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

Question about lowering?

Old Nov 16, 2005 | 07:02 AM
  #1  
ernster's Avatar
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Question about lowering?

Now that I am in the works of getting 19's. What is the whole issue with lowering. Do I have to do it. Can I just put the wheels on and still have it look good? I am getting frank's 19 rep amg black centered rims. What is the concenses. Please have some good answers. I would like not to spend any more money if I don't have too. Please let me know. Thanks

Eric
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 07:42 AM
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Not to flame you but that has been discussed numerous times in threads; some of which even contain pics.
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 08:33 AM
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It'll look like you're going to do some off-roading in your benz if you don't lower it...
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 01:55 PM
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just get some h&r springs for $200
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 02:18 PM
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I had the same questions really...

and I have searched the forum and find answers all over the board.

Some say it is not a problem look wise if you do not lower, while others say it will look like you are going off-roading.

To complicate things for an amateur who does not understand all the things associated with new springs and/or coilovers, some say definitely do the springs because it is cheap and others say when you replace the springs it's VERY DIFFICULT to get the car aligned properly.

Additionally, if you get the 19's, which I am also getting, and then do the springs, you then need to roll the fenders so there is no rub.

I can already tell that these new 19's are either going to make the car look weird if it is not lowered or it will cost a boatload to do all the other things necessary to complete the effect.

May I ask without getting flamed, what it will cost to install the $200 H&R's. How big of a job is this? Will a MB dealer do it? What about the issue of alignment? Any comments appreciated.

Lastly, what is involved in rolling the fenders? and how much will that cost me?

Perhaps a little clarification on all these issues would help out some of us amateurs.
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted by HoustonC230
It'll look like you're going to do some off-roading in your benz if you don't lower it...
Oh yeah.....look at my 4x4.....

I think it looks fine without lowering it. It is all personal opinion. Get the wheels and put them on your car, and see how you like it. Besides who wants to rub on bumps when you have passengers in the car?
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 02:39 PM
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imo i think u should lower it. i have h&r springs on right now and i still don't think my front is low enough.

also, the installation price would depend on where u're located and where u go to get it done... i know for mine it was only 150 and im almost 100% sure that the dealer will not do it. and as far as i know the alignment is not a big issue. at least, it wasn't for my car

it's really not such a big project when u start to do it. u'd be surprised at just how much leway the c-class gives for big wide wheels u'll probably just have to roll the fenders and shave some plastic here and there but it's no biggie.

good luck guys post some pictures!
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 02:40 PM
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It really is up to you when it comes down to it. You can just put on the rims, however you have to consider that there will be around a 3 finger gap between the top of the tire and the bottom of the wheel well. If you don't mind that, then you're fine just putting on the rims.

I personally don't like having rims on my car without a drop to decrease the wheel gap (especially with lower profile tires than stock, which will happen if you go up to 18's or 19's).
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Belle the Benz
Oh yeah.....look at my 4x4.....

I think it looks fine without lowering it. It is all personal opinion. Get the wheels and put them on your car, and see how you like it. Besides who wants to rub on bumps when you have passengers in the car?

I am with him. I think that his car looks fine. I will put them on and see how it looks to me. thanks guys
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 03:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Belle the Benz
Oh yeah.....look at my 4x4.....

I think it looks fine without lowering it. It is all personal opinion. Get the wheels and put them on your car, and see how you like it. Besides who wants to rub on bumps when you have passengers in the car?
What size tires did you use with those wheels? Those are Hot!!!!!!!
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 04:30 PM
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you have an 05, so it's already pretty low compared to the older w203's...

belle and I aren't the only one's with 05's with 19's that aren't lowered, Eric (ericnovember) has 19's too...

and, here are some pics of my 4x4:

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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 05:02 PM
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NLPAMG, what size tires did you use? (NT)

.
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 05:03 PM
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I went with the standard tire sizes: 235/35/19 in the front and 265/30/19 in the rear.
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by hanke
What size tires did you use with those wheels? Those are Hot!!!!!!!
Thanks! They are also the standard 235/35/19 in the front and 265/30/19 in the rear.
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 06:33 PM
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that doesn't look bad at all.. I would think it was already lowered!! nice!
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 07:43 PM
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Yeah, I would say try to mount the wheels n tires first and see from there.

IMO, the newer C230K ss is lower than the other C-class, so i wont lower it anymore but that's only me
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 08:32 PM
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So with anyone putting on 19" and NOT lowering the car, is a wheel alignment necessary? I know on some cars depending on the offset of the wheels, looking from that back, it throws off the cambar. Which would in effect, wear out your tires unevenly. Any suggestions?
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 10:54 PM
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Originally Posted by IL230K
So with anyone putting on 19" and NOT lowering the car, is a wheel alignment necessary? I know on some cars depending on the offset of the wheels, looking from that back, it throws off the cambar. Which would in effect, wear out your tires unevenly. Any suggestions?
technically even if you still have the stocks and take them off, it still throws the alignments off. So by putting on bigger wheels i would definetly get it done.

my question about the $200 H&R springs, how is the ride, it would suck to have such a nice car and have it ride like a civic (no offense i used to have a civic my self). what would be a better ride suspension, the whole set up with shocks? i think sometimes you have to pay a little more but happier at the end without anyi complaints.

and np, i thought that the car was dropped already! nice how it came out, but i think it'll be more noticeable on a white car.
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Old Nov 17, 2005 | 12:26 AM
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Off topic

sorry for the OT .. some guy on another forum is selling a Brabus Lowering springs for w203 coupe .. i asked him if it was real he said he doesnt know .. all it is . is just silver springs with brabus printed on it red ...
he is selling it for 250 ???
1-do u think this is legit .. 2nd hand ...
2-should 2nd hand be a matter?
3-does just spring itself do muhc damge to the shockes too?
4-should i get it ?
he said it looks like that .. but ecept that one in the pic is for slk


Thanks you for the reply and sorry for the OT
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