lowering springs
Front

Rear
Estimate about 150 lb/in "wheel rates" for the SS springs in the soft condition, 88lbs less for C300 would raise the front AT MOST about .3", vs the C350 which rides on the hard coils.
Heavier is heavier. The point I was making was that the C350 blows through the softzone and rests on the stiffzone (jimmythegreek), and I thought the C300 may be different. But it's not enough to assure proper compression of the SS spring with some extra compression before hitting the hard zone.
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Last edited by kevink2; Jul 12, 2012 at 03:10 PM.
Estimate about 150 lb/in "wheel rates" for the SS springs in the soft condition, 88lbs less for C300 would raise the front AT MOST about .3", vs the C350 which rides on the hard coils.
Heavier is heavier. The point I was making was that the C350 blows through the softzone and rests on the stiffzone (jimmythegreek), and I thought the C300 may be different. But it's not enough to assure proper compression of the SS spring with some extra compression before hitting the hard zone.
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As I recall the difference between the C350 and C300 is the stroke. Going back to when the engines were similar and both port fuel injected:
1) the extra stroke requires a taller block = more weight
2a) the thing called crankshaft needs to be much bigger at the mains for the higher torque = more weight
2b) crankshaft also must have more offset to the rod bearings to create the extra stroke = more weight
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The Best of Mercedes & AMG
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i know youre looking for pics of h&r sports or eibach pro-kit, which i dont have but i have h&r super sports about a month old
I think this might be what I go for it seems like the perfect drop. what size wheels do you have? and are those the stock pads in the rear?
I think the oem rear pad is usually 8mm thk, and 5mm are available for another ~1/4" of drop.
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Also look at post #59, where jimmythegreek (tuner shop owner?) noted the key problem he saw on two installs.
Then buy what floats your boat!
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Thank you, as I stated above, I don't notice any change in ride comfort, only it corners much much better. Will take more pics as soon as I get a chance, and I might do the 5mm pads after I drive it around for a couple weeks and it doesn't settle any lower.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for saving money when possible, ****, I've even got replica rear window and trunk spoilers, but those are exactly what it is, spoilers that serve no function and therefore corners can be cut (no pun intended) but now you guys are talking about cutting a coil off the H&R and I am just disappointed.
See now, here's where one COULD argue H&R's design. As he stated they were designed in Germany so it's very possible the springs were designed based off the road conditions there and not more general for international applications. I also think that it's possible that complaints are rare because most ppl probably don't know if their springs are riding the way they should be.
HOWEVER, lets be clear here, we are riding aftermarket springs on STOCK Shocks. I too am guilty of this and followed the boards incomplete feedback on this combo which is why I rethought my position and decided to order the bilstein shocks before launching complaints about the bad design of H&R springs. Until my bilsteins arrive and are installed, I hold my tongue on their true performance.
Having some experience in modding cars for many years, I will tell you that MANY high performance luxury cars, including exotics are lowered and customized by reputable companies using stock suspension parts that are modified, as in cutting part of the coil. I am not or did not recommend to anyone that cutting their coils in their driveway is the way to go, very bad idea. If you get down to having stock springs, sports, and SS you will see 2 differences. The stock springs are linear all the way down, and the sports and SS are teh SAME exact spring except in length, there is a half a coil missing on the SS which loads the spring differently and drops the car further and is stiffer, period. For any of you that think H&R spends millions on R&D of their springs for the hundreds of vehicles it makes springs for, you guys are mistaken. Im sure they do some testing, but its not all you think it is. My custom springs ride almost as smooth as stock and are same height as SS and were made by a GUESS of myself and the maker, an in between of SS and the stock springs. they rode nice at first but were a little high, and a half coil was cut to lower the rear. yup like a rice burner haha
I've always been told to never cut the springs, as it poses a real serious safety hazard

To see the actual number of people here suggesting that it's ok to do so, is scary. I hope those that are dishing out this info are actually qualified to do so.
Otherwise proceed with caution....Hazard ahead
Last edited by AMG_79; Jul 17, 2012 at 04:49 AM.










