Lowering my Car
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Inland Empire, California
E430 , E500
Lowering my Car
Does anyone has experience after lowering your car. I am planning to replace my spring with H R spring. This would lower my car 1.25. Do you experience more bounce after the installation. All input is highly appreciated. 
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: NorCal
'99 C43, '12 C63, '13 E350, '14 Sprinter
I've lowered every car I've ever owned with the exception of the Expedition 
The results depend on a number of variables - shocks, ride height, stiffness of springs, etc.
I lowered our E430 using #1 pads and E55 springs and shocks. This only lowered it about 1/2" and was due to the pads and not the springs. The ride is a little firmer, but still very 210-ish. On the C43 it has Vogtland springs and Koni adjustable shocks. It's firm, but doesn't "bounce" at all. The 190 has Eibach springs and old Sachs shocks with about 80K miles on them and it does bounce a tad. The bigger issue is that the springs bind because there is only about 2" of travel in the springs.
In my experience the H&R are decent springs and are a bit stiffer than the Eibachs. Personally I like the Vogtlands because they have more travel with the same lowering.
The results depend on a number of variables - shocks, ride height, stiffness of springs, etc.
I lowered our E430 using #1 pads and E55 springs and shocks. This only lowered it about 1/2" and was due to the pads and not the springs. The ride is a little firmer, but still very 210-ish. On the C43 it has Vogtland springs and Koni adjustable shocks. It's firm, but doesn't "bounce" at all. The 190 has Eibach springs and old Sachs shocks with about 80K miles on them and it does bounce a tad. The bigger issue is that the springs bind because there is only about 2" of travel in the springs.
In my experience the H&R are decent springs and are a bit stiffer than the Eibachs. Personally I like the Vogtlands because they have more travel with the same lowering.
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From: Seattle WA
99 E320
Originally Posted by SDR
<.....> In my experience the H&R are decent springs and are a bit stiffer than the Eibachs. Personally I like the Vogtlands because they have more travel with the same lowering.
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Mercedes-Benz w124
Originally Posted by raymond g-
granted, I have a cold and in a Nyquil daze....but the statement about Vogtlands doesn't make sense. If you have lowered your vehicle you have less travel....yes? How then can the V springs give you more travel?
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From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
I Lowered my 2000 W210 Estate with H/R springs with #1 bump spring pads and Sport Bilstein shocks added 18 inch AMG Mono blocks..Looks great and rides Good! Also added AMG E55 sway bars....
Note..You SHOULD roll the front fenders to avoid any rubbing as AMG does on its cars
Note..You SHOULD roll the front fenders to avoid any rubbing as AMG does on its cars
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: North Bay Area, California
2001 E320
Originally Posted by alden168
Does anyone has experience after lowering your car. I am planning to replace my spring with H R spring. This would lower my car 1.25. Do you experience more bounce after the installation. All input is highly appreciated.
I've looked into both H&R and Eibach springs; I'm told that are both similar in drop. A local shop I've spoken with recommends Eibach, but then I recently saw someone post complaining that his Eibach lowered vehicle sagged after a few years, so I'm not sure which spring is best.
I have been told that the OEM shocks do not have to be replaced to use either spring set up. I sure hope you'll post any information that you are able to obtain; maybe I'll quit talking and 'get-her done'... by the way, I have an appointment with another local shop this Thursday and will post their recommendations / suggestions.
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From: Seattle WA
99 E320
that's what i'm gathering also, Richard....ie Eibachs are scootch softer. so it's
possible that they use different gauge/winding, though both are clearly pro-
gressive wound. we just dont see the tech specs on poundage needed to
compare the two. so we're left with subjective evaluations from colleagues
with SOP observations. but i've been reading for a month now....and waiting
for my IRS return of $2k.
springs i considered were Eibach, H&R, and Vogtland
shocks considered were Bilsteins, Koni, and Eibach
looking like I'll be doing H&R and Bilstein HDs and #2 in rear and #1 in front
unless something earth shattering or otherwise compelling comes up
....yeah, i keep waiting on you to do the R&D first also...
possible that they use different gauge/winding, though both are clearly pro-
gressive wound. we just dont see the tech specs on poundage needed to
compare the two. so we're left with subjective evaluations from colleagues
with SOP observations. but i've been reading for a month now....and waiting
for my IRS return of $2k.
springs i considered were Eibach, H&R, and Vogtland
shocks considered were Bilsteins, Koni, and Eibach
looking like I'll be doing H&R and Bilstein HDs and #2 in rear and #1 in front
unless something earth shattering or otherwise compelling comes up
....yeah, i keep waiting on you to do the R&D first also...
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From: NorCal
'99 C43, '12 C63, '13 E350, '14 Sprinter
Originally Posted by raymond g-
granted, I have a cold and in a Nyquil daze....but the statement about Vogtlands doesn't make sense. If you have lowered your vehicle you have less travel....yes? How then can the V springs give you more travel?
https://mbworld.org/forums/wheels-tires-suspension-brakes-forum/81409-vogtland-brabus-out.html
What happens with my Eibachs is that on some bumps the springs compress fully which leaves no suspension. The Vogtlands have never done this since they have about another 1" of travel before fully compressing. Hope that clears it up a little.
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From: Seattle WA
99 E320
sweeet. love the link to the previous thread. i've been soaking up the
suspension mod info for the past month or so and missed that one. okay
i get it now, fewer coils means more tauntly designed spring. i'll study
the specs and photos more now....thanks much! r-
p.s. so the Vogtland are single wound vs progressive of the H&R and Eibachs,
it appears, izzat it? also since the V springs have higher # rating does that
also mean that the car would sit tad higher than same length spring which
has tighter (lower #) coils.....all things being equal otherwise?
suspension mod info for the past month or so and missed that one. okay
i get it now, fewer coils means more tauntly designed spring. i'll study
the specs and photos more now....thanks much! r-
p.s. so the Vogtland are single wound vs progressive of the H&R and Eibachs,
it appears, izzat it? also since the V springs have higher # rating does that
also mean that the car would sit tad higher than same length spring which
has tighter (lower #) coils.....all things being equal otherwise?
Last edited by raymond g-; Apr 28, 2006 at 07:06 PM.
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John Deere
We seem to have visited this issue quite a lot lately.
When I showed my Vogtland springs to a friend (before I got them installed), she said "they're purple! That's gay!" I told her you don't see them once they're on the car. haha
When I showed my Vogtland springs to a friend (before I got them installed), she said "they're purple! That's gay!" I told her you don't see them once they're on the car. haha
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Posts: 386
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From: NorCal
'99 C43, '12 C63, '13 E350, '14 Sprinter
Originally Posted by raymond g-
...fewer coils means more tauntly designed spring.
As for the V's, I find them to be a great balance of firm ride while still having a suspension. Some people go overly stiff and actually lose handling as a result. A car that bounces on every bump doesn't handle as well as one that can absorb some of them. There's a happy medium we have to strike given the road conditions we drive.
does that also mean that the car would sit tad higher than same length spring which has tighter (lower #) coils.....all things being equal otherwise?
I think ride comfort and height are worth expirementing with. I've sold a few sets of used springs for $25-$50 less than I paid after trying them for a few weeks. It was worth the investment to find the right mix to match the preferences of my wife and I. There's no reason to settle for less than what makes you happy when it comes to the car you drive regularly. Heck - we spend more than this on cable TV, Internet, beer and coffee each month
