C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

Cutting coil springs?

Old Nov 24, 2012 | 02:22 PM
  #1  
varoom's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
C32 AMG
Cutting coil springs?

Who has done this?

On the front springs...

Do I cut top coil or bottom coil?

Do I need to cut a whole coil or just try half first?

Cheers
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2012 | 03:26 PM
  #2  
Justsaymo01's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
2002 C32 AMG
I have the original amg springs on mine with one coil cut front and back, from what i can tell your kinda stuck with a one whole coil on the top of the spring being cut on the front ones because you want the spring to be resting back in the original groove of the top strut plate so your spring couldn't potentialy pop out, this isn't an issue on the back because the top rubber can be rotated unless you you get realy crazy on how many coils your cutting.

I'm not saying this is the best way or correct way by any means to lower a car, I just got bored one day, and decided to do it, and if it didn't work I'd just buy a $200 set of lowering springs. From my experience with them being cut its not that bad, and I've had them cut for over a year now. If you get on some crappy back roads your going to notice your comfort level has degraded , but hey what lowered car doesn't lose some comfort after being lowered.

I'm within the next couple months going to try a set of the BC coilovers to get my car a little lower not much though. I dont feel comfortable cutting anymore spring off being I'd have to cute a whole other coil off, and in that case there wouldn't enough spring left to support it's self and totaly not work.

Good luck with either way you go.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2012 | 03:49 PM
  #3  
Xattica's Avatar
Member
10 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 209
Likes: 5
From: Puerto Rico
2016 AMG GTS Stage 3
Are you for real? Cutting coils is not safe. Also, you have a +60k car! I don't even recommended on the MK3 VW forums.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2012 | 04:17 PM
  #4  
ProjectCamaro's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 440
Likes: 1
From: Racine, WI
Pewter W211
Originally Posted by Xattica
Are you for real? Cutting coils is not safe. Also, you have a +60k car! I don't even recommended on the MK3 VW forums.
I have to agree, just buy some lowering springs that are made for your car and that ride height and call it a day.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2012 | 04:41 PM
  #5  
Quicktwinturbo's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 0
From: AL,IL, GA, CA
CLS, SLK, ETC
No no no no no no no no no no no no non on on on no. Don't be a European ricer.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2012 | 05:01 PM
  #6  
varoom's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
C32 AMG
I know it's not ideal and wouldn't even dream of doing it myself...

But I've read loads of guys doing it on this forum.

This is where I got the idea from lol
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2012 | 05:16 PM
  #7  
91RS's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 6
From: GA
2016 Chevrolet SS, 2006 Cadillac STS-V
Just buy some springs...
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2012 | 05:39 PM
  #8  
AMG3.2's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,318
Likes: 171
From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
Don't do it
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2012 | 08:30 PM
  #9  
Zeppelin's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 3
From: OC
C32
Originally Posted by Xattica
Are you for real? Cutting coils is not safe. Also, you have a +60k car! I don't even recommended on the MK3 VW forums.
Not safe? Please tell us why?

Only risk is if the suspension bottoms out too easily but based on my experience with the W203 this is not an issue. Ride quality is probably better than a aftermarket lowering spring as the strut is designed for the stock spring rate.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2012 | 09:34 PM
  #10  
jahoo's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, canada
2002 C230 Coupe 1999 Mazda Miata
I cut one coil in the front with the same thought, if too low I would just buy a new set of H&R's.

My 02 Canadian C32 came with ridiculous 3"+ wheel gap in the front. With one coil cut it is still slightly higher than a C230 with H&R's and just a little lower than what OEM should look like. I also cut one 'donut' from the long factory bump stop. You will probably need to cut the rears by a coil as well, or get a smaller pad.
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2012 | 07:46 AM
  #11  
Justsaymo01's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
2002 C32 AMG
Originally Posted by varoom
I know it's not ideal and wouldn't even dream of doing it myself...

But I've read loads of guys doing it on this forum.

This is where I got the idea from lol
I don't disagree with the opinions from others saying its cheesy to cut springs on a Mercedes. I was just stating my experience with cut springs and how I did it, pretty much what you were asking. I'm not trying to start an argument, but why did you want to know how to do something that your not even going to consider doing Maybe your reply should have been your actual question.
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2012 | 11:51 AM
  #12  
Capn's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 2
From: CA
03' CL600
Buy some used H&R springs for $200 man like others say don't mess around with the driving dynamics of the car.
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2012 | 04:42 PM
  #13  
Zeppelin's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 3
From: OC
C32
Messing with the suspension on these cars will not get you in to trouble. I have run a bunch of combinations of parts and nothing will make these pigs handle much better than stock. The tires make the biggest difference, DOT racing tires that is.

I currently run the following:

H&R springs
C55 struts
C230 front swaybar
Two rear swaybars - stock Siamesed to a H&R
Nitto NT-05s
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2012 | 04:47 PM
  #14  
maska's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
R129
Originally Posted by varoom
Who has done this?

On the front springs...

Do I cut top coil or bottom coil?

Do I need to cut a whole coil or just try half first?

Cheers
Please, Don't !!
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2012 | 05:40 PM
  #15  
varoom's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
C32 AMG
Originally Posted by Justsaymo01
I don't disagree with the opinions from others saying its cheesy to cut springs on a Mercedes. I was just stating my experience with cut springs and how I did it, pretty much what you were asking. I'm not trying to start an argument, but why did you want to know how to do something that your not even going to consider doing Maybe your reply should have been your actual question.
i said i wouldnt have even considered cutting springs....

until i have read loads of guy doing it on here...

so now im thinking.....mmmm....how do i do it?

i have a spare set of h&r springs to try.
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2012 | 06:24 AM
  #16  
Justsaymo01's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
2002 C32 AMG
Originally Posted by varoom
i said i wouldnt have even considered cutting springs....

until i have read loads of guy doing it on here...

so now im thinking.....mmmm....how do i do it?

i have a spare set of h&r springs to try.

I got ya, sorry I got a little rude .
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2012 | 10:19 AM
  #17  
blkonblkc55amg's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
2005 c55 amg, 99 E36 m3, 2007 FX35
Originally Posted by varoom
Who has done this?

On the front springs...

Do I cut top coil or bottom coil?

Do I need to cut a whole coil or just try half first?

Cheers
Dont do it!!!!!
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2012 | 10:50 AM
  #18  
559EVO's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 450
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
2005 C55
Dont do it!
But if you want to go cheap just go to the muffler shop and ask them to heat your coils while you monitor the ride height you will tell him when to stop. Thats how if was done in the 90's! j/k dont try that also
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2012 | 11:03 AM
  #19  
splinter's Avatar
Super Moderator
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 12
From: Orange County, CA
GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
Originally Posted by Zeppelin
Messing with the suspension on these cars will not get you in to trouble. I have run a bunch of combinations of parts and nothing will make these pigs handle much better than stock.
The tires make the biggest difference, DOT racing tires that is.

I currently run the following:

H&R springs
C55 struts
C230 front swaybar
Two rear swaybars - stock Siamesed to a H&R
Nitto NT-05s
^ +1

Listen to what this man says.
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2012 | 12:28 PM
  #20  
C_DirtyTwo's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 21
From: Orange County
a land yacht.
Originally Posted by Zeppelin
Messing with the suspension on these cars will not get you in to trouble. I have run a bunch of combinations of parts and nothing will make these pigs handle much better than stock. The tires make the biggest difference, DOT racing tires that is.

I currently run the following:

H&R springs
C55 struts
C230 front swaybar
Two rear swaybars - stock Siamesed to a H&R
Nitto NT-05s

two rear sway bars?? for real?
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2012 | 03:51 PM
  #21  
AMG3.2's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,318
Likes: 171
From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
Originally Posted by C_DirtyTwo

two rear sway bars?? for real?
Wait, whaaaaat?
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2012 | 03:39 PM
  #22  
Zeppelin's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 3
From: OC
C32
Originally Posted by C_DirtyTwo

two rear sway bars?? for real?
Yeah, just welded them together. Was trying to cure the under steer in these cars but realized it is impossible without changing out the rear subframe bushings as the rear subframe just floats on the W203 chassis. I did not want to mess up the ride quality with the Renntech bushings so decided to live with what I got.
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2012 | 04:06 PM
  #23  
ghiaguy's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 4
From: SF Bay Area
C55 AMG, 300D-T & Karmann Ghia
damn, thats hardcore
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2012 | 06:10 PM
  #24  
OCKlasse's Avatar
MBworld Guru
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 10
From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
One of the biggest myths in the modding world is that cutting springs "ruins" the car.
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2012 | 06:29 PM
  #25  
ghiaguy's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 4
From: SF Bay Area
C55 AMG, 300D-T & Karmann Ghia
it may not ruin it, but a spring is designed with a certain length/spring rate in mind. altering this will change the car, rarely for the better
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:57 PM.