venturaII

Is there a definitive way to know what size the holes my bar has without taking it apart? Is it according to VIN/production date? Or is it a random manufacturing thing?

bumpnzx3

there are part numbers on your existing bars that you can check. i'm pretty sure the 2004.5-2007 C230 (and naturally- all C32 and C55) had the larger AMG bars with 12mm endlink holes. outside of that i *think* everything else has the 10mm endlink holes and smaller bars. that's always been my understanding- someone feel free to correct me if i am wrong.

venturaII

Hmmmm...interesting. So, assuming this is correct, then if I wanted to fit a C32 bar to my '02 320 wagon, then I'd need to replace the end links as well?

If I need to get new links to match the bar, then what about the end that attaches to the struts? Does that end have different sizes as well, or are they all the same...?

bumpnzx3

correct- you will need new links. the endlink is one assembly- a bar with a ball joint of sorts on each end. you just drill out the mount on your strut a tad larger to fit.

TruTaing

I also believe that all the w203 AMGs have 12mm HOLES for the end links, while all other w203s have 10mm holes for the end links. (By holes I mean holes on the sway bar and the struts for the end links)

If you were to get AMG bars, you would need:

AMG links + a bigger hole in your strut for the amg links
(drilling has been done by many who have gone to the AMG end links)

- OR -

You could contact Brandon at code 3 performance for a set of adjustable front adjustable end links where the top ball joint has a 10mm bolt that attaches to the strut while the bottom has a 12mm bolt to attach to the AMG bar.

The difference is in price / adjustable links. I think the adjustable end links are great if you intend to lower your car or are already lowered.

C230 Sport Coup

.......or you can just do like a lot of people and just use the 10mm endlinks in the 12mm hole. Seems fine. But perhaps less than perfect.

TruTaing

Ya know, I've heard of people doing this w/ a couple of 10mm washers on each side... I was always skeptical that itd work properly or it would cause noises. Is this what you're doing right now? Any issues/noises?

venturaII

Well, it's a C32 front bar I'm looking at getting, so I'll assume for now that I have 10mm links on my car, and I'll need 12's to do this "right". I don't mind drilling the strut body (that's about a 30 second job, on the car) for the 12mm link, if that's all I have to do.

I've lowered the car a hair ('02 M-B sport springs), but not enough to neccessitate adjustable links, so I don't think I'll spend the money on that. On the other hand, running a 10mm stud in a 12mm hole just isn't right, so I'll either buy the correct links, or maybe if I could scare up some 1mm steel sleeves....

Thanks everyone.

TruTaing

Ive got a set of 12mm amg links - unused since I bought code 3's adjustable links instead. PM me if you're interested.

C230 Sport Coup

I installed mine in 2003 and never had an issue and didn't put any washers etc.
I had at one point discussed upgrading them and the general opinion around here was to save my money, no performance gain to be had.

More recently I upgraded the rear bar to the H&R 19mm.
I don't recall if it was an exact fit or not, but best money I spent in a long time. Completely cured the understeer. Very good balance now.
You can get them on ebay for $150. Still running the AMG front bar (22mm), it's more than enough along with the stiffer springs.
Not sure how this setup would be on a sedan, but it just rocks on a coupe, especially with some sticky tires on a dry curvey road.

If for any reason I need to remove the front bar, I'll likely wrap a little copper or something, (ha cut a piece of tin from a can) around the end link to make it a little tighter.

If someone manages to find some steel sleeves, send me some!!

TruTaing

I believe the rear bars on all w203s (regardless of amg or not) have the same sized 10mm end links.

Sways ftw

venturaII

Actually, that sounds about identical to where I'm headed. The wagons come with Sport Sedan springs in the rear, so I just added the correct Sport front springs and the stance is perfect. The wagons also come with 21/15 sway bars (Sport wagons have 22/16, but are like hen's teeth), so I figure with the slightly stiffer front springs, the 22mm AMG will be perfect, and I'll just bump the rear bar to an H&R 19mm to maintain the balance. The extra weight at the rear of the wagon makes it pretty neutrally balanced, so I want to keep that feeling.

bumpnzx3

That's my understanding also- at least when I upgraded from my stockers to h&r's

C230 Sport Coup

Thats what I was thinking...I had read somewhere that the wagons used the AMG bars. If you have 21/15 that should be pretty good.
As far as using the 19mm rear bar only, I think with the wagon and all the weight to the rear you might get some oversteer.

The coupe doesn't have the rear overhang to balance things out and MB never bothered to correctly tune the suspension to the coupe...
1 size fits all. It took for me to drive a friend's M3 to see how messed my suspension was, despite spending 2 grand.
A little reading showed a thicker rear bar would be the ticket, and it was.

If you sign up for a EPC subscription you can see all the various sway bar pn's and thicknesses.
At one point there was a 23mm bar but they discontinued it.

So with stock springs you might be ok with the even thicker front and rear bars.