Time to replace suspension for the C43
10-24-2011, 08:25 PM
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1999 MB C43 AMG
Time to replace suspension for the C43
So I got a flat last week, got the car fixed and realigned. When I came back to pick the car, the mechanic told me that my shocks and struts were cooked. Normal you'll tell me after 137,000 miles on stock suspension. It's true that it felt like I was riding on freakin' wood. So I decided to go for it and change a bunch of things before the harsh winter shows up here in Mass.
I bought the H&R Touring cup suspension kit for the C43. It's H&R (sport) spring combined with Yellow Koni shocks that have been repainted grey and rebadged H&R to suit the package. In addition to that I bought new tie rod ends, a new steering damper and new ball joints to have a better steering feel. I will have everything installed but the end of next week the later. The suspension kit is supposed to lower the car of about 1.5'' all around.
Does anyone have such a set up (H&R touring cup kit)? I read a lot of reviews on different cars (german only) and the reviews seemed to be really good. If not, I guess my car will be the test bed for this setup !
Cheers
I bought the H&R Touring cup suspension kit for the C43. It's H&R (sport) spring combined with Yellow Koni shocks that have been repainted grey and rebadged H&R to suit the package. In addition to that I bought new tie rod ends, a new steering damper and new ball joints to have a better steering feel. I will have everything installed but the end of next week the later. The suspension kit is supposed to lower the car of about 1.5'' all around.
Does anyone have such a set up (H&R touring cup kit)? I read a lot of reviews on different cars (german only) and the reviews seemed to be really good. If not, I guess my car will be the test bed for this setup !
Cheers
10-25-2011, 03:48 AM
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12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG sold)
In Europe, it seems a popular suspension kit is the H&R springs and Bilstein B8 shocks. The B8's are a short version shock and work better with the shorter springs. These are -25mm over stock European OE springs. When looking for either springs of B8's, you need to check with the w208 CLK55 model as the Bilstein factory catalogue no longer lists these shocks for the w202 c43.
10-25-2011, 08:50 AM
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Thanks for the answer. That's what I've seen from reading many threads about different suspension setups. H&R and Bilstein are indeed very often mentioned, especially in Europe and I guess because Bilstein was providing the stock shocks! My mechanic confirmed me that this H&R touring cup kit is working just fine for C43. I also did my own research for a while before buying it and the C43 is listed on H&R website here: http://hrsprings.com/scripts/appguid...ind3&MakeID=25.
10-25-2011, 09:24 AM
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Carlsson CM60 EX:C36AMG'96
Does this kit fit the c36 96? because there c36 kit is for 94-95 models. And is the drop compared to euro height or us? I want to drop my euro c36 +-1 inch
10-25-2011, 09:38 AM
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I'm sorry but I don't know what would be your possibilities for a 1996 euro C36. I guess the best thing is to give those guys a call (toll free :: (888) 827-8881 phone :: (360) 738-888) and they might able to help you.
Otherwise I'd look for Eibach, Koni, or Bilstein. Maybe one of those guys has some comparable offerings that might able to fit your C36.
Otherwise I'd look for Eibach, Koni, or Bilstein. Maybe one of those guys has some comparable offerings that might able to fit your C36.
10-25-2011, 10:42 AM
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12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG sold)
I also did my own research for a while before buying it and the C43 is listed on H&R website here: http://hrsprings.com/scripts/appguid...ind3&MakeID=25.
http://web1.carparts-cat.com/default...1&30=74&31=520
but under w208 55AMG:
http://web1.carparts-cat.com/default...1&30=74&31=520
10-25-2011, 06:28 PM
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Take some pic's when it's finished 
...If you dont mind me asking how much was the total kit? Thanks!
...If you dont mind me asking how much was the total kit? Thanks!
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10-26-2011, 09:36 AM
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Yes I'll take some pictures. I have to take some side pictures before too, to show the drop. The overall kit was like $700 + shipping. I could have saved a few bucks but buying spring and shocks separately but I liked the idea of having the shocks and spring being developed to work perfectly together.
10-26-2011, 08:48 PM
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Yes I'll take some pictures. I have to take some side pictures before too, to show the drop. The overall kit was like $700 + shipping. I could have saved a few bucks but buying spring and shocks separately but I liked the idea of having the shocks and spring being developed to work perfectly together.
10-27-2011, 08:52 AM
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1999 MB C43 AMG
I hope so. I can't wait to have it installed. It's like I'm paying even more attention to the small annoying issues with my stock suspension ! It's should be installed next week.
I have one slight concern though. I hope the car will still pass the MOT test here in Mass. I think it should be fine since the car seats pretty high now and the drop should only be 1.5''
I have one slight concern though. I hope the car will still pass the MOT test here in Mass. I think it should be fine since the car seats pretty high now and the drop should only be 1.5''
10-27-2011, 09:08 AM
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12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG sold)
I hope so. I can't wait to have it installed. It's like I'm paying even more attention to the small annoying issues with my stock suspension ! It's should be installed next week.
I have one slight concern though. I hope the car will still pass the MOT test here in Mass. I think it should be fine since the car seats pretty high now and the drop should only be 1.5''
I have one slight concern though. I hope the car will still pass the MOT test here in Mass. I think it should be fine since the car seats pretty high now and the drop should only be 1.5''
10-27-2011, 09:18 AM
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Yeah that was my plan. I'll do that after changing my tie rod ends, steering damper and ball joints too. I recently had my car realigned and got a one-year unlimited free alignments 
10-27-2011, 02:53 PM
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I hope so. I can't wait to have it installed. It's like I'm paying even more attention to the small annoying issues with my stock suspension ! It's should be installed next week.
I have one slight concern though. I hope the car will still pass the MOT test here in Mass. I think it should be fine since the car seats pretty high now and the drop should only be 1.5''
I have one slight concern though. I hope the car will still pass the MOT test here in Mass. I think it should be fine since the car seats pretty high now and the drop should only be 1.5''
I bet that claim of 1.5" is based off of the euro spec springs. My Vogtlands claimed a 1.4" drop and wound up being more than that even with the largest spring pads available.
11-01-2011, 10:29 AM
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Bad news, The H&R Touring cup kit is not available anymore in the US for the car ... out of stock! I can't wait 6 weeks to get one so I guess I'll go with H&R sport springs and Bilstein sport shocks.
The B8 if i'm correct should fit the C43? More updates soon ...
I'm getting secondary cats and resonator delete on Thursday. I'll replace that with a Y pipe and then a straight pipe to the stock muffler.
The B8 if i'm correct should fit the C43? More updates soon ...
I'm getting secondary cats and resonator delete on Thursday. I'll replace that with a Y pipe and then a straight pipe to the stock muffler.
11-01-2011, 10:39 AM
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Bad news, The H&R Touring cup kit is not available anymore in the US for the car ... out of stock! I can't wait 6 weeks to get one so I guess I'll go with H&R sport springs and Bilstein sport shocks.
The B8 if i'm correct should fit the C43? More updates soon ...
I'm getting secondary cats and resonator delete on Thursday. I'll replace that with a Y pipe and then a straight pipe to the stock muffler.
The B8 if i'm correct should fit the C43? More updates soon ...
I'm getting secondary cats and resonator delete on Thursday. I'll replace that with a Y pipe and then a straight pipe to the stock muffler.
11-01-2011, 06:20 PM
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'99 C43
a.d
from the 'for what it's worth' files...
I've read on these forums that the H&R springs and Bilstein Sports are a pretty stiff setup that some were uncomfortable with on a daily driver. Sounds like that would be a good solution for a performance application, and it may be great for your preferences.
If you don't want that firm of a ride, the OEM "Euro" springs and Bilstein HD's are a good solution. I put those on my C43, and the ride feels exactly like stock. The performance is fine for anything I do on the street. With those springs, and #1 pads, it sits as low as you could practically want - especially in the front (1 finger gap over the tire). I tried to put my car up on my Rhino ramps recently, and the front bumper cover would not even clear those fairly gradual ramps. On the other hand, it never scrapes on speed bumps nor hits the bump stops - pretty amazing.
from the 'for what it's worth' files...
I've read on these forums that the H&R springs and Bilstein Sports are a pretty stiff setup that some were uncomfortable with on a daily driver. Sounds like that would be a good solution for a performance application, and it may be great for your preferences.
If you don't want that firm of a ride, the OEM "Euro" springs and Bilstein HD's are a good solution. I put those on my C43, and the ride feels exactly like stock. The performance is fine for anything I do on the street. With those springs, and #1 pads, it sits as low as you could practically want - especially in the front (1 finger gap over the tire). I tried to put my car up on my Rhino ramps recently, and the front bumper cover would not even clear those fairly gradual ramps. On the other hand, it never scrapes on speed bumps nor hits the bump stops - pretty amazing.
11-01-2011, 07:19 PM
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1999 MB C43 AMG
a.d
from the 'for what it's worth' files...
I've read on these forums that the H&R springs and Bilstein Sports are a pretty stiff setup that some were uncomfortable with on a daily driver. Sounds like that would be a good solution for a performance application, and it may be great for your preferences.
If you don't want that firm of a ride, the OEM "Euro" springs and Bilstein HD's are a good solution. I put those on my C43, and the ride feels exactly like stock. The performance is fine for anything I do on the street. With those springs, and #1 pads, it sits as low as you could practically want - especially in the front (1 finger gap over the tire). I tried to put my car up on my Rhino ramps recently, and the front bumper cover would not even clear those fairly gradual ramps. On the other hand, it never scrapes on speed bumps nor hits the bump stops - pretty amazing.
from the 'for what it's worth' files...
I've read on these forums that the H&R springs and Bilstein Sports are a pretty stiff setup that some were uncomfortable with on a daily driver. Sounds like that would be a good solution for a performance application, and it may be great for your preferences.
If you don't want that firm of a ride, the OEM "Euro" springs and Bilstein HD's are a good solution. I put those on my C43, and the ride feels exactly like stock. The performance is fine for anything I do on the street. With those springs, and #1 pads, it sits as low as you could practically want - especially in the front (1 finger gap over the tire). I tried to put my car up on my Rhino ramps recently, and the front bumper cover would not even clear those fairly gradual ramps. On the other hand, it never scrapes on speed bumps nor hits the bump stops - pretty amazing.
I guess I will try this setup and if it's too stiff I'll change the shocks. I don't mind the stiffness, what concern me a bit more is the ride height ... I don't use the car heavily so I don't mind a more "racy" setup.
Right now I just can't wait to have my sec cats and reso removed on Thursday !
I will try post some pics of the exhaust and the suspension once done.
11-02-2011, 12:27 AM
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22 X3, 21 330e, 97 M3, 97 C36 (sold), but on the hunt for a clean, low-mile C43!
a.d
from the 'for what it's worth' files...
I've read on these forums that the H&R springs and Bilstein Sports are a pretty stiff setup that some were uncomfortable with on a daily driver. Sounds like that would be a good solution for a performance application, and it may be great for your preferences.
If you don't want that firm of a ride, the OEM "Euro" springs and Bilstein HD's are a good solution. I put those on my C43, and the ride feels exactly like stock. The performance is fine for anything I do on the street. With those springs, and #1 pads, it sits as low as you could practically want - especially in the front (1 finger gap over the tire). I tried to put my car up on my Rhino ramps recently, and the front bumper cover would not even clear those fairly gradual ramps. On the other hand, it never scrapes on speed bumps nor hits the bump stops - pretty amazing.
from the 'for what it's worth' files...
I've read on these forums that the H&R springs and Bilstein Sports are a pretty stiff setup that some were uncomfortable with on a daily driver. Sounds like that would be a good solution for a performance application, and it may be great for your preferences.
If you don't want that firm of a ride, the OEM "Euro" springs and Bilstein HD's are a good solution. I put those on my C43, and the ride feels exactly like stock. The performance is fine for anything I do on the street. With those springs, and #1 pads, it sits as low as you could practically want - especially in the front (1 finger gap over the tire). I tried to put my car up on my Rhino ramps recently, and the front bumper cover would not even clear those fairly gradual ramps. On the other hand, it never scrapes on speed bumps nor hits the bump stops - pretty amazing.
11-02-2011, 07:50 AM
#22
a.d
from the 'for what it's worth' files...
I've read on these forums that the H&R springs and Bilstein Sports are a pretty stiff setup that some were uncomfortable with on a daily driver. Sounds like that would be a good solution for a performance application, and it may be great for your preferences.
If you don't want that firm of a ride, the OEM "Euro" springs and Bilstein HD's are a good solution. I put those on my C43, and the ride feels exactly like stock. The performance is fine for anything I do on the street. With those springs, and #1 pads, it sits as low as you could practically want - especially in the front (1 finger gap over the tire). I tried to put my car up on my Rhino ramps recently, and the front bumper cover would not even clear those fairly gradual ramps. On the other hand, it never scrapes on speed bumps nor hits the bump stops - pretty amazing.
from the 'for what it's worth' files...
I've read on these forums that the H&R springs and Bilstein Sports are a pretty stiff setup that some were uncomfortable with on a daily driver. Sounds like that would be a good solution for a performance application, and it may be great for your preferences.
If you don't want that firm of a ride, the OEM "Euro" springs and Bilstein HD's are a good solution. I put those on my C43, and the ride feels exactly like stock. The performance is fine for anything I do on the street. With those springs, and #1 pads, it sits as low as you could practically want - especially in the front (1 finger gap over the tire). I tried to put my car up on my Rhino ramps recently, and the front bumper cover would not even clear those fairly gradual ramps. On the other hand, it never scrapes on speed bumps nor hits the bump stops - pretty amazing.
buddy, you are not quite correct about springpads.
I thought I had factory supplied #2 = 9mm pads all 4 corners it turned out I had #1 all 4 corners with eurosprings/shock combo, I had a cool stance on my car b4, lower front and a tad higher @ rear.
I had my front suspension replaced this summer, my teck dude replaced my front springpads to new #1 front pads and left the old ones @ rear.
Car is now raised on front and has an even level stance because of new front pads and old rear pads!!
Car looks fookkin' ugly now!
Next teim when I do rear suspension I will go back to my old front spring pads with a new alignment or if I go with lowering kit suspension/shox combo I have to get thicker pads avoiding scraping?
lesson learned: my car raised with new front #1 pads!!
11-11-2011, 08:33 AM
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UPDATE: Received the billi sports, H&R sports, tie rod ends, and steering damper. I will have everything mounted by next Friday.
Will post some pics after the mod.
Will post some pics after the mod.
11-20-2011, 06:02 PM
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UPDATE: After way too many man hours, the new shocks, springs, tie rod end and ball joints are in (they forgot the steering damper ). Most of the bolts were frozen so they had to heat the bolts so that they expand and then take them out.
I'm getting my alignment tomorrow but I can already say that the car feels a thousand times tighter than before. The car is stiffer and jumps in the corners without a hint of body-roll. So much nicer to drive and much more enjoyable.
I love the way to car feels but it's real stiff, I took my friends for a ride and after 5 min they complained about their backs ! I will keep it that way for now because I only drive 20 miles top a day and I love how stiff the car is but in the future I might go back to stock Bilstein and not sport. The main issue are the roads here in mass which suck and are full of cracks and pot holes.
The car seats very low though, there is not even a finger gap between the tires and the wheel arches. It's a bit too low for me and I guess I will try to play with the spring pads to gain few mm if I can. I need to check which pads I'm running as of today.
Here are the long awaited pictures of the car with the new set up. What do you guys think ?
). Most of the bolts were frozen so they had to heat the bolts so that they expand and then take them out. I'm getting my alignment tomorrow but I can already say that the car feels a thousand times tighter than before. The car is stiffer and jumps in the corners without a hint of body-roll. So much nicer to drive and much more enjoyable.
I love the way to car feels but it's real stiff, I took my friends for a ride and after 5 min they complained about their backs ! I will keep it that way for now because I only drive 20 miles top a day and I love how stiff the car is but in the future I might go back to stock Bilstein and not sport. The main issue are the roads here in mass which suck and are full of cracks and pot holes.
The car seats very low though, there is not even a finger gap between the tires and the wheel arches. It's a bit too low for me and I guess I will try to play with the spring pads to gain few mm if I can. I need to check which pads I'm running as of today.
Here are the long awaited pictures of the car with the new set up. What do you guys think ?
