Another Lowering Question, but different?

Mar 31, 2006 | 09:40 AM

joegrecoant

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Another Lowering Question, but different?

Hi everyone, I keep seeing people trying to lower their C32, and I am planning to do the same also!!! However, I don't know if my question pops up before (as a search returns nothing)....here is my situation...

I have a 02 C32, and i wanted to upgrade the springs only (keeping cost down), since I just want to fill some gap and have better handling (don't need a go-kart ride!!).... however, the complication is, I have the extended warranty!! There is no point for me to change to aftermarket springs to void my $2k extended warranty!

So in order to keep the warranty intact, I am thinking (maybe i am silly), if I change my spring to the C55 spring (stiffer?) and also change to the thinnest spring pad, do you think I can achieve my goal while keeping warranty intact? Or am I just burning money by getting nothing out of it?

Thanks for the help guys!!

Mar 31, 2006 | 09:52 AM

Carl AMG

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Joined: Aug 2002

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From: Fairfax, VA

2002 C32 AMG Orion Blue Charcoal/Blue

I never had a problem with the dealer honoring the warranty on my C32 and I changed to RENNtech springs within a year of buying the car brand new. I know that all dealers will not take the same stance. Perhaps you can ask the dealer before proceeding.

I don't know about the C55 springs idea. I'm not sure how the C32 shocks will work with the stiffer C55 springs. In addition, the spring pads are only on the rear so you will not be helping the large front gap.

Mar 31, 2006 | 09:59 AM

joegrecoant

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl AMG

I know that all dealers will not take the same stance. Perhaps you can ask the dealer before proceeding.

Yeah, that's the problem, I remember last time I changed my rims and my dealer put it in the computer for a record... i guess my dealer is quite strict on these stuff!!! I understand that they can't deny my claim unless they can claim that it's caused by the spring, however, if changing aftermarket springs, then they can deny at least the whole suspension part, and so many other things....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl AMG

I don't know about the C55 springs idea. I'm not sure how the C32 shocks will work with the stiffer C55 springs. In addition, the spring pads are only on the rear so you will not be helping the large front gap.

I am not too sure about the difference between the C55 springs compared to the C32..... if they have any ride height difference at all?

Mar 31, 2006 | 09:59 AM

Bif powell

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Joined: Oct 2005

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2002 c32

My understanding was that there were court cases and such that determined that the dealer was responsible for demonstrating that a particular after-market part was the cause of a problem. So, if you did lower-springs, and then later that day your inter-cooler pump died, they can't claim a voided warranty and if they did, they would have to demonstrate that the springs caused the problem. Now if you went with lowering-springs and your cv joint gave out, they might have something there - but it would still be on them to show how/why the springs caused the problem.

FYI, IANA Mechanic.

Mar 31, 2006 | 10:07 AM

joegrecoant

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Bif powell

Now if you went with lowering-springs and your cv joint gave out, they might have something there - but it would still be on them to show how/why the springs caused the problem.

FYI, IANA Mechanic.

Thanks Bif for the explanation.... however, if I really go for aftermarket springs, do you think I SHOULD even ask the dealer first?

Mar 31, 2006 | 02:57 PM

Furious

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Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 117

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From: Edmonton, Canada

2003 C32

I am getting Bilstein PSS9s put in a couple of weeks from now. I talked to my service advisor and they are going to do it right at the dealership for me. I know I could get it done somewhere else for slightly cheaper, but if anything goes wrong suspension wise i think it will have been better to have had this done at the dealership.

Mar 31, 2006 | 02:59 PM

SteveL1

Super Member

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 876

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From: ST. Louis, MO

'16 SL550, '18 Porsche Macan GTS

Wouldn't C55 frt srpings actually RAISE the car, as they are designed to handle the extra weight of the V8????

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Mar 31, 2006 | 03:25 PM

amgmark

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Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 1,239

Likes: 1

From: San Jose, CA

ML63

My Thoughts.. My car has Brabus springs.. I needed to get extended warranty work done, fix the sway bar bushings and thrust arms.. This is a pretty standard warranty fix and the original bushings are total crap. There is a TSB regarding these bushings/arms.

SO.. the first dealer.. MB of San Diego.. (This Dealer is the worst I have ever encountered on any car) said they wouldn't cover the bushings because I had aftermarket springs.. TOTAL BS!!!

The next dealer, MB of Escondido stated that the bushing failure had nothing to do with the springs, it was a known issue with the original bushings.. YEAH NO *****.. thanks for nothing MB OF SD read your TSB's morons!!

The aftermarket springs will NOT void your warranty. Any reputable service advisor/manager should know this.

FYI.. I still have my Brabus springs.. no problems with the extended warranty whatsoever with the new dealer I use now.

I would:

#1. check to see if you car has the original bushings/arms etc. If so get them replaced right away.. If you hear a squeeking sound going over speed bumps etc..

#2. go get some aftermarket springs installed!! I like my brabus.. nice ride.. great height..

Good luck!

Mar 31, 2006 | 09:28 PM

#10

joegrecoant

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Quote:

Originally Posted by amgmark

I would:

#1. check to see if you car has the original bushings/arms etc. If so get them replaced right away.. If you hear a squeeking sound going over speed bumps etc..

Yes, it's changed last year, with front stabilizer bar, and all the rubber mounting....

Quote:

Originally Posted by amgmark

#2. go get some aftermarket springs installed!! I like my brabus.. nice ride.. great height..
Good luck!

I am more thinking of Renntech or H&R, more toward Renntech... Brabus might be too expensive for me......

So i will talk to my dealer first..and see if they will install them for me.......

Mar 31, 2006 | 09:53 PM

#11

amgmark

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Joined: Dec 2005

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From: San Jose, CA

ML63

BTW.. Brabus should be cheaper than Renntech.. $350-420

I feel like a Brabus salemen!! lol.. Good luck!

Mar 31, 2006 | 10:38 PM

#12

drsaab

Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 409

Likes: 1

From: Vienna, VA

h and r springs

you can see my c32 for sale here in this forum, it has hr springs and you can see how they look lowered, with 18 rims, pretty nice.

theres high res pics too if u want to see it supersize.

dealer installed to keep all warranty issues intact. you should do same.

anup