Quick question about H&R coilovers
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2012 GL550
Quick question about H&R coilovers
Is it possible that after I had the coilovers adjusted to a lower ride height, the car actually feels smoother over larger bumps and dips? It was probably around 1.6" drop before and now probably around 2.0" drop total. It seems like I don't feel myself "falling" into dips as much. It feels smoother?...or maybe more "solid" feeling going over dips and speedbumps in a parking lot. Kinda hard to describe, but it feels better, when I expected it to feel worse after going lower. Feels a little less harsh?
Is it because the spring at this height setting is better matched to the shocks set dampening,rebound, etc? H&R has their shocks set and the only thing adjustable is springs, so I'm guessing those shocks are set a a comfortable range to handle the range of spring heights.
It might be psycological, but is it possible that it could be smoother? I'm not too familiar with how this would work, if its possible, what is the explanation for it?
Thanks!
Is it because the spring at this height setting is better matched to the shocks set dampening,rebound, etc? H&R has their shocks set and the only thing adjustable is springs, so I'm guessing those shocks are set a a comfortable range to handle the range of spring heights.
It might be psycological, but is it possible that it could be smoother? I'm not too familiar with how this would work, if its possible, what is the explanation for it?
Thanks!
Last edited by bnz616; Dec 3, 2005 at 07:11 PM.
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The weight distribution is changed front to rear and side to side as you change the ride height. What you describe is possible. Although with the H&R and a 2" drop in front which would put the car at about 13.0" from the fender lip to the center of the hub, you are probable riding on the bump stops during a heavy compression stroke and this may be what you are feeling since the H&R are valved on the soft side. Regardless of ride height, the spring is compressed the same under static load. You are just adjusting the collar nut to set height, but the piston is closer to the bottom of its range of travel as you lower the nut.
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From: Boston, MA
My ex-cars: 03 E55,04 C32, 05 C55 ,03 E320
hey guys, Im wanna imporve the handling on my car.....kinda stupid to ask..but which one would u guys recommend for best handling? i dont really care about comfort.... 
..........well actually...its not like i dont care...but I would give up a little comfort for the handling...
..........well actually...its not like i dont care...but I would give up a little comfort for the handling...
Last edited by derrick_lui; Dec 5, 2005 at 02:55 AM.
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2012 GL550
Originally Posted by smgC32
The weight distribution is changed front to rear and side to side as you change the ride height. What you describe is possible. Although with the H&R and a 2" drop in front which would put the car at about 13.0" from the fender lip to the center of the hub, you are probable riding on the bump stops during a heavy compression stroke and this may be what you are feeling since the H&R are valved on the soft side. Regardless of ride height, the spring is compressed the same under static load. You are just adjusting the collar nut to set height, but the piston is closer to the bottom of its range of travel as you lower the nut.
Now if I'm riding the bump stops on heavier compression strokes, is that a bad thing? I thought it would feel much worse if I were hitting the bump stops, wouldn't be be more of a solid thump on larger dips/bumps? I have about a finger or a little less of gap in the front with 19s. And since the piston is closer to the bottom of its range of travel, what does that affect? I'm guessing eventually it causes premature and excessive wear of the shocks?
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H&R uses their bump stops and designs them to act as a secondary progressive "spring" unlike other manufacturers. Their bump stops are usually larger and the composition more developed. However, riding on the bump stops if this is in fact what you are experiencing, is not a great idea beyond the occational confrontation. Ultimately, you will blow the shock, especially if your car is lowered a few inches as the shock's travel is severly limited. The lower the shock piston, or the less travel the piston has, the higher the spring rate must be to prevent bottoming out. The H&R's have softer spring rates and shock valving than the other manufacturers, but are the most comfortable. On the other hand, the Carlsson RS's have a much firmer spring rate and shock valving, but at the expense of daily comfort which in my opinion is borderline unexceptable. It is all a trade off, unless MB will put that magic SL55 suspension in our cars 
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2012 GL550
Thanks for the info smgC32.
I hope I am not to the limit of hitting bump stops and extremely low shock travel. I am about a finger gap in the front and I'm sure the coilovers still have a bit to go lower, but I'm estimating about 1.8-2.0 inches of drop right now in the front. I haven't hit any unexpected large dips or bumps and haven't loaded the car up with people yet, so I guess I'll find out someday soon if I am beating on the shocks and hitting bump stops at this height. =)
So they designed these setups to go lower and handle a large range of heights, but it'll actually result in blown shocks and hitting bump stops because of the soft spring rates and valving. Bleh.
I hope I am not to the limit of hitting bump stops and extremely low shock travel. I am about a finger gap in the front and I'm sure the coilovers still have a bit to go lower, but I'm estimating about 1.8-2.0 inches of drop right now in the front. I haven't hit any unexpected large dips or bumps and haven't loaded the car up with people yet, so I guess I'll find out someday soon if I am beating on the shocks and hitting bump stops at this height. =)
So they designed these setups to go lower and handle a large range of heights, but it'll actually result in blown shocks and hitting bump stops because of the soft spring rates and valving. Bleh.
Last edited by bnz616; Dec 6, 2005 at 05:25 PM.
