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Putting 07 C230 Sport springs on my 05 C230K SS for more comfortable ride?

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Old May 26, 2012 | 02:06 PM
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From: Charleston, SC
2005 C230K
Putting 07 C230 Sport springs on my 05 C230K SS for more comfortable ride?

So I've heard many times that the 2006 and 2007 C230's have a more comfortable, more compliant ride than the 2005. As I understand it, the spring rates or the springs themselves are a little different to compensate for the slightly heavier V6 in the 06 and 07 models, as opposed to the lighter 4-cylinder in my 2005.

So I'm considering buying some used springs from a 2007 C230 Sport to try on my 05 for a more comfy ride just to see if it's any different. Do you guys think the front would sit at the same height or a little higher because of the lighter front load? Also, in general, is a car's ride comfort due primarily to the springs or the shocks/struts? Or a combination of both?

Any insight on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
John W.
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Old May 26, 2012 | 02:26 PM
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I dont think there really to different from each other to the point that you would notice the difference. If you want better ride quality go for some adjustable coil overs were you can set the height level and stiffness. I just don't think it would be worth it to switch to a 07 suspension, I think the 05 SS have a really nice suspension
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Old May 26, 2012 | 03:21 PM
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phister's Avatar
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06 C230 SS 6spd
If you want a more comfortable ride get koni yellows. Theyre dampening adjustable struts so you can adjust 5 ways from a soft ride to hard ride.
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Old May 26, 2012 | 03:29 PM
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So a height- and dampening-adjustable coilover setup would be more comfortable than the stock setup? I always assumed coilovers, even at their softest setting, would still be less comfortable than stock.
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Old May 26, 2012 | 07:18 PM
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I wouldn't go aftermarket for a more compliant ride.

At the same time, I don't think it is the springs that make the 06-07 more compliant. I believe it was softer bushings. The 06-07 gained 150lbs in the nose, so if anything their springs would need to be stiffer?

I replaced all front suspension bushings on my 05 recently and the ride is much improved.
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Old May 28, 2012 | 04:22 PM
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Thanks for the advice guys.
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Old May 28, 2012 | 06:03 PM
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I drive a Toyota Hybrid...
go with 2002 C320 set up, wheels and suspension you will get yourself a E class style feel
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Old May 28, 2012 | 06:09 PM
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Originally Posted by kirax2
go with 2002 C320 set up, wheels and suspension you will get yourself a E class style feel
Well I'm wanting to keep my sporty wheels and ride height but hopefully gain some ride comfort.
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Old May 28, 2012 | 06:57 PM
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Got a set of '06 springs (front and rear) I was going to put on but wound up going with the H&R setup (fairly stiff). $50 + shipping and they're yours.
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Old May 29, 2012 | 12:59 AM
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Originally Posted by mtnman82
Got a set of '06 springs (front and rear) I was going to put on but wound up going with the H&R setup (fairly stiff). $50 + shipping and they're yours.
Thats a really good price, If the OP decides not to get it let me know, I have a friend who might me interested
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Old May 30, 2012 | 01:00 PM
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Originally Posted by mtnman82
Got a set of '06 springs (front and rear) I was going to put on but wound up going with the H&R setup (fairly stiff). $50 + shipping and they're yours.
Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll pass since everyone seems to think it's not the springs that actually make the difference in ride comfort between the 05's and 06's.
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Old May 30, 2012 | 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by LILBENZ230
I wouldn't go aftermarket for a more compliant ride.

At the same time, I don't think it is the springs that make the 06-07 more compliant. I believe it was softer bushings. The 06-07 gained 150lbs in the nose, so if anything their springs would need to be stiffer?

I replaced all front suspension bushings on my 05 recently and the ride is much improved.
LILBENZ230, what exactly from this diagram did you replace?
Attached Thumbnails Putting 07 C230 Sport springs on my 05 C230K SS for more comfortable ride?-w203-suspension-diagram.jpg  
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Old May 30, 2012 | 01:28 PM
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The bushings on 22 and 24
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Old May 31, 2012 | 03:39 PM
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Originally Posted by LILBENZ230
The bushings on 22 and 24
Did you mean 21 and 22. 24 is a washer.
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Old May 31, 2012 | 05:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Peydidy
Thats a really good price, If the OP decides not to get it let me know, I have a friend who might me interested
Thanks for passing it along Peydidy, I answered your friends pm. Not really trying to make anything off them (I don't think I paid much more for them), they've just been sitting here and I wouldn't mind seeing them go to some good use.
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Old May 31, 2012 | 06:34 PM
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21 and 22, yes, sorry.. lol
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Old Jun 1, 2012 | 01:56 AM
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Originally Posted by mtnman82
Thanks for passing it along Peydidy, I answered your friends pm. Not really trying to make anything off them (I don't think I paid much more for them), they've just been sitting here and I wouldn't mind seeing them go to some good use.
sounds good, hope you guys work a deal out
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Old Jun 1, 2012 | 03:22 AM
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Originally Posted by mtnman82
Thanks for passing it along Peydidy, I answered your friends pm. Not really trying to make anything off them (I don't think I paid much more for them), they've just been sitting here and I wouldn't mind seeing them go to some good use.
They will most definately go to a GREAT use.
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Old Jun 2, 2012 | 03:43 PM
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Lilbenz, mind if asked how much that service cost you to get the bushings replaced? Dealer just quoted me $1500 for the front and $1700 for the rear. Sounds outrageously overpriced to me.
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Old Jun 4, 2012 | 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by jtwillia2
Lilbenz, mind if asked how much that service cost you to get the bushings replaced? Dealer just quoted me $1500 for the front and $1700 for the rear. Sounds outrageously overpriced to me.
Did you expect anything else from the dealer? Where they get those figures, I'll never know.

I ended up paying just shy of $500 all in for parts, tax, and labor. Looking back I probably should have just replaced the control arms entirely instead of the bushings but it's over now. The caster bushings are easy, the camber bushings are what he said was difficult. The upper one. Also, the camber bushings didn't appear to be in that bad of shape. Perhaps you should replace caster bushings first - buy the parts online at RMEuropean for example and find a shop with a press.

All that said, the 05 is never going to ride nicely. It's simply not setup that way.
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