MERCGUY

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I have a C43 that I drive daily in NYC and the metro area. Those that live here know the roads blow.
Here's the question:
I'd like to soften the ride and lower the car... I know tough combination.

Would it work if I were to swap the stock C43 springs for C280 springs?
And at the same time change my #4 pads to #2's or 1's.

I figure this would help transform this car from the kidney smasher it is now to a bit more complient pothole cruiser. In fact I think it would probably handle better since the road crews here in the East love to place manhole covers right at the apex of most curves... :-(

If this does soften the ride , I would then probably go to 18's to firm it back up a tiny bit...but hopefully not back the AMG firm.

Any opinions would be helpful, I did a search and came up empty on this.
Do I have to buy factory springs from the bend over dealer??

steve s

that's a first

if i remembered correctly...c43 suspension is a little stiffer than c36? u may wanna try that.. of course, c280 springs are gonna be a lot more common...

MERCGUY

and look into doing the Koni 3 way adjustables and drop the spring pads to 1's in the front and 2's in back. I have heard the stock Bilsteins are pretty much concrete pistons and the Konis are much less harsh. What I'm feeling could be more of a shock valving/rebound issue than a spring issue....

If that does not yield any improvement my next step will be the C36 or 280 spring set up. Thanks for the information.

PUREMS

What combination of springs/shocks are you using now?

Going to the C280 springs, especially in the front could result in terrible bottoming out problems. The front springs won't be stiff enough to handle the excess weight of the C43 motor.

Softening the ride can more easily be done with new shocks. Koni's would definitely be a better step than changing out springs for ill-fitting ones.

steve s

koni feel less harsh because they use a low-pressure nitrogen gas charge to keep oil from foaming...bilstein use high-pressure nitrogen gas charge.

MERCGUY

Is what I'm running now, going to order some Koni 3 ways. Thanks again for the insight. :p

jnolte

I dont know, If you buy H&R springs the C280 and C43 springs are the same. And the C43 may be lighter than the C280, i know its lighter then every year C36.....