jkkl2001

I've got a 99 CLK430 with 51K miles. I feel that the suspension is now very "soft". Even my sister's 2002 C320 has stiffer suspensions than the CLK. How many miles does the stock shocks usually last before they need replacement. I'd appreciate anyone's advice on this. Thanks.

Mach430

50,000 miles is a lot of wear and tear on the shocks. Changing to newer shocks would probably make a noticable difference. For the money, you may want to consider changing to an aftermarket spring and shock.

jkkl2001

I'm just wondering if my extended warranty will cover the suspension. I'll just call my dealer up and see, if not, i'll probably go with H&R spring or cup set.

Mach430

I'm not sure if they would cover it or not. I would definitely try. My father had 70,000 miles on his shocks (SL), and 3 of them were leaking...

jkkl2001

I've been leaning to go with the H&R springs for some time. I just have to find a reliable(good) shop in Houston to install them b4 i go ahead to get them. After having this car for more than 3 years, it still looks great. I can't say the same for the ride though, never liked it from the first day i drove it.

nickm

Hi, I was just wondering how much do the H&R springs cost and where can I get them... I have 66,000 miles. Thank you

jkkl2001

I found it in tirerack.com at $261.

Mach430

We are also an authorized H&R dealer.

jkkl2001

Great Ben, i visited your website and noticed that you are selling the H&R springs at a lower price. Can the cup kit fit the '99 CLK430 and what are your comments on them, or can i just go for the springs?

Do you know of any good installers in Houston, cuz i don't want to get the kit or springs without know where i can properly have them installed?

Mach430

There are a few good installers in the Houston area. I'll look them up later for you if you'd like. The cup kit is an excellent suspension, however it is very stiff. If you are concerned about being too low, or too stiff, I would not recommend it. Also, it is designed for the 320. It will still work on the 430, but the addtional engine weight will make the front even lower.

jkkl2001

Since i'll be sticking to the 17" wheels, i don't think i'd want it to be too low as it would not look that good. Plus houston's roads are not too smooth, having a very stiff suspension would be make the ride very rough.
Would just changing the springs be sufficient if i just want a stiffer and lower ride(about 1.5")? I used to own a BMW328 coupe(sport package) and i love that kind of stiffness and ride.

Ahmed

i have eibach springs installed, what other alternative can i have cause my mileage is 60K right now.... any ideas on whether they need replacing and whether i should install shocks too.

will they be lower?

my car is an elegance model, when i first got it, the springs were ridiculously high, the springs have brought it down by 25mm.

Are these springs you're talking about lower?

jkkl2001

Tirerack tested both the H&R and Eibach springs. They said the H&Rs' are stiffer and a little lower than the Eibachs.

Ben, i'd appreciate if you could help me find out some good installers in Houston, Thanks.

juanvaldez

I am approaching 30,000 miles on my '00 CLK430. Since I will be replacing tires next month, would it be a good time to consider replacing the shocks?

I am not sure what the signs are with regards to ride and handling to know if I should consider replacing them.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

edgarcia

I instaled eibach springs last year good look but ruined the shocks in a few months. Definately felt roll on curvy roads.

I just installed blistein shocks and the car handles much better, hugs the road. i got them really cheap at some site on the internet. Had my friend install them for free

juanvaldez

Yea I put Bilstein shocks on my Jeep. They work quite good.

Now I am wondering what to put on my CLK. Given that I rode my Jeep's shocks for 125k miles before changing them, I probably don't know how to tell if your shocks are dead..

The classic test seems to be to try and bounce your car on the bumper and count how many times it bounces. I am not sure this will work for the CLK...

allenjdmb

I've got H&R/Konie setup. If I had it to do over again, I'd use Bilstein. Have always used them with great results, don't know why I had a temporary tumor and used the Koni's instead. Not bad, but not Bilstein.

Ahmed

this is quite an old thread bro!

hahahahahahah... i sold my CLK last July! But thanks anyways for all your help ( as usual )

nickv

Do you think with 59K it is time to replace my shocks??