edvpt

Last Pic

TimmyC230boy

Looks great. Is there a way to get a close up of the front and rear tires. I would like to see the gap between tires and fender. Thanks
Tim

edvpt

You guy's win. I called and they are doing the alignment Friday.

As for the Pink-Pepto Springs, the rears you can't see and the Fronts can only be seen when kneeling on the ground looking up into the front tire well. Besides they are already black from the brake dust. The sway-bars are fire engine Red, but again they can only be seen from under the car. My understanding from Kleemann is they are changing colors for the US market. My MB Tech did tease me about the springs color and asked why I didn’t do the brake caliper pink to match.

As for the stock shocks, I didn't want too stiff of a ride and my understanding is the Kleemann dampeners are very aggressive. So if the stock sport shocks do fail down the road, so far only 811 hard/fun miles no problems, I'll look to a more sport then race dampener like Bilsteins or Koni’s.

Tim, I've got my camera with me so I’ll see if I can get a close-up of the wheels when I go to lunch later today.

tommy

Gee - maybe it's so that the bar rebadging is a little less obvious.

The car looks great. The one problem that I now have with your car (other than the color :p ) is that the wheels look small now, at least to me. Now, all you need is a nice set of 18's, new intercooler, Kleemann alcantara interior, ............... Any other plans, or is that it for now?

young

pink and white! yeah, i think i read kleemann saying that they are switching to black on all the parts (whoo hoo!) btw, check out brandon in the benzo magazine :p

avlis

I came across that copy while waiting for my Service A. I was surprised to see Brandon in there (well, his reflection anyway).

edvpt

Here's a before picture to compare. As you can see the rear looks about the same, I kept the original thick rear pads installed, and the front appears lowered. I like it, IMHO I don’t usually like the rear wheels tucked under the fenders, looks to continental for me.

Yeh, those 18" Kleemann’s with some nice S-03 would look nice, like on that Black coupe in the golf picture. Hmmmmmmm. I’ll say I’m saving the C7 wheels for winter tires, yah that’s it…. $4K though is to much, I’m to tight to spend that on just wheels.

Thanks for the positive feedback thou…

TimmyC230boy

yeah they look good man. Glad your happy!

edvpt

Rear Wheel Close-up after Kleemann Springs and Sway-Bars installed.

edvpt

Front Wheel after suspension upgrade.

kineda

Are these closeup pics after the drop?

edvpt

Yes, Sorry I updated the comments.

20FHK02

looks like you also painted the brake calipers after the Kleemann upgrade

gab

I dont think alignment is such an urgent call since kleemann springs only lower less than an inch, doesnt really change the camber, compare with H&R which lowers 1.5 inch

usually you want to give it a few weeks before doing alignment to let the springs settle a bit and sag a bit.

peet

Did you have the install done @ dealer or outside tech? Did you bring the stuff in or have them order it?

I miss my stiff M3 handling - but like the comfy MB ride... sounds like a great compromise/combo - the pepto springs that is .

P

Mach430

Congratulations on the new setup, it is incredible how one minor tweak (springs) can change the car's handling in such a positive way. I am confused however as to who told you that the shocks are too stiff. I have them on my CLK, and the ride quality is actually much better than that of the AMG's. You'd also be surprised as to how much the shocks can help in handling. I think that when the time comes to change your shocks, you'll be very happy with the Kleemann Speed Sensitive Shocks (which are not pink/purple ).

Thanks

Ben

Buellwinkle

If they are not pink/purple then they won't match the springs. Speaking of which, can you see the springs from outside the car? I know you can see the factory springs but when the car is lowered is it hidden?

gab

is kleemann spring rebadged eibach??

edvpt

I ordered the parts directly from EVOSPORT and KLEEMANN (Brandon is very knowledgeable as were the Evo guys)

My dealer was unwilling to do the work because the parts were not MB, however the service manager introduced me to one of the Techs who was willing to do the work after hours, cash of course. Very Cool as he was also able to make the computer changes for my Xenon’s and Stage II settings. A good man to know as it turns out he was the Shop Foreman with many years of MB experience and enjoys tuning MBs.

My suggestion is ask the service manager 1st if they will do the work, shop rate here $76/hr. It took 1 hr to do the pulleys and 2 hrs to do the springs and sway-bars.

If the dealer won’t do the upgrades ask them if any of their guys do after hours work. If that fails walk into the service area through the back door at lunch time, usually 11:30-12:00, and ask a couple of the mechanics if they do after hours work. Look for the guy with the most tools chests or bays, he will likely be the most experienced guy. If that fails try one of the speed shops in your area.

edvpt

I don’t believe so as they are progressive springs and I believe the Eibach’s are not. They were Pink and had Kleemann stamped on them. The sway-bars were Eibach though as was communicated to me when I ordered them. I don't know if Kleemann also has their own sway-bars.

vadim

Thanks, edvpt! Very nice setup with the new springs. It looks just right, IMO. I'm surprised that the rear isn't too low - it actually looks 100% stock. And congratulations on your new ride!

I'm convinced enough to make this my next upgrade. I guess I should be in touch with Ben regarding the prices/delivery terms, right?

edvpt

With all this free advertising and promotion I'm giving EVOSPORT and KLEEMANN, they should respond with some good W203 group buy pricing offers for the Kleemann Suspension Parts, to get those still on the fence to buy, buy, buy...

Brandon @ Kleemann

Please, explain this.

Shocks dampen the action of the spring. If you install stiffer springs the shocks job is still the same, or even less so. The standard shocks will last as long as the would normally.

Conversely- if you install Bilstein SPORTS with standard springs you may have a problem. The shock is designed for a stiff spring- not having one means the stiff shock has partially become the spring and could wear out more quickly.

Lowering a car too much can lead to a standard length shock bottoming out on its own internal bump stop which can ruin it quickly. This will never be the problem with our springs and the standard shock.

Brandon @ Kleemann

NO-

It is our own spec on the spring, unlike any one elses.


I have some connections in Eibach and we were able to get the sway bars before many other people.

Bper

edvpt

I am not one to spend a lot of money on upgrades as I generally think they are a waste of money for my taste (to each his own). But having said that I am interested in the suspension upgrade. What was your total cost - parts & labor?

Brandyn