KW Variant 2 coilover issue
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 44
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From: Los Angeles,CA
2006 C230
KW Variant 2 coilover issue
I got my local shop to install my coilovers this weekend but they ran into a problem. They couldn't lower the car to the height I wanted becuase the tire and the front coilovers when they lowered the car off the Jack. The rears were fine..only issue was the front? As a temp solution, they put 3mm universal spacers and couldn't lower the car. Anyone know what the issue would be? It's for a 2006 c230 sport. My wheels are MRR GT1..19 x 8.5 in the front with 235/35/19. Rear wheels had no issue lowering.
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Orange County, CA
GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
That’s too bad about your insufficient strut-to-tire clearance.
Don’t know the offset of your wheels, but the additional 3mm you’ve gained unfortunately isn’t enough.
Several here are successfully running 235/35/19 tires and coilovers without undue wheelwell or suspension interference, but they’re often a fickle combination.
Have to advise against utilizing (thicker) universal spacers, lest you suffer virtually incurable vibrations.
H&R’s 66.5mm hub-centric spacers seem preferred when additional clearance is deemed necessary.
Thankful you caught it before damaging the tires or suffering a blowout.
photo credit unknown
Note OE-type struts have a substantial indentation to help ensure sufficient margins,
even with relatively stock width tires..
H&R (no affiliation)
Don’t know the offset of your wheels, but the additional 3mm you’ve gained unfortunately isn’t enough.
Several here are successfully running 235/35/19 tires and coilovers without undue wheelwell or suspension interference, but they’re often a fickle combination.
Have to advise against utilizing (thicker) universal spacers, lest you suffer virtually incurable vibrations.
H&R’s 66.5mm hub-centric spacers seem preferred when additional clearance is deemed necessary.
Thankful you caught it before damaging the tires or suffering a blowout.
photo credit unknown
Note OE-type struts have a substantial indentation to help ensure sufficient margins,
even with relatively stock width tires..
H&R (no affiliation)
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 929
Likes: 3
From: Portland, Oregon
2016 GLE 350
Agreed that that is a bummer. Wheel offset is so very critical when dealing with coilovers. Any idea what the offset of the front wheels is?
Your options are spacers or different wheels with a different offset. ( Doubt you would want to ditch the MRR's....)
As Splinter mentions stay away from universal spacers and go with hubcentric 66.5mm spacers.
Several on here are running front spacers with no issues.
H&R makes several variations thickness wise. I beleive the 7mm is the thinnest they make that are still hubcentric. Good luck and keep us posted. Love to see some pics when you get it sorted out and can tweak down the coilovers to your desired height.
Your options are spacers or different wheels with a different offset. ( Doubt you would want to ditch the MRR's....)
As Splinter mentions stay away from universal spacers and go with hubcentric 66.5mm spacers.
Several on here are running front spacers with no issues.
H&R makes several variations thickness wise. I beleive the 7mm is the thinnest they make that are still hubcentric. Good luck and keep us posted. Love to see some pics when you get it sorted out and can tweak down the coilovers to your desired height.
Last edited by glocati; Dec 13, 2009 at 11:42 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 44
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From: Los Angeles,CA
2006 C230
The offset on the wheels are +35. I just used the universal spacers as a temp solution so I can drive the car home and didn't have to take out the coilovers. Do you think putting the correct spacers would fix the problem? Any other things I can do?
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
28 offset minimum for the KW V2 on your front 8.5
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Portland, Oregon
2016 GLE 350
8-10 mm hubcentric spacers (you will probably need slightly longer lug bolts) and you should be fine.
The spacers are in a sense pushing your offset out...giving you just enough clearance to pass the coilover perch.
Check out H&R's website...they list/show thm there and should have what you need.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: NJ, NYC
Something Slow
yep i had the same issue with my KW switching wheels solve the problem or you can just add a spacer!
now people will know its better to lower the car first before you buy wheels :-)
now people will know its better to lower the car first before you buy wheels :-)
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 44
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From: Los Angeles,CA
2006 C230
What offset were you using in the front before the coilovers and what are you using now? Any spacers?
