Strut/shock options
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 19
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From: Wilmington, DE
1999 C43
Strut/shock options
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
... 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
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From: Canada
eclectic assortment of cars
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.
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Chapel Hill, NC/Montreal, QC
1995 C36 AMG, 1998 C43 AMG
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.
Also my tech has told me multiple times that I don't need any extra camber adjustment even though I'm pretty low.
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From: Bay Area, CA
98 C43, 15 Alfa 4C LE, 18 Tesla Model 3 DM Perf, 08 Duc S1000, 02 Duc 998, 98 Duc 748, 01 Miata
You could also stick with stock struts and get Euro springs. If you search, there is a thread with the part numbers.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 19
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From: Wilmington, DE
1999 C43
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?
I mean... Bilstein says the HD and Touring shocks are not compatible with lowering springs; does that not apply to OEM shocks?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 19
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From: Wilmington, DE
1999 C43
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.?
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From: Canada
eclectic assortment of cars
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.
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.
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From: Oregon
'97 c36
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..
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From: Chapel Hill, NC/Montreal, QC
1995 C36 AMG, 1998 C43 AMG
https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c...ml#post5294375
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
