To drop or not to...
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From: Northern NJ
2009 C63
To drop or not to...
I have a feeling once I get aftermarket 19's I will be itching to drop the C63. I had the same dilemma back wen I had my e46 M3. My biggest question is regarding coilovers versus springs. I remember back wen i did research on the M3 people said don't do just springs because it wasnt good for the car. This I never understood,
(1) could someone please explain?
(2) Also, after reading over the ECU tuning/warranty dilemma, what problems could I encounter by dropping the car outside of not having the suspension covered?
(3) I have still no evidence of whether the performance package cars sit lower than non-pp cars. Because if they do, maybe Ill opt for that option since the cost would be like getting coilovers installed (and i'd get all the extras).
(4) Is it a safe assumption that dropping the car a bit will improve performance? if so, why didnt AMG build it that way to begin with? (sometimes it seems like manufacturers and after market tuners make some agreement not to give us all the goodies just so we can spend more $$$)
thanks in advance for everyones input...
(1) could someone please explain?
(2) Also, after reading over the ECU tuning/warranty dilemma, what problems could I encounter by dropping the car outside of not having the suspension covered?
(3) I have still no evidence of whether the performance package cars sit lower than non-pp cars. Because if they do, maybe Ill opt for that option since the cost would be like getting coilovers installed (and i'd get all the extras).
(4) Is it a safe assumption that dropping the car a bit will improve performance? if so, why didnt AMG build it that way to begin with? (sometimes it seems like manufacturers and after market tuners make some agreement not to give us all the goodies just so we can spend more $$$)
thanks in advance for everyones input...
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From: Northern NJ
2009 C63
with oem 19's i think it looks fine - just not sure how it will look if I choose a wheel with a wide lip -
Last edited by PatSC23; Feb 25, 2009 at 11:28 PM.
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R8
I'm going to go with the H&R coilovers for my car, as I believe it will offer the right amount of drop, reduce body roll, without sacrificing ride comfort (too much). After that, then I'll start looking for wheels in earnest.
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bike
I have the H&R springs on my car.
If I were you I would go with coilovers simply because you can adjust the ride height. I didn't go with coils because I didn't feel like shelling out 3 grand for the KW V3's. Now with the H&R coils available for $1500 I would definitely go for those.
The springs are cheaper, I got mine out the door and installed for $500, but they just don't offer the ability to change the ride height, and I feel that even with springs the car sits a little too high.
If I were you I would go with coilovers simply because you can adjust the ride height. I didn't go with coils because I didn't feel like shelling out 3 grand for the KW V3's. Now with the H&R coils available for $1500 I would definitely go for those.
The springs are cheaper, I got mine out the door and installed for $500, but they just don't offer the ability to change the ride height, and I feel that even with springs the car sits a little too high.
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From: Northern NJ
2009 C63
Well, I see from your original post that you're wondering whether the Performance Package's upgraded suspension drops the car any. The short answer is yes it does. Another board member, 663, has the PP on his car and parked next to mine, his is noticeably lower than my non-PP car, probably just less than one inch lower front and rear.
I'm going to go with the H&R coilovers for my car, as I believe it will offer the right amount of drop, reduce body roll, without sacrificing ride comfort (too much). After that, then I'll start looking for wheels in earnest.
I'm going to go with the H&R coilovers for my car, as I believe it will offer the right amount of drop, reduce body roll, without sacrificing ride comfort (too much). After that, then I'll start looking for wheels in earnest.
anyone have input on warranty implications ?
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From: Northern NJ
2009 C63
I have the H&R springs on my car.
If I were you I would go with coilovers simply because you can adjust the ride height. I didn't go with coils because I didn't feel like shelling out 3 grand for the KW V3's. Now with the H&R coils available for $1500 I would definitely go for those.
The springs are cheaper, I got mine out the door and installed for $500, but they just don't offer the ability to change the ride height, and I feel that even with springs the car sits a little too high.
If I were you I would go with coilovers simply because you can adjust the ride height. I didn't go with coils because I didn't feel like shelling out 3 grand for the KW V3's. Now with the H&R coils available for $1500 I would definitely go for those.
The springs are cheaper, I got mine out the door and installed for $500, but they just don't offer the ability to change the ride height, and I feel that even with springs the car sits a little too high.
and how easy is it to adjust the coilovers?
Last edited by PatSC23; Feb 25, 2009 at 11:33 PM.
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From: On the moon
bike
do some people say not to do just springs because it will cause the shocks to wear quicker since they could be mis-matched? I think i recall that argument but I was never really sure. To my understanding the springs are made specifically for the C63 so I would think it is properly matched to the car.
and how easy is it to adjust the coilovers?
and how easy is it to adjust the coilovers?
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Thread Starter
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From: Northern NJ
2009 C63
regardless, i will look into the HR coilovers as well..that price isnt too bad actually
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From: Vancouver, Canada
R8
thats interesting to hear - if that were the case, i'd probably choose to get the perf package and not drop it later on, a one inch drop can make a significant difference...you dont by chance have pics of your cars together do you?
anyone have input on warranty implications ?
anyone have input on warranty implications ?
Thread Starter
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From: Northern NJ
2009 C63
thats his correct? looking at it I might want it to be lower than that if i go with a 19" wheel with a 3" lip...i may go the same route as you and go with coilovers...
with coilovers does adjusting them also change the ride quality? does going higher give it a softer ride?
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a durr
The performance packaged cars have the same ride height as the non-performance packaged cars. The only difference is the spring rate.
Coilovers are always preferred over springs because they come as a unit designed to operate together. If you just get springs alone, the lower spring height combined with different spring rates will wear out your shocks much faster and can cause problems down the road.
Installing coilovers allows you to adjust the stiffness and ride height of the car. Usually coilovers can be easily adjusted with no tools required; you just turn the knob attatched to the strut to increase or decrease the stiffness of the ride.
Yes, coilovers will improve performance over existing factory suspension setup. the reason why AMG didn't install these products at the factory is likely due to accountants and cost management. Since the C63 is a compromise between luxury and sportiness, there will always be performance potential to be unleashed if you are not afraid of a harsher ride suitable only for smooth race tracks.
Coilovers are always preferred over springs because they come as a unit designed to operate together. If you just get springs alone, the lower spring height combined with different spring rates will wear out your shocks much faster and can cause problems down the road.
Installing coilovers allows you to adjust the stiffness and ride height of the car. Usually coilovers can be easily adjusted with no tools required; you just turn the knob attatched to the strut to increase or decrease the stiffness of the ride.
Yes, coilovers will improve performance over existing factory suspension setup. the reason why AMG didn't install these products at the factory is likely due to accountants and cost management. Since the C63 is a compromise between luxury and sportiness, there will always be performance potential to be unleashed if you are not afraid of a harsher ride suitable only for smooth race tracks.
Last edited by yooker; Feb 26, 2009 at 12:34 AM.
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From: Vancouver, Canada
R8
thats his correct? looking at it I might want it to be lower than that if i go with a 19" wheel with a 3" lip...i may go the same route as you and go with coilovers...
with coilovers does adjusting them also change the ride quality? does going higher give it a softer ride?
The H&R coilovers unfortunately do not allow for any adjustments to their damping stiffness. They're only adjustable for ride height. The friends of mine who have been using or who are currently using H&R coilovers (for Porsches and Bimmers) swear by them, and insist that their cars do not exhibit any added ride harshness compared to OEM but do benefit greatly from reduced body roll.
Sounds too good to be true? I'll be finding out in a few weeks.
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From: Northern NJ
2009 C63
Yes, that's the correct car, Pat.
The H&R coilovers unfortunately do not allow for any adjustments to their damping stiffness. They're only adjustable for ride height. The friends of mine who have been using or who are currently using H&R coilovers (for Porsches and Bimmers) swear by them, and insist that their cars do not exhibit any added ride harshness compared to OEM but do benefit greatly from reduced body roll.
Sounds too good to be true? I'll be finding out in a few weeks.
The H&R coilovers unfortunately do not allow for any adjustments to their damping stiffness. They're only adjustable for ride height. The friends of mine who have been using or who are currently using H&R coilovers (for Porsches and Bimmers) swear by them, and insist that their cars do not exhibit any added ride harshness compared to OEM but do benefit greatly from reduced body roll.
Sounds too good to be true? I'll be finding out in a few weeks.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Northern NJ
2009 C63
The performance packaged cars have the same ride height as the non-performance packaged cars. The only difference is the spring rate.
Coilovers are always preferred over springs because they come as a unit designed to operate together. If you just get springs alone, the lower spring height combined with different spring rates will wear out your shocks much faster and can cause problems down the road.
Installing coilovers allows you to adjust the stiffness and ride height of the car. Usually coilovers can be easily adjusted with no tools required; you just turn the knob attatched to the strut to increase or decrease the stiffness of the ride.
Yes, coilovers will improve performance over existing factory suspension setup. the reason why AMG didn't install these products at the factory is likely due to accountants and cost management. Since the C63 is a compromise between luxury and sportiness, there will always be performance potential to be unleashed if you are not afraid of a harsher ride suitable only for smooth race tracks.
Coilovers are always preferred over springs because they come as a unit designed to operate together. If you just get springs alone, the lower spring height combined with different spring rates will wear out your shocks much faster and can cause problems down the road.
Installing coilovers allows you to adjust the stiffness and ride height of the car. Usually coilovers can be easily adjusted with no tools required; you just turn the knob attatched to the strut to increase or decrease the stiffness of the ride.
Yes, coilovers will improve performance over existing factory suspension setup. the reason why AMG didn't install these products at the factory is likely due to accountants and cost management. Since the C63 is a compromise between luxury and sportiness, there will always be performance potential to be unleashed if you are not afraid of a harsher ride suitable only for smooth race tracks.
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a durr
HR coilovers are ONLY height adjustable, so basically you can raise/lower front/rears as much as you like, but thats about it. Your stuck with whatever compression/rebounding that comes with them. KW V3s however, are height, compression/rebound adjustable. They give you ALOT more flexibility however they cost near 1800-2k.
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From: Northern NJ
2009 C63
HR coilovers are ONLY height adjustable, so basically you can raise/lower front/rears as much as you like, but thats about it. Your stuck with whatever compression/rebounding that comes with them. KW V3s however, are height, compression/rebound adjustable. They give you ALOT more flexibility however they cost near 1800-2k.
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From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
I'm on the H&R Coilovers now. They ride as good as OEM and as someone stated before, reduced body roll. If you want to super slam your ride, look elsewhere. Max low will give you a nice look still though. Check the sig or my post (https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...coilovers.html) to see how they look at max low setting. Adjusting the height on the front is easy, but the rears...the adjustment knob is at the top of the assembly (unlike the bottom in the fronts), so more complicated to do as you'll need to disassemble some assembly.
For daily driver purposes, H&R coilovers (and the KW street) are the best bang for your buck. If you want to track it or have more money than you know what to do with, KW V3 or Bilstein PSS10 are the way to go.
For daily driver purposes, H&R coilovers (and the KW street) are the best bang for your buck. If you want to track it or have more money than you know what to do with, KW V3 or Bilstein PSS10 are the way to go.
Last edited by Azn_C300; Feb 26, 2009 at 02:02 PM.
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From: Northern NJ
2009 C63
I'm on the H&R Coilovers now. They ride as good as OEM and as someone stated before, reduced body roll. If you want to super slam your ride, look elsewhere. Max low will give you a nice look still though. Check the sig or my post (https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...coilovers.html) to see how they look at max low setting. Adjusting the height on the front is easy, but the rears...the adjustment knob is at the top of the assembly (unlike the bottom in the fronts), so more complicated to do as you'll need to disassemble some assembly.
For daily driver purposes, H&R coilovers (and the KW street) are the best bang for your buck. If you want to track it or have more money than you know what to do with, KW V3 or Bilstein PSS10 are the way to go.
For daily driver purposes, H&R coilovers (and the KW street) are the best bang for your buck. If you want to track it or have more money than you know what to do with, KW V3 or Bilstein PSS10 are the way to go.
1.) dont need to super-slam it down
2.) im just looking for some improved perf but its mostly for looks (yes vain but watever) will never track it to be honest
3.) main concern is too harsh a ride which is why I would go with KWV3 being it is adjustable...thing is the cost isnt that much different though - is it only a $500 difference between HR and KWV3?
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09 c63 blk/blk H&R Springs & 08 e 63 blk/blk
Adjustable means taking each wheel off and playing around with the things seperately. For me (lazy SOB) that's too much work. I suppose ill go with the springs. That's enough for me.
You can get the H&R coilovers for 1200 on allsprings.com if i read correctly. KWs are 2500.
You can get the H&R coilovers for 1200 on allsprings.com if i read correctly. KWs are 2500.
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From: Northern NJ
2009 C63
Adjustable means taking each wheel off and playing around with the things seperately. For me (lazy SOB) that's too much work. I suppose ill go with the springs. That's enough for me.
You can get the H&R coilovers for 1200 on allsprings.com if i read correctly. KWs are 2500.
You can get the H&R coilovers for 1200 on allsprings.com if i read correctly. KWs are 2500.
maybe Ill go HR coilovers - can other people chime in on the HR coilover ride quality? Do u agree with AZN C300 that its similar to stock? and how much of a drop is it?
