Lowering the CLK
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Lowering the CLK
So im buying my wheels next week and i'd much appriciate any info on how to lower my car.
I was looking at eibach springs or H&R but i've heard you can't just lower the car with springs that you need to change the shocks ect. also?
I've seen on here mixed reviews with Eibach vs H&R, which have a more comfortable feel? im not huge on performance i just want the new wheels to look nice and tuck with a stock feel.
I was looking at eibach springs or H&R but i've heard you can't just lower the car with springs that you need to change the shocks ect. also?
I've seen on here mixed reviews with Eibach vs H&R, which have a more comfortable feel? im not huge on performance i just want the new wheels to look nice and tuck with a stock feel.
Last edited by 703b3nz; Apr 2, 2007 at 04:56 PM.
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From: Long Beach, CA
07 E350, 03 Lexus ES300, 04 CLK 320 (gone)
you can lower the car and keep the stock shocks on...once the stock shocks start to go bad, then change them out....
I have 19's and lowered the ride with Eibach set up...then changed out the shocks at a later time....the ride is nice and handles great!!
good luck.
I have 19's and lowered the ride with Eibach set up...then changed out the shocks at a later time....the ride is nice and handles great!!
good luck.
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From: Sammamish
'02 CLK55
I am like you... going to go for 19's and not sure if I want the lower side wall and the firmer ride. Is there a spring set up that will not be full on race but sill lower? Can you change pads and lower it that way leaving stock springs?
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From: Long Beach, CA
07 E350, 03 Lexus ES300, 04 CLK 320 (gone)
19's will look good on the car...then if you want a slight 'drop' you can get the Eibach Pro-Kit (it lowers the car 1.2" all around)...while keeping your stock shocks, your ride comfort will still be good and the handling upgraded...that's what I started out with...then 1yr later I added the Eibach Pro Dampers....even better handling. My car looks slightly dropped but not over aggressive....just kept it clean.
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From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
Its a Good Idea to replace the springs AND shocks at the same time
When You lower the car
As The stock shocks are worn at a Certain height on the shock piston..and WHEN You lower the car with different springs the height is changed on the shock and most times the seals will start to show signs of wear/leaking
Also the Stock shock has a longer travel than a Lowered Shock..and if a stock shock is used on a lowered car..When You Bottom out the car hard one can damage the shock as the travel is not long enough to go with the shorter springs...Been There!
When You lower the car
As The stock shocks are worn at a Certain height on the shock piston..and WHEN You lower the car with different springs the height is changed on the shock and most times the seals will start to show signs of wear/leaking
Also the Stock shock has a longer travel than a Lowered Shock..and if a stock shock is used on a lowered car..When You Bottom out the car hard one can damage the shock as the travel is not long enough to go with the shorter springs...Been There!
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awesome, thanks for the responses. LB Benz do you have any other pics? Actually can any of you post pics of your CLKs lowered with H&Rs and Eibachs? so people can see the difference and what the drops look like? This could turn into a informative thread since i searched before i posted and didnt really see any good lowering threads w/ pics.
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From: Long Beach, CA
07 E350, 03 Lexus ES300, 04 CLK 320 (gone)
awesome, thanks for the responses. LB Benz do you have any other pics? Actually can any of you post pics of your CLKs lowered with H&Rs and Eibachs? so people can see the difference and what the drops look like? This could turn into a informative thread since i searched before i posted and didnt really see any good lowering threads w/ pics.
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what should someone expect to pay for a basic lowering kit with replacement shocks/struts? a kit that would drop the car minimally (1.5" or less). what does a typical installation cost? how difficult is it to perform? special tools?
anyone??
anyone??
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Eibachs lower the car 1.2" and the H&Rs lower it 1.4". You can get some KW Coilovers (springs + shocks/struts) for about $1500ish and Bilstein coilovers for around $1800. With the coilovers you can decide how much you want to lower it since its adjustable.
Last edited by 703b3nz; Apr 8, 2007 at 07:27 PM.
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approximate total cost + install???
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From: Long Beach, CA
07 E350, 03 Lexus ES300, 04 CLK 320 (gone)
awesome, thanks for the responses. LB Benz do you have any other pics? Actually can any of you post pics of your CLKs lowered with H&Rs and Eibachs? so people can see the difference and what the drops look like? This could turn into a informative thread since i searched before i posted and didnt really see any good lowering threads w/ pics.
Here are some pix of my car.. just went with a little drop (used 1.2" all the way around--Eibach springs & damper kit) If I remember, the total cost was about $800 (parts & labor)...I had them done almost 2yrs ago...no problems...no rubbing and the ride is smooth with better handling on corners...Of course I take it easy on the roads
IMO H&R and Eibach are great brands (had them on other cars as well)...I prefer Eibach for the benz since I didn't want to go with an aggressive drop..
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Here are some pix of my car.. just went with a little drop (used 1.2" all the way around--Eibach springs & damper kit) If I remember, the total cost was about $800 (parts & labor)...I had them done almost 2yrs ago...no problems...no rubbing and the ride is smooth with better handling on corners...Of course I take it easy on the roads
IMO H&R and Eibach are great brands (had them on other cars as well)...I prefer Eibach for the benz since I didn't want to go with an aggressive drop..
IMO H&R and Eibach are great brands (had them on other cars as well)...I prefer Eibach for the benz since I didn't want to go with an aggressive drop..
what size wheels you running? and you said you installed pro dampeners after the original lowering kit. is $800 the total cost of your current set-up?
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From: Long Beach, CA
07 E350, 03 Lexus ES300, 04 CLK 320 (gone)
Yes, $800 was the total cost of the set up...I feel that it was a great investment....I previously had a 325i fully modded with a more aggressive lowering---it was good for the time, but when I got a benz, I knew that I wanted to keep the 'famous benz' ride comfort, so just dropping it a little was best for me...
