dudeitsmattx

I will be purchasing 1 or the other this week. I had H&R ss springs on my 08 C300. I'm at a dilemma if I should get the ss springs again or spend the extra $1,000 for the coilovers. So I have decided to post a poll of what people think I should go with. And post any of your thoughts and opinions from having owned either one or both of the items. I'm having AG forged wheels being built right now size 19x8.5 ET35 and 19x9.5 ET40. Thanks guys.

cfmistry

Are you planning to keep this car long term (more than 2-3 years)? If yes, get the coilovers. If no, either would be fine.

dudeitsmattx

Yes I do plan on keeping the car at least 2-3 years. I just got it in December.

iamkimosabi

Hi, I know it's not in the choices but I would just like to share my experience with KW V1 coilovers, they are pretty good too!

dudeitsmattx

Yeah I have herd KW's are nice. They are a bit pricy though. And from what I have seen and herd they do not go as low as the H&R's.

dudeitsmattx

My main thing is I feel like the ss springs won't be low enough for 19's. And the coilovers can drop what like 1 inch lower all around then the springs ?

TheUniballer

I have the H&R springs on my car with 19s. Trust me. Get coils.





BTW my tire sizes are 235/35/19F and 255/30/19R

dudeitsmattx

Dang that does not really look like much of a drop. Are those sports or super sports? And that is the same tire size I will be running also.

TheUniballer

Sports. But SS is only .5/.75 in lower in most cases. I'd say coils just for the adjustability..

dudeitsmattx

Yeah... I see.. For what I want looks like I will have to go coils I guess. I don't want to tuck just zero wheel gap. Fender flush with the tire.

Becksan

I would say coils as you'll have the freedom to adjust. And if you are going to swap shocks while changing springs then you'll end up spending 100-200 less on shock/spring combo vs coils (H&R).

TheUniballer

Yeah that's exactly what I want for my car, which is why I plan on getting coilovers this year.

FFM

Not sure if the info aids in your decision. But I had about 80k miles out of my H&R's on my last car before they blew. Which was the RR because I ran them with no perches so was even lower than factory spec.

Replacements are $200 if that matters.

Not voting however since I haven't felt either on this chassis to give valid data. Good luck with your decision.

dudeitsmattx

Hmmm interesting. I know the factory shocks with H&R springs seem to only last 20-30k miles. So I would need to end up replacing them. And being able to fine tune my ride height seems to be a better option since the springs may not go as low as I'm looking for.

FFM

Maybe.

However, from the majority of pics people have posted of the SS they are pretty low in my opinion for a spring. The above car on sports I don't think is a good assessment.

Looking through the "spring thread" some people running the SS with 19's are tucking tire. Not sure how much lower you plan to go, however, I can imagine the longevity of the coilovers is much much better.

dudeitsmattx

Yeah damn. Idk what to do. Springs are for sure the cheapest way to go. But will need to spend more down the road on shocks. Is there any good aftermarket shocks that work well with the H&R SS springs?

zachblev

Definitely get the H&R coilovers I love mine and have a c300 I have been in a car with springs and the coilovers are way better

dudeitsmattx

Ok good info. What size rims are you on? And do they go low enough for you?

Becksan

I'm on Bilstein B8 sport shocks and H&R SS with 19" wheels.

Hopefully that should give you an idea of the spring option.

zachblev

I am on 18x8.5 all the way around and they are fully adjustable look at this

dudeitsmattx

Nice Becksan, looks like a good and daily ride height. What did you pay for the B8 shocks? About $100 each? I did a little research and can't seem to find any for my model car. 2013 C250

Becksan

You'll be looking at $800 for the shocks and most likely have to find them on eBay from Germany. I found the front shocks on Amazon, but had to order the rear from Germany in order not to wait 10-14 weeks. So with the springs you are around $1000 which is only like $200 less than coils. Don't get me wrong I love the setup. But if I would do it over and didn't have the springs already I would have gotten coils just for the freedom to adjust.

aznmode

You're right. There's not a lot of difference. Here is mine. Same size and brand rims and I'm on stock shocks & springs. But my rears are 265/30/19. Glad I didn't opt for springs.

dudeitsmattx

Great point Becksan! I'm going to go with the coilovers. If the SS springs and B8's would have been a total package of like $600-$750 I probably would go that route. I'll spend the little extra and be able to adjust. I could always get just the springs for now then swap shock when they blow but I'll just go coils. Thank god for tax refunds lol.

dudeitsmattx

The silver car almost looks to be a tad lower. Probably just the pics