franmav4

Does anyone have the following setup on their W203?

Koni FSD with Stock Sport Springs
or
Koni FSD with Eibach Pro-kit

I have the stock sport springs on mine and keep hearing good things about the FSD+eibach setup but mainly on other cars like BMW, VW etc.

I can't find much positive information with this setup on W203's. I read on this forum that the FSD's with eibach prokit doesn't bode well on w203s. Does anyone have this setup on their 203 sedan? Some detailed experiences perhaps?

With these choices I am mainly looking to maintain the ride as close to stock, and improve the handling/look. I have experienced the yellows on my old car and were very good, but was uncomfortable at times.

If I had the money I would likely just go for KW's Street Comfort, but looking for a cheaper solution. I am interested in the FSD's and may stick the with stock sport springs.

Any advice would be appreciated.

phister

Most have gone with H&R and Koni yellows and love it. But if you want a nice stance and good handling look into the sport suspension. Cant go wrong with the OEM quality plus the sport struts are designed for the lower sport springs. They run pretty cheap for the springs in the classifieds and sometimes people sell the whole setup (springs/struts) for around 250 or less. You can just run that setup and see how you like it and then when the struts go you can try sport springs with the Konis. Just an idea.

hcoronado

The only complaint I had with H&R springs was that the back was a lot lower than the Tein springs. So after a few months I ended up swamping back to Tein and Koni yellow to give my car a more charging look.

franmav4

Thanks for your response guys, I've always had problems in choosing the right setup in previous cars. Handling always turned out great, but comfort was always an issue.

Nice ride btw phister

My 203 facelift is a non AMG sport pack so I have oem sport suspension. I think it is great, but I think it could be made better The height is definitely lower than stock - comparing to my dads non sport 203. Could be a tad lower. It rides well as you would expect being oem, but it doesn't feel as planted - I always feel like I have to drive a particular line as the steering isn't as sharp as I'd like.

My previous car was a w202 with the oem sport setup. Iit was low and I found the ride/handled beautifully. It even handled speed humps well. Going to the 203, it felt like something was lossed from the ride :S

I was considering using the FSD's with my oem sport springs. I will take the Tien/H&R with Yellows in to consideration. I have used the Yellows before in SSK form and found it a little firm for my liking, but I presume that H&R and Tien springs are softer?

If I could source, would C32 springs and ARB fit my car?

franmav4

hcoronado, how does your setup ride. I'm sure it handles well, but how does it ride on small and big bumps?

I know that your ride is sorted, but I heard that there oem rear spring spacers that adjust the rear height which might come in useful for others? I will post the part numbers when I return to work tomorrow.

NOCSUCOW

I just lowered mine on Tein STechs and the back is a finger and some change lower than the front on #2 pads. If I do change the front shocks out, I'm definitely cutting some spring. The spring appears to be a linear rate so it shouldn't be effected that bad.

hcoronado

this is with Tein s springs


this is with H&R I could have added the number 4 pad in the back but felt that the spring was way too exposed.

franmav4

nice ride also hcoronado, you guys make me wanna change my rims The Tein Springs look perfect to me.

phister

Only problem with the tein springs is that the spring rate for them is softer than the sport springs so you'll be losing some performance aspect to have a aesthetic appeal. So your car will actually handle less than with the sport springs. H&R springs have a stiffer spring rate and will actually help the handling of the car. If your worried about the rear being to low just look into a #3 pad instead of #4. Here's the part # for all the pads.

Spring Pad Part Numbers (Rear):

#1 pad 210 325 01 84 5mm

#2 pad 210 325 02 84 9mm

#3 pad 210 325 03 84 13mm

#4 pad 210 325 04 84 17mm

tghtaclegend

I like Tein springs too, have them on my Cooper and they are awesome and cheap as well. Anybody have pictures of their W203 sitting on Tein with stock wheels? or H&R springs with stock wheels?

Thanks in advance

bheng

from the installers i have talked to, koni fsd is meant for stock springs. if you were to stay oem, i said get fsd. if you went with an aftermarket spring, go with the yellows.

phister

Look in the official picture thread.

franmav4

To clarify, are the oem sport shocks shorter than the oem standard shocks? or is the case that just differences in the damping to suit whatever springs from factory.

I was looking at the Koni FSD's and correct me if I am wrong, but there is only one set for the whole range p/n: 2100-4046 (excluding 4matics and C32/C55). On some sites

However, seing this link leads me to believe that there are sets out there which have the Koni FSD and Eibach Springs in one box/complete package meaning that these are meant for each other.

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330...ts/ES1876719/#

Can't find one for w203 though

Anyone have the Bilstein B12's on their w203?

phister

The ss strut pistons are shorter so that the struts don't bottom out from the shorter springs.

snacks

I was looking into the fsd with h&r sports. Decided against the fsd's due to some reviews of the shocks bottoming out on uneven pavement. Didn't want to risk that plus some reports of leaking bodies specific to the fsd's. Instead went with koni's couldn't be happier.

My previous setup in my previous car were h&r race with bilstein sport

I find my current setup runs real well with the merc and not as harsh as my race spring setup in an e36 BMW

franmav4

Thanks snacks, I ended up ordering the Bilstein B12's

Did you guys use shorter bumpstops when you went lower on the w203?

Are there front spring pads available?

phister

There are no front pads for the w203 just rear. You'll just use the OEM bump stops.

Outkasted24

Thanks for the info!!!!!
I've been looking for these part numbers.
Do you know which pads come stock if any in the C230?

franmav4

After installing the b12s on my W203,

I have the 2011 Bilstein B12 Pro Kit which consists of
2 x Bilstein B8 Front VE3-5345
2 x Bilstein B8 Rear BE3-6881
Eibach Pro Spring Kit (black springs) E10-25-001-01-22
I also run 17s with Uniroyal Rainsport 2 on all four corners
Stock ARB and bushings (car is 2007)

Handling is as expected - the car feels completely transformed, planted, solid. Steering is very direct and precise.
Ride is surprisingly good - it is firm/but comfortable. Bumps are absorbed extremely well and this is at low speeds. No signs of jigglyness. I actually prefer it to the factory sport suspension I upgraded from. The ride reminds me of my previous W202 which I miss.
Ride height seems to be about 15-20mm lower than the factory sport. Infact it looks similar to hcoronado's 203 on Tein springs (see photos on previous posts)

Overall I am extremely pleased with my purchase.

ggms16

Just had this kit installed in my w203, check my thread at https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...view-pics.html

ask me whatever you need to know