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.

 

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.

 

oh so both front and back use shocks and coil springs?

 

correct my friend.

Any pictures of your ride?

 

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

 

I have 18's and not so sure of how low I can go

And what does the E in E-class stand for

 

Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

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?

 

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?

 

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!

 

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.

 

I know who can install it for cheap too!

 

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.

 

Do the easy work first so go with the suspension by getting a new set of springs and pads.

 

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?

 

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

 

225/35zr18's in the front and 235/40zr18's in the rear.

 

What's the width and offset? Doesn't really matter 235's in the rear on 18's on Vogtlands or H&R's will rub over bumps etc...Switch to 225's all the way around

~Cali

 

Well, you can go to The Wheel Supply and have Sander order everything for you. He's usually the cheapest and charges the less for installation and it'll take about 2 hours. The shocks will cost around 400 something and the vogtland springs will run you around $200 or a little more. It would be best to save at least 900 total. My total was $800 something but the installation alone was 100 something. I got a pretty good deal. Freddie, your wheels will fit fine but then then again you're running larger than stock and your car is going to be SLAMMED after the drop unless you immediately add spring pads at the same time. Aren't you running 225/60 or 225/65 tires?

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.

 

"One2Four"? I don't think that's a good idea. Some people may have you mistaken for One2Four club administrator.
- G -

 

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.

 

That is good advice. I think sometimes less is more, especially when you are talking about lowering the suspension on a W124.

 

Thanx EBENNZ but I'm aiming towards looks more than suspension.

 

Just cut the springs to slam it and ignore it if the tires rub like crazy, because it will look very cool when it is parked.

 

how much money are you going to spend on this mod?

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"?