Richard / E320

Okay Raymond, here is what Kronen Tuning is recommending to me:

H&R springs (I'm assuming the 'Sport Spring') - the total with installation and taxes will be $700.

They recommend Bilstein shocks - $130 each (I'm assuming installed)

I asked how much the springs would lower the vehicle: "the front will drop 1.4" and the rear is 1.3"

I asked about changing the out the OEM pads but the email reply didn't make any recommendations one way or the other.

With 3,200 miles on the vehicle, do the OEM shocks need to be replaced, or is shock replacement necessary due to changing out the OEM springs?

My goal is to lower the vehicle but not take away from the overall ride quality any more than necessary.

Any suggestions would be appreciated, along with input from any forum members.

raymond g-

you're still a half step ahead of me but this is where I am right now. though
just a week ago, I thought I'd be swapping biscuits and leaving it at that, it's
also quite clear, with just a modicum of reading, that it'll require spring lowering
if I'm looking at 1-1.5" drop.

the factory shocks are 'alright' but in my opinion, there is just a tad too much
pogo-ing. on straight and level...good pavement, it ride cushiony. but at the
slightest challenge, ripple, etc, the undulations overwhelms the shocks. bear
in mind i have 54k on my 1999.

i *don't* know how the Bilstein HDs compare in terms of compression as
well as rebound damping. I'll continue to read. there is the Koni
shocks...and these have some adjustablity. where the valving selection
places this shock relative to factory...or the Bilstein, remains to be
seen....and more reading.

so -- so far, I know I need

- springs (H&R $275 shipped)
- shocks (Bilstein HD, $400 shipped)
- spacers ($75)

total = just under $800 (i can get spring compressor from buddy)

all my own labor. I'm slow so figure a whole day. your quote, including
labor, is approx $1300. they'll probably do it quicker.

the spacers issue has more to do with looks vs function. this fine tunes
that 'gap'. since our cars come with #3, moving to #1 isn't going to get
you much so it'll all be in the springs....followed by spacers to handle the
differential between front and rear gaps.

i'm just trying to sort out Eibach vs H&R vs Bilstein vs Koni. I'd like to get
a better idea which spacer so that I can do it all in one change, rather than
having to open up the patient again to change from #1 to #2 in the rear to
give it that slight rake.

in other words....more reading....and waiting to see your results first. you
and i keep bumping into each other in the auto parts store, and down the
same aisle, looking at the same parts.

in the meantime, I'll keep driving that car with the Mike Tyson gap....even
though my buddies are tossing insults my way. hasn't bothered me.......yet.

SDR

I know that some people are afraid to get "under" these cars themselves, but if you want to fine tune the ride it's worth it to invest in a compressor. My wife is almost more picky than I am, so we tried three different spring/pad combinations before settling on the E55 springs & schocks with #1 pads all around. Here are the pics that were going to lead to a how to guide: http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/showlink.asp?CatID=13731&parentID=30&subname=Wife` s_project_car&parentname=W210_E_Class
I replaced all springs, shocks and pads in about 5 hours. This makes the $700 quote about right figuring the springs are probably $250 or so.
Anyway, the advantage is that we went through this process three times before she was happy - and those of us who are married know that this is the most important measurement
And because so many people have asked, the E55 springs appear to ride at the same height as the stock E430 springs. They are certainly firmer. We managed to get the 1/2" drop by going from #5/#4 pads F/R to #1 all the way around. I'll try to get her to wash it this weekend so I can post some pics.

raymond g-

great photos, S !! i have only had a mental picture of the suspension
but never saw real photos. thems are keepers, and i'll definitely use them
once I'm ready to beging the spring swap. thank you !!

zam2000

ray

Why don't you go one step at a time. I know it's all personal preference, but my budy (who own a tire/tune shop) told me there're quite a few people who lower their car, only to back and ask to reverse back to old heigh.

I would put in the Bistein HD first, that already lower your car by 1/4-1/2 inche (probably due to shorter/firmer travel). That would involve little labor (easy job to do). You will LOVE the ride/handling after the Bilstein HD installed, and if that's still not enough, then the pad/spring is next.

At least that's what I did when I upgraded mine (wheel & shock). After the Bilstein HD, I found the combination of ride/tire/shock/handling is just perfect to my taste, so I stopped there.

Btw, the W210 E55 uses Bilstein HD as OEM shock.

Man, I could just stare and your pix and Rich car whole day. Gorgegous !!!

How's the RS6 project going ? Are you gona go LS430 next ??

uberwgn

I just picked up this 1999 E300d a few days ago. Set up with 18X8 front and 18X9 rear, Bridgestone Potenzas, HK springs/Bilstein sport setting shocks.

Richard / E320

Very nice! That's the look I think I'm looking for... do you have any pictures that are closer up to the tire & wheel?

Richard / E320

Raymond;

Here's a link on the Bilsteins:

http://www.bilstein.com/mistore/ymm_...&storedimg.y=7

uberwgn

Richard, I'll try to grab some more photos this weekend. The previous owner went thru a lot of iterations to get the car to this configuration. It was too low when he started out and there was some rubbing.

Richard / E320

uberwgn;

That would be greatly appreciated; whatever I do, I want it to be a one-shot deal, not trial and error.

Thanks again-

zam2000

Hello Rich

The wheels set that you bought, is it OEM AMG ? or is this AMG replica ? And do you have model number of the tire ?

Since I will have to replace the 4 tires soon, and the 4 Goodyears GS-D3 already run $700-750/shipped, I might go for the upgrade wheels package.

raymond g-

looks like real AMGs, Z.

haven't started on RS6 retro i got from Alex yet. too much time on work and
not enough waking time for my toys.

ironic....i look at your car and think, 'that's nice!....' and want your mods.
i had been okay with my car but seeing what others have done is messing
my home remodeling plans.

raymond g-

Very nice, uber! congrats! i'll prob end up a scootch higher on the body....

Richard / E320

The wheels are genuine AMG's for a W211 chassis; like Raymond, we both had to purchase RAD lug-bolts so they would fit a W210 chassis. (Item # 20-4067-B, RAD 12mm x 1.5, 26mm Shank, R14 Ball Seat)
www.OtisIncLA.com
sales@OtisIncLA.com

The wheels (AMG 18x8 Style III et30 Silver - Front, AMG 18x9 Style III et39 Silver - Rear and tires Bridgestone Potenza RE750 235/40x18 - Front, Bridgestone Potenza RE750 265/35x18 - Rear) came from
Globe Tire and Motorsports
2450 S La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90034
United States
psperling@globemotorsports.com
866.354.5623 toll-free

uberwgn

the car is clearly lower than our wagon...you can certainly see that when the two cars are parked side by side.

Air Marshall Eldritch

Bilstein HD is the equivalent to the 'comfort' model, not the E55 OEM. You would see no lowering, since it is the same thing.

zam2000

Sorry to say that you're not correct. There're three Bilstein shock for the W210: the comfort, the HD, and the sport. If you look at the E55 forum, quite a few people have done shock replacement by simply get the HD, and this's straight from dealer spec

http://66.155.125.17/forums/showthread.php?t=7103

The comfort is the one that go into regular sedan, the HD go into the AMG line, and the Sport is for aftermarket tune, which have same compression rate as the HD, but is shorter (require new spring). Putting the HD in your car, and you will see it lower from 1/4 - 1/2.

Call Phil at FastLane or call Evo, and they'll tell you the same.

uberwgn

Zam, can I remove the Bilstein sports in my car and install new Bilstein HDs without changing my HK short springs? Would that work?

I need to find a solution, without rebuilding the suspension, that won't be so harsh on my local roadways which are in horrible shape.

Thanks.

uberwgn

full fuel tank:




3/4 full fuel tank:



half fuel tank:







HTH

Richard / E320

raymond g;

Finally got a call from a local suspension shop. They are quoting me $319 for Eibach Pro-Kit Springs, I believe front and rear. BUT - they want 8 hours labor at a cost of $400 to $500. Sure seems like a lot of labor hours. (The other quote for H&R Springs was $700 installed and with sales tax. I don't have a break-down of the figures.)

The TireRack website shows the spring sets at $253 (Eibach) and $242 (H&R) but when they state 'kit' price, I'm not sure if thats front and rear, or if that's the price per axle. I'm assuming it's front and rear...

The Eibach website states that the typical drop is 1.0 to 1.5".

What do you think? Any other members have an opinion?

Thank you-

raymond g-

i have some notes i've compiled at home....so when i can escape from this
hell hole called work, i'll see how they compare. off the cuff, if those are
prevailing costs for such installations.....da-yum. i dont think the installs
are that difficult on the E320s. i'm confident that this weekend mechanic
can do it in one day with a jack, spring compressor (even w/o) and a
little sweat.

i think there are Jimmythegreek instructions/pics on this forum on how to
swap out springs with two floor jacks...and w/o need for a spring
compressor.

prices quoted you are a little high...but not a rip off. the labor, however,
is definitely fat city for the installer's wallet that day.

p.s. just saw this post on different model

Richard / E320

[QUOTE=raymond g-]prices quoted you are a little high...but not a rip off. the labor, however, is definitely fat city for the installer's wallet that day./QUOTE]

Hey Raymond;

I called the local Mercedes-Benz store today; they say flat-rate to change out the springs is 2 hours for both fronts, 2 hours for both rears. Labor is $120 per hour, though I'm not sure if they would actually do this type of work due to installing non-OEM parts.

Called the local suspension shop and went over his numbers; he's quoting me $75 per hour but 'up to 8-hours' to do the work. I told him the Mercedes flat-rate. When I asked if they have done a lot of this type of work on M-B's, he seemed to get a little defensive and said he could sell me the parts, but would rather I have them installed at M-B because they work on Mercedes all-day-long and he doesn't.

Maybe driving to the shop in Fremont is best; just wasn't sure about driving 80 miles one-way in case things don't go right the first time...