rb23lb

I just really need a spot to discuss and compare different types of looks with the 3 different types of lowering springs that are out right now...

I have been searching and clicking for a while, but find it reallly hard to figure out which ones to go with... Still have questions about effecting the stock "smoothness" of the drive and which will look the best and not compromise comfort any..

I am thinking Eibach, because they are not as high as the H&R sports, and not as low as the H&R super sports...

Are Eibachs the best performance wise?

Anybody have any new pics to post of any of the thress or any new comments or if you think its worth it to wait for coil overs and the price difference and performance difference that coil overs will bring?

Thanks for help as always

350driver

Eibach Springs are a good set for a minimal lowering. They are rated for 1.2" drop all around. Keep in mind that the 1.2" drop is from the non-sport model C, which sits higher then the sport model. I am currently running the H&R Sport springs on my 2008 C350 sport. The spring rate is great and I can barely tell the difference from stock. Unfortunately, the Sports only lowered the car maybe .30-4" in the front and .25" in the rear. It looks better but I wished I put on Super Sports. I am used to a more tucked look and the sport spring height does not really provide the "no-wheel gap" look and I am running 19" wheels.

Bottom line, I would not waist the money on the Eibach springs because you will not see a difference because of your current sport suspension, although I hear they are a bit softer then the H&R. I would go with H&R Sports or Super Sports.

Azn_C300

If you're looking to buy springs, I'm probably gonna be selling my H&R sport springs soon. Getting coilovers soon, so will be parting them out. Only been on for about a month.

350driver

What kind of coilovers are you getting?

Azn_C300

As of now, it's looking like KW V3, but I'm waiting for my guy to see what kind of special pricing he can get for me on H&Rs.

eyemd

Eibach pro-kit here, look at my sig. After they settled I have about 1 fingerwidth of wheelgap up front and 1/2 a finger in the back(with 5mm spring pads). Perfect drop for me. Not too low that I'm scraping every speed bump, but I still have to be careful. Performance wise a feel little to no difference in handling. This is with the stock shocks...there are no aftermarket sport shocks available that I know of. I'm sure you can improve handling with aftermarket shocks. Ride comfort is surprisingly similar to the stock sport suspension, but you do feel the big bumps and potholes more. I've used Eibachs on my last car and have been very satisfied both times. Hopefully my stock shocks will last long enough until aftermarket ones are available. we'll see...

rb23lb

looking for super sports or eibachs, due to the issue with the regular h &r's not lowering enough...

what are the advantages of coil overs, and why are they so much better (sorry for the ignorant question)? I keep hearing how everybody is waiting so i assume they must be way better of an option?

rb23lb

sorry for ignorant question, but what to the rear spring pads do?? performance, or looks?

eyemd

some pics

before - with stock sports suspension

eyemd

after pics with 19" rims also, unfortunately I don't have pics with the stock rims

contrary to what others have said, I got about a 1 inch drop all around from the stock sports suspension after they settled, which was very noticeable.

this is my big contribution for today.

eyemd

the spring pad sits on top of the rear springs and is 13mm in thickness stock. you can get a 5mm pad from the dealer to get an additional 8mm of lowering. I don't feel any difference performance wise but I guess theoretically the ride may be harsher.

bigigg

i wanna get a coil over kit, but i was thinkin springs for now.. do they make springs for the 4matic?

mac911

eye-

Your wheels look gorgeous! There aren't many wheels I ever find attractive, and those I would actually want on my car too. Nice!

350driver

Wheels look great and height looks very good too! How much were the pads? Were they only for the rear or can you get them for the front as well.? Did you install them yourself? If so, how long did it take?

Thanks

mb_horseshoe

simply changing out the springs takes a toll on the original suspension. the OEM shocks are matched to go with the OEM springs, so when you change out the springs, the shocks do not "match".

anyway, without making it too complicated, you can run into some cambering (when the upper part of the wheel turns inward - creating that "A" look) and it wears out your tires 5x as fast.

coil-overs are an entire spring/shock replacement - obviously it's a better choice but it's much (MUCH) more expensive and I believe only KW-V3's are available.

Derspeed

Eyemd, that is the pefect ride height. With the lower rear pads I thought the rear might look saggy, but it looks great. BTW, those springs don't really harm the OE struts. I am very leary of using aftermarket springs with OE struts too so I called Sachs, the OE manufacturer. The employee I spoke with told me W204 shocks will work fine with Eibach springs. W204 shocks are also used in seven different applications by Benz all with different heights and spring rates.

Be careful with KW V3s. They are very good, but have a lot of different adjusment possibilities, most of which will not be useable on the streets.

eyemd

thanks for all the nice comments. those rims are pretty sick...

the pads were like 10 bucks from the dealer and only for the rear. you have to remove the entire spring to access the spring pad so it takes the same amount of time as swapping the springs, about 20-30 min each side.

eyemd

as derspeed said, the eibachs work fine with the stock shocks. i'm sure in the long run, the shocks will wear out faster...so we will see...i'll be ready to replace with aftermarket shocks when the time comes, or maybe there will be coilovers available that will be more reasonable in price.

i don't have any camber issues, after an alignment of course...everything was in spec so no tire wear issues.

of course coilovers is the best choice if you have the $$$.

c3nthusiast

This car sits just right. Best lowered w204 I've seen yet. Very sweet.

benggolf

Here's mine with Eibach Pro-Kit springs.




For me, it's just the right amount of lowering and the ride is still smooth and comfortable.

albert101

You wouldn't happen to have the part number for the rear spring pad that you had installed in your car would you? Thanks!

albert101

Great pictures! You wouldn't happen to have a direct side profile picture of your car with the lowering springs would you? Thanks!

MiKeSSw203

H&R Super Sports w/ stock pads

popejp41

Supersports by far look the best. I have them with 20" wheels and I have zero rubbing. The ride is good and handling is better than stock

milanlj

I just checked TireRack site and they do offer H&R coil over kit for non 4matic models. They are $1K more then just set of springs, but if you are really looking “to feel a difference” in driving, that is only way to go. If you are lowering your car just for a “sportier look” go with springs only.
TireRack link:
http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/S...lar=&brand=all