Kleemannized!!! Suspension Installed
08-26-2002, 03:26 PM
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Kleemannized!!! Suspension Installed
Well my MB Tech install my suspension upgrades last Thursday night. Wow, I am very very pleased. I am now running with the Kleemann Progressive Springs, Sway-bars (Eibach) and the original MB Coupe sport shocks. The install took about 2 hours. I decided to keep the original thick rear pads (4 dimple) on as they are the thickest MB offers for the car and I didn’t want the rear lowered to far. I’ll post a picture later this week when I get it cleaned. Looks like its ~1” lower. Looks quite nice actually.
The difference is night and day, where the Pulley provided a nice 10-20% boast, the suspension is an improvement of 100%. It is very flat through slow and high speed corners. Really hugs the ground. Stability is phenomenal especially on the highway, high-speed turns and off-ramps are a blast now. The ride is still very smooth and quiet, and in fact more stable, far more predictable. I was very concerned that the ride would be to stiff as this is my daily driver. However, that concern was quickly laid to rest. Kleemann (Brandon) was right, it has every thing I liked about the MB ride, smooth and quiet, but flattens the car out when cornering. No more pushing and under-steer. I'm impressed, this new c-class is very responsive, very sporty, a really nice setup once the suspension is de-marshmellowed. The only time I notice the tighter suspension under normal driving is when the actual pavement dips, where before the car would float over, now the car hugs the road and dips with it.
I can not say enough about how happy I am with the setup. I now really wish this car had even more power. I am starting to envy the C32 folks and their ~350HP. And if they haven’t upgraded their suspensions, they should. I imagine with their sportier shocks and the progressive Kleemann springs and sway-bars few cars could keep up with a C32. For less then $1K the car is really transformed. If I had know, I would have done the suspension 1st, instead of spending all those months researching the pulleys.
BTW: I had a teenager driving a BMW 325 try to follow me at a freeway interchange after I jumped in front of him and by the time I finished the 270 degree corner he was 20 car lengths back at least. Felt great. I can’t wait for my noisy 17” Conti’s to wear out so I can replace them with some nice S-03. At the rate I am going that shouldn’t take long.
The difference is night and day, where the Pulley provided a nice 10-20% boast, the suspension is an improvement of 100%. It is very flat through slow and high speed corners. Really hugs the ground. Stability is phenomenal especially on the highway, high-speed turns and off-ramps are a blast now. The ride is still very smooth and quiet, and in fact more stable, far more predictable. I was very concerned that the ride would be to stiff as this is my daily driver. However, that concern was quickly laid to rest. Kleemann (Brandon) was right, it has every thing I liked about the MB ride, smooth and quiet, but flattens the car out when cornering. No more pushing and under-steer. I'm impressed, this new c-class is very responsive, very sporty, a really nice setup once the suspension is de-marshmellowed. The only time I notice the tighter suspension under normal driving is when the actual pavement dips, where before the car would float over, now the car hugs the road and dips with it.
I can not say enough about how happy I am with the setup. I now really wish this car had even more power. I am starting to envy the C32 folks and their ~350HP. And if they haven’t upgraded their suspensions, they should. I imagine with their sportier shocks and the progressive Kleemann springs and sway-bars few cars could keep up with a C32. For less then $1K the car is really transformed. If I had know, I would have done the suspension 1st, instead of spending all those months researching the pulleys.
BTW: I had a teenager driving a BMW 325 try to follow me at a freeway interchange after I jumped in front of him and by the time I finished the 270 degree corner he was 20 car lengths back at least. Felt great. I can’t wait for my noisy 17” Conti’s to wear out so I can replace them with some nice S-03. At the rate I am going that shouldn’t take long.
08-26-2002, 03:54 PM
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Originally posted by young
nice! did you need to do an alignment afterwards?
show the pics!
nice! did you need to do an alignment afterwards?
show the pics!
No not yet. My MB Tech returned everything back to their original settings but suggested that I get a 4 wheel alignment done at the shop, saying it was cheaper then new tires. To be honest the alignment actually feels better right now. It had a slight pull to the left before the upgrade but seems OK now. But I’ll get one done in the next couple of weeks.
08-26-2002, 04:08 PM
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The Kleemann Progressive Springs are $385 I believe and the best part of the setup. Progressive Springs are a must if you want to keep the ride comfort close to stock over most bumps. Sway-Bars 24/22 are available in that price range also. The original springs and rear sway bars are tiny in comparison to the aftermarket products.
Last edited by edvpt; 08-26-2002 at 04:16 PM.
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08-26-2002, 04:36 PM
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C230k
You didn't change out the stock shocks? I would think that the stock shocks aren't a good match for the lowered springs in the long haul. You might be good for a few thousands miles before they give and you started bouncing like a pogo stick.
08-26-2002, 04:53 PM
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Originally posted by kineda
You didn't change out the stock shocks? .. a few thousands miles before they give and you started bouncing like a pogo stick.
You didn't change out the stock shocks? .. a few thousands miles before they give and you started bouncing like a pogo stick.
08-26-2002, 05:17 PM
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Kleemann suggested that you use the stock dampeners? I guess it's a good temporary measure but definately couldn't be the ideal setup since the springs and shocks aren't matched.
08-26-2002, 05:23 PM
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2001 C240 6spd
I wonder if you can get away with the stock shocks for now, since they are part of the C7 package. I bet they would not work as well if you have the regular - non C7 sport shocks. They would wear out sooner.
08-26-2002, 05:25 PM
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Originally posted by shtatc
I wonder if you can get away with the stock shocks for now, since they are part of the C7 package. I bet they would not work as well if you have the regular - non C7 sport shocks. They would wear out sooner.
I wonder if you can get away with the stock shocks for now, since they are part of the C7 package. I bet they would not work as well if you have the regular - non C7 sport shocks. They would wear out sooner.
08-26-2002, 05:44 PM
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2002 C230 Coupe
Originally posted by Lynn
There is no such thing as C7 sport shocks. All North American coupes have the same suspension.
There is no such thing as C7 sport shocks. All North American coupes have the same suspension.
i do hate the floaty response over dips and bumps at high speed, but i'll just get the swar bar for now, until the shock issue is solved as i plan to keep my car for long, and i also hate the purple springs, too sharp and too ricey
08-26-2002, 06:12 PM
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C32 AMG
Would this system be the recommended Kleemann offering for the C32? I'm looking for something right now.
BTW, I would rather have everything painted black instead of pink or red.
BTW, I would rather have everything painted black instead of pink or red.
08-26-2002, 07:48 PM
#17
Now you are already giving such high appraisals to the progressive springs, I wonder what will be the results if we put on set of Kleemann speed sensitive suspension. I tried to order the sway bars but I think they are out of stock right now?!
08-26-2002, 08:20 PM
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So, what's the final drop, front and rear? I think I will summarize the popular concern by saying that a lot of folks are still uncertain about what to do with their suspension, as the rear is fine as it is stock, but the front definitely needs a drop of 1.5-2". Hearing that practically any aftermarket spring set drops both front *and* rear makes people think twice about going for it.
Are Bilsteins out for the Coupe yet? Would Kleemann recommend using Bilsteins with their progressive springs? Also, would it suffice to just use European front springs (which are lower than US ones) and thicker sway bars instead of changing all four springs?
TIA.
Are Bilsteins out for the Coupe yet? Would Kleemann recommend using Bilsteins with their progressive springs? Also, would it suffice to just use European front springs (which are lower than US ones) and thicker sway bars instead of changing all four springs?
TIA.
Last edited by vadim; 08-26-2002 at 08:24 PM.
08-26-2002, 10:08 PM
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edvpt - i cant belive u did not have the car alligned after the springs were installed. i took mine right away to get it alligned and on the way there it drove like sh*t to on the way.
If u were to get shocks u would feel a hudge difference. Although before i had my renntech shocks i had just the stock shocks with my H&R springs and the ride was still very impressive.
I would like to see pics of your car especually the rear. When i just had my H&R spring with the #4 pads in the rear the rear looked identical to stock and it looked just like the front was ONLY lowered. i bet yours looks very similar.
I am very happy with the #1 pads in the rear. but then again it maks the car alot more level, like normally the coupe looked slanted forward now it looks completly even.
If u were to get shocks u would feel a hudge difference. Although before i had my renntech shocks i had just the stock shocks with my H&R springs and the ride was still very impressive.
I would like to see pics of your car especually the rear. When i just had my H&R spring with the #4 pads in the rear the rear looked identical to stock and it looked just like the front was ONLY lowered. i bet yours looks very similar.
I am very happy with the #1 pads in the rear. but then again it maks the car alot more level, like normally the coupe looked slanted forward now it looks completly even.
08-27-2002, 09:05 AM
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2001 C240 6spd
Thanks for clarifying about the shocks in the C7 package. But, I think I still would be a little hesitant to just change the springs. It seems that just changing the springs would work for a bit, but in the long run, it would be better to change out the entire spring/shock set-up. I am not so concerned about lowering the car, I just dont like the softness of the ride - would like a bit more responsiveness/stiffening.
