Suspention mods for the CLK?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2002
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Suspention mods for the CLK?
Hey guys,
I test drove a CLK430 today and want it sooooo bad. But i noticed the ride is a little soft. Are there springs or sways made for this car?
Any other ideas to keep that V8 power on the road?
And yes, i been smiling all day after the test drive. 
I test drove a CLK430 today and want it sooooo bad. But i noticed the ride is a little soft. Are there springs or sways made for this car?
Any other ideas to keep that V8 power on the road?
And yes, i been smiling all day after the test drive.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 35,855
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From: Southern CA
Suspension modifications help the CLK handle much better than stock. In the past, I had a combination of H&R springs with Koni Adjustable shocks. I was very satisfied with that, especially with the upgraded sway bars. Now, I have the same setup, only with Kleemann shocks instead of the Koni's. Both setups were awesome. The Kleemann shocks do perform better and more comfortable, but I'd recommend either. If you need any help, let me know!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10
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Originally posted by Mach430
Suspension modifications help the CLK handle much better than stock. In the past, I had a combination of H&R springs with Koni Adjustable shocks. I was very satisfied with that, especially with the upgraded sway bars. Now, I have the same setup, only with Kleemann shocks instead of the Koni's. Both setups were awesome. The Kleemann shocks do perform better and more comfortable, but I'd recommend either. If you need any help, let me know!
Suspension modifications help the CLK handle much better than stock. In the past, I had a combination of H&R springs with Koni Adjustable shocks. I was very satisfied with that, especially with the upgraded sway bars. Now, I have the same setup, only with Kleemann shocks instead of the Koni's. Both setups were awesome. The Kleemann shocks do perform better and more comfortable, but I'd recommend either. If you need any help, let me know!
HOLY CRAP!!! Please tell me you have a link or pictures of your car!! Sounds bad ***... i didnt know there were even headers out there... got any links where i can see other perforamce stuff?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 35,855
Likes: 3
From: Southern CA
Unfortunately, the only pictures of my car basically look stock. Most of my modifications are all currently hidden underneath the hood, or in the suspension. In a month or so, I'll have pictures of my car, complete with everything listed in my signature.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 411
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From: Los Angeles
Let me warn you-
I've got a 2000 CLK430 coupe with H+R Sport Springs and Koni adjustable shocks. The damn thing is tooooo low. My service advisor won't fix any of my suspension problems because I've worn the tie rods partially through, and the entire fender wells have been worn smooth by my tires rubbing against the inside. Lower your car at your own risk, because it certainly DOES wear stock suspension parts far faster than normal. Good luck- it looks awesome, but the consequences are worse than I imagined (although the stock 430 ride is caddilac nauseating).
I've got a 2000 CLK430 coupe with H+R Sport Springs and Koni adjustable shocks. The damn thing is tooooo low. My service advisor won't fix any of my suspension problems because I've worn the tie rods partially through, and the entire fender wells have been worn smooth by my tires rubbing against the inside. Lower your car at your own risk, because it certainly DOES wear stock suspension parts far faster than normal. Good luck- it looks awesome, but the consequences are worse than I imagined (although the stock 430 ride is caddilac nauseating).
MBWorld Founder
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,599
Likes: 7
From: Scottsdale (aka The Surface of the Sun)
Newbie,
Are you sure that you had the installation done correctly? We have done dozens of CLK's (including our own shop car that has been lowered for 3 years) with ZERO problems. I would be really interested to see why your car is having problems.
Hummmm??????
Get back to me on this so we can see what is going on!
Thanks
Brad
Are you sure that you had the installation done correctly? We have done dozens of CLK's (including our own shop car that has been lowered for 3 years) with ZERO problems. I would be really interested to see why your car is having problems.
Hummmm??????
Get back to me on this so we can see what is going on!
Thanks
Brad
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
I'd be interested to get another opinion on my car. My service advisor won't even touch anything on the suspension because he says it's so "damaged" from my lowering. The fender wells are totally worn on the inside, and the front driver's side 1/4 panel is starting to get damage by the tires. I dunno what the deal is, but my car is too damn low.
BTW- all work has been done by Globe tire + motorsports, who I'm sure know their stuff, given the hundreds of Benzes, Ferraris, and Porsches I see rollin' outta there.
BTW- all work has been done by Globe tire + motorsports, who I'm sure know their stuff, given the hundreds of Benzes, Ferraris, and Porsches I see rollin' outta there.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 35,855
Likes: 3
From: Southern CA
If you have not done anything with your suspension, there should be no need to change your shocks. If you've put 25,000 miles on your shocks since lowering the car, it's pretty safe to assume that your shocks are shot.
MBWorld Founder
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,599
Likes: 7
From: Scottsdale (aka The Surface of the Sun)
Originally posted by chicagopizza
Hey Brad my car is 2 years old. should I change the original shock yet?I have a CLK430 2000 and it has 25,000 miles.
Hey Brad my car is 2 years old. should I change the original shock yet?I have a CLK430 2000 and it has 25,000 miles.
No, as Mach430 said, there is no need to change out your stock suspension unless:
1. You are really starting to feel the car get sloppy. This is a sign that the stock shocks are going. However, this should not happen till at least 3x the mileage you have.
2. You want to improve the handling and or lower the car to the correct European ride height.
Our 430 has H&R springs with Stock shocks at 40K+ and is fine. We are putting in some CLK55 shocks (have some laying around) next week though just to improve the handling and see how that combo works (we are always trying new things just to see how things work so we can actually speak knowledgeably about them!)
Thanks
Brad
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 279
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From: Boston
M3 Cab
Originally posted by Newbie
I'd be interested to get another opinion on my car. My service advisor won't even touch anything on the suspension because he says it's so "damaged" from my lowering.
I'd be interested to get another opinion on my car. My service advisor won't even touch anything on the suspension because he says it's so "damaged" from my lowering.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 35,855
Likes: 3
From: Southern CA
In defense of the dealerships:
One of the reasons that most won't install aftermarket products is liability. They are responsibile for whatever happens to you and your car after any service they perform for you. They have insurance to cover MB products and labor, but aftermarket products do not fall into that category. No matter how good the quality of the product you wish to install, it all comes down to what the service manager feels comfortable with.
At my dealership, 1 shop foreman will work on my aftermarket products, and another won't. Is one right and the other wrong? I personally think that they should work on anything I ask them to, but that is not always feasible. As frustrating as it can be sometimes, I understand where they are coming from. After all, if someone were to bring us a part that we don't feel comfortable with, we would not install it.
One of the reasons that most won't install aftermarket products is liability. They are responsibile for whatever happens to you and your car after any service they perform for you. They have insurance to cover MB products and labor, but aftermarket products do not fall into that category. No matter how good the quality of the product you wish to install, it all comes down to what the service manager feels comfortable with.
At my dealership, 1 shop foreman will work on my aftermarket products, and another won't. Is one right and the other wrong? I personally think that they should work on anything I ask them to, but that is not always feasible. As frustrating as it can be sometimes, I understand where they are coming from. After all, if someone were to bring us a part that we don't feel comfortable with, we would not install it.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 279
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From: Boston
M3 Cab
yes, liability........but there's no excuse for a dealer refusing to offer me scheduled maintenance because i have a chip in my S4. i used to have a 1.8t a4 as well and that got turned away for having coilovers. these are the dealerships that deserve to burn......slowly.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 279
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From: Boston
M3 Cab
yes, i am familiar with Moss Magnuson, trust me, this issue has been discussed endlessley in the S4 forum on Audiworld, where some S4 owners with STOCK engines suffered blown turbos and had to push the dealer and AOA very hard to get their turbos replaced under warranty. another S4 owner with no chip but exhaust had blown turbos and had to fight w/dealer and AOA to get them replaced because the exhaust voided his warranty contract. yeah i know, they have to prove that the after market component caused the failure, but things don't always work smoothly.
some service departments treat their customers less than fair and usually it is up to the customer to fight for the service they deserve. unfortunately, sometimes it is just easier to go to another dealership who is more sympathetic or willing to actually provide the service.
some service departments treat their customers less than fair and usually it is up to the customer to fight for the service they deserve. unfortunately, sometimes it is just easier to go to another dealership who is more sympathetic or willing to actually provide the service.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 48
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From: Southern California
blk 2000 clk430
Yes I did lower my car with Eibach spring since I bought the car. So u think that I should change my shock now??Can u send me an Email for the price of shock plus sway bar ? thanks
apham5@socal.rr.com
apham5@socal.rr.com
MBWorld Founder
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,599
Likes: 7
From: Scottsdale (aka The Surface of the Sun)
Originally posted by chicagopizza
Yes I did lower my car with Eibach spring since I bought the car. So u think that I should change my shock now??Can u send me an Email for the price of shock plus sway bar ? thanks
apham5@socal.rr.com
Yes I did lower my car with Eibach spring since I bought the car. So u think that I should change my shock now??Can u send me an Email for the price of shock plus sway bar ? thanks
apham5@socal.rr.com
This is not a black and white issue unfortunately. That would make it too easy!
LOL
Thanks
Brad
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 35,855
Likes: 3
From: Southern CA
Like Brad said, it may or may not be a problem. Based on experience, your shocks are most likely through. Go to the front right corner of your car (works at any corner). With both hands, push the car down hard 3-5 times until you can get it to bounce back a decent amount. Does the car continue to bounce up and down afterwards, or does it come back and stop?
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 628
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2018 E400 COUPE SOLD -> Porsche Taycan 4S
i think you guys should just wait until the stock shocks start giving and you can actually notice a change in your suspension's performance. i have bilstein setup that i am very happy with. just my two cents especially if you are concerned with saving $$$!
B
B
