Kleemann shocks and springs fitted!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: London
R129 SL320 '99
Kleemann shocks and springs fitted!
Well I finally plucked up the courage to get the Kleemann shocks and springs fitted rather than the Koni's on my 430 and I am not disapointed.
I can't compare with anything other than the stock avantgarde set-up so relied on what I heard in this forum and especially Ben's (Mach430) view/advice.
The first thing I noticed when I picked it up was that it does not 'bounce' side to side on normal driving over rough roads. The rebound rate seems much quicker at settling the car back again which for me is good. The ride quality is differant but not uncomfortably so. In fact i'd say the ride quality is better than stock. Smooth and comfortable when cruising but firmer when pushed in corners which is what Ben said it would do.
What made me smile the most was taking a small roundabout at speed and thinking I could have done that much faster. So I did, with power on all round I could not believe how well it did it.
The ride height is about 3/4" lower all round on my UK spec car but I think UK cars are about 1/2" lower that US spec anyway.
In summary, it does what Ben said it would in his posts! and worth every cent.
I can't compare with anything other than the stock avantgarde set-up so relied on what I heard in this forum and especially Ben's (Mach430) view/advice.
The first thing I noticed when I picked it up was that it does not 'bounce' side to side on normal driving over rough roads. The rebound rate seems much quicker at settling the car back again which for me is good. The ride quality is differant but not uncomfortably so. In fact i'd say the ride quality is better than stock. Smooth and comfortable when cruising but firmer when pushed in corners which is what Ben said it would do.
What made me smile the most was taking a small roundabout at speed and thinking I could have done that much faster. So I did, with power on all round I could not believe how well it did it.
The ride height is about 3/4" lower all round on my UK spec car but I think UK cars are about 1/2" lower that US spec anyway.
In summary, it does what Ben said it would in his posts! and worth every cent.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: London
R129 SL320 '99
I can take a before and after but it does not show too much. It's all under cover and with standard 17" wheels looks very tame.
Goes like stink round corners though
Now, what do I want next?
18"/19"Wheels - yes
New exhaust with 4 pipes - yes but might need a new rear bumber though!
Argh, forgot the super charger. Obviously need 430 bhp for driving to and from work :o
Oh, then the brakes as well.
Pictures might look the business after that!! Or even something like this.............Wow, forgot how fat those tires were.
Goes like stink round corners though
Now, what do I want next?
18"/19"Wheels - yes
New exhaust with 4 pipes - yes but might need a new rear bumber though!
Argh, forgot the super charger. Obviously need 430 bhp for driving to and from work :o
Oh, then the brakes as well.
Pictures might look the business after that!! Or even something like this.............Wow, forgot how fat those tires were.
Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Pacific Palisades, CA
S63 AMG
For a while I wanted to get HR Springs and Koni or bilstien shocks but since i am paranoid about a harsh ride I think i will just save up for Kleeman from Evosport. I just hope It will Lower my car enough to look cool.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 118
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From: London
R129 SL320 '99
Donbiz, I'll take some pics so you can see for yourself.
I understand the 'look cool' statement but if you are like me you will need to live with the car day in day out so must make a compromise and not go too low.
Ask Newbie and Ahmed for their opinions!
Jonathan.
I understand the 'look cool' statement but if you are like me you will need to live with the car day in day out so must make a compromise and not go too low.
Ask Newbie and Ahmed for their opinions!
Jonathan.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 118
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From: London
R129 SL320 '99
Pic's for comparison
Donbiz, my car before and after the Kleemann bits were fitted. You have to remember that the UK car is fairly low anyway so I only got a 1/2" drop when I put the Kleemann bits on and believe me it is enough. The lowest bodywork point is just behind the front wheel at 5 1/2". If you measure your car you will get an accurate comparison.
The wheels are standard 17" x 7.5" all round fitted with 225/45 tires so you can see plenty of rubber between wheel and wheel arch.
In terms of ride quality, just ask Sleestack and Mack430 they really know what they are talking about but for what it is worth, I now fully concur with their findings. The ride is great normally and progressivly stiffer the more load you put on the shocks.
Hope this helps your decision making!
The wheels are standard 17" x 7.5" all round fitted with 225/45 tires so you can see plenty of rubber between wheel and wheel arch.
In terms of ride quality, just ask Sleestack and Mack430 they really know what they are talking about but for what it is worth, I now fully concur with their findings. The ride is great normally and progressivly stiffer the more load you put on the shocks.
Hope this helps your decision making!
Last edited by fudger; Oct 12, 2002 at 04:06 AM.
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
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Likes: 6
2018 E400 COUPE SOLD -> Porsche Taycan 4S
it doesnt look that drastic of a lowering to me at all. i have the h&r w/ bilstein setup and i think my car is lower just a little more on the front end. but it also depends what size pads are being used also too.
B
B
Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Pacific Palisades, CA
S63 AMG
i have the h&r w/ bilstein setup and i think my car is lower just a little more on the front end. but it also depends what size pads are being used also too.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: London
R129 SL320 '99
Front end
Guys, Kleemann sell springs specifically for the model of car you have. Simply, the 430 is heavier at the front than the 320 and 230K for example. My car is a 430 with the appropriate springs but with no change to the 'pads'.
By the way, I have never seen the 'pads' so don't really understand what can be changed (is it a steel plate the spring sits in at the top and bottom?) but Ben did change them and got an extra .4" (I think) extra.
I would not go lower than it is in these pics especially as I want 18 or 19 wheels at 8.5" width front and maybe 10" wide wheels on the back.
At that point I am sure you will think it is low enough to look cool and be pratical for everyday use.
My advice would be to measure the ride height rather than look at the pictures. This would tell you exactly how low your car will be if you do nothing but change to Kleemann springs.
I do think however that if you just want a mean look than perhaps Kleemann are a bit OTT for that purpose. Kleemann shocks give real handling improvements and as part of that process lower the car slightly. If it is ride height first a formost, don't waste your money on Kleemann springs!
Ben, would like to know a bit more about what spring 'pads' are?
Jonathan
By the way, I have never seen the 'pads' so don't really understand what can be changed (is it a steel plate the spring sits in at the top and bottom?) but Ben did change them and got an extra .4" (I think) extra.
I would not go lower than it is in these pics especially as I want 18 or 19 wheels at 8.5" width front and maybe 10" wide wheels on the back.
At that point I am sure you will think it is low enough to look cool and be pratical for everyday use.
My advice would be to measure the ride height rather than look at the pictures. This would tell you exactly how low your car will be if you do nothing but change to Kleemann springs.
I do think however that if you just want a mean look than perhaps Kleemann are a bit OTT for that purpose. Kleemann shocks give real handling improvements and as part of that process lower the car slightly. If it is ride height first a formost, don't waste your money on Kleemann springs!
Ben, would like to know a bit more about what spring 'pads' are?
Jonathan
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 35,855
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From: Southern CA
Spring shim/pads are a rubber pad attached to the top of the spring that help it sit properly in the spring perch. In addition, they help dampen a lot of shock from the road. Spring pads come in a few different sizes, the larger offering more pading, the smaller less. Many people lower the spring pads in order to get an extra cm, but there is a slight trade off in comfort.
Hope this helps
Ben
Hope this helps
Ben
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 628
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2018 E400 COUPE SOLD -> Porsche Taycan 4S
i got all my mods done at the same shop in alhambra. compared to the stock setup, the harshness is really not that distinguishable. but, you have to remember, the upgrade in wheels and tires already drastically changes the harshness of a cars ride already.
B
ps: email me if you want to know the specific shop, cuz i dont want to be flamed for promoting on a pub discussion board.
B
ps: email me if you want to know the specific shop, cuz i dont want to be flamed for promoting on a pub discussion board.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,665
Likes: 208
From: Bahrain
R129 SL55 AMG & W208 CLK55 AMG
hmm... here's what i figured..
On the avatngarde, the rear springs are pretty low anyways so even after chaging the springs, you wont notice the change in the rear. The drastic change should have been at the front.
On the elegance model, drastic change is all over. Cause the model is pretty high.
By the way, i noticed something realy strange strange the other day. A friend of mine got a quote for a W209 CLK500 avantgarde. Now.. i know this sounds crazy but..... when he requested the 18 inch AMG wheels instead of the standard 17's... he was told the AMG suspension comes with it FREE!!!!! Can anyone verify whether this is true for other markets?
thnx.
On the avatngarde, the rear springs are pretty low anyways so even after chaging the springs, you wont notice the change in the rear. The drastic change should have been at the front.
On the elegance model, drastic change is all over. Cause the model is pretty high.
By the way, i noticed something realy strange strange the other day. A friend of mine got a quote for a W209 CLK500 avantgarde. Now.. i know this sounds crazy but..... when he requested the 18 inch AMG wheels instead of the standard 17's... he was told the AMG suspension comes with it FREE!!!!! Can anyone verify whether this is true for other markets?
thnx.
