Lowering a 55
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'10 E63
Lowering a 55
I'd like to take my '01 55 down a little and have been trying to decide how to do it. I don't want it slammed, and would like to wind up with about two fingers width between the top of the tire and the fender lip. Improving the handling is not the issue; it's for aesthetics--but I don't want to negatively impact the existing ride or handling.
So, I know several people have used H&R or Eibach springs, and from reading some of the threads, the general consensus seems to be you need to change shocks too (Koni's or Bilsteins) so that everything works well together.
But I've also seen several posts talking about simply changing to thinner spring pads, which sounds like a simple, inexpensive way to go if it works.
And finally, a shop that works on a lot of '55's in NY told me that they sell the German-spec AMG springs for the 55, which lowers the car to German specs, or a little over an inch compared to what we get here. This guy said that is the way to go because it doesn't hurt the ride and the springs are designed to work with the stock shocks. Anyone else ever heard of this? And if this is BS, which of the other two ways makes the most sense?
So, I know several people have used H&R or Eibach springs, and from reading some of the threads, the general consensus seems to be you need to change shocks too (Koni's or Bilsteins) so that everything works well together.
But I've also seen several posts talking about simply changing to thinner spring pads, which sounds like a simple, inexpensive way to go if it works.
And finally, a shop that works on a lot of '55's in NY told me that they sell the German-spec AMG springs for the 55, which lowers the car to German specs, or a little over an inch compared to what we get here. This guy said that is the way to go because it doesn't hurt the ride and the springs are designed to work with the stock shocks. Anyone else ever heard of this? And if this is BS, which of the other two ways makes the most sense?
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That's all good, but who is making those springs and shocks for Evosport? I know you have Koni shocks so I assume Koni shocks are a part of the Evosport kit. Sounds like R. Range has a 55 so he won't be needing the sway bars, so, back to his original question (which happens to be the same question I have). I want to lower my car 1 more inch. Is the best way to do that with new springs, new pads or a combination of both?
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2002 CLK 55 AMG Coupe ;)
R. Range wrote
I think this NY shop is correct. Measuring the CLK55 AMG and the CLK 430 one confirms that the heights on both models is identical: 54"!
This corresponds to the MB website and CLK brochure.
It runs contrary to what several MB sales personnel told me: The CLK55 AMG is about 1" lower than the CLK 430 or 320.
Hence I believe that the NY shop is correct: The CLK55 AMG in Germany is 1" lower - 53" instead of 54" in the USA.
http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container...enu=3_0&spec=4
...a shop that works on a lot of '55's in NY told me that they sell the German-spec AMG springs for the 55, which lowers the car to German specs, or a little over an inch compared to what we get here.
This corresponds to the MB website and CLK brochure.
It runs contrary to what several MB sales personnel told me: The CLK55 AMG is about 1" lower than the CLK 430 or 320.
Hence I believe that the NY shop is correct: The CLK55 AMG in Germany is 1" lower - 53" instead of 54" in the USA.
http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container...enu=3_0&spec=4
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Sleestack:
I thought you already had new springs? I have H&R springs which lower the car a little more than 1.5" from stock (430). From there you could change your spring pads from a 4 front and 3 rear to a 2 front and 1 rear. That would take off another cm.
I thought you already had new springs? I have H&R springs which lower the car a little more than 1.5" from stock (430). From there you could change your spring pads from a 4 front and 3 rear to a 2 front and 1 rear. That would take off another cm.
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Out Of Control!!
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Originally posted by karl k
R. Range wrote
I think this NY shop is correct. Measuring the CLK55 AMG and the CLK 430 one confirms that the heights on both models is identical: 54"!
This corresponds to the MB website and CLK brochure.
It runs contrary to what several MB sales personnel told me: The CLK55 AMG is about 1" lower than the CLK 430 or 320.
Hence I believe that the NY shop is correct: The CLK55 AMG in Germany is 1" lower - 53" instead of 54" in the USA.
http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container...enu=3_0&spec=4
R. Range wrote
I think this NY shop is correct. Measuring the CLK55 AMG and the CLK 430 one confirms that the heights on both models is identical: 54"!
This corresponds to the MB website and CLK brochure.
It runs contrary to what several MB sales personnel told me: The CLK55 AMG is about 1" lower than the CLK 430 or 320.
Hence I believe that the NY shop is correct: The CLK55 AMG in Germany is 1" lower - 53" instead of 54" in the USA.
http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container...enu=3_0&spec=4
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My car is definitely lower by about an inch, however, I'm not sure if it was done via springs or pads. I'm going to be switching from 55 Bilsteins to the new Kleeman shocks within the next couple of weeks so I'm going to have to check the ride with those new shocks before I lower my car further. Right now I have about a 2 inch gap, I'd like that gap to be about 1 inch. I think when I put my 19" BBS LMs on, I'm going to have to shorten the gap or my car is going to look a little strange.
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Ask Simon, I think he may know whether or not you have new springs. If so, perhaps he can recommend something to make you lower. I dont think you would have a 2" gap if you had H&R or Eibach springs. My guess would be that if your springs were changed they are Euro AMG Springs. Do you happen to know what color they are? You can tell by turning the wheel all the way to the side and looking in the front. If you like the setup I have (minus the wheel size), don't change your pads. If you want to go another cm, go to a 2 and 1. You may rub if you change your pads to a 2/1, but it shouldn't be too bad. Truthfully, I think you'd be fine with the stock pads. As for the gap below in the E pictures (I'm editing this), that is a different car, with different sized fenders. But Vic, it does look nice
Last edited by Mach430; Jan 11, 2002 at 01:43 AM.
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2024 C8 Z06- 2025 BMW CS- 2022 Porsche 992 GTS
R. Range- you stated you want to keep your ride the same and have a two finger gap. Here is my E55 way back in June of 2001 with #1 spring pads all the way around. The gap was right at 2 fingers which was not what I wanted but maybe will fit your needs.
And here was a shot after the H&R drop....
And here was a shot after the H&R drop....
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From: THE Orange County, California
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Originally posted by R. Range
Vic, the first pic is about what I'm looking for. Did using less of a pad affect the ride?
Vic, the first pic is about what I'm looking for. Did using less of a pad affect the ride?
