MoNd3sTo7

My original set up was standant height and using 215/55/16.. But after i lowered (change springs) and used 235/40/18... My ride quality feel very bad and not comfort anymore.. What can i do? If i still want to keep my 18" wheel? But im thinking going back to the original spring and use all round spring pads #1 and change the tyre size to 225/45/18.. You guys think it help? make abit better? is it my springs or wheels problem? Thanks

ohlord

best bet is to go with 235/45/17's on a 35et rear and 31et front rim and dont go with 1 pads.1-5 is only 3/5 of an inch.You have a lighter curb weight model,you increased spring rate,you shortened sidewall height and stiffened the sidewalls.All things thsat require a sacrafice in ride quality.YOU STILL NEED TO SPEND THE MONEY ON THE SUSPENSION CAMBER ITEMS TO ALLOW PROPER ALIGNMENT
So save up and get the new rims with more forgiving ride aspect tires, get it aligned
after install of k-mac bushings and you will get closer while still riding low.
I bet that with the low curb weight you are skittering over every bump in the road.

MoNd3sTo7

Ohlord

Thanks for the quick reply.. I thought my car have the SUSPENSION CAMBER on it already? What is the k-mac bushings? Where can i get those item online? I dont think i can get in my country.. Thanks

ohlord

k-mac is out of Australia
front eccentric bolts for camber are at the dealer
trick camber links for the rear are at speedybenz, lensolo and others.

Ercedes left out the adjustment option on the rear end.

raymond g-

MoNd3sTo7 -

what springs did you change to?

did you change shocks as well? if so, which?

nsupra

So changing to a lower spring pad makes the ride bad?

ohlord

it just moves the gap a fifth of an inch per bump so you only use it to fine tune.Not to make large changes in ride height.

ryhi

i bet your shocks are bad/blown if you didnt change them.

SoCal208

Like you, years ago, I bought a set of OEM AMG 18 with 225x40x18 all around (not staggered) , I do not lower the car, just stock spring with 18 rims, my wife hate the ride, she demand that I put the stock rims back (but I already sold the stock rims & tires). It took me a while & finally bought a set OEM 17 inches (from an E430 sport) rims. A new set of 235x45x17 Michelin MXV4 were put in, the ride were very good, the response is very sharp (even my wife know it). I will not lower or go to bigger rims (for the look), but not for the ride. Lessons learned.

SLOPESTAR

I have the similar setup on our 4matic/ 211 e500 takeoffs/see below/ and they are crisp ride is great, wife even likes them...No rub and the stance is fine...

ejsheltra

Change the springs back to stock and keep the 18 inch rims. You will not need adjustable camber arms if you are not lowering it. That will save you from spending any more and the ride will improve. You cannot have it both ways. A cushy ride will sacrifice cornering ability. The stock springs are fine unless your are on a slalom course or in Solo events. Lowered springs like those from Brabus or Tire Rack and others are progressive rate meaning only about two inches of the spring is for ride comfort and the rest is much stiffer. The ride on 18s will be more harsh than on 16s but not by much and still feel livable. Dump the lowered springs and go back to stock. You can sell your springs here and someone is bound to pick them. A good set of Bilstein HD shocks will improve rebound control but not cost you much at all in comfort.
Good luck.

Red66GT

I have 18's with 40 series tires and H&R Sport springs and stock shocks. Ride feels almost as smooth as stock. I did get the speedybenz camber kit for the rear as well.

nsupra

I have 18inch e55 rims. W/ h&r sport springs and bilstein sport shocks. I think it really depends on the tires. summer tires vs all season. And also the area you live in.

MoNd3sTo7

I have Voltland spring on the car and original shock.. The wheels are Carlsson 18".. I can feel after i got lowered my car handling is very bad not like the original setting.. is it possible my shock gone bad?

tirona

i think the problem relies in your shocks. the shocks that you have right now are not designed for your spring setup. you need to get sport shocks. bilstein sport shocks are pretty good, seems they are the first choice for members with lowered suspension.
but your car won't be as comfortable as before, will handle better but will be more of a stiff ride than a comfortable one. especially if you drive in bad roads you will notice that.

raymond g-

Interesting. I had Vogtlands also, for my 99 E320, paired with w211 E55
18" rims...Bilstein Sports. Harsh ride. Took the springs off after 3 mos
and sold them to another forum member.

z-wagen

I put on 18's and did not change anything else. The ride did not change noticeably, although the gas mileage did. They look nice and beefy, but there's always a price to pay.

MoNd3sTo7

Hi Raymond
so what spring do u use now? any where i can find the Bilstien shock for resonable price?

raymond g-

i'll let you source the shocks since this is always a moving target.

insofar as the springs I'm using, I got tired of chasing specs. it was very
difficult to quantify the spring rates that each manuf used, which would
allow me to compare stiffness. I knew that Vogtland was too stiff for
my buh-hine, and OEM was too soft. so I extrapolated and cut the
OEM springs. took about 30 mins or so, using a cutoff wheel on air
tool. cost me about $10....to buy my buddy lunch who owned the air
compressor/tools and also to buy him a new cutoff wheel.

cutting the spring was safer bet for me because i knew the original
spring rate (by seat of pants). as you cut the spring, it becomes
stiffer in characteristics. using a laser pointer, I set the spring in a
makeshift jig, indexed it, and marked it for 1" vertical cut. the spring
pads would be swapped out to fine tune the lowering per my taste.

the car was effectively lowered by 1.25". just right for me and the
Seattle streets, based on the resulting ride, stiffness, and dampening
rate of the Sports.

I still have un-neutered OEM springs, since I was fortunate enough to
have found a spare set for $25 with only 2k miles on them, so I can
restore the ride height if I ever decide to sell the car.