Spring Pad Thread - All you want to know
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
from what i'm told, W203s only use spring pads at the front, so lowering by this method would not work..
yeah, i was set on doing this too, not too keen on getting a harsh ride.
yeah, i was set on doing this too, not too keen on getting a harsh ride.
Administrator
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: THE Orange County, California
2024 C8 Z06- 2025 BMW CS- 2022 Porsche 992 GTS
A fellow associate at work has a C320 (203) and he lowered it with H&R Sport Springs and it looks great. He went to 18 inch one piece Brabus Mono V's. From what he told me, the spring pads are only in the rear not the front. When he first picked up his car he liked the look but then realized the rear was a little low so they changed the pads from #1 to a #2.
I think the H&R drops about 1.2 to 1.4 inches. But you can always adjust the spring pad- but only in the rear.
I think the H&R drops about 1.2 to 1.4 inches. But you can always adjust the spring pad- but only in the rear.
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 109
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From: Vancouver, BC
C 240
sorry guys, not that knowledegable on cars yet..
but when you refer to spring pads, is it the pad between the spring and the top joint or something?
also i noticed on the w203's the shock and the springs are like so called parallel to one another in the rear.. whereas the front. the spring seems to be in the shocks??!!!..
am i right, or is there a prupose to it?
vic, did your freinds change the shocks aswell? is it ok to only change the springs and use oem shocks?
thnx
but when you refer to spring pads, is it the pad between the spring and the top joint or something?
also i noticed on the w203's the shock and the springs are like so called parallel to one another in the rear.. whereas the front. the spring seems to be in the shocks??!!!..
am i right, or is there a prupose to it?
vic, did your freinds change the shocks aswell? is it ok to only change the springs and use oem shocks?
thnx
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Administrator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 12,263
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From: THE Orange County, California
2024 C8 Z06- 2025 BMW CS- 2022 Porsche 992 GTS
Originally posted by hopup
vic, did your freinds change the shocks aswell? is it ok to only change the springs and use oem shocks?
thnx
vic, did your freinds change the shocks aswell? is it ok to only change the springs and use oem shocks?
thnx
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Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
C 240
Spring
Sorry guys, may be another repeated question.
Is it possible to change all 4 spring pads on the 203 sedan?
Do you know how much the spring pads (thinest) lower the car by?
Also does anybody know how much lower are the c32 springs in europe than, here in North America?
Part number would be great..
Much help would be appreciated, even when it's a boring and over talked issue.
Thanks
Is it possible to change all 4 spring pads on the 203 sedan?
Do you know how much the spring pads (thinest) lower the car by?
Also does anybody know how much lower are the c32 springs in europe than, here in North America?
Part number would be great..
Much help would be appreciated, even when it's a boring and over talked issue.
Thanks
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 35,855
Likes: 3
From: Southern CA
Spring pads lower your car by 5mm per size. I do not know the exact setup of the C class, but I would not expect you to be able to lower the car any more than 1.5 cm max. I also don't know the difference in ride-height of the Euro C32, but I can tell you that for the price, you are much better off buying H&R springs.
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 92
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From: Irvine CA
C320
changing the pads would not make any significant differences in height.
Especially if you already have the sport package. They already come with #2 pads in the rear. Found this out when i switched to H&R cup kit. don't know about the front though.
calvin
Especially if you already have the sport package. They already come with #2 pads in the rear. Found this out when i switched to H&R cup kit. don't know about the front though.
calvin
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
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The W203 DOES NOT have front spring pads. The rear pads are called "shim perch". The thinnest one is Dot 1 - 8mm, and the thickest one Dot 4 - 23mm. Its very rare that one would change the spring pads to adjust the ride height of the car because its insignificant.
The Euro spec C32 is lower than the US C32 by 0.5" to 1" (depends on the options of the car).
Totally agree with others, you are much better off changing the springs rather than the pads!
The Euro spec C32 is lower than the US C32 by 0.5" to 1" (depends on the options of the car).
Totally agree with others, you are much better off changing the springs rather than the pads!
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 109
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From: Vancouver, BC
C 240
Thanks for all the input guys
BUt i am considering the euro Amg spings, even though they are more expensive and not as low of a ride as h&r. I chose them simply becoz of Warranty. I asked the warranty admin at my delaer and he says that all amg parts are ok/approved. Vanouver roads aren't all that good, infact quite a few pot holes here and there. Therefore dont' really want to take any chances in screwing up my suspension and voiding my warranty over a lower ride. Yes, indeed some poeple may say i'm silly, and H&r and eibach have a very good reputation, esp in the automotive industry. But i'm still not sure; actually still pondering in the grey area.
Any input would be great. THanks
P.s. anybody want to sell their amg springs?? e-mail me..
BUt i am considering the euro Amg spings, even though they are more expensive and not as low of a ride as h&r. I chose them simply becoz of Warranty. I asked the warranty admin at my delaer and he says that all amg parts are ok/approved. Vanouver roads aren't all that good, infact quite a few pot holes here and there. Therefore dont' really want to take any chances in screwing up my suspension and voiding my warranty over a lower ride. Yes, indeed some poeple may say i'm silly, and H&r and eibach have a very good reputation, esp in the automotive industry. But i'm still not sure; actually still pondering in the grey area.
Any input would be great. THanks
P.s. anybody want to sell their amg springs?? e-mail me..
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 35,855
Likes: 3
From: Southern CA
While AMG springs would be covered under warranty (provided that they are installed by MB), can you think of a reason why switching to an H&R springs would cause a problem? Yes, your springs would no longer be covered under warranty if you changed them; which makes sense, since they would be sitting somewhere in your garage rather than on your car. But H&R springs, provided that they are purchased by an authorized H&R dealer, come with a lifetime warranty.
Your reasons for choosing the AMG springs are definitely valid. You should do what you feel the most comfortable with. However, from working in an aftermarket performance company, I can tell you that H&R springs are of top-notch quality, and that if you chose them, you would most likely never have to worry about warranty issues related to them. Further, it is illegal for any company to deny warranty due to an aftermarket part unless they prove that the aftermarket part is the source of the problem.
Your reasons for choosing the AMG springs are definitely valid. You should do what you feel the most comfortable with. However, from working in an aftermarket performance company, I can tell you that H&R springs are of top-notch quality, and that if you chose them, you would most likely never have to worry about warranty issues related to them. Further, it is illegal for any company to deny warranty due to an aftermarket part unless they prove that the aftermarket part is the source of the problem.
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 109
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From: Vancouver, BC
C 240
Thanks for the input guys..
renncpe, so the euro springs will proivde a harsher ride? oh no..
Mr.white, I'm pretty sure you can ask your dealer about the prices etc..
Well, atleast that's what I'm doing. Unfortuantely, it's taking them a dew days to look up the prices and the actual difference in ride height. I hope he gives me good news.
Part adv, gave me the price on North American C32 springs, and they are about $140cdn per corner.
renncpe, so the euro springs will proivde a harsher ride? oh no..
Mr.white, I'm pretty sure you can ask your dealer about the prices etc..
Well, atleast that's what I'm doing. Unfortuantely, it's taking them a dew days to look up the prices and the actual difference in ride height. I hope he gives me good news.
Part adv, gave me the price on North American C32 springs, and they are about $140cdn per corner.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 503
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From: Jacksonville Florida
w203 c230K 2002
Originally posted by hopup
Thanks for the input guys..
renncpe, so the euro springs will proivde a harsher ride? oh no..
Thanks for the input guys..
renncpe, so the euro springs will proivde a harsher ride? oh no..
Randy
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Houston,TX-moving to The Woodlands,TX SOON!!!
Toyota Tacoma & Lexus IS250
I put 17's on my sedan and noticed the difference in ride quality. Harshness increased a tad...so I'm very skeptical about lowering it via the Eibach springs, even tho I heard they are a lot better ride the the H&R springs.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 577
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From: Orange Co., CA, USA
'02 C230K Coupe
Ideal spring pad #s?
I'm really interested in picking up a set of Eibach springs for my C230k, and I was wondering what the ideal pad #s for the front and rear would be. I understand that the springs don't get an even-looking drop, leaving the front higher than the rear, and I want to get them to look even without doing anything dangerous (cutting, heating, etc.).
Plus, can someone explain how spring pads work, and the numbering system for me? I'm really in the dark when it comes to suspension details...
I considered H&R coil-overs, but decided that the ability to adjust ride height wasn't worth the rougher ride.
I will also be considering Koni or Bilstein shocks when they become available.
Plus, can someone explain how spring pads work, and the numbering system for me? I'm really in the dark when it comes to suspension details...
I considered H&R coil-overs, but decided that the ability to adjust ride height wasn't worth the rougher ride.
I will also be considering Koni or Bilstein shocks when they become available.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,403
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From: South Florida
Fast Cars!
Re: Ideal spring pad #s?
Originally posted by preyx
I'm really interested in picking up a set of Eibach springs for my C230k, and I was wondering what the ideal pad #s for the front and rear would be. I understand that the springs don't get an even-looking drop, leaving the front higher than the rear, and I want to get them to look even without doing anything dangerous (cutting, heating, etc.).
Plus, can someone explain how spring pads work, and the numbering system for me? I'm really in the dark when it comes to suspension details...
I considered H&R coil-overs, but decided that the ability to adjust ride height wasn't worth the rougher ride.
I will also be considering Koni or Bilstein shocks when they become available.
I'm really interested in picking up a set of Eibach springs for my C230k, and I was wondering what the ideal pad #s for the front and rear would be. I understand that the springs don't get an even-looking drop, leaving the front higher than the rear, and I want to get them to look even without doing anything dangerous (cutting, heating, etc.).
Plus, can someone explain how spring pads work, and the numbering system for me? I'm really in the dark when it comes to suspension details...
I considered H&R coil-overs, but decided that the ability to adjust ride height wasn't worth the rougher ride.
I will also be considering Koni or Bilstein shocks when they become available.
When i had the H&R springs installed the front looked lowered and the back looked stock. So i got the #1 pads in the rear and now its tucking a little bit. if u dont want it to tuck that much or pretty much at all a #2 would be pretty good.
The ride with my H&R springs and RennTech shocks is great sometimes it feels stock when it should but then when u want it to be stiffer u got. And it looks great. IMHO
