legomybenzo

I have a 97 W210 and just purchased 4 Bilstein HD shocks, but I want to lower my ride with the Eiback Pro-kit. After researching through threads I noticed that the Bilstein Sport is a bit short than the HDs and is meant for lowering your suspension. My question is how well will the HDs work with the Eibach pro-kit if it'll work at all?

Thanks in advance,

John

uberwgn

Have you checked with Eibach or Bilstein to determine whether the HDs can be used with lowering springs. It's my understanding they can't or shouldn't be used with Eibach lowering springs.

My '99 W210 is (presently) setup with Eibach + Bil Sport.

raymond g-

John,
Q: why buy a full length shock when you're going to im-
mediately preclude 1.5" of it's use right off the bat?
it will never realize it's fully designed travel because
immediately upon installation, the shorter springs will
subtract 1-1.5" off full rebound length.
A: because you already bought the set up, that's why :-)

I am not seeing red flags here....as others may. there is
theory and there is real life. the caveat against this
match of parts has to do with perceived danger of the shock
binding at full compression


I doubt much whether your shocks would bottom out
if you used HD with lowering springs. given the loca-
tion of shock vs spring....and the spring weight specs
I've seen...it's unlikely that you shocks will bind or reach
full compression. the springs weight will prevent that.

your option now is to sell the HDs and pick up the Sports
but you'd probably lose $1-200 in the process.

me, i'd just install the parts and if you feel the shock is
botteming, then get change them out. i dont think this
is a real danger....that's my 2¢

uberwgn

there's a 50/50 chance I'll be removing my Sports in the very near future. I am transitioning to adjustable Konis in an attempt to improve ride quality...

raymond g-

uber-
did the Sports prove too harsh? r-

uberwgn

On my local roads, the H&R/Bil Sport/18" wheel/40 series tire combo is bordering on punishing. I've since installed the Eibachs (a couple of weekends ago), but I've lost about 3/4" ride height and the car is starting to take on a low rider look...not to mention the front Carlsson bumper is about 4" from the ground

My final attempt: new KONI product with H&R springs.

The harsh ride isn't a high priority concern for me, but the car is taking a real pounding. That does bother me.

uberwgn

raymond g-

coincidentally, as i continue to shop for springs, i came across this just now on
the KW site....

i'm concentrating on KW or Vogtland because Eibach and H&R are single
stage design, whereas I prefer progressive wound. I'm trying to make sense
of German text so I can extrapolate what OEM spring rate is vs the rates
made by KW and Vogtland....and Eibach and H&R as well. These important
bits of data are surprisingly challenging to locate.

uberwgn

raymond, are you certain about that? I think Eibach labels their product as progressive.

raymond g-

no, i typed that after pulling on tarp on the shed because gale force winds are
coming to visit. and Seahawks football is on prime time so i was rushing and
prob got the names crossed only 2 of the 4 were progressive winds.
hmm, selling yours, eh? if so, i may go with your Eibachs and thicker spacers.

uberwgn

I think the Eibachs are probably a decent solution in a V6 only due to ride height issues. I'll know soon whether I am going to keep them...probably by next week.

I asked around about Vogtlands in my car. I was told no way if it was too low with Eibach and H&R. Vogtland quotes a more radical drop.

legomybenzo

Wow, uber!?! Your ride looks pretty slammed. Looks nice, but I'm sure your suffering with comfort levels. I'm just looking to drop it about an inch with 18"s staggared setup, but do not want to lose that much in ride quality. Hmmmm....decisions...decisions....

legomybenzo

Hey uber,

So the Eibach Pro-kit lowered your car even more so? I was leaning more towards the Eibach kit because it was a 1.4" FRONT / 1.6 REAR drop versus the H&R 2" FRONT / 1.8" REAR setup. Anybody have experience with INTRAX. I'm also considering them also since they are Progressive springs.

legomybenzo

Raymond,

So currently Burgendy E320 is using the Bilstein Sport shocks with stock springs?

raymond g-

Bilstein HDs with OEM springs and #3 pads. Will try #1 pads first before I go with lowering springs.

uberwgn

Yeah, your data is correct except for one thing and that's engine weight. The quoted drops could be valid and correct for a V6 car, they're not correct for the heavier diesel.

H&R says to use the V6 springs in the diesel. NOT! They ended up sending the previous owner of my car a set of V8 springs and that brought the ride height back to where it should be. I don't think the car was driveable with the V6 springs. It's plain wrong.

I suspect the Eibach pro-kit would be just fine for the V6 cars. It's somewhat deceptive of Eibach (and others) that they use a one-size-fits-all approach.

uberwgn

Yeah, modding with varying spring pad thickness is a no-brainer if it gets you to the right height.