Well, it's been a few weeks since I took a leap of faith and bought a set of H&R springs (29627) which were listed for 300TE's to Model Year 1995.

After I had a fight with my ole std spring compressor (it won BTW) and a lightened wallet after the purchase of a W124 plate type spring compressor (OUCH!)....the H&R 29627's have found a new home in my 1994 E320 wagon er... ugh..TE.

So after a bit of my typical daily route, a trip to DC and back and another short trip to Atlanta in the low slinging white wagon...I must say that I'm nothing short of amazed. The car is still very compliant and feels much more stable both around town and on the hwy. Hell, especially on the Interstate at higher speeds, she really feels glued to the road...feels safer IMO. She feels so much more composed now. No more brake dive or that unsettled feeling I used to get from a quick lane change. To me, the new ride feels like it could have been offered as an option. I find myself forgetting that I have just lowered and stiffened the car.

Bumps are handled very well and I do not think a passenger would ever raise an eyebrow (aka have a clue) unless I was to hunt out a washboard surface or consecutive broken pavement sections. Then I feel it would seem to behave a bit "UN" MB like.

I simplified it for my "Normal" family and friends that asked (yet think I'm nuts for modding the 1-owner, old lady driven white station wagon) that it simply removed the "Buick" in the Ole Merc's ride. That's exactly how it feels to me. There was not a lot of Buick in the ride before....but there was some and that became more apparent to me now that it's gone.

Anyway...just in case anyone wonders, to date I have made the following changes to the suspension/steering since my acquisition of Ole Merc. Each grouped as they were done, with at least 2 weeks or more of normal driving in between each group. All with the stock 15x6.5 wheels shod w/ 195/65's.

-New accumulators, flush hyd fluid (I don't miss the Dramamine! Nuff said.) [~$220]

-Bilstein HD's [$250]and Boge strut mounts[~$80] (not much change. Really. May have been due to the fact that the stock struts with about ~117k miles still had good resistance left in their stroke. Not quite as much resistance as the new Bilstiens, but they certainly were not "trashed".)

-H&R spring kit [$275] with new 18mm spring pads [$10], new tie rods, drag link and steering damper [~$150] and an alignment[$80]. (difference covered above) I did the steering because during the strut install, I found one tie rod to have some play and I have the "while I'm in there syndrome".

Next step will be SPORTLINE control arm bushings and as many new bushings (Fr & R) as I can afford. I expect this to make a dramatic difference as well. I'll also install thicker spring pads at that time as I have a bit more drop than I was hoping. After that, I would LIKE to go ahead with larger anti-sway bars.

I did some before and after measurements and took some pics of the job and even a short video of my trunk monkey bouncing on the bumpers both before and after. Once I get pics with the thicker spring pads, I'll figure out how to post it all.

Steve
Columbia, SC

 

PICS!

 

Steve,

Great write up! I'm salivating even more now for a 124 Combi!

 

hey steve... what are your tire sizes!!!!

-charles

 

Nice upgrade! I'd like to driver her and compare to my 94 squish wagon. Sounds nice.

So what's the deal with accumulators and the shock relation. I thought the factory shocks had some tie to the accumulators for leveling? You installed after-market shocks that are separate but the car still self-levels?

Hmm, now I'm confusing myself. I hoped for new shocks/springs and disabling Mr. hydraulics would be an option for my car. Removing all the components looks like a bugger. I've heard it's big $$ to support the leveler system and it messes with handling anyway. Just shocks and springs sounded good but it appears you kept the system for a reason.

 

I'm still running the OEM 15" rims with the 195/65/15's. I'd like to upgrade to 16" wheels if I can find a deal on a used set. That probably sounds weird in these days of the BIG wheels. But this is just a big fun family car for me and my 3 kids. I have not a care in the world to spend money on making it look cool. Also I want the ride reasonable...but would enjoy getting a bit better handling from a 205/55-16 or 215/55-16. The springs were done for handling reasons only.

The Bilsteins are front only. My rear dampers are the stock SLS units. If/when they wear out, I will get the sportline units that were offered in Europe. For now, the stock SLS units are working nicely.

On the removal of SLS components....I wanted to do the same when I first got the wagon, but have since realized that would be too much aggravation and cost......as well as require some fabrication and custom specified and wound rear springs. Honestly after learning about the system and how simple it really is, I'm glad I did not start down that path.

Anyway, I posted a brief description of the components last night on this thread.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w124/207450-rear-shock-accumulators-95-e320-wagon.html

Be glad to let another wagon driver take mine for a spin. I'd like to get to a meet one day, but if you ever find yourself in Columbia, SC...give me a shout.

Steve

 

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/pts/383945685.html

 

hi Steve,

When you installed the H&R spring, did you make any adjustment for the SLS?

 

Short answer is no.

But as is sits now, the rear is at least a half an inch or so higher than the front. Not really been a problem and not drastic aesthetically, but def less than ideal for handling. I will get pics posted soon so anyone interested can see how it looks with H&R's and the SLS untouched.

I've left it alone because I will change the front spring pads to thicker units and that will bring the front /rear heights closer to the same. After the thicker spring par install I will likely adjust the level switch on the SLS to get the rear to match the front height (if needed).

I'm still VERY happy with this change!
Steve

 

Very informative post. I'm looking forward to seeing pics with the SLS adjusted (and maybe a write up on how to do it). I'm narrowing in on a 94-95 TE purchase and had this in mind...

https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...4&d=1190404642

 

I'm looking forward to the picture too. By they way, how many inch it lower your car, after your installed the H&R in the back? and what the pad size in the back.. thx