lookin good
Lowered: 18" AMG Wheels with H&R Springs
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 669
Likes: 1
From: North Bay Area, California
2001 E320
Lowered: 18" AMG Wheels with H&R Springs
Finally got my '01 E320 lowered today. I used H&R springs and stayed with the OEM spring pads. My vehicle had #2's on both the front and rear and I left them alone. (I'm told that available M-B pads are #1-4 for the front, #1-5 on the rear.) I was only looking to minimize the tire-to-fender gap, and not improve the handling.
Before H&R Spring Installation
After H&R Spring Installation
Before H&R Spring Installation
After H&R Spring Installation
For more information, go to
http://www.geocities.com/mymercedesbenze320/
and click on ...alloy wheels on a W210 chassis.
Before H&R Spring Installation
After H&R Spring Installation
Before H&R Spring Installation
After H&R Spring Installation
For more information, go to
http://www.geocities.com/mymercedesbenze320/
and click on ...alloy wheels on a W210 chassis.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 669
Likes: 1
From: North Bay Area, California
2001 E320
Originally Posted by my E430 rocket
how much did u pay for springs and instal together?
The installation was done by a local Mercedes-Benz independent shop for $332.50 for the installation labor. (3.5 hours @ $95 per hour.) Yes, it could have been faster, and in fact it was, but I was happy with the quality of the work so I didn't take issue with the total charge.
I left the OEM pads alone, so I'm not sure what the cost would have been to change those out. Labor would have been included to install the pads, but if you guess incorrectly, there is an additional labor charge to change out the pads to a different size. I felt the set-up was just about right 'as-is', as I only wanted to minimize the tire-to-fender gap.
I am going to take my vehicle to the local Mercedes-Benz dealer and have a four-wheel alignment done: quoted $180 at this point, plus an additonal fee if it needs an alignment kit(s). Other tire & wheel shops are half that amount, but my M-B dealer has a new $90k alignment machine that I'm assured will not mark up, scratch or dent my wheels.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
hey, Richard....very nice conservative drop! now that you've itemized the
costs, wait till we tell your wife that you just blew the anniversary cruise
money to lower the car 'so it would look good'.
tnx for the great before
and after pics, too!
costs, wait till we tell your wife that you just blew the anniversary cruise
money to lower the car 'so it would look good'.
tnx for the great beforeand after pics, too!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 669
Likes: 1
From: North Bay Area, California
2001 E320
Originally Posted by raymond g-
hey, Richard....very nice conservative drop! now that you've itemized the
costs, wait till we tell your wife that you just blew the anniversary cruise
money to lower the car 'so it would look good'. tnx for the great before
and after pics, too!
costs, wait till we tell your wife that you just blew the anniversary cruise
money to lower the car 'so it would look good'.
tnx for the great beforeand after pics, too!
Funny you should say that; when I showed my wife the results, she told me couldn't see the difference. When I showed her the 'before' and 'after' pictures, she said 'oh, it must be a guy thing,' and that we could have used the money towards a European cruise next year.
Even though I thought it looked pretty good as a drop, it really stood out when I looked at the 'before' and 'after' pictures of the rear wheel.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 669
Likes: 1
From: North Bay Area, California
2001 E320
Originally Posted by TommyGunn
What was the part number on those springs?
Yes, between the 18" tires and wheels, and the H&R springs, it is a firmer ride. I left the shocks OEM and am happy with the set-up, though going to #1 pads front and rear would have looked really good.
Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
2002 E320 Special Edition
Congrats on the lowering...
The drop is very similar to mine with the Carlsson kit (basically H&R and Bilstein Sport). Agreed that the ride is firmer and noticed that the Bilstein does a great job in pulling the car back into original position going over bump. On the other hand it may get rough certain uneven roads but got to live with it given the superb cornering.
I am surprised that you can use stock shocks on lowered springs. Keep an eye on them as they may wear out very quickly.
The drop is very similar to mine with the Carlsson kit (basically H&R and Bilstein Sport). Agreed that the ride is firmer and noticed that the Bilstein does a great job in pulling the car back into original position going over bump. On the other hand it may get rough certain uneven roads but got to live with it given the superb cornering.
I am surprised that you can use stock shocks on lowered springs. Keep an eye on them as they may wear out very quickly.
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 214
Likes: 2
From: 08 ALHAMBRA 08, CA
WALD out w210 and w203 daily grinder
Originally Posted by Richard / E320
Ordered the H&R Springs from the Tire Rack; $242 ($256 including shipping).
The installation was done by a local Mercedes-Benz independent shop for $332.50 for the installation labor. (3.5 hours @ $95 per hour.) Yes, it could have been faster, and in fact it was, but I was happy with the quality of the work so I didn't take issue with the total charge.
I left the OEM pads alone, so I'm not sure what the cost would have been to change those out. Labor would have been included to install the pads, but if you guess incorrectly, there is an additional labor charge to change out the pads to a different size. I felt the set-up was just about right 'as-is', as I only wanted to minimize the tire-to-fender gap.
I am going to take my vehicle to the local Mercedes-Benz dealer and have a four-wheel alignment done: quoted $180 at this point, plus an additonal fee if it needs an alignment kit(s). Other tire & wheel shops are half that amount, but my M-B dealer has a new $90k alignment machine that I'm assured will not mark up, scratch or dent my wheels.
The installation was done by a local Mercedes-Benz independent shop for $332.50 for the installation labor. (3.5 hours @ $95 per hour.) Yes, it could have been faster, and in fact it was, but I was happy with the quality of the work so I didn't take issue with the total charge.
I left the OEM pads alone, so I'm not sure what the cost would have been to change those out. Labor would have been included to install the pads, but if you guess incorrectly, there is an additional labor charge to change out the pads to a different size. I felt the set-up was just about right 'as-is', as I only wanted to minimize the tire-to-fender gap.
I am going to take my vehicle to the local Mercedes-Benz dealer and have a four-wheel alignment done: quoted $180 at this point, plus an additonal fee if it needs an alignment kit(s). Other tire & wheel shops are half that amount, but my M-B dealer has a new $90k alignment machine that I'm assured will not mark up, scratch or dent my wheels.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 669
Likes: 1
From: North Bay Area, California
2001 E320
Originally Posted by VIP ONE
daym! that was an expensive labor man. i got an eibach lowering spring installed for only 350 bucks. well, i guess depending where you live at.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 669
Likes: 1
From: North Bay Area, California
2001 E320
After H&R Spring Installation
Okay, this should be the last update.
First, I changed out the OEM 16" wheels and tires for a set of 18" AMG's and Potenza tires.
Second, I recently had changed out the OEM springs and replaced them with H&R springs from the Tire Rack. I kept the original shocks, as I wasn't trying to improve the handling but rather minimize the tire-to-fender gap. I kept the stock #2 pads both front and rear, but would recommend to others to go to a #1 pad front and rear. I believe this would lower the vehicle another 4mm for a better look, and would have done so myself if I had known in advance.
Lastly, I took my vehicle in today to have all four wheels aligned; while I could have gone to Goodyear Tire for less than half the cost, I took it to my local Mercedes-Benz dealer because of the high-tech alignment equipment they have available. ($90k!) This equipment attaches to the wheel using the existing holes in the AMG wheels, as opposed to grabbing around the lip of the wheel. Minor damage can be incurred using the lip when the equipment is removed, so that's why I went with M-B.
My vehicle needed two 'wheel kits' on the drivers’ side, at a cost of $25 per kit. (Mercedes MSRP is supposed to be $17; guess my dealer doesn't know that.) The total cost to align all four wheels, with two wheel kits and tax was $348.
For more information, go to
http://www.geocities.com/mymercedesbenze320/
and click on ...alloy wheels on a W210 chassis.[/QUOTE]
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 9,815
Likes: 13
John Deere
Richard, your car is a mirror image of mine, though mine only has 17" wheels. White E's look great in the evening twilight.
Question for you... I kept the stock pads when I lowered. I think I see a slight outward bow of the rear wheels (bottom a bit wider than top of tires). Do you notice this also, or have the new pads adjusted for this? I see many BMWs and Hondas around here that have been lowered and have really obvious outward bowing of the rears. That cannot be good for tire life.
Question for you... I kept the stock pads when I lowered. I think I see a slight outward bow of the rear wheels (bottom a bit wider than top of tires). Do you notice this also, or have the new pads adjusted for this? I see many BMWs and Hondas around here that have been lowered and have really obvious outward bowing of the rears. That cannot be good for tire life.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Houston
'01 E430 Sport
Originally Posted by RBrenton88
I think I see a slight outward bow of the rear wheels (bottom a bit wider than top of tires). Do you notice this also, or have the new pads adjusted for this? I see many BMWs and Hondas around here that have been lowered and have really obvious outward bowing of the rears. That cannot be good for tire life.
Yes this condition does accelerate tire wear (I've heard anywhere from 20 to 40% depending on degree of camber) .... I'd get it checked out if I were you.
Good Luck
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 669
Likes: 1
From: North Bay Area, California
2001 E320
Originally Posted by RBrenton88
Question for you... I kept the stock pads when I lowered. I think I see a slight outward bow of the rear wheels (bottom a bit wider than top of tires). Do you notice this also, or have the new pads adjusted for this? I see many BMWs and Hondas around here that have been lowered and have really obvious outward bowing of the rears. That cannot be good for tire life.
Another example I can think of is a vehicle with really deep, inset wheels, which puts too much stress on the hubs.
Here is a picture of my rear tire BEFORE the alignment...
I kept the OEM pads: #2's front and rear; I don't think changing them out would have changed any angles though...
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 669
Likes: 1
From: North Bay Area, California
2001 E320
Originally Posted by Pre-emptive
Nice drop. I think the front can be a little lowered. Maybe with #1 pad.
I agree; before I did the modifications I posted my questions here but just didn't know to change out those front pads. I probably will do it sometime in the future.
The reason I've posted so much on this topic is so someone with a W210 chassis who wants to go to 18" wheels will know exactly what you get if you don't change those pads! #1's (4mm less, I believe) on the front would have been perfect...
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 129
Likes: 3
From: Pacific Palisades, CA & Sherman Oaks, CA (work)
2012 E350 coupe Black/Almond, 61k miles in 2020
My stock dampers lasted 55,000 miles after I installed Eibach springs at 1,000 miles.
I put the Koni shocks in at that time. Stock springs are partially compressed on a lowered car... that's why they wear out quicker.
I put the Koni shocks in at that time. Stock springs are partially compressed on a lowered car... that's why they wear out quicker.
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
...
i have a 98 e300 td, i cant find an H&R item # for it, will the v6-v8 ones work, and i also would like to get the pads that u guys r talking about, so again what would u say the set up front and rear should be.
also will this effect the W/S option that my car has (also what do the W and S mean?) , i guess thats the sport mode for the shocks i take it?
and other mods that u can do to the suspension, would a sway bar be worth it?
also will this effect the W/S option that my car has (also what do the W and S mean?) , i guess thats the sport mode for the shocks i take it?
and other mods that u can do to the suspension, would a sway bar be worth it?
Last edited by mv420xx; Jun 28, 2006 at 06:00 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
From: Northeast
e300d
Originally Posted by mv420xx
i have a 98 e300 td, i cant find an H&R item # for it, will the v6-v8 ones work, and i also would like to get the pads that u guys r talking about, so again what would u say the set up front and rear should be.
