Another thread for dropping a w124
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Denver,CO USA
"88 300CE- First Year Production
Another thread for dropping a w124
I am new to mercedes benz's and already want to drop my 88' 300ce with 75k miles that I haven't yet seen in person, but purchased over the internet. I've done some minor research so far and haven't seen to many speak about lowering the rear. Do you just not lower it? All I hear is about the front end. Are there companys out there that sell a complete drop kit or what? If not whats the best configuration? Sorry I'm coming from the world of lifted trucks.
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From: Orange County, CA
W124's
Makahveli,
welcome to the board my friend! Also, congrats on owning a W124. You've came to the right place for good and helpful information.
I've never seen anyone who has just lowered the front or rear alone. Usually, the idea is to lower the whole car completely. lol The reason why most cars out there seem to be lower than the rear is because majority of the springs give the "wedge" look. Giving the front a more lower and agressive appearance. You know, kind of like a drag racer of some sort. Anyhow, the level can be easily balance with what they call Spring Pad's. So that's nothing to worry about.
As for the best configuration. It solely depends on the person. Maybe people like Bilstein Sport Shocks coupled with vogtland or H & R springs. Some like the Bilstein's with Eibach springs. It really all depends. Majority of the people I know are utilizing H & R's and Vogtland. I've heard bad stories about Eibach so that's one of the reasons why I stayed away from them. Honestly, in my opinion, the best combination would be the Bilstein Sport Shocks with the Vogtland springs. It'll give your car the maximum drop while still maintaining the stock like ride comfort and by far will improve the cars handling overall. H&R's are the same but are known to be a little Harsh. Some people on the forums are using them so they can put some input into them as well.
Anyways, I know a really good place where you can purchase all of this. For the record, the Vogtland springs are cheaper than H & R's by 50-70 bucks. Another reason why I got them. Good luck with everything!
Oh, here are pictures on how the drop looks with my current set up with stock wheels.
welcome to the board my friend! Also, congrats on owning a W124. You've came to the right place for good and helpful information.
I've never seen anyone who has just lowered the front or rear alone. Usually, the idea is to lower the whole car completely. lol The reason why most cars out there seem to be lower than the rear is because majority of the springs give the "wedge" look. Giving the front a more lower and agressive appearance. You know, kind of like a drag racer of some sort. Anyhow, the level can be easily balance with what they call Spring Pad's. So that's nothing to worry about.
As for the best configuration. It solely depends on the person. Maybe people like Bilstein Sport Shocks coupled with vogtland or H & R springs. Some like the Bilstein's with Eibach springs. It really all depends. Majority of the people I know are utilizing H & R's and Vogtland. I've heard bad stories about Eibach so that's one of the reasons why I stayed away from them. Honestly, in my opinion, the best combination would be the Bilstein Sport Shocks with the Vogtland springs. It'll give your car the maximum drop while still maintaining the stock like ride comfort and by far will improve the cars handling overall. H&R's are the same but are known to be a little Harsh. Some people on the forums are using them so they can put some input into them as well.
Anyways, I know a really good place where you can purchase all of this. For the record, the Vogtland springs are cheaper than H & R's by 50-70 bucks. Another reason why I got them. Good luck with everything!
Oh, here are pictures on how the drop looks with my current set up with stock wheels.
Last edited by CDP; Jul 14, 2005 at 10:28 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 831
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From: Denver,CO USA
"88 300CE- First Year Production
No I have no personal pictures yet, but here are a couple of pictures from autotrader that I bought it from:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/img_po...x421.jpg&isp=y
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/img_po...x421.jpg&isp=y
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/img_po...x421.jpg&isp=y
When done I'd like it to look like this:
http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...030_7_full.jpg
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/img_po...x421.jpg&isp=y
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/img_po...x421.jpg&isp=y
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/img_po...x421.jpg&isp=y
When done I'd like it to look like this:
http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...030_7_full.jpg
Last edited by Makahveli; Jul 15, 2005 at 11:12 AM.
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Thread Starter
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From: Denver,CO USA
"88 300CE- First Year Production
Just for the wondering of springs pads, do I need the same or a different combination of pad springs for drop my coupe since its assumed to be lighter than the sedan?
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Mercedes-Benz w124
Originally Posted by ChrisDPham
Anyways, I know a really good place where you can purchase all of this.
Oh, here are pictures on how the drop looks with my current set up with stock wheels.
Oh, here are pictures on how the drop looks with my current set up with stock wheels.
hmm, maybe i can get into that deal. and are those the recommended tire sizes also? i do like your setup chris, maybe a tiny bit too stiff for me. will changing the shocks for bilsteins heavy duty make it a bit softer?
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lots of cars
I should have given you a ride on mine with the eibach springs and the HD shocks. Maybe next time? but you really need to lower you car LnkPrk or change to a bigger rim and a smaller tire. I like the eibach springs with the HD because it dosen't lower the car so much that when you hit a big bump it makes your tires rub. Also the ride is smoother so it dosen't feel like your driving on rocks!
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MB 1990 300E
well LnkPrkSoldier if your going to get a new suspension setup, let me know and maybe ill get in on the deal too and so we can try to get the price lower or something seeing how Makahveli lives in colorado.
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Mercedes-Benz w124
Originally Posted by X03
well LnkPrkSoldier if your going to get a new suspension setup, let me know and maybe ill get in on the deal too and so we can try to get the price lower or something seeing how Makahveli lives in colorado.
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From: Denver,CO USA
"88 300CE- First Year Production
Well being a deisel mechanic and all I was going to go ahead and do the suspension drop myself as it isn't my first time (I put a suspension lift on my explorer). Problem is looking for a good price on shocks, so far for springs I seen this: http://www.ajusa.com/cgi-bin/vogtlan...d3e75051e85b4a
But like I asked earlier would my combo for spring pads need to be different having a coupe instead of a sedan?
But like I asked earlier would my combo for spring pads need to be different having a coupe instead of a sedan?
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From: So CAli/L.A
88 260 E
Vogtands in my opinion are the best lowering springs available for the W124.
You can't ask what combo pads everybody is running as you'll find out everybody's set-up is some what different. After lowering your car and letting the new shocks & springs settle in, that's when you go in and adjust your spring pads. Do this after about a month or two of driving. My only concern is that Vogtlands will dump your ride big time.What tire size are you running and rim size/offset? That should be your main concern not your spring pads.
Even with H&R's on 18's you'll have rubbing issues up front, Vogtlands will lower more then H&R's. 225/18x8 eta35 will be fine with rolled fenders. Anything wider tire/rim size you'll encounter major issues. Save up more money and get the Bilsteins with your new springs do it all at once. That way you can have a better idea after installation and settling in what spring pads to use.
~Cali
You can't ask what combo pads everybody is running as you'll find out everybody's set-up is some what different. After lowering your car and letting the new shocks & springs settle in, that's when you go in and adjust your spring pads. Do this after about a month or two of driving. My only concern is that Vogtlands will dump your ride big time.What tire size are you running and rim size/offset? That should be your main concern not your spring pads.
Even with H&R's on 18's you'll have rubbing issues up front, Vogtlands will lower more then H&R's. 225/18x8 eta35 will be fine with rolled fenders. Anything wider tire/rim size you'll encounter major issues. Save up more money and get the Bilsteins with your new springs do it all at once. That way you can have a better idea after installation and settling in what spring pads to use.
~Cali
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Originally Posted by LnkPrkSoldier
aight, sounds good. i have about 450 saved up right now... but i may need to spend it on something else soon. about how much will the springs/shock setup cost chris? and about how much for the install alon? and will the factory tire size/wheels fit just fine? i don't know what to do first... wheels, headlights, suspension. im thinking of suspension, then headlights then wheels.
Honestly, I would do wheels and suspension at the same so everything will be easier for you. but with that 450...you can get a good set of euro's and a set of HID's.
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From: west virginia
makahveli
there is a factory option that is bolt on, "sportline"
this link will give you a great overview http://www.mercedesshop.com/sportline_suspension.htm
search for "sportline" http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforu...earchid=458776
i lowered my car 3/4" by just changing spring pads.
i also added the sportline front bar, HUGE improvement in handling.
there is a factory option that is bolt on, "sportline"
this link will give you a great overview http://www.mercedesshop.com/sportline_suspension.htm
search for "sportline" http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforu...earchid=458776
i lowered my car 3/4" by just changing spring pads.
i also added the sportline front bar, HUGE improvement in handling.
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From: Southeast PA
2010 VW Golf TDI
Just a little tweaking is good
Originally Posted by ebennz
makahveli
i lowered my car 3/4" by just changing spring pads.
i also added the sportline front bar, HUGE improvement in handling.
i lowered my car 3/4" by just changing spring pads.
i also added the sportline front bar, HUGE improvement in handling.
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From: Southeast PA
2010 VW Golf TDI
Looks are everything on a W124
Originally Posted by Makahveli
Thanx EBENNZ but I'm aiming towards looks more than suspension.
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From: west virginia
Originally Posted by Makahveli
Thanx EBENNZ but I'm aiming towards looks more than suspension.
you may not have thought about it yet, BUT you'll need euro lights if you want ot see and HUGELY update the look of your car. you'll probably want wheels too
if you get greedy you'll eat tires and bottom your nose out on every imperfection in the road.
this WILL cost you more in the long run to have to have something re-done to correct a poor choice.
do a "search" on lowering here and at mercedesshop, bnzsport.
don't 86 your spring pads altogether, ONLY A FOOL WILL DO AWAY WITH THEIR SPRING PADS...don't be one of them.
save some of your money for the other **** will break and have to be replaced.
you have service and maint to consider... or the sled won't last.
is the car going to be a "keeper"?
Last edited by ebennz; Sep 15, 2005 at 11:07 AM.
