Any aftermarket shocks available for C300 4matic?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 503
Likes: 1
2015 C300 4matic
Any aftermarket shocks available for C300 4matic?
So.. I've been lowered with H&Rs for about 3 weeks now and I absolutely hate it.
Sure the lowered stance looks great and the car handles a lot better around corners, but the suspension will bottom out on pretty much any pothole. Looking to see if there is any aftermarket shocks available yet.
Also any camber bolts (crash bolts) available? Currently running -2.7 on the rears and want to bring that up a little.
Sure the lowered stance looks great and the car handles a lot better around corners, but the suspension will bottom out on pretty much any pothole. Looking to see if there is any aftermarket shocks available yet.
Also any camber bolts (crash bolts) available? Currently running -2.7 on the rears and want to bring that up a little.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
That sucks. Drops do look cool though. So cool that I have to believe if Mercedes could build a car that sat nice and low and still rode well, they probably would. Unfortunately physics requires some suspension travel and a drop eats into that.
I don't think softer shocks ( if they exist) will do it. I think you've got to reverse the drop to stock, or swap in a less aggressive set of springs.
I don't think softer shocks ( if they exist) will do it. I think you've got to reverse the drop to stock, or swap in a less aggressive set of springs.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 505
Likes: 58
From: Gold Coast, Oz.
C300 S205 AMG, GLA 45 AMG
Surprised you are bottuming out on H&R springs..
I did the same on my w204 and had no issues..
If you selected sport springs then you have an option to trim off 25mm from the foam bump stops... which may be enough to remove your issue..
If you selected the supersports then yeah you were always gonna run into issues.. leaving very little bump stop and compromised geo...
More than a typicl 25-35mm drop is better achieved with coilovers and adjustable geo....
Hope the bump stop trim tip works out for you.
All the best
I did the same on my w204 and had no issues..
If you selected sport springs then you have an option to trim off 25mm from the foam bump stops... which may be enough to remove your issue..
If you selected the supersports then yeah you were always gonna run into issues.. leaving very little bump stop and compromised geo...
More than a typicl 25-35mm drop is better achieved with coilovers and adjustable geo....
Hope the bump stop trim tip works out for you.
All the best
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 72
Likes: 5
'15 Black w205 C300, '02 E46 M3, '94 FD3S RX7
I somewhat agree. I dont love the ride on the H&R springs. I also think the are a little too aggressive. With a full tank of gas, there is ZERO wheel gap on the rear. I dont want a huge wheel gap like stock, but the drop on the H&R is too much. Does someone make springs with a slightly more conservative drop?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
I think if anyone reads this, is still in the market for a C, and wants to do a drop, get an AirMatic car. You can drop one to virtually any height in the range of adjustment by simply replacing the fixed-length OEM sensor links with variable length aftermarket links.
They're just these non-load bearing little 4" metal bars that link the ride height sensor to the suspension so the sensor can constantly monitor how high the car is sitting. You can pop them on and off in your driveway with no tools.
If you change the length of the links a little bit, it tricks the sensors, because they're calibrated based on the fixed length of the stock links. They "think" the car is riding higher than it actually is, so the AirMatic controller responds by lowering the car.
You set the drop by lengthening or shortening the links until the car sits where you want it in terms of appearance and ride comfort, and of course its entirely reversible by setting the links at OEM length. A lot more flexibility and less labor than swapping out fixed springs.
They're just these non-load bearing little 4" metal bars that link the ride height sensor to the suspension so the sensor can constantly monitor how high the car is sitting. You can pop them on and off in your driveway with no tools.
If you change the length of the links a little bit, it tricks the sensors, because they're calibrated based on the fixed length of the stock links. They "think" the car is riding higher than it actually is, so the AirMatic controller responds by lowering the car.
You set the drop by lengthening or shortening the links until the car sits where you want it in terms of appearance and ride comfort, and of course its entirely reversible by setting the links at OEM length. A lot more flexibility and less labor than swapping out fixed springs.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 72
Likes: 5
'15 Black w205 C300, '02 E46 M3, '94 FD3S RX7
I agree with that Mike. Wish I had airmatic. Unfortunately I didnt buy mine new and finding the exact options I wanted in the used market, with a ton of other variables (price, mileage, condition, color, distance) wasn't possible. Anyone buying new, especially custom ordering, its silly to not get airmatic.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 68
Likes: 5
From: Utah
C400
I kept my Vogtland springs for 3 months and pulled them for the same reason. I can handle a stiffer ride but they felt like they bottomed out ALL the time. That will make stuff rattle over time so I am back to factory until someone makes a full suspension with coil over. I have only seen them for RWD as of now. I did LOVE how it looked... I have a very aggressive 20" Niche Wheel so now my car looks like I am setting it up for desert racing....
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 503
Likes: 1
2015 C300 4matic
@Mike5215 Looks like i'm close to just swapping it back to stock. I'm more interested in shorter/stiffer shocks to with the springs.. Wish I knew about airmatic. I thought they only come with C450
@Shadwell Maybe cutting the bumpstop might help but I think I read somewhere that it's a no no with this car? Springs are H&R Sports
@Str8Down you can put thicker spring pads to raise the car a little but it's still limited. I wish the rear sat a little higher.
@Dkinsley lol that sucks. There seems to be a couple of coilovers but yes they are all for RWD...
@Shadwell Maybe cutting the bumpstop might help but I think I read somewhere that it's a no no with this car? Springs are H&R Sports
@Str8Down you can put thicker spring pads to raise the car a little but it's still limited. I wish the rear sat a little higher.
@Dkinsley lol that sucks. There seems to be a couple of coilovers but yes they are all for RWD...
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
