lowering questions
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From: SoCal
2002 C230 : 2007 C230
Eibach = 1.2" (30mm)
H&R = 1.4" (35mm)
Vogtland = 1.6(40mm)
The Vogtland are currently $219 at PURE motorsport and I think FREE shipping
H&R = 1.4" (35mm)
Vogtland = 1.6(40mm)
The Vogtland are currently $219 at PURE motorsport and I think FREE shipping
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From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
Do all the listed kits including the H&R CUP Kit, which is only for the E320, lower the car or is the lowering part solely left up to the change in smaller spring pads? So if someone installed the H&R Cup kit and the same size spring pads is the car actually lower?
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2002 C230 : 2007 C230
Originally posted by E55 KEV
Do all the listed kits including the H&R CUP Kit, which is only for the E320, lower the car or is the lowering part solely left up to the change in smaller spring pads? So if someone installed the H&R Cup kit and the same size spring pads is the car actually lower?
Do all the listed kits including the H&R CUP Kit, which is only for the E320, lower the car or is the lowering part solely left up to the change in smaller spring pads? So if someone installed the H&R Cup kit and the same size spring pads is the car actually lower?
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From: indiana
98 e320 , 99 lexus rx300
e320 lowering
Hey, thanks for responding! Not to sound like an idiot but I looked at some other members pics and have noticed a substantial difference in the spring pads used (I believe the lower the number, the lower the cars sits.) Where do I get the spring pads (from the dealer?) that will drop my car? I don't want it slammed but I like the look of the pics with no fender gap. Thanks for your help!!!
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From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
scottamg, this spring pad issue is weird, everyone has a different setup - it is like MBZ has no quality control over there springs and they come in different heights.
First you have to look to see which ones you have. They can only be purchased from the dealer. There are 5 sizes for the front and 4 for the rear. Yes, the lower the number of 'bumps' the smaller the pad. If you had 3 bumps or less there would be little difference in changine to smaller ones. If you had 5 front/4 rear you would change to 2 front/1 rear or say 4 bumps all around you would change them 2 or 1 all around.
Most would change in conjunction with new springs or shocks because the labor would be expensive just to change the pads.
My E55 has 3 bumps all around.
First you have to look to see which ones you have. They can only be purchased from the dealer. There are 5 sizes for the front and 4 for the rear. Yes, the lower the number of 'bumps' the smaller the pad. If you had 3 bumps or less there would be little difference in changine to smaller ones. If you had 5 front/4 rear you would change to 2 front/1 rear or say 4 bumps all around you would change them 2 or 1 all around.
Most would change in conjunction with new springs or shocks because the labor would be expensive just to change the pads.
My E55 has 3 bumps all around.
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From: indiana
98 e320 , 99 lexus rx300
Thanks for the info!! You said that you can only purchase the pads from the dealer - - did you have the dealer also install the springs, pads, etc or did you purchase the pads from the dealer and then go to an aftermarket shop to have the suspension done? Thanks and if you can give me a rough idea as far as price to install the springs, pads,etc!! Thanks for the help!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
scottamg, spring pads are not an accessory or aftermarket item, they are original equipment . Most Mercedes cars using springs have the pads. They come on the car from the factory. However, the sizes on each car vary and some guys use smaller pads to aid in lowering the car when they upgrade to aftermarket springs. The pads on my car with 3 'bumps' are the original ones. I did not change them.
The spring has to be removed to change the pads so most would not replace them unless they are also replacing the springs.
The spring has to be removed to change the pads so most would not replace them unless they are also replacing the springs.
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From: indiana
98 e320 , 99 lexus rx300
when I get the springs installed - - most likely not the benz dealership, should i just get the spring pads from the dealership first and then take the car to the suspension shop. what price range should I be looking at for labor?
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From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
It may be best if you get the pad from the Mercedes dealer first and take all hardware to the shop of your choice. Can't really speak on cost - never had it done. However, most shops and dealers go by the same work time for jobs and the price depends on their Mechanics Hourly Rate I believe. Good Luck!
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From: Bay Area, CA
2002 E320 Special Edition
scottamg, have you decided on the springs yet? Also, will you be changing the shocks at the same time since many members recommended to change both so that the stock shocks will not wear out prematurely. What's your thought on this?
I am also considering lowering my E320 keeping the stock wheel/tire (235-45/17) & pads, however, runs into many obstacles in selecting the right equipment. In terms of pricing, H&R cup kit (2" front & 1.8" rear drop) costs less than Koni Sport/H&R and Bilstein Sport/H&R (1.4" front & 1.3" rear drop). Though not sure how much stiffer for the Cup Kit? Does anyone know if camber kit is needed for the Cup Kit since it has a 2" drop? I believe that cost to install is very close to each other. My estimate on labor is 1hr for 4 springs and 1hr for each shock plus alignment of course. ($~500)
I have recently changed Bilstein/H&R on my BMW M3 and the combination is excellent. The Bilsteins absorb bumps much better than the OEM and the H&R gives the car less body roll.
Good luck on your lowering and let me know how it feels.
Thanks in advance
I am also considering lowering my E320 keeping the stock wheel/tire (235-45/17) & pads, however, runs into many obstacles in selecting the right equipment. In terms of pricing, H&R cup kit (2" front & 1.8" rear drop) costs less than Koni Sport/H&R and Bilstein Sport/H&R (1.4" front & 1.3" rear drop). Though not sure how much stiffer for the Cup Kit? Does anyone know if camber kit is needed for the Cup Kit since it has a 2" drop? I believe that cost to install is very close to each other. My estimate on labor is 1hr for 4 springs and 1hr for each shock plus alignment of course. ($~500)
I have recently changed Bilstein/H&R on my BMW M3 and the combination is excellent. The Bilsteins absorb bumps much better than the OEM and the H&R gives the car less body roll.
Good luck on your lowering and let me know how it feels.
Thanks in advance
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From: Bay Area
E420
Originally posted by E55 KEV
No Cup Kit for V8 W210 I believe.
No Cup Kit for V8 W210 I believe.
Member
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From: SF Bay Area
E430
Have you researched Eibach's pro-system?
Timely discussion. I will be doing shocks and springs as well as tires and wheels this month.
After a lot of research and searches on this site and others, I am going to go with the Eibach pro-system. It's the pro-kit springs matched with Eibach's shocks.
It was tough to decide to go the full eibach setup or do the cup kit from H&R, but I knew for sure that it had to be a matched set. The H&R lowered the car a little too much so, eibach was it.
Also plan to change the spring pads to 3 all around. Currently, the car has 5 front /4 rear.
Hope this data point helps!
-travis
'98 E430
After a lot of research and searches on this site and others, I am going to go with the Eibach pro-system. It's the pro-kit springs matched with Eibach's shocks.
It was tough to decide to go the full eibach setup or do the cup kit from H&R, but I knew for sure that it had to be a matched set. The H&R lowered the car a little too much so, eibach was it.
Also plan to change the spring pads to 3 all around. Currently, the car has 5 front /4 rear.
Hope this data point helps!
-travis
'98 E430
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From: SF Bay Area
E430
>This is the message:
>If you don't mind let me know how >much is going to cost you for the >Eibach pro systems and install? Also >how low the drop going to be like? >I'm planning to do this for my car this >month too. So any advise you can >give it will be better for me to make >the final decision.
>Thank you,
>David
Hi David,
I'm getting the stuff as a pkg, wheels/tire/suspension, but figure the price is about what tirerack.com is charging for the system. If I remember, it was about 750 more or less plus shipping and install. Prices for install are about 350-500 depending on who you call.
I'm shooting for about 1.5 in. drop front and rear. We'll see how the spring pads factor in.
Will be doing the install myself. Renting the special spring compressor from a shop. It's a pretty straightforward install so I'm hoping all goes well. I've done suspension work before so I'm hoping this will be a no bigee, we'll see ;^)
Good luck on your car! Hope you enjoy your new suspension! If I get this done in the next two weeks, I'll let you know and will post pics to mbworld.org
-travis
>If you don't mind let me know how >much is going to cost you for the >Eibach pro systems and install? Also >how low the drop going to be like? >I'm planning to do this for my car this >month too. So any advise you can >give it will be better for me to make >the final decision.
>Thank you,
>David
Hi David,
I'm getting the stuff as a pkg, wheels/tire/suspension, but figure the price is about what tirerack.com is charging for the system. If I remember, it was about 750 more or less plus shipping and install. Prices for install are about 350-500 depending on who you call.
I'm shooting for about 1.5 in. drop front and rear. We'll see how the spring pads factor in.
Will be doing the install myself. Renting the special spring compressor from a shop. It's a pretty straightforward install so I'm hoping all goes well. I've done suspension work before so I'm hoping this will be a no bigee, we'll see ;^)
Good luck on your car! Hope you enjoy your new suspension! If I get this done in the next two weeks, I'll let you know and will post pics to mbworld.org
-travis
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 133
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From: SF Bay Area
E430
The wheels are gonna be Brabus Monoblock V in a staggered setup. (18's)
With the new suspension, the two should be a big help to get rid of the wallowy up/down and side to side jiggle this car has now!
cheers,
-travis
With the new suspension, the two should be a big help to get rid of the wallowy up/down and side to side jiggle this car has now!
cheers,
-travis
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From: Bay Area
E420
With the new suspension, the two should be a big help to get rid of the wallowy up/down and side to side jiggle this car has now!
cheers,
-travis
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From: indiana
98 e320 , 99 lexus rx300
Hey! I want to thank everyone for responding. I have just purchased the vogtland lowering springs that were advertised on the site - - claims a 1.6" drop which is more than eibach and H&R but we will see. At this time, I was not planning to change the shocks because of cost but do I really need to? I also don't want to get into the additional cost of rolling the fenders. I do have 18" AMG e55 rims on the car - - would like 19" but am worried about the wheels rubbing. Any info is appreciated
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From: SoCal
2002 C230 : 2007 C230
Don't worry about rubbing. If your tires don't rub before you lower it, they shouldn't rub after you lower the car. If you do get rubbing after lowering the car, then your tires never fit properly before the lowering.
did that make sense?
did that make sense?
Member
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From: SF Bay Area
E430
If you're looking for just a drop, then yeah springs will do it.
If you're looking for an improvement in handling and performance, you're better off changing shocks and springs all at once. Increased spring rates will require heavier duty shocks.
Plus, if you're car has a few miles on it, your factory shocks are likely to be worn out.
Hope that helps,
-travis
If you're looking for an improvement in handling and performance, you're better off changing shocks and springs all at once. Increased spring rates will require heavier duty shocks.
Plus, if you're car has a few miles on it, your factory shocks are likely to be worn out.
Hope that helps,
-travis
