Benzaddict32

I'm thinking about lowering my car and have been looking at the h&r lowering kit. But the dilemma I'm having is whether or not I should replace the struts as well. If do decide to go that route, I would probably go with the h&r coilover kit. My question is whether the coilover kit is a good choice for everyday driving? I don't ever go to the track. I wouldn't want to lose the comfort of a Benz. Any input from experiences would be helpful. Thanks guys.

greasybenz

If you want comfort go with springs,IMO coilovers are a bit uncomfortable for daily driving.

insame1

+1

I have the tien basics on my car. After driving it my clk feels like driving a cloud.

loudandheard

If you search the forum, the h&r coilovers have a good ride. They are a bit soft compared to few other brands, but the car feels a bit more planted. Replacing shocks and springs won't be as good and it will cost you a little less than the coilovers. I think h&r coilovers cost about 1k.

Benzaddict32

Yes I've read that too but I think autotechnica went from a c55 setup to the h&r coilovers. I was wondering how it compared to the c32 suspension for the c55 is much stiffer. I've been reading that it's generally better to replace them with coilovers because the springs and shocks were built to go together rather mating two different brands.

loudandheard

I have a C55 and a C32, and the C55 suspension is pretty stiff to the point of being uncomfortable on bumpy roads. The C32 suspension is really soft compared to the C55 and definitely does not feel as planted as the C55. Also the C55 sits lower than the C32.

I think the H&R coilovers is going to be a great compromise between the C55 and C32 suspension. You get a lower ride height, firmer suspension feel, and it's a softer ride than the C55 but firmer than the C32.

Take in mind, I do not have H&R coilovers, but I plan on getting some.

Benzaddict32

Thanks for the input loudandheard, I'm going to order the coilovers this week. I'll let you guys know how it turns out

Benzaddict32

Got the H&R coilovers installed yesterday and I'm happy with the results. The car is much more planted and more stable at higher speeds. The car is stiffer but it's not stiff to point where it becomes annoying or a hassle to drive. Going over dips and bumps in the road isn't as bad as I thought it would've been. The ride is fairly smooth and I don't think I will mind the ride as my daily driver. So to answer my original question whether they were worth it or not. Absolutely!

loudandheard

That's going to be next mod. Looks like your rear is lower than you front, but I think it's a common issue. You might be able to raise the rears. Looks good.

C230 Mulac

Just came across this thread. I've been eyeing coil-overs for my C55 for a while now, Bilstein PSS9 in particular but open to other options. After reading this, I'm seeing that the C55 vs. C32 already has a stiffer/lower suspension setup, and if I'm reading the above correctly H&R coil-overs wouldn't do anything to my C55?? If anything sounds like it would actually make it softer? Maybe the Bilstein is different, but it's also twice the price of H&R ($2k )

My goal here is to stiffen and slightly lower my center of gravity so I can hug curves tighter. I will admit the stock C55 suspension handles pretty well, but was hoping to make it even better. I'm already planning on getting sway bars, which would reduce the body roll, but definitely have coil-overs on the list too.

C230 Mulac

Also, BenzAddict did you have any issues with rubbing and/or have to roll your fenders? I know that I already have a slight rubbing on the left rear when taking a right turn as hard as I can (tire rubs the outside edge of the fender a little, maybe the stiffer rear sway would prevent enough body roll to make this stop, I have 265 rear btw). So just wondering how yours does with the lower setup, picture looks pretty low (and nice)

Benzaddict32

I did have issues with rubbing once the suspension settled and had to have it raised. It's sitting at the highest setting right now but still rubs when I put somebody in the backseat. I've been reading and it seems as if I should've had the rear pads switched to a #4 which I think is 8mm thicker compared to the C32's #2 pad. Hopefully I can get that done soon but overall I enjoy the ride. It can be a bit harsh on bumpy roads but I love how tight it handles and how planted to the road it feels. But I've never driven a C55 so I couldn't compare it to that.

saer1one

I was also rubbing when I lowered my c32. I trimmed off the metal tabs in the rear fenders and changed to the #4 pads and the rubbing went away.

firstshadow

Even with the H&R springs, I had to put in the #4 pad in the rear also.

EVOII_Racer

I can only agree since I own both a c32 and a c55

Doctor Stavros

Guys, please excuse my lack of knowledge, but you're talking of a #2 pad and a #4 pad.... Am I to assume these go under the spring at the rear? I'd like to raise mine a little at the back but retain my H&R rear spring as at the moment the rear sits lower than the front on -20mm

Thanks,

Paul

firstshadow

Correct, these go on the rear with the spring. They have pads that are marked with dots sticking out, you can get them from 1 up to 4, which go from least to greatest thickness. I picked mine up at the dealer after I saw the H&R springs sitting low in the back, IIRC the pad that was already on the car was a 2 or a 3, so the 4 definitely helped.

Doctor Stavros

Could you help me out with a part number for the no #4's please..... My MB dealer is a little clueless and my description wasn't great.

Many thanks.

Benzaddict32

Hope this helps

Doctor Stavros

Awesome! Thank you

busta55

sorry for bumping old thread. Guys, could you please post pic of C55 on H&R springs with #4 pads in the rear? With stock R18 wheels if possible.
As I understood from forum, on coilovers rear is sitting pretty low on the highest setting too bad, because I want to low only a half of inch in the rear and an inch in the front.
Here is a pic of the highest setting on coilovers: http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...006/wheel2.jpg very low for me..
Also, how much drop should I expect in the front with H&R springs? (C55) I saw some pics here and it looks like it won't drop at all, sits like stock to me.