coilovers ? I am selling mine.
Check out other parts as well :
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=106414

Saprissa

compatible, YES.

desired effect, probably NO.

new 2005 sedans are already on a new sport suspension set-up, most likely similar (if not identical) to the 2002-04 C32 sedan.
Putting on C32 springs anyway, won't lower the car anymore.
And used C32 springs will definitely not do anything for a new 2005 sedan.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

drexappeal

Plus, if you take into consideration that the AMG C32 springs are designed for the v6 engine (heavier), it may be that the gap in the front would end up being bigger than your current stock sport springs.

ctC230K

i guess it's an optical illusion then cause the wheels get bigger yet tires get smaller. would AMG or aftermarket springs be cheaper/more cost effective..?
Edit: just realized there would be no sense in getting AMG springs. u would have to get aftermarket. forget this whole post ahaha.

ctC230K

lol!!! but hey, they WOULD be a few years old and sunken down so it just MIGHT be lower hahha :p

ck1220k

this might be but will a C32 Exhaust fit our 05 C230K? Dont really care about the long term effects because the car is a lease and it will certainly be gone after the lease. I like the look of the AMG exhaust over the eisenmen race exhaust....but also considering of putting a Brabus one.

Saprissa

for the SEDAN only:
The AMG C32 exhaust will fit the sedan lenghtwise, but the diameter is too big for the C230K (M111 or M271), and not recommended.
It will NOT fit the C230K or C320 Coupe (too long & muffler box too big).

You are better off trying this AMG exhaust (SEDAN only):
- B6 603 0819
made for the C180 Kompressor, C200CGI and C200 Kompressor.

For the C240 or C320 SEDAN
- B6 603 0816 will work.

finally for the non-US C200CDI, C220CDI, or C270CDI Sedans,
you can fit: B6 603 0820


for the Sport COUPE:
- for M271 engine only, use the B6 603 0818
designed for the C180, C200K, C230K, and C200CGI

finally for the non-US C200CDI and C220CDI Coupes,
you can fit: B6 603 0817


...now, if only there was an AMG exhaust for the C320 (M112) Sport Coupé ! is there are B 603 0815 or B6 603 0821?
{ Million dollar question ! }

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

ck1220k

Carlos (Saprissa)

So a stock 03 C32 amg exhaust wont fit my 05 230k sport sedan? My frd is offering it to me since he is changing his exhaust soon. As long as it works without any problems I dont really care abt the long term effects since the car is a lease.