m a x i m u s

hey guys,

i am thinking of lowering the old C43. problem is, when i moved, i sold all of my tools! can someone tell me what tools i need for the job so i can go buy them (socket sizes, etc). apologies if this has been already addressed.

ProjectC55

Get the Klann spring compressor off of ebay! The thing wrks like a charm. You'll only need a rachet and a 19mm socket to do the rest.

m a x i m u s

thanks for that info!

question for you, coolcarlskiC43 ... i know ideally dampers should be changed with the shorter springs, but i wanted to just change springs only. mostly for cost reasons. did you change your dampers? whats your opinion on that one?

ProjectC55

Depends on whose springs you use! Dampers are cheap,less than 10.00 a piece.

m a x i m u s

ooops, dampers = shock absorbers. i think you may think i meant pads (?).

anyways, one thing that i dont get is no matter whose aftermarket shocks i use, how do i know that they are set specifically for the shorter suspension travel that will result from the specific type of spring that i buy?

which is why i was thinking of just sticking with the stock AMG's until they die off or something.

other option is to get a coilover set, which i dont want to do <1> for cost, and <2> bc i dont want to deal with setting ride heights and messing up corner weights as a result.

any insights?

Lensolo

Maybe coolcarlski43 meant "less than 100.00" each? That sounds right for Bilstien shocks. A little bit more for Koni ext. adjustables. If you go to the Koni website, there are shocks there that are meant for lowered cars. Most sports shocks are made to handle the stiffness of sport springs, but the Koni website actually points it out on their products.

I haven't heard of any coilover kit developed for the W202, but I could be wrong.

ProjectC55

No I screwdwed up ,I guess I misunderstood. I'm thinking he meant spring pads Koni's are'nt that cheap!

Anyway you r correct there is no coil over kit for our cars unfortunately.

Koni shocks are supposed to be very good even though I have heard mixed reviews of some folks experiencing leaks. I have bilsteins with the stck springs with 1/2 a coil cut. I tried eibach springs,H&R's and they are all horrible on my MB with H&R's being the worst.I used #4 pads and the car was still bottoming out.

I have a damaged drivers side fender and my custom exhaust has been destroyed.

So far the blk car in my sig,my car,and my friends C36 turbo have cut stck springs.The car feels and handles better than those two particular aftermarket springs in addition to having a nice lowered stance.

Check out MBenzman's CLK55 Cabrio and he has done the same thing. Look he's the car on the right. Stck springs cut! Chappy is on the left using stck MB springs for cars in Europe. If I knew the part # I would have gotten those but I'm happy with my present setup which gives me the same exact look.





This blk C43 next to mine has done the same stck spring mod as well.

m a x i m u s

thanks for the info. those CLK's look great, for sure! did you cut both front and rear springs? would love to see pics of your new setup!

e320newbie

cut?? oh god

ProjectC55

Yes cut!

e320newbie

from what i know,, cutting springs is the dumbest thing ever.... i cut the springs for my 86 caprice.... but a C43 .. thats just ghetto...

ProjectC55

U have alot to learn about MB's bro! It's not a Caprice! Period! Ghetto is as ghetto does. There are folks that know how much the spring should be cut. However most springs on alot have cars yo should not cut. There are exceptions to the rule.

m a x i m u s

hey, coolcarlskic43 ...

i think i read elsewhere that you cut 1/2 a coil? i guess that = about 8 inches of metal total (if it was straightened out)?

cut the rears also?

did you keep the 18 inchers, or did you go back to the 17 inch rims?

and ... would love to see some pics!

thanks.

m a x i m u s

hey, coolcarski ...

did you have to readjust your camber angles after the cut spring mod? and when you say "1/2 a coil cut", i am assuming that you mean like 1/2 of a circle when you look down on the spring? (i want to make sure i do this right)...

ProjectC55

With the stck springs yes my friend cut 1/2 a circle. But remeber your stck springs may be different than mine due to different options. My friends 99 C43 sits nice but lower than mine and he cut his front stck springs the same amt. I am either gonna cut another half or I'm gonna get his vin #,ordr his stck springs and cut them. I have not finished with the suspension yet car is in the body shop so when I get it back and finish I'll post pics. Alignment wil come after.

SDR

Unless you're driving on $50 Costco tires, I'd suggest adjusting after any lowering. The expense will save you in the long run. At what my tires cost I prefer to keep them wearing evenly. On top of that, proper adjustment of the camber, caster and toe will keep the handling on par with the rest of the car.
Just my $.02

m a x i m u s

this is not the first time that i am hearing "depending on your options" in regards to how that will effect the ride height. i bought my c43 second-hand, so im not sure what options there are. i thought these cars were loaded, but i guess im wrong on that. also, what options would be so heavy as to impact the attitude of the front springs? i read on another string (in the clk forum about the euro springs) that someone said that they had COMAND, and so that may effect the weight. isnt COMAND the navi system? how heavy can that be? just curious ...

m a x i m u s

alright guys! ive placed my order for the euro-spec springs. ill let you know how it works out. thanks for all of the info!

ProjectC55

Euro spring prices are as followed according to the part#'s you gave me: 52.00 each for the front and 68.00 each for the rears. Total 240.00 US

Front : 210.321.22.04
Rear : 210.324.34.04


So whoever is paying 400.00 to some one over seas is getting seriously ripped off!

m a x i m u s

thanks, dude ... i feel good now

a lot of the price differential was in the shipping, tho, to be honest, but your price is def cheaper.

Chappy

$240? Good score!

I think the weak dollar (at the time) helped contribute to that. Parts prices may have come down as well.

Enjoy!