Ride quality- stock vs H&R springs
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: West Palm Beach
99 C43
Ride quality- stock vs H&R springs
Hi all,
Just bought a 99 C43 w/44k miles. The previous owner has put H&R springs on it about a year ago, and it looks good. My question is what is the difference in ride quality and drivability with the lowered suspension vs the stock springs?
My other problem is that when I went for my Massachusetts state inspection I was refused for having a "dropped" car, and was told that I need to go back to stock to pass! Unfreakingbeliveable!
I don't nessesary want to got back to stock, but I'm interesed in hearing from people who have dfriven thier cars both ways.
Thanks,
WTS
Just bought a 99 C43 w/44k miles. The previous owner has put H&R springs on it about a year ago, and it looks good. My question is what is the difference in ride quality and drivability with the lowered suspension vs the stock springs?
My other problem is that when I went for my Massachusetts state inspection I was refused for having a "dropped" car, and was told that I need to go back to stock to pass! Unfreakingbeliveable!
I don't nessesary want to got back to stock, but I'm interesed in hearing from people who have dfriven thier cars both ways.
Thanks,
WTS
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Club202.com
1998 C43
toamend:
I have a 98 C43 and recently lowered my car with the H&R springs. In my opinion, there is no difference in the ride quality. Meaning it does not ride hard or stiff. I can tell the difference when I brake and accelerate b/c the body does not lunge as much as it used to.
BTW, that's bull**** about not being able to pass your car. Why dont you check out the SEMA site. They might have some info about what you can do.
Regards,
DLS
I have a 98 C43 and recently lowered my car with the H&R springs. In my opinion, there is no difference in the ride quality. Meaning it does not ride hard or stiff. I can tell the difference when I brake and accelerate b/c the body does not lunge as much as it used to.
BTW, that's bull**** about not being able to pass your car. Why dont you check out the SEMA site. They might have some info about what you can do.
Regards,
DLS
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: West Palm Beach
99 C43
Thanks for the info Denlasoul, the previous owner told me pretty much the same thing, that there really wasn't much of a difference in ride quality stock vs HR. He actually thought that it was smoother with the HR, which sounds hard to belive but I've never felt the stock ride.
I'm gonna try another place for my inspection, I'm sure this hard *** was just lazy or something, but it's still a pain in the *** to have to deal with.
I'm gonna try another place for my inspection, I'm sure this hard *** was just lazy or something, but it's still a pain in the *** to have to deal with.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento
1998 C43 AMG
I want to lower my car with H & R sports, but I don't want the drop to look ghetto. I know that the sports don't lower it that much, but it might still be too much.. What do you guys think? I have the stock 17in AMG Monoblocks. I'm definitely going with 18's in the future, but for now, I have to live with the 17s. What is your opinion on this one? Will it be "tastefully" lowered? I don't think it will tuck with the sports so it might overall be okay.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Club202.com
1998 C43
Jbizzy:
when I dropped my C43, I used the H&R sport spring set. When I was at the shop, they informed my of the spring pads that were on my car. I believe that most AMG models have the 1 pad in front and 2 in the back. My car lowered looks almost level. I am using 18 inch Mono II's. I can send you a pic if you want. If you dont want your car lowered that much, I would suggest using the Eibach spring set. I dont know much about how they ride, but I am sure they are comparable to the H&R.
Regards,
DLS
PS: It was almost a two inch drop for my car.
when I dropped my C43, I used the H&R sport spring set. When I was at the shop, they informed my of the spring pads that were on my car. I believe that most AMG models have the 1 pad in front and 2 in the back. My car lowered looks almost level. I am using 18 inch Mono II's. I can send you a pic if you want. If you dont want your car lowered that much, I would suggest using the Eibach spring set. I dont know much about how they ride, but I am sure they are comparable to the H&R.
Regards,
DLS
PS: It was almost a two inch drop for my car.
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: West Palm Beach
99 C43
I tell you, it depends on where you live and drive most. I love the lowered feel on a twisty secondary road or the highway, but I like in downtown Boston and there are times when I bottom.
Don't know how many pads I have but the springs are the standard H&R ones, stated about 1.5" drop plus or minus all around. I may have to go back to stock unless I can raise her up a tad with the shims.
Don't know how many pads I have but the springs are the standard H&R ones, stated about 1.5" drop plus or minus all around. I may have to go back to stock unless I can raise her up a tad with the shims.
Trending Topics
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Club202.com
1998 C43
toamend:
There are times when I hit a dip in the road and believe that I am bottoming out. I did my research pretty well, and I do not believe that I am bottoming out. Reason one, is that many cars in my area are lowered like mine if not lower. I have talked to many of the owners and a majority do not have problems. Reason two, the "rubbing" tends to come from a specific spot on my car. In fact, it ONLY sounds like it is coming from the front right. Another forum member (2Phast) said he had some front right rubbing with his C36. I believe that his set up is identical to mine. You can read about it @ www.2phast.com.
One other thing to consider is the weight of your car. Our cars are quite heavy up front, so it might be wearing the shocks extremely fast. I would suggest that see if you are rubbing on which side of your car. If it is the right, read 2phast's site and go ahead and roll the frenders. AMG has already done that for us, but rolling the fenders additionally might help out more. Also check the "front axle skid plate" I dont know what it is really called, but it is metal with a plastic covering on it. Look for scratches.
Good luck,
DLS
There are times when I hit a dip in the road and believe that I am bottoming out. I did my research pretty well, and I do not believe that I am bottoming out. Reason one, is that many cars in my area are lowered like mine if not lower. I have talked to many of the owners and a majority do not have problems. Reason two, the "rubbing" tends to come from a specific spot on my car. In fact, it ONLY sounds like it is coming from the front right. Another forum member (2Phast) said he had some front right rubbing with his C36. I believe that his set up is identical to mine. You can read about it @ www.2phast.com.
One other thing to consider is the weight of your car. Our cars are quite heavy up front, so it might be wearing the shocks extremely fast. I would suggest that see if you are rubbing on which side of your car. If it is the right, read 2phast's site and go ahead and roll the frenders. AMG has already done that for us, but rolling the fenders additionally might help out more. Also check the "front axle skid plate" I dont know what it is really called, but it is metal with a plastic covering on it. Look for scratches.
Good luck,
DLS
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: West Palm Beach
99 C43
There was a comment about stock shocks wearing out quickly with H&R springs. When that happens (and it seems to have happend) what is the suggested replacement shock? I would imagine that it's not stock.
I checked TireRack and they got nothin!
thanks
I checked TireRack and they got nothin!
thanks
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Club202.com
1998 C43
You could go with Koni, Bilistein (sp?) or this new one I heard of Penske.
I was considering going with the Koni Yellow adjustables, but I want to learn a little more about the Penske b4 I make a decision.
DLS
I was considering going with the Koni Yellow adjustables, but I want to learn a little more about the Penske b4 I make a decision.
DLS
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, Alabama
2008 SLK-280
Sorry I ventured in on your board. I was just curious on what you AMG owners were talking about. I put Carlsson springs on my C280 to lower it about 2 inches. I thought I was bottoming out too. I then came to realize that my stock shocks were worn out and it was them that was making the noise. That is why you only hear it bottoming out on the front left, only one shock is making the noise. I immediately fixed this problem with Bilstein Sport Shocks. It fixed the noises and made the ride a little stiffer. If you want to see what the C Class looks like lowered, it seems like 80% of us on the regular w202 board have already lowered ours. Just go over and look at the pictures. I don't think you can make a Mercedes look ghetto unless you set it on the ground and put 14 inch gold wire wheels on it with a 4 inch offset.:p
Back to the shock issue, I would go with Bilstein Sports or Koni Yellow Sports. The Koni's are about $30 cheaper per shock. You can buy Penske products at K-Mart so I don't know if I'd put those on a Mercedes, let alone and handbuilt AMG model.
P.S. Don't worry about if the ride will be stiff. I found it to be more comfortable because the car doesn't bounce or lean as much.
Back to the shock issue, I would go with Bilstein Sports or Koni Yellow Sports. The Koni's are about $30 cheaper per shock. You can buy Penske products at K-Mart so I don't know if I'd put those on a Mercedes, let alone and handbuilt AMG model.
P.S. Don't worry about if the ride will be stiff. I found it to be more comfortable because the car doesn't bounce or lean as much.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Club202.com
1998 C43
Doug:
Thanks for the information, I will consider what you said in making my final decision.
Oh yeah, dont need to apologize for replying to this thread, we all have one common passion and many of us experience problems throughtout all MB models as well as other makes.
Thanks for you input.
Regards,
DLS
Thanks for the information, I will consider what you said in making my final decision.
Oh yeah, dont need to apologize for replying to this thread, we all have one common passion and many of us experience problems throughtout all MB models as well as other makes.
Thanks for you input.
Regards,
DLS
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 1
From: Genoa, NV
2014 GLK250 BlueTec & 2009 ML320 BlueTec
originaly posted by tpliquid
problem with koni is that u will need to take parts form ur stock shock and put it on new shocks.
also itz kinda hard to adjust since u will need ot loosen some bolts and etc
Problem??
To adjust them you have three choices soft, medium and hard, and is a piece of cake, only you do it before installation. It's not that one's installed you can adjust them at your will.
problem with koni is that u will need to take parts form ur stock shock and put it on new shocks.
also itz kinda hard to adjust since u will need ot loosen some bolts and etc
Problem??
To adjust them you have three choices soft, medium and hard, and is a piece of cake, only you do it before installation. It's not that one's installed you can adjust them at your will.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 1
From: Genoa, NV
2014 GLK250 BlueTec & 2009 ML320 BlueTec
originally posted by toamend
There was a comment about stock shocks wearing out quickly with H&R springs. When that happens (and it seems to have happend) what is the suggested replacement shock? I would imagine that it's not stock.
I checked TireRack and they got nothin!
thanks
www.tirerack.com has Koni Sport Shocks @ $100 each.
There was a comment about stock shocks wearing out quickly with H&R springs. When that happens (and it seems to have happend) what is the suggested replacement shock? I would imagine that it's not stock.
I checked TireRack and they got nothin!
thanks
www.tirerack.com has Koni Sport Shocks @ $100 each.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, Alabama
2008 SLK-280
I don't understand what the "I'm with stupid" comment means. Do you agree with me or do you think I'm stupid? The Koni's that you were referring to at tirerack are ok with the H&R's. A better shock in my opinion are Bilstein Sport shocks. They can be found at www.bimmerzone.com for about 80 dollars a piece. Yes, you will need a camber correction kit. 2 for each side for $7 a piece. This can be bought at the dealer.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by DougandhisC280
I don't understand what the "I'm with stupid" comment means. Do you agree with me or do you think I'm stupid?
I don't understand what the "I'm with stupid" comment means. Do you agree with me or do you think I'm stupid?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, Alabama
2008 SLK-280
All right, give me a website that says something about them. All I know right now is that K Mart sells Penske shocks. Is there more than one kind of Penske out there?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, Alabama
2008 SLK-280
Well I feel like an ***. I just looked it up for myself and found out AMG uses Penske shocks on their racecars. This is obviously a different Penske than what can be found at K-Mart. oops
