Thinking of adding springs/shocks
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Cookeville, TN
1999 CLK430
Thinking of adding springs/shocks
I'm curious about the major advantages of changing CLK430 stock springs/shocks. After reading a lot it seems most like the H&R cup series. Besides the look what about the ride? Is it bumpier and stiffer for handling or smoother and stiffer. I hope you understand what I'm asking.
I just don't want to spend money for performance springs and have my Benz ride like a truck. Do you feel every bump in the road? I've never ridden in a vehicle with these kinds of mods so excuse my basic questions.
Thanks in advance for your reply.
I just don't want to spend money for performance springs and have my Benz ride like a truck. Do you feel every bump in the road? I've never ridden in a vehicle with these kinds of mods so excuse my basic questions.
Thanks in advance for your reply.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 1
From: Genoa, NV
2014 GLK250 BlueTec & 2009 ML320 BlueTec
The springs will not make your car stiffer, shocks will.
Unfortunatelly your standard shocks won't last that long due to being compressed all the time. Get Koni adjustables and leave them in the softest setting. Unfortunatelly I have no experience with the cup kit, but they are supposed to work together. I don't know if the shocks are adjustable either. You might wan't to check with Ben @ www.evosport.com
Unfortunatelly your standard shocks won't last that long due to being compressed all the time. Get Koni adjustables and leave them in the softest setting. Unfortunatelly I have no experience with the cup kit, but they are supposed to work together. I don't know if the shocks are adjustable either. You might wan't to check with Ben @ www.evosport.com
Last edited by theine; Mar 10, 2003 at 04:56 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
1998 CLK320
I concur, shocks, not springs...
have the most affect on ride comfort.
I had Eibach springs installed about six months after getting my car, and have experimented with various shocks since then (Bilsten HD, Koni Sport Adjustable, Bilsten Sport), and ALL resulted in a noticeable reduction in ride comfort.
I ran the Eibach springs with the original shocks for about one year, and I had NO complaints about ride quality, it was only after I switched to high-perf. shocks that I experienced it.
I have recently ordered a set of MB "stock" shocks, which I've discovered are Bilstein "comfort" shocks...they won't last as long as their high-perf. cousins, but I'm hoping to regain the ride comfort I've lost.
Note that the Bilstein HD shocks are NOT designed for cars with lowered springs...there is simply no valve travel.
Also, whichever spring pads are installed will affect the operation of the shocks...I've experimented with #2, #3 and #4 (which I'm currently using) spring pads, and you might be surprised to find out that the ride comfort is different for each...I suspect its related to the shock value positioning for each ride height.
Also, at least for my CLK, thinner spring pads required more attention to driving...i.e., my CLK would follow every track in the road with #2 pads, but could be "relatively" easily driven with #4 pads.
Hope this helps.
I had Eibach springs installed about six months after getting my car, and have experimented with various shocks since then (Bilsten HD, Koni Sport Adjustable, Bilsten Sport), and ALL resulted in a noticeable reduction in ride comfort.
I ran the Eibach springs with the original shocks for about one year, and I had NO complaints about ride quality, it was only after I switched to high-perf. shocks that I experienced it.
I have recently ordered a set of MB "stock" shocks, which I've discovered are Bilstein "comfort" shocks...they won't last as long as their high-perf. cousins, but I'm hoping to regain the ride comfort I've lost.
Note that the Bilstein HD shocks are NOT designed for cars with lowered springs...there is simply no valve travel.
Also, whichever spring pads are installed will affect the operation of the shocks...I've experimented with #2, #3 and #4 (which I'm currently using) spring pads, and you might be surprised to find out that the ride comfort is different for each...I suspect its related to the shock value positioning for each ride height.
Also, at least for my CLK, thinner spring pads required more attention to driving...i.e., my CLK would follow every track in the road with #2 pads, but could be "relatively" easily driven with #4 pads.
Hope this helps.
