I've had the setup for two years. No problems and the ride is great. GET IT!!
H&R springs and Bilstein Shocks
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Joined: Mar 2005
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H&R springs and Bilstein Shocks
I recently came across a set of H&R springs and Blistein Shocks that a mercdes dealership is selling. Apparantly they trade a car in and had to remove these since they can not sell the cars lowered. They tell me that both the shocks and springs are in a great condition....So, I have been wanting to lower my CLK430, 2002 for a while now...Only because I think they look a lot better if they are lowered a little bit. I don't want to lose the ride quality nor do I want to worry about rubbing. These springs seem to lower by about 1.5"...now I really need some help on the following questions, and if anyone can help, please do...
1. Does anyone have any exprience with the Bilstein/H&R combination?
2. Would it rub or change the ride quality for the worst?
3. Does it cause any other issues like tougher steering, etc?
4. Do I really need to change the shocks as well? Would just the lower spring not be enough? What would I gain/lose if I do change shocks as well?
5. Does anyone see any issues buying these used?
Thanks very much in advance.
1. Does anyone have any exprience with the Bilstein/H&R combination?
2. Would it rub or change the ride quality for the worst?
3. Does it cause any other issues like tougher steering, etc?
4. Do I really need to change the shocks as well? Would just the lower spring not be enough? What would I gain/lose if I do change shocks as well?
5. Does anyone see any issues buying these used?
Thanks very much in advance.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 547
Likes: 6
From: SF Bay Area
991.1 gt3, w204 c63 507
1. Does anyone have any exprience with the Bilstein/H&R combination?
yes, i've had them on my '91 300E. same combo and it handles better than my stock clk430. i think it outhandles A LOTTTTTT of cars... i can powerslide/drift turns with no problems in the rain and in dry weather, i can grip corners pretty well even without a thicker sway bar. the bilstein/hR combo is known to be the most favorable suspension setup for a mercedes
2. Would it rub or change the ride quality for the worst?
depending on the rims and what shimmy pad you are going to run. if you have 18" wheels and are on #2 pads... no problem at all... with #1 pads.. i wouldn't be too sure.
3. Does it cause any other issues like tougher steering, etc?
probably very mild if any
4. Do I really need to change the shocks as well? Would just the lower spring not be enough? What would I gain/lose if I do change shocks as well?
since u have both.. might as well change them at the same time. if your car is over 50k... it's good to change shocks since the older ones may be a little worn and won't absorb impact as well as they use to. if you swap your stock shocks with bilstein sport... you will have a stiffer ride esp. with the sport springs... meaning you will be more flat on corners and overall better handling. you will feel a bit of a more "bumpier" ride but it's well worth it i hear.
5. Does anyone see any issues buying these used?
some dealers are shady... just try to find out how long they've been on the previous car and use "poker instincts" to see if they're lying or not :p
yes, i've had them on my '91 300E. same combo and it handles better than my stock clk430. i think it outhandles A LOTTTTTT of cars... i can powerslide/drift turns with no problems in the rain and in dry weather, i can grip corners pretty well even without a thicker sway bar. the bilstein/hR combo is known to be the most favorable suspension setup for a mercedes
2. Would it rub or change the ride quality for the worst?
depending on the rims and what shimmy pad you are going to run. if you have 18" wheels and are on #2 pads... no problem at all... with #1 pads.. i wouldn't be too sure.
3. Does it cause any other issues like tougher steering, etc?
probably very mild if any
4. Do I really need to change the shocks as well? Would just the lower spring not be enough? What would I gain/lose if I do change shocks as well?
since u have both.. might as well change them at the same time. if your car is over 50k... it's good to change shocks since the older ones may be a little worn and won't absorb impact as well as they use to. if you swap your stock shocks with bilstein sport... you will have a stiffer ride esp. with the sport springs... meaning you will be more flat on corners and overall better handling. you will feel a bit of a more "bumpier" ride but it's well worth it i hear.
5. Does anyone see any issues buying these used?
some dealers are shady... just try to find out how long they've been on the previous car and use "poker instincts" to see if they're lying or not :p
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2005
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Lowering CLK430
Thank you for your post...I appreciate the information.
I have got about 22K on my car, so that's why I wan a bit unsure about changing the shocks. I also have the stock 17" AMG wheels on the car. What are these shimmy pads you are talking about? The dealer has told me that I can have a "spacer" that would allow me to choose how much I want to lower it by....and I am not really sure if I should go for the full 1.5" or not...any ideas/
I have got about 22K on my car, so that's why I wan a bit unsure about changing the shocks. I also have the stock 17" AMG wheels on the car. What are these shimmy pads you are talking about? The dealer has told me that I can have a "spacer" that would allow me to choose how much I want to lower it by....and I am not really sure if I should go for the full 1.5" or not...any ideas/
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 360
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Originally Posted by arash
Thank you for your post...I appreciate the information.
I have got about 22K on my car, so that's why I wan a bit unsure about changing the shocks. I also have the stock 17" AMG wheels on the car. What are these shimmy pads you are talking about? The dealer has told me that I can have a "spacer" that would allow me to choose how much I want to lower it by....and I am not really sure if I should go for the full 1.5" or not...any ideas/
I have got about 22K on my car, so that's why I wan a bit unsure about changing the shocks. I also have the stock 17" AMG wheels on the car. What are these shimmy pads you are talking about? The dealer has told me that I can have a "spacer" that would allow me to choose how much I want to lower it by....and I am not really sure if I should go for the full 1.5" or not...any ideas/
the au****?!
omg
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Thread Starter
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H&R and Blistine
Just as an FYI...I finally got it done....I can't believe how much better the car is...it looks great, handles great, and solved one of my issues with the steering being too stiff, it actually made it better!!
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Super Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 547
Likes: 6
From: SF Bay Area
991.1 gt3, w204 c63 507
Originally Posted by arash
Just as an FYI...I finally got it done....I can't believe how much better the car is...it looks great, handles great, and solved one of my issues with the steering being too stiff, it actually made it better!!
take pix and let us know what size pad's you're using.
Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 90
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From: So. Calif.
CLK 320
Originally Posted by arash
Just as an FYI...I finally got it done....I can't believe how much better the car is...it looks great, handles great, and solved one of my issues with the steering being too stiff, it actually made it better!!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2005
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The ride is great
Originally Posted by dennism13
arash, congrats!!! Sounds like you made a good choice. How is the stiffness of the ride, do you feel the bumps any more than before?
