FlyWFO

So I've been going nuts fixing all the undisclosed issues on my recently-purchased '99 C43 (radiator, trans pilot bearing, driveline bushings/discs, mirror, etc)...

... and now having driven it a bit, I can't stands no more; it needs shocks. I want to dial in the handling, and perhaps drop the car a little bit... but AVOID a bone-shattering, filling-ejecting ride. It's a daily driver over rough inner-city roads. My experience with Koni/H&Rs on my Audis is that they're too harsh. I won't be tracking the car. Do I just go factory struts and live with the too-tall stance? Or is there a nice compromise out there? It has 18" monoblocks.

Thanks gents!
Dave in Delaware

Saaboteur

Can't go wrong with Bilstein Sports and Vogtland springs. Go with the thickest possible spring pads (#5s up front, #4s rear) and the ride height is a nice, Euro look with minimal wheel gap. Ride quality isn't horrible or bone jarring. I drove a winter with such a set up. Might want to replace any worn suspension bushings at the same time too. Proper alignment will require some rear camber kit, and maybe at the front. For the front, KMac is about the only game I town, but if I were to do it again I would avoid the KMacs and just stick with stock eccentric bolts. The KMacs squeak.

nd4spd13

I'd second the Vogtland choice. Great set of springs. I'm partial to Konis after my Bilstein's bushings fell apart on me after like, 8k miles. But that seems to be an isolated occurrence. At least with the Konis they're adjustable (wether on the shock itself or externally) and in my experience the softest setting is softer than the Billys and the hardest setting is much stiffer.
Also my tech has told me multiple times that I don't need any extra camber adjustment even though I'm pretty low.

ECTurboGSX

You could also stick with stock struts and get Euro springs. If you search, there is a thread with the part numbers.

FlyWFO

I'm considering cutting the stock springs first, before replacing anything -- just to see if I like the results. Does anyone know which end to cut (top or bottom)?

FlyWFO

Also... if OEM Euro springs are shorter, then shouldn't the Euro version C43 also have come with a differenly-valved strut/shock?

I mean... Bilstein says the HD and Touring shocks are not compatible with lowering springs; does that not apply to OEM shocks?

FlyWFO

Regarding the Vogtlands... I see they offer a shock/spring kit. Anyone have experience with this setup? Wickedly stiff and horrific over potholes, frost heaves, etc.?

Super B

Along these lines, where is the best place to buy the springs and struts?

Saaboteur

You can buy the Vogtlands direct from their US distributor:

http://vogtland-na.com/en/index.php

I got my Bilsteins from Essex, a nearby Canadian distributor (also do H&R) but I think I the US, Tirerack has good pricing for them.

Super B

How about the koni's anybody know a good place for those? also if a fella was using the lowering springs is there a specific part number on the koni? Sorry for being lazy and asking ... But I'm lazy so I'm asking..

nd4spd13

Correct. The Euro springs do have different corresponding euro shocks. When I talked to Bilstein a while back, they told me the B4s were for unaltered ride height, the B6s were suitable for lowering less than 1" from stock, and the Sports were for 1"+

Not sure of anyone actually buying the kit, but here's a discussion about it

https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c...ml#post5294375

After a while of research, AJUSA.com has the lowest prices, though when I called them last summer their stock of Konis was running pretty low. I imagine they've restocked since then.

For Konis, if you want the externally adjustable the P/Ns are 8041 1316SPORT Rear and 8041 1315SPORT Front. If you just want the normal adjustable version, it's 26 1576SPORT Rear and 26 1575SPORT Front.
Also the normal adjustable ones are the same price as Billy Sports from tire rack