I'm very confused about which one to get? Eibach (Front: 1.2 & Rear: 1.0 lowered) or H&R (1.4 & 1.3 lowered)? Will my tires rub? I have 8.5 X 18 all around. Rear tires: 265/35/18, Front tires: 235/40/18. Any advice would help. Thanks fellas.

-BANSASN

 

There are a lot more choices out there than just H&R and Eibach.

Brabus, Kleemann, Apex, Vogtland, Carlsson, Sachs.... and many more but you get the point.

 

H&R sport.

-Bruce

 

I'm Trying to keep my ride quality and lower the car's just an inche for handling. What's the best method?

 

i think the best for you is eibach...not too low and not too harsh a ride....

thats wat i heard.....eibach is supposed to give the most comfortable ride than any other spring....
but i wonder how is eibach compared to the stock spring...is it that much different or not i dont know...\

 

I thought it was a bad idea to use different size tires given that the rim sizes are the same between front/rear?

 

A lot of my friends have wider tires in the back w/ same size of wheels all around, I think it's for better handling since most euro cars are rear wheel drive.

-Bruce

 

Eibach specs claim a drop of 1.2 inches front, 1.3 inches rear, H&R sport springs 1.3 front, 1.4 rear. Never driven a car with eibach springs, but i will tell you you cant go wrong with H&R. I would not consider the ride harsher, just firms it up, much much better feeling when driving, its like its not even the same car.

 

H&R sport !!!!!!

 

I put Eibach's on my car. The lowered look was just right, but my MB dealer was unable to get alignment right. I was chewing up tires. Eibach tech support said a special alignment kit was not needed, nor available. Then they said it needed different pads. Finally, I said either get it right or take them off! They are now off the car and the stock springs are back on. The ride and handling was no different either way, just the look. I'm working with Tire Rack to get some sort of resolution.............the saga continues................

 

I highly recommend H&R springs. They lower the car to achieve more of a European look, and increase handlin greatly. Combined with the right shock, you can have great results. But the correct suspension setup is tricky to pinpoint. Everyone has different needs out of it. What are you looking for? Perfect comfort, perfect handling, how low??? You basically have to choose a combination of the 3, as they all have sacrifices to at least 1. My absolute favorite suspension for the CLK is the Kleemann suspension. It combines comfort with exceptional handling. H&R springs with Koni adjustable shocks are my second choice. They aren't as comfortable as the Kleemann shocks, but still handle well.

 

What about H&R Springs and Bilstein HD Shocks?

Bilstein's are OEM right

 

The CLK55 uses Bilstein HD shocks. That being said, we have several CLK55 owners who have upgraded their entire suspensions.

 

ben wuz yoru comment on the kleemann springs

 

Thanks everyone for the imputes. One more question, is it a good idea to put just the two springs for the front and keep the same height for the rear? I'm think about just lowering the front so it will have the racking affect. Will it effect my handling and comfort? It's handling and comfort I want yet with the racking effect.

ps.

I have decided, i'm getting the H&R spring. Thanks everyone.

 

NO, don't do that. It will not only look awful but you will also get an uncomfortable ride.

 

I haven't used them without the shocks. The shocks are awesome!

 

Forget about the ride quality of doing this. You will do two things if you choose to do this. First, you will throw off the suspenion geometry. The car's weight will be transferred differently, with the majority being in the front (more than before). They, with the tight front and the soft rear, you will probably lose control 5 or 6 times a day. This is a very unsafe thing to do. I drove my car after changing just the front suspension. It's like towing something, you have something swinging around behind you. Again, I urge you, for your safety, not to change only the front or rear. Anything you choose to do to your suspension, do at all 4 corners.

Thanks

Ben

 

cant go wrong with H&Rs. i think they make most of the springs out there anyways. other company's may rebadge the springs and call em their own. just like how there are only few companys that actually make wheels. got h&rs on my clk with bilsteins and the setup is perfect for me.


b

 

H&R's for our CLKs...

I've had both Eibach and H&R's in the past, and have always liked H&R's better... Stiffer, and feels better handling...

althought my M3 felt better with the Eibach's...

So I guess it will differe with cars. And in the case of the CLK, go with H&R.

 

No experience with eibach but very very happy with the H&Rs. Don't forget about which spring pads to use which also contribute to both ride quality and total lowering effect. Also highly recommend changing shocks. I had the H&Rs installed first which lowered the ride height but the handling just wasn't right. After I had the Koni adjustables installed (medium setting) about a month later, it was a whole different league of handling.

 

i got the eibach... defo wont spoil the ride.... i think they are alittle too soft... but maybe i need new dampers...

 

Hey Ben, what kind of time does it take to install the Kleemann suspension kit ? I imagine its not anything that particular and any decent performance body shop can do this, right ? Also, do you know how many inches it will lower a CLK (e.g CLK55) ? Thanks
Ed

 

H&R Sports..

 

Installing the Kleemann suspension would be the same as any other suspension upgrade for the CLK. Installation time should be about 4-5 hours of labor.