Bought Lowered CLK430 - Rides EXTREMELY Harsh
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 18
Likes: 10
From: Vancouver, BC
18' AMG GTC, 03' CLK430, 15" GL350
Bought Lowered CLK430 - Rides EXTREMELY Harsh
Hi All,
I recently bought a 2003 CLK 430 cabriolet that is on H&R Lower Springs and Bilstein B8 Shocks. Obviously, the look is very appealing with this setup, but the ride is simply far too harsh for daily driving. I was hoping you guys can provide me with some advice on what my next steps should be:
Thanks.
I recently bought a 2003 CLK 430 cabriolet that is on H&R Lower Springs and Bilstein B8 Shocks. Obviously, the look is very appealing with this setup, but the ride is simply far too harsh for daily driving. I was hoping you guys can provide me with some advice on what my next steps should be:
- Replace just the shocks with softer Bilsteins and keep the lowering springs.
- Replace just the springs with OEM replacements to raise the car and keep the harder B8 shocks.
- Replace both shocks and springs with something closer to OEM height/ride.
Thanks.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 18
Likes: 10
From: Vancouver, BC
18' AMG GTC, 03' CLK430, 15" GL350
The car has 102,000km (63,000 miles) total, and on these springs/shocks, it's been about 15,000km (9,300 miles). I assume this is enough time for the shocks to loosen up a bit, but it doesn't seem like the case; it's still rock solid and very harsh.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 601
Likes: 6
From: Kansas
2001 CLK430, 2012 CLS550
Is the vehicle slammed? If so I would question whether its to the point that the shock is compressed all the way to the bump stop, thus not allowing the shock to move at all. If so, you'd likely feel every bump in the road. I'm lowered on Koni fronts/Bastien rears with H&R sport springs and remember having to cut my bump stops in half at least on the fronts. I'd start there before spending money. Good luck
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 18
Likes: 10
From: Vancouver, BC
18' AMG GTC, 03' CLK430, 15" GL350
The car isn't quite slammed. I believe the H&R springs lower the car by about 1.2-1.3 inches, which is quite significant. I'll look into the bump stops before I make any changes. Thanks.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 54
Likes: 8
2001 CLK 320
just being completely honest here I've had sporty or stiff coilover systems, and both expensive and cheap coilover systems, and have used coilovers high up as well as lowered all the way down, and have also owned a common 60/40mm kit which is kind of the compromise route, and
Practically none of these situations lead to "EXTREMELY harsh" driving conditions. I'm curious if you've lowered or owned a lowered car before? The proper handling characteristics can deteriorate once you lower a car beyond it's ideal, but only only the crappiest of coilovers have I experienced that being a rough ride. Unless your struts are blown or you have major issues with things being completely tightened or bushings being blown out, I don't think I understand how a 60/40mm drop which attempts to only mildly enhance the stock suspension form would lead you to the description of driveability. Does it make a ton of noise you drive over stuff, is the steering uncontrollable?
Me personally, hard turns with any amount of spirit make me desire more rigid suspension in my CLK. But, I'll take how comfortable it rides over that because I don't drive like that 99% of the time. Trying to help you come to a solution here and I think what I can agree with most is probably the potential bumpstop issue Gundo mentioned. I just don't know specifically with the CLK, but I think you often need to modify them.
Practically none of these situations lead to "EXTREMELY harsh" driving conditions. I'm curious if you've lowered or owned a lowered car before? The proper handling characteristics can deteriorate once you lower a car beyond it's ideal, but only only the crappiest of coilovers have I experienced that being a rough ride. Unless your struts are blown or you have major issues with things being completely tightened or bushings being blown out, I don't think I understand how a 60/40mm drop which attempts to only mildly enhance the stock suspension form would lead you to the description of driveability. Does it make a ton of noise you drive over stuff, is the steering uncontrollable?
Me personally, hard turns with any amount of spirit make me desire more rigid suspension in my CLK. But, I'll take how comfortable it rides over that because I don't drive like that 99% of the time. Trying to help you come to a solution here and I think what I can agree with most is probably the potential bumpstop issue Gundo mentioned. I just don't know specifically with the CLK, but I think you often need to modify them.
