Suspension mod questions
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2002 c32
Suspension mod questions
I've been doing some autoxing and while I know I'm supposed to be working on the most important part (the driver 
) - I still would like to get this car to not push so much through corners and long sweeping turns (yes I'm trying to get off the gas a little too). In any case, I would like to get a MUCH firmer ride and maybe reduce some of that understeer (and drop at LEAST 1" but 1.5 seems to be a sweet spot). Currently I'm looking at either some H&R sport springs (lower the car 1" ) or a used Cup Kit. The price is cheap enough on either of these that I'm not that concerned about making a mistake BUT the Cup Kit I'm looking at is from a C240 - are all w203 cup kits the same or do I need something specific to the C32? In the end I suspect I'll end up with the Bilstein PSS9 coil-overs as that's what seems to be the shizz, but I'm trying to experiment for less than $1000 before I go nuts on something like that. I would like the ride and handling to be much firmer.
Also if anyone has anything, or a vendor reads this, speak up, I'm ready to do this now so I can get them in before my next autox event in 2 weeks.
Thanks!
) - I still would like to get this car to not push so much through corners and long sweeping turns (yes I'm trying to get off the gas a little too). In any case, I would like to get a MUCH firmer ride and maybe reduce some of that understeer (and drop at LEAST 1" but 1.5 seems to be a sweet spot). Currently I'm looking at either some H&R sport springs (lower the car 1" ) or a used Cup Kit. The price is cheap enough on either of these that I'm not that concerned about making a mistake BUT the Cup Kit I'm looking at is from a C240 - are all w203 cup kits the same or do I need something specific to the C32? In the end I suspect I'll end up with the Bilstein PSS9 coil-overs as that's what seems to be the shizz, but I'm trying to experiment for less than $1000 before I go nuts on something like that. I would like the ride and handling to be much firmer.Also if anyone has anything, or a vendor reads this, speak up, I'm ready to do this now so I can get them in before my next autox event in 2 weeks.
Thanks!
Last edited by Bif powell; Aug 29, 2006 at 01:29 PM.
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..
I don't think the cup kit will be enough suspension for autoxing. I think you should definitely go with some sort of coilovers. I have a feeling you will end up with some sort of coilover anyway. KW V2's or Bilsteins will probably do what you're looking for. I can personally vouch for the KW V2's on stiffness as I have mine set pretty stiff right now (about 85% stiff) plus they're a good amount of money less. Can't go wrong with either one though.
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
cupkit is no where near stiff enough for autoxing. the cupkit is even softer than the stock suspension. people put them on solely for looks with a little more refined ride. There is no cupkit for the C32. They are spec for C240 and 320.
If you are gonna autoX, go with RENNtech springs. It doesn't throw off the ride quality much and improves the handling greatly. H&R springs will do as well, but doesn't work as well with the stock shock.
If you are gonna autoX, go with RENNtech springs. It doesn't throw off the ride quality much and improves the handling greatly. H&R springs will do as well, but doesn't work as well with the stock shock.
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2002 c32
Thanks Frank - that's pretty much what I was looking for - will the RENNtechs lower the ride and will it be stiffer than stock as I'm hoping?...thanks!
ALSO - what size front sway bar should I be looking at if I want something more hard-core than stock - also it seems like there are two connections offered by someone like Tire-rack - there is a 26mm with 10mm end link holes and a 26mm with 12mm end link holes.
Thanks!
ALSO - what size front sway bar should I be looking at if I want something more hard-core than stock - also it seems like there are two connections offered by someone like Tire-rack - there is a 26mm with 10mm end link holes and a 26mm with 12mm end link holes.
Thanks!
Last edited by Bif powell; Aug 31, 2006 at 08:23 AM.
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From: 858
2005 Brabus C55
a few general thoughts before spending time & $...
If you're getting more serious about AutoX’ing, you may consider this … find a nice very experienced driver to drive w/ you and allow him to drive your car. This way you can get feedback on your driving and your car's handling. When I was starting, I learned more in one session that way than I would have on my own in a year ... or more ... no lie.
Weight transfer is a big part AutoX'ing... stiff+stiff+stiff might equal TOO stiff ... consider making changes to your car one at a time.
If the Coil-Over kits for the C-Class allow for ride height, spring rate and independent rebound & compression adjustments (does anyone know the answer to this question?), you'll probably get better "bang for the buck" than from springs & sway bars alone.
Unfortunately I'm new to the Benz family, so I can only make a few general statements like that... Feel free to ignore me all together
Weight transfer is a big part AutoX'ing... stiff+stiff+stiff might equal TOO stiff ... consider making changes to your car one at a time.
If the Coil-Over kits for the C-Class allow for ride height, spring rate and independent rebound & compression adjustments (does anyone know the answer to this question?), you'll probably get better "bang for the buck" than from springs & sway bars alone.
Unfortunately I'm new to the Benz family, so I can only make a few general statements like that... Feel free to ignore me all together
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2002 c32
Originally Posted by Brabus C55
If you're getting more serious about AutoX’ing, you may consider this … find a nice very experienced driver to drive w/ you and allow him to drive your car. This way you can get feedback on your driving and your car's handling. When I was starting, I learned more in one session that way than I would have on my own in a year ... or more ... no lie.
Weight transfer is a big part AutoX'ing... stiff+stiff+stiff might equal TOO stiff ... consider making changes to your car one at a time.
If the Coil-Over kits for the C-Class allow for ride height, spring rate and independent rebound & compression adjustments (does anyone know the answer to this question?), you'll probably get better "bang for the buck" than from springs & sway bars alone.
Unfortunately I'm new to the Benz family, so I can only make a few general statements like that... Feel free to ignore me all together
Weight transfer is a big part AutoX'ing... stiff+stiff+stiff might equal TOO stiff ... consider making changes to your car one at a time.
If the Coil-Over kits for the C-Class allow for ride height, spring rate and independent rebound & compression adjustments (does anyone know the answer to this question?), you'll probably get better "bang for the buck" than from springs & sway bars alone.
Unfortunately I'm new to the Benz family, so I can only make a few general statements like that... Feel free to ignore me all together
Thanks for the feedback in any case!
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From: 858
2005 Brabus C55
pardon my political incorrectness...
Originally Posted by Brabus C55
If you're getting more serious about AutoX’ing, you may consider this … find a nice very experienced driver to drive w/ you and allow him to drive your car.
Might consider an AutoX-friendly alignment for the front (camber &/or toe)... Consider camber only first... but you might wear your tires quicker.
Hey you're Autox'ing ... tires be damned!
ok I'll shut-up & let you get back to after-market parts ...
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From: OC
C32
Originally Posted by Bif powell
I spent a day out with several instructors - one was a woman who was a national champ sometime in the last few years - and it was a great experience - mostly I'm looking to reduce the understeer/tightness/push and for a more sports-car-like experience more than an autox-specific setup, although at this stage autoxing is what I'm doing most often. I think the car is probably setup very nicely for road-tracks, but I imagine some suspension work will help there too once I get to that point.
Thanks for the feedback in any case!
Thanks for the feedback in any case!
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If you want to dial out understeer, you would be better off purchasing adjustable sways at first. You can change the stiffness between back and front to dial in a neutral car, a car with more oversteer, or a car with more understeer. Naturally the car is setup from the factory to have more understeer as this is deemed by DOT to be the "safer" setup for the average driver.
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I have the RENNtech springs on an otherwise stock-suspensioned C32. I did have the front end rebuilt with new parts though, just to address normal wear. Anyway I just love the improvements that the RENNtech's have provided in both looks and (much more importantly) handling. Much of the understeer is dialed out, and it's not come at a significant sacrifice in ride quality. However, if I were auto-xing I would definitely want even more stiffness and less body roll than the RENNtechs offer. I strongly recommend the KW Variant 2's or Bilstein PSS9's.
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2002 c32
Originally Posted by Nick@JleviSW
If you want to dial out understeer, you would be better off purchasing adjustable sways at first. You can change the stiffness between back and front to dial in a neutral car, a car with more oversteer, or a car with more understeer. Naturally the car is setup from the factory to have more understeer as this is deemed by DOT to be the "safer" setup for the average driver.
Thanks!
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2002 c32
This is listed as adjustable, but it's just an H&R. Would this be better than stock?
http://www.evosport.com/product/prod...RS.SUS.M03.W01
Thanks!
http://www.evosport.com/product/prod...RS.SUS.M03.W01
Thanks!
