SP1200

I plan on purchasing a set of CLS500 rims with a set of Megan Racing coil overs on a 2004 C230 Kompressor Sport sedan

215/40/18 in front and 225/40/18 in the back (or 235/40/18)

I have like 3 questions if you wouldn't mind..

I had 19" AMG Monoblocks on a W202's with Toyo's and after rolling the fenders and removing the plastic lining, I rubbed like crazy. I hated it and I told myself that I wouldn't put up with that again. So on this W203 I want to make sure I don't rub at all.. hence the tire fitment above.

Will these tires fit without rubbing or having to roll the fenders with coil overs? I don't think I can or want to go any skinnier than 215's and 225's in back. I really don't want to roll my fenders if I don't have to.

Do the Megan or any coil overs still utilize the Mercedes pads still? or do they go away with coil overs?

Since my car is a SS model will I need 3mm hub centric spacers up front? How about the back?

Do my chrome "premium" stock C230 OEM chrome rims have any value on the used market? Man, I hate chrome rims in every way.

Thanks

JDM_love

For the wheels, i have a 02 c230 coupe (w203). Currently have 18inch AMG staggered set up. 235/40/18 front and 245/40/18 back with no rubbing. spacers were needed in the front, front wheels hit the struts without them. You will need extended lug bolts in that case but dont put the extended lug bolts in the rear unless you put spacers there also.



as for your c230 wheels, take some pics and post it on this thread, are they 17s?

JDM_love

I would actually reccomend to get wider tires on the wheels for a more aggressive look. 215 front and 225 rear may look a little skinny.

TruTaing

ooh, Im interested in seeing where this goes as I wanna try the same set up w/ 12mm spacers all around :x

As for 215/40 and 225/40 - you will NOT rub w/ coilovers and the 3mm spacer up front. I am running the same setup right now w/ 235/40 and 265/35. Rear rubs a tiny bit, but when I had 255/35s on the rear I had zero rubbing and was a solid inch lower. If you prefer wider tires, im certain you can get away w/ 225/40 front and 235/40 rear.

The most common is 225/40 front and 255/35 rear (this fits w/o any issues and provides plenty of tire).

OEM wheels almost have zero resale value

SP1200

yeah I don't want it to look too skinny either. Even at full clock I don't want it to rub in the front with coil overs at their lowest. And I plan on slamming my W203. As long as the front and rear height looks proportionate and there is no rubbing whatsoever without rolling any fenders or removing any lining then I would go with the wider tires suggested. I like Toyo's. Anyone have any suggestions on what series are the best for looks and long wearing?

I heard the 2004 is the 4x4 of the W203's. Man, do I ever agree. The wheel gap is annoying. And I don't feel like the stock ride is all that comfortable. It could be better.

I found a shop that is selling new Megan coil over kits for $600. That's ****. Anyone installed one yet?

JDM_love

haven't installed coil over but did install springs. Can easily be a DIY if you have the tools and time. would save a lot of $$

For tires depends how much you want to spend. I think hankooks are nice

phister

megans are poop on our cars just for your information. I've had numerous members PM me about issues with the Megans.

also if you plan on slamming your car you'll lose your lock to lock turning because it'll hit the fender and the spring before getting to full lock. I know I've tried it and had to get new fronts eventually because my spring was right against my sidewall and had a nice u shaped groove. when lowering just be careful to look under and make sure its not contacting the spring. I had to go to 215/40/18 so it wouldnt rub and have room. plus you'll be rubbing fender liner for sure in front and in rear some. I had to remove my liner that covers the washer reservior bottle because it kept hitting it and rubbing it to the point where it actually fell off.

phister

as for tires I'm on continential dws and cant complain, the sidewalls are a bit stiffer than summer tires but the treadlife is excellent. only issue is every now and then the fronts will slip a bit a really hard braking. if you want bang for buck the hankook evo12 are what a lot of members like.

SP1200

I don't have a problem with Hankook's. Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

Phister, so even with the 215/40/18's are you rubbing at full lock? I don't want any kind of rubbing at all ever. If Megan's suck and it's been tried on a W203 than I won't get them even to save a couple hundred. I didn't see a Cup Kit that will fit the Kompressor Sport Sedan though on the application guide. Maybe I missed it.

Regarding the "18" CLS500 Wheels 8.5et28 Front 9.5et 33 Rear and 3mm spacers to clear front brakes. 12x1.5 26mm R14 Ball Seat Lugs to adapt the CLS wheels onto the w203..." in a previous post.

If I am running 3mm spacers up front. Will that change the length of the lugs required? Won't they have to be longer to compensate for the 3mm spacer pushing the wheel out?

No rubbing with 225's in the rear right? No spacers needed? I would like the car to be down a full 2"s and the fender tucking in barely at the top of the rim so you don't see any tire at the top.. Is that a pipe dream or can it be done?

Also, the spring pads go away with coil overs? I don't know because I have never owned a set.

SP1200

With my old W202 Eibach/Bilstein Sports and #1 pads was the ultimate comfort drop. Man, I loved that set up.

I am leaning away from coil overs at this point. Too fiddly for me in my opinion. I am thinking Bilstein Sports again, and the most aggressively low springs out there. Would those be the Teins? They claim a 1.6" drop. I think Apex makes some 40mm springs also. Eibach's won't do... way too conservative. It wouldn't even be worth it.

With the Teins or Apex springs and the #1 spring pads.... would I be getting close to a 2" drop? That would be good enough.

SP1200

Also, since I have a 2004 SS Kompressor, will these struts support a set of cut H&R's? Aren't the pistons shorter in these struts verses a non SS? If so, it seems like a waste to upgrade. By the way, those Bilstein Sports are a grip of cheddar now. They used to be a couple hundred bucks. Not anymore.

phister

all w203 suspension is interchangeable except for 4matic and wagons. most kits and coilovers will say 01-05 w203 but will fit our cars. BC Racing says the same but they fit our cars just like the cup kit will fit our cars. with coilovers it depends on the brand if the pads are needed. BC Racing and Teins require the pads.

The only time my tires rub in front is when I'm turning at an angle on an incline. My rears rub on big dips on the hwy even with a little camber. I'm running 245 right now but might go down to 235 depending how much stretch I get when I upgrade my rear lips to 3.5" pushing my wheels to 18x10.5 in back.

the issue with oem struts/shocks on aftermarket lowering springs is that even though the ss are shorter they will still not get full travel with the aftermarket springs causing them to wear out quickier.

Tein on SS only drop the car 0.5 around. the 1.6 is for the other w203 models. H&R springs are the most aggressive for our cars. H&R coilovers drop our cars a lot if you want slammed. You can call Eibach or Swift springs and have custom springs made to your specs.

The thing with aftermarket struts/shocks is that it'll lower the car a bit more since they are designed for lowered cars and handling. So if you buy aftermarket springs and add aftermarket struts/shocks it'll lower the car more.

I usually tell people to get the Koni yellows because they are 5 way dampening adjustable and can be rebuilt when they wear out.

SP1200

I appreciate everyone's insight and experience with the W203.

All I know is that we will see what happens I guess. I feel like I am in a monster truck or Hummer H1 when I drive. Too high up and insanely gross wheel gap.
I don't see how MB considers this the "Sports" set up. I don't think so.

Hopefully the Sport Cup Kit will get my car down... Because I am desperado at this point. I'm tempted to have someone start cutting these coils!

phister

Hmmm yours doesn't look like a ss model. You have the ss wheels and badging but not the amg package on it unless you swapped it for the elegance package. But if you have the larger calipers and brakes I assumed it is. Yours does seem to be a bit higher than other SS models I see since the SS does sit the lowest even to the c32. Sometimes I think they are lowered when I see them on the road until I see an older lady driving it.

SP1200

How embarrassing. I got clowned then by the used dealer I bought it from. I've only owned it for a few months. I would definitely prefer the AMG bumpers and side skirts verses the elegance package. I am assuming there is a difference between the Sports Pkg and an SS? If so, then that's my ignorance. My bad.

I am glad you agree with me on how high up it is. Man, it's hideous. I need to get rid of those Sports badges then. I did not do that. I swear someone put #4 pads on it on purpose just to annoy me and some like cheap KYB shocks just to add insult to injury on the wheel gap. But I just think some of the 2004's came like that. With 3.5 feet of wheel gap all the way around! So gross.

http://www.automedia.com/ViewPhotoGa...1428&APId=6461

It's gonna have to do until I can snag an E55 with air-matic suspension and some lowering links.

In the meantime, a Cup Kit is in order something fierce. So if my car is not an SS model, than it should be all the more receptive to the drop rate with a Cup Kit. Please say yes.

TruTaing

Sports sedans in 2004 looked this way. Only 2005+ SS's had the amg kit.

SP1200

But of course it can be sorted with a cup kit right? It's just components that is making my car look like a monster truck with a lift kit?


I am on Stance Works right now and I am about in tears. 23 more payments on this W203. I guess there is no use belly aching over it anymore. If I have to hack a half a coil out of the cup kit springs to get what I want then I will do it.

phister

Oh yea my bad... Thanks tru I didn't see his first post about it being a 04.

Putting an e55 airmatic might be difficult. You might as well shell out and get a custom air ride suspension.

SP1200

I wasn't saying putting an E55 air-matic suspension on my W203. I am saying a whole new car eventually. I love the drops on the OG W210's if done right. Anyways, sorry, getting of topic here.

SP1200

I wonder what they would charge for that over the regular cost of springs? I am assuming this is better than cutting them and safer. I am not a doogooder and won't do any kind of cutting. I totally will do it. But all these drops seem really conservative. Cost is also a factor, of course.

But would an H&R Cup Kit be lower, verses a set of custom springs with say 2 coils hacked for the rear, or custom manufactured I should say, and 1 coil removed or shorter in the back? Which would sit lower? Cupkit or modded 2/1 coils cut or built from Swift or Eibach? I am thinking the custom springs would make my monster truck C230 sit lower.

Or has anyone cut the coils on a cup kit? Or is that asking for trouble? I don't think the cup kit would sit my monster truck 04 C230K low enough. I think I still would have too much wheel gap for my tastes.


Update.. I called Eibach. They said they could make them in quantity. Not a one off, and they would probably have a problem too making a spring that short with 1.5 to 2 coils lopped off the front and 1 off the back due to liability issues. And they said they don't have too many customers with those kinds of needs. Weak sauce. Maybe a set of cut H&R's are the way to go to get the drop I want and then add a set of Bilstein Sports or adjustable Koni's as suggested. It's either that or coil overs (which I don't like) or an air ride setup which is too pricey in my opinion.

phister

H&R is going to drop ss the lowest cup kit will not drop ours that much maybe an inch but not what you are looking for. also when cutting springs you should cut 1/2 a coil at a time because many people assume 1 coil isnt enough when it turns out it might be too much. many members have done that and ended up having to buy new springs because it was too low.

SP1200

Anyone want to do a straight across trade for a set of chrome OEM W203 5 spoke chrome rims as shown on my car, for a set of the OEM silver painted ones you see on every stock W203? The dealer said these were "premium" wheels. I am not a flashy chrome kinda guy.
I am in San Diego.

phister

Paint them or powder coat them. You can sand and buff them down for the buffed aluminum look.