CDP

Hey Guys,

Told all of you, well the ones that were interested that I would post an update once I get my shocks and spings installed and well...here they are.

I have to say, I am really impressed with the new set up. The drop was perfect, the ride quality is outstanding and not harsh at all. Incase anyone forgot, I opted for the Bilstein Sport Shocks with Vogtland 30-60mm lowering springs. Oh my, the handling and response has increased so much. Still getting use to how low the car is now. lol Love the sporty feel I have now. Definately a set up I recommend. Had it installed at TWS, anyone in the so-cal area I highly recommend them. Their know how and what not is superb and I had my suspension installed and ready to run in no time. I'm definately going to do business with them again. Thanks Ben & Sean for the recommendation. I'll shut up now and show you some pictures.

Ride Height Before:



Ride Height Now:

CDP

That's all for now. I wanted to take pictures of the installation but they wouldn't let me. Thanks everyone for their input in the other thread and who helped me make my decision on the springs. So, how does it look? :p

Now all I need to do is install my headlights and get some wheels.

ML55CLA45

looks good!!! how much did you pay for install? my dealer wants 500 to install front and rear.... im going to call around tomorrow to find out what other shops will charge...

-carino

CDP

Thanks Charles,

your dealer is only charging 500 to install the front and rear with the parts or without? Well, I got pretty hooked up and paid 855 installed with parts and it was installed in 2 hours.

perzbenz

sweet stuff

tbone55

Looks good Chris!

jrmd01

Wow, that looks good. Slap on some rims and the babes will be flowing to your car in packs!

The front looks a bit lower than the rear. What size spring pads did you go with? Also how's your camber?

jrmd01@yahoo.com

GORBETTTEAM

Chris...I'm sorry but this looks like crap w/o 17's or 18's
..and what's up with those headlights you said you already bought?

CDP

jrmd01, thanks haha...the vogtland springs give the wedge look since makes the front lower than the rear and a little bit more aggressive. Currently, I don't have any spring pads since I'm not seeing any problems yet nor think I will need them until I get wheels. Camber seems good as well as the alignment.

Gorbettteam, hence why I said I'll be getting some wheels soon in a matter of months.

CDP

I see you edited your post. They are still taking place on delivery. I sense that you don't think I bought them? I could be wrong.

The Godfather

get some 18's! 18x8 all around like I used to have back in the days:

CDP

The Doctor, yeah 18 x 8's are what I plan to get in a few months. lol I see your TWS sticker on your window. What was the suspension set up on your old car?

The Godfather

I have done all 5 of my benzes at TWS. They're the best I had Bilstein sport shocks and HR springs, awesome combo, plus Weicher sport strut bar as well.

CDP

aaaah...I saw that Weicher sport strut bar earlier at some website. Do you know where I can perhaps pick one up and how much $$$. lol

I'm definately down with TWS, good first experience and I'm definately going back.

The Godfather

I think you can get it from weichers direct, they got someone where who speaks english, i think Jennifer. I got mine from a friend who already had it and got it through a shop but i dont think he can get em anymore though.

CaliE320

Looks good Chris,

Don't worry to much about the front being a lil bit lower. Like I said once you get your 18's you can have TWS level it out with spring pads. Expect your rear to settle in a lil bit more in the next week or so with driving.

~Cali

Chappy

Chris,

Did you do swaybars too? What about bushings? Your new setup sits just a hair shorter that my 300CE with OE Sportline suspension.

CDP

Chappy,

I think that I am going to replace all the bushing and add in beffier sway bars too when I get wheels so I can just get them installed all at the same time. How low is your drop now with the OE Sportline suspension? Mine lowered about 2" and maybe a couple hairs lower and I have to check the rear.

jrmd01

...The vogtland springs give the wedge look...
...Camber seems good as well as the alignment...

If your car has the "wedge look" the camber is "off". Have you had it checked professionally? If you're going to get 18" X 8 rims, you'll go through tires every 3 months or so if your car has the "wedge look". I went through that problem with my last car.

...Currently, I don't have any spring pads since I'm not seeing any problems yet nor think I will need them until I get wheels...

I don't know if that's a good idea. At the very least you should have went with the #1 spring pads. In the long run I think you're doing more damage than good using the springs without the spring pads. I believe the spring pad serves mulitple purpose.
1. Adjust the height of the car
2. Ensure the fitment of the springs (seating)
3. Prevent / cushion the metal to metal contact. (just like bushings)...you wouldn't remove your bushings from your suspension right?

This is my nonprofessional perception of the spring pad. Can a mechanic on this forum confirm my thoughts?

BTW Chris, don't get me wrong, I think your car looks great. Just giving your an onlookers point of view and opinion.

Chappy

I got about a 1.5 inch drop all around. I went with 1 bump pads on all four corners and had all the whole sportline-spec suspension done. I've had it for three years and love it!

ML55CLA45

the 500 bucks is just for install........ i paid 400 something for the bilsten hd... sounds like you did get hooked up.... all in all i will probably spend 100 bucks more than you... but i get an ML loaner..... so i guess it all evens out!!!

CDP

Thanks for the compliments and information so far everyone. I'm enjoying my car so much more now.

Ben, yeah Sander told me he'll keep a look out for me when he gets some wheels in. Hopefully he doesn't forget about me. lol I'm digging the wedge look on my car as well.

jrmd01, what set up are you currently running on your car? Like with CaliE320 said, once I get the 18 x 8 wheels I'm definately going to even out the ride height with spring pads in the front and rear, but not a problem right now.

can anyone confirm his thoughts about the spring pads?

Anyhow, Charles...that's still a pretty good deal. How come you're getting it installed at the dealership though. Are there not any good local shops near you that are experienced enough to work on your suspension? LOL...take advantage of that ML when you get it if you know what I mean.

Chappy

Spring pads are cheap insurance...$15-20 for all four.

CaliE320

Chris,

Don't worry too much about it. Sander will hook up the spring pads for you when you get your 18's. You won't have to come extra out the pockets...

Was there a reason that you didn't want spring pads?

~Cali

jrmd01

Chris,

Currently, I'm still at stock specs. I have been researching about lowering the car for a while now. I haven't done it yet because I want to make sure it's done right the first time. I normally carry 5 adults in the car. It's my daily driver so I can't slam it as low as some of the cars on the forum. There has not been much discussion about lowering lately until you decided to lower your car. It's all been very informative.

I think I'll go with either your set up (or the H&R) with #2 or #3 pads all around and 17 X 7.5 wheels and I'll probably use "speedybenz's" camber arms to adjust the camber in the rear. I don't believe there is any kit out there that can adjust the front cambers. If there are, please someone post it.

I know Kmac has a kit out, but after about a year they begin to squeak. At least that's what I've read. I'd like to hear more about what members used on this forum to adjust their cambers and their experience.

Chris you may think I'm being overly cautious about the camber, but just wait until you have your 18" X 8" wheels. The inner part of your tire will wear out quickly if your camber is off. I learned this the hard way with my last car. The car looked good SLAMMED but my wallet was lighter every 3 months or so from buying new tires all the time. If money is not an issue then don't worry about the camber. In my case I have a family to support now, so they take priority over tires.

BTW make sure you research the 18 X 8 wheels. Luke from Tire Rack says the 8" will not fit in our cars (they will fit on the 500E). He recommends 7.5". But I know there are those on this forum that are using the 8" set up. You probably will have to get a specific ET/offset (or spacers) to get it to fit. Maybe someone can comment on it.

What style of rims are you planning on getting? That would be the finishing touches on the exterior of your car. I don't think you'll have to do any more on the exterior after that (unless you want to color match your lower panels for the monotone look). The car will look 100% different. I have no doubt, it'll be a "babe magnet" once the new rims are on. Hehehe.