C55 European Springs
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Western Canada
2013 C63 AMG P31, 2014 GMC Sierra (6.2)
C55 European Springs
Hi guys,
I've been sitting on the fence in regards to lowering my C55. I would go with coilovers however I hear stories about fitment issues, rubbing and having to adjust this or that afterwords and I really don't want to deal with those issues at all. So, I was just going to go with springs for now. All I'm looking for is about a 1 inch drop -- no more. Does anyone here know if the Euro C55s have a lower ride height than our North American ones? Is there such a thing as Euro-spec C55 springs? I know the European C32s are lower than the ones here so I thought this might also be the case with the C55?
I've been sitting on the fence in regards to lowering my C55. I would go with coilovers however I hear stories about fitment issues, rubbing and having to adjust this or that afterwords and I really don't want to deal with those issues at all. So, I was just going to go with springs for now. All I'm looking for is about a 1 inch drop -- no more. Does anyone here know if the Euro C55s have a lower ride height than our North American ones? Is there such a thing as Euro-spec C55 springs? I know the European C32s are lower than the ones here so I thought this might also be the case with the C55?
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From: Orange County, CA
GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
The C55’s 203 321 70 04 front springs are universal fitment for all North American and RoW markets.
There are a half-dozen rears (and the four rear pads) from which to choose based upon MB’s convoluted option weighting formulae.
When my former H&R fronts (spring #29392; furnished with several of their W203/209 kits) proved too low for practical daily use on Los Angeles’ dilapidated streets, I swapped in a pair of OE C55 springs. The resultant increase in ride height was almost exactly an inch.
Is it logical to conclude a similar alteration in height would occur on yours? Don’t know.
There are a half-dozen rears (and the four rear pads) from which to choose based upon MB’s convoluted option weighting formulae.
When my former H&R fronts (spring #29392; furnished with several of their W203/209 kits) proved too low for practical daily use on Los Angeles’ dilapidated streets, I swapped in a pair of OE C55 springs. The resultant increase in ride height was almost exactly an inch.
Is it logical to conclude a similar alteration in height would occur on yours? Don’t know.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Houston, TX
C32/C55 AMG
The C55 springs are $77 each from parts.com. That's not so bad, I have H&R, but I really think Houston streets are pretty bad. Splinter, do you have a pic of your car dropped with C55 springs?
Sorry about the thread jack.
Sorry about the thread jack.
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From: Columbus, GA
2004 Audi S4
If his car is a C55, why would he want stock C55 springs?
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From: Houston, TX
C32/C55 AMG
No offense taken, I can see where the confusion may have occurred, lol.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,687
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From: Western Canada
2013 C63 AMG P31, 2014 GMC Sierra (6.2)
The C55’s 203 321 70 04 front springs are universal fitment for all North American and RoW markets.
There are a half-dozen rears (and the four rear pads) from which to choose based upon MB’s convoluted option weighting formulae.
When my former H&R fronts (spring #29392; furnished with several of their W203/209 kits) proved too low for practical daily use on Los Angeles’ dilapidated streets, I swapped in a pair of OE C55 springs. The resultant increase in ride height was almost exactly an inch.
Is it logical to conclude a similar alteration in height would occur on yours? Don’t know.
There are a half-dozen rears (and the four rear pads) from which to choose based upon MB’s convoluted option weighting formulae.
When my former H&R fronts (spring #29392; furnished with several of their W203/209 kits) proved too low for practical daily use on Los Angeles’ dilapidated streets, I swapped in a pair of OE C55 springs. The resultant increase in ride height was almost exactly an inch.
Is it logical to conclude a similar alteration in height would occur on yours? Don’t know.
So, from what you are saying, the H&R fronts (spring #29392) would give me what I'm looking for in regards to a 1'' drop in front. Obviously I would use them in the back also but I would go to the next thickest spring pad. I find it troubling though you found it too low even in LA. The streets around here are just as crappy if not more so. The longer front end of the C55 vs the C32 could exacerbate this..
Last edited by wawy; Aug 28, 2010 at 05:05 PM.
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From: GA
2016 Chevrolet SS, 2006 Cadillac STS-V
I think the best way to go is the Renntech suspension. Will give you an inch drop without ruining the ride and your alignment (my alignment is actually better now than it was before the drop!). You can buy the springs without their shocks/struts but I would recommend getting those, too. I thought there was someone selling a set of at least the struts in the for sale section. I'm looking to get some swaybars next and this car should be really fun!
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From: Canada
C55 AMG, 135i, 911 GT3, GLE43 AMG
There was indeed a "Performance Suspension" offerred for the C55, which was not available for North America. This package included different springs and shock absorbers from AMG Manufaktur (now Performance Studio). As far as I know, they were not adjustable coilovers.
This is straight from the 2006 AMG Manufaktur brochure for the W203 C-class. It doesn't list any part numbers, but I can tell you that this "Performance Suspension" retail price was 1136.80 Euro if you wanted to buy it on its own separate from all the other goodies that came with the C55
"Performance Package".
This is straight from the 2006 AMG Manufaktur brochure for the W203 C-class. It doesn't list any part numbers, but I can tell you that this "Performance Suspension" retail price was 1136.80 Euro if you wanted to buy it on its own separate from all the other goodies that came with the C55
"Performance Package".
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,687
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From: Western Canada
2013 C63 AMG P31, 2014 GMC Sierra (6.2)
I think the best way to go is the Renntech suspension. Will give you an inch drop without ruining the ride and your alignment (my alignment is actually better now than it was before the drop!). You can buy the springs without their shocks/struts but I would recommend getting those, too. I thought there was someone selling a set of at least the struts in the for sale section. I'm looking to get some swaybars next and this car should be really fun!
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: GA
2016 Chevrolet SS, 2006 Cadillac STS-V
Super Moderator
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From: Orange County, CA
GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
So, from what you are saying, the H&R fronts (spring #29392) would give me what I'm looking for in regards to a 1'' drop in front. Obviously I would use them in the back also but I would go to the next thickest spring pad. I find it troubling though you found it too low even in LA. The streets around here are just as crappy if not more so. The longer front end of the C55 vs the C32 could exacerbate this..
another perspective..:http://www.dinancars.com/assets/File...%20REV%20B.pdf
His C55 and my C32 share curiously similar -essentially identical- front end weight and underpinning architecture. Exchanging C55 springs with the aforementioned H&Rs resulted in a (static) ~one inch front end ride height change. One might reasonably infer that the converse could also be the case, yes?
Have personally experimented with several OE and aftermarket spring, bump stop, and (re-valved) MacPherson combinations to arrive at a marginally acceptable ground clearance/handling/ride comfort compromise. Steadfastly refused aftermarket coilovers, lest I be accused of an unfair advantage when having a go against other stock appearing machines. In retrospect, doing so would have been less costly. Less challenging though, too.
Squint a bit and figure it’s now about an inch higher in the front than these..
photo credit nlpamg
There was indeed a "Performance Suspension" offerred for the C55, which was not available for North America. This package included different springs and shock absorbers from AMG Manufaktur (now Performance Studio). As far as I know, they were not adjustable coilovers.
This is straight from the 2006 AMG Manufaktur brochure for the W203 C-class. It doesn't list any part numbers, but I can tell you that this "Performance Suspension" retail price was 1136.80 Euro if you wanted to buy it on its own separate from all the other goodies that came with the C55
"Performance Package".
This is straight from the 2006 AMG Manufaktur brochure for the W203 C-class. It doesn't list any part numbers, but I can tell you that this "Performance Suspension" retail price was 1136.80 Euro if you wanted to buy it on its own separate from all the other goodies that came with the C55
"Performance Package".
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They're actually coilovers from the Performance Studio, as I was almost able to buy them at one point; they're the same ones for the slk55bs. They were never available in US. You can't even buy parts separately anymore in europe, you have to buy the whole car and option it at that time. Incredibly lame.
For the original poster, at this point, most everything that has been discussed about the cars has been posted in this board - use the search function.
For the original poster, at this point, most everything that has been discussed about the cars has been posted in this board - use the search function.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Canada
C55 AMG, 135i, 911 GT3, GLE43 AMG
They're actually coilovers from the Performance Studio, as I was almost able to buy them at one point; they're the same ones for the slk55bs. They were never available in US. You can't even buy parts separately anymore in europe, you have to buy the whole car and option it at that time. Incredibly lame.
For the original poster, at this point, most everything that has been discussed about the cars has been posted in this board - use the search function.
For the original poster, at this point, most everything that has been discussed about the cars has been posted in this board - use the search function.
Having said that, it is likely you could have fitted the SLK55 AMG Black Series coilovers onto a C55, just like you have fitted a number of CLK63 AMG Black Series chassis bits onto your C55.
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From: North California
02 C32 AMG, 05 SL55 AMG, 09 SL63 AMG, 14 E350, '18 G550, 92 300ZX & 15' GL63 AMG
H&R lowering springs would be your best bet my friend. it will lower the car just enough. i would say that we have some pretty rough roads here up norcal especially in the bay area and downtown sacramento area. and driveways that angles like no other lol. i have H&Rs with the CF front lip on 19s and EVEN before when i had 17s as long as im careful with going angled comin in and out of the driveways im good. i can never go straight as i did before with just stock springs.
***btw my sig pic is how currently the car sits
***btw my sig pic is how currently the car sits
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Hey fyi, and not to split hairs, but the suspension for the c55 from AMG performance studio price list of July 21, 2006 confirms they are coil overs as you can't adjust the height of just springs and shocks as follows:
"AMG performance suspension incl. level adjustment,"
not that it much matters as I tried and tried to buy them to no avail years ago...
"AMG performance suspension incl. level adjustment,"
not that it much matters as I tried and tried to buy them to no avail years ago...
MBworld Guru
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
all W203 suspension are interchangeable. The renntech shocks will work for the C55 as well. The renntech shocks however is made by SACHS which is the same company that makes the AMG shocks.
as for the AMG performance suspension. since they're made by KW, if you want coilovers...just go get the KWV2 or V3. They don't make much of a difference vs the AMG performance one. The main thing is the AMG ver. has AMG's take on spring rate.
the SLK/R171 shares the same knuckle as the W203, but the strut itself will not work on the W203, so you can't use R171 suspension on the W203.
as for the AMG performance suspension. since they're made by KW, if you want coilovers...just go get the KWV2 or V3. They don't make much of a difference vs the AMG performance one. The main thing is the AMG ver. has AMG's take on spring rate.
the SLK/R171 shares the same knuckle as the W203, but the strut itself will not work on the W203, so you can't use R171 suspension on the W203.
