Dropped benz
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Joined: Nov 2001
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Lowering Rear for $3
Before you spend hundreds on special springs to lower the car, see what $3 of sand will do. I always felt the ride height of the rear was much higher than the front, compared with the S class. If you have ever loaded heavy luggage in the trunk, you have noticed that there is a good 1/2 to 1 inch that the rear can be lowered to make it look level with the front. Of course, you could just carry the luggage around all the time. But a cheap alternative is to buy 50 lbs of sand. In order to disperse the sand to make for trunk space, buy a bunch of zip lock quart bags. Fill each of them with this sand. Then load the bags in all the available space in the spare tire area. Each bag is flexible so as to fit as needed. You can add as few or many as you wish, but I found that 50 lbs is just right to level out the rear ride height with the front.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 3
From: OC
C32
JFO,
That does not make any sense, putting sand in the trunk. Why add 50 pounds of useless wieght to the car. $250 for springs on a $55000 car is nothing. Why not just remove the supercharger and toss it in the trunk, thats about 50 pounds.
That does not make any sense, putting sand in the trunk. Why add 50 pounds of useless wieght to the car. $250 for springs on a $55000 car is nothing. Why not just remove the supercharger and toss it in the trunk, thats about 50 pounds.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Bicycle
Re: Lowering Rear for $3
Originally posted by jfo
Before you spend hundreds on special springs to lower the car, see what $3 of sand will do. I always felt the ride height of the rear was much higher than the front, compared with the S class. If you have ever loaded heavy luggage in the trunk, you have noticed that there is a good 1/2 to 1 inch that the rear can be lowered to make it look level with the front. Of course, you could just carry the luggage around all the time. But a cheap alternative is to buy 50 lbs of sand. In order to disperse the sand to make for trunk space, buy a bunch of zip lock quart bags. Fill each of them with this sand. Then load the bags in all the available space in the spare tire area. Each bag is flexible so as to fit as needed. You can add as few or many as you wish, but I found that 50 lbs is just right to level out the rear ride height with the front.
Before you spend hundreds on special springs to lower the car, see what $3 of sand will do. I always felt the ride height of the rear was much higher than the front, compared with the S class. If you have ever loaded heavy luggage in the trunk, you have noticed that there is a good 1/2 to 1 inch that the rear can be lowered to make it look level with the front. Of course, you could just carry the luggage around all the time. But a cheap alternative is to buy 50 lbs of sand. In order to disperse the sand to make for trunk space, buy a bunch of zip lock quart bags. Fill each of them with this sand. Then load the bags in all the available space in the spare tire area. Each bag is flexible so as to fit as needed. You can add as few or many as you wish, but I found that 50 lbs is just right to level out the rear ride height with the front.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: HKG
adding sandbags is an old trick for adding weight to pickup trucks since they are especially front heavy. I would highly advise against that idea for the C32 since you don't want to compromise performance with the added weight.
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Originally posted by krm
adding sandbags is an old trick for adding weight to pickup trucks since they are especially front heavy. I would highly advise against that idea for the C32 since you don't want to compromise performance with the added weight.
adding sandbags is an old trick for adding weight to pickup trucks since they are especially front heavy. I would highly advise against that idea for the C32 since you don't want to compromise performance with the added weight.
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Posts: n/a
Originally posted by Zeppelin
JFO,
That does not make any sense, putting sand in the trunk. Why add 50 pounds of useless wieght to the car. $250 for springs on a $55000 car is nothing. Why not just remove the supercharger and toss it in the trunk, thats about 50 pounds.
JFO,
That does not make any sense, putting sand in the trunk. Why add 50 pounds of useless wieght to the car. $250 for springs on a $55000 car is nothing. Why not just remove the supercharger and toss it in the trunk, thats about 50 pounds.
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA
2002 C32 AMG Orion Blue Charcoal/Blue
I would highly recommend the RENNtech springs if you are looking to improve handling as well as improve the looks of your car. The RENNtech springs are $525 dollars and much more expensive than other brands but customer satisfaction with the product on this board is very high.
Including a four wheel alignment with more negative camber dialed in, I paid about $700 dollars for the installation in the Northern VA/Washington, DC area.
There is a pictures of my car, some before and some after the modifications, in the picture thread. Please note you can adjust the rear ride height with the different Mercedes spring pads. I left my stock ones on and I suspect they are the thicker ones because I have the ski sack option. It has a nice raked look but if you want it lower in the back get the thinnest spring pad from Mercedes before you have your installation done.
Good luck!
Including a four wheel alignment with more negative camber dialed in, I paid about $700 dollars for the installation in the Northern VA/Washington, DC area.
There is a pictures of my car, some before and some after the modifications, in the picture thread. Please note you can adjust the rear ride height with the different Mercedes spring pads. I left my stock ones on and I suspect they are the thicker ones because I have the ski sack option. It has a nice raked look but if you want it lower in the back get the thinnest spring pad from Mercedes before you have your installation done.
Good luck!
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by Carl AMG
I would highly recommend the RENNtech springs if you are looking to improve handling as well as improve the looks of your car. The RENNtech springs are $525 dollars and much more expensive than other brands but customer satisfaction with the product on this board is very high.
Including a four wheel alignment with more negative camber dialed in, I paid about $700 dollars for the installation in the Northern VA/Washington, DC area.
There is a pictures of my car, some before and some after the modifications, in the picture thread. Please note you can adjust the rear ride height with the different Mercedes spring pads. I left my stock ones on and I suspect they are the thicker ones because I have the ski sack option. It has a nice raked look but if you want it lower in the back get the thinnest spring pad from Mercedes before you have your installation done.
Good luck!
I would highly recommend the RENNtech springs if you are looking to improve handling as well as improve the looks of your car. The RENNtech springs are $525 dollars and much more expensive than other brands but customer satisfaction with the product on this board is very high.
Including a four wheel alignment with more negative camber dialed in, I paid about $700 dollars for the installation in the Northern VA/Washington, DC area.
There is a pictures of my car, some before and some after the modifications, in the picture thread. Please note you can adjust the rear ride height with the different Mercedes spring pads. I left my stock ones on and I suspect they are the thicker ones because I have the ski sack option. It has a nice raked look but if you want it lower in the back get the thinnest spring pad from Mercedes before you have your installation done.
Good luck!
Last edited by I1 ULOOZ; Jan 4, 2003 at 06:04 PM.
Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 131
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From: Sandy Eggo
02 C32AMG
Originally posted by Carl AMG
Including a four wheel alignment with more negative camber dialed in, I paid about $700 dollars for the installation in the Northern VA/Washington, DC area.
Including a four wheel alignment with more negative camber dialed in, I paid about $700 dollars for the installation in the Northern VA/Washington, DC area.
Isn't it a little bit too much for the installation?
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA
2002 C32 AMG Orion Blue Charcoal/Blue
I don't think the labor charges are too far off base considering that you do need a four wheel alignment when you install new springs. The shop I chose to do the work does a lot of performance work on high end cars and I don't think their customers are too price sensitive. In other words, they probably aren't the cheapest place around but I wanted the work done properly.
I didn't get a chance to shop around for quotes on the job. If you're concerned about the labr charges I suggest you call around and make sure to let them know you will need the alignment done. I also had no idea what to expect because I couldn't get any feedback from any of the boards. One of the canadian posters has since had RENNtech's installed and, translated back to US dollars, his labor was a little less but not a whole lot.
I have pics before the drop on the board here and not a lot with drop but here is another that gives you a good look at the ride height (but has a nasty shadow).
I didn't get a chance to shop around for quotes on the job. If you're concerned about the labr charges I suggest you call around and make sure to let them know you will need the alignment done. I also had no idea what to expect because I couldn't get any feedback from any of the boards. One of the canadian posters has since had RENNtech's installed and, translated back to US dollars, his labor was a little less but not a whole lot.
I have pics before the drop on the board here and not a lot with drop but here is another that gives you a good look at the ride height (but has a nasty shadow).
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by Carl AMG
I don't think the labor charges are too far off base considering that you do need a four wheel alignment when you install new springs. The shop I chose to do the work does a lot of performance work on high end cars and I don't think their customers are too price sensitive. In other words, they probably aren't the cheapest place around but I wanted the work done properly.
I didn't get a chance to shop around for quotes on the job. If you're concerned about the labr charges I suggest you call around and make sure to let them know you will need the alignment done. I also had no idea what to expect because I couldn't get any feedback from any of the boards. One of the canadian posters has since had RENNtech's installed and, translated back to US dollars, his labor was a little less but not a whole lot.
I have pics before the drop on the board here and not a lot with drop but here is another that gives you a good look at the ride height (but has a nasty shadow).
I don't think the labor charges are too far off base considering that you do need a four wheel alignment when you install new springs. The shop I chose to do the work does a lot of performance work on high end cars and I don't think their customers are too price sensitive. In other words, they probably aren't the cheapest place around but I wanted the work done properly.
I didn't get a chance to shop around for quotes on the job. If you're concerned about the labr charges I suggest you call around and make sure to let them know you will need the alignment done. I also had no idea what to expect because I couldn't get any feedback from any of the boards. One of the canadian posters has since had RENNtech's installed and, translated back to US dollars, his labor was a little less but not a whole lot.
I have pics before the drop on the board here and not a lot with drop but here is another that gives you a good look at the ride height (but has a nasty shadow).
Thanks for the info, its very helpful! Are you planning on getting wheels for your beast?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: San Fernando Valley Ca
C32 AMG
Mine is slammed, well not really its 1.5'' lower in the front and 1'' in the back. I used the H&R's. Installed for 350. Much better deal than the renntechs.
here is a picture
not the best quality, but you can see.
here is a picture
not the best quality, but you can see.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by AMGDood
Mine is slammed, well not really its 1.5'' lower in the front and 1'' in the back. I used the H&R's. Installed for 350. Much better deal than the renntechs.
here is a picture
not the best quality, but you can see.
Mine is slammed, well not really its 1.5'' lower in the front and 1'' in the back. I used the H&R's. Installed for 350. Much better deal than the renntechs.
here is a picture
not the best quality, but you can see.
For some reason it wont show the picture???
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 35,855
Likes: 3
From: Southern CA
After testing various suspension setups on our C32 as well as customers' cars, we've decided that the H&R coilovers offer the best in looks and performance. For $1349, you get a matched set of springs and struts, and the ability to adjsut the height to your preference. Vadim's car handles awesome with the coilovers and our sway bars ($549), and looks much more agressive with its lower stance.
Thanks,
Ben
Thanks,
Ben
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 35,855
Likes: 3
From: Southern CA
Originally posted by Carl AMG
If you were primarily going for looks and didn't intend to track your car don't you think springs are a better and cheaper option than coil overs?
If you were primarily going for looks and didn't intend to track your car don't you think springs are a better and cheaper option than coil overs?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 35,855
Likes: 3
From: Southern CA
Originally posted by I1 ULOOZ
What would be the approximate instalation costs for the h&r coil overs?
What would be the approximate instalation costs for the h&r coil overs?
