Popsikel

I finally bought an 18"inch rims on my car and now it looks like a 4x4 darn :-(

I'm thinking of lowering it now. I have two options and I need an honest opinion from you guys. Should I go with the HR cupkits or the Eiback springs with bilstein shocks.

I can have any of these two installed next week. I just need your opinion before I make my decision.

I want a softer ride and better handling on my car. Can I have both on this installation???

Thanks in advance

Whitey

I quite like the handling and ride of my Eibach+Bilstein Sprint combo but I hear the H&R Cupkit is also good, except, the H&R is much lower, kinda slammed.....I guess it depends on how low you wanna go........

Popsikel

Thanks Whitey...I really don't think I want it too low because I usually put 4 people in the car.

mr_markski

if you're riding 4 people in your car then go with the Eibach/Bilstein. I had that on my W202 and it was no problem riding 4 people. I got H&R Springs and Bilsteins now, not the cup kit, and the ride is a little more harsher than Eibach. Eibach to me is not as low but pays off in comfort. Bilstiens is the best bet. Do it all at once, then you don't have to touch it again.

Mark

Popsikel

Thanks Mark...I also live in Daly CIty. Do you know any place in the bay area where I can have my suspension done...I'm leaning towards the Eibach/Bilstein now. I'm looking for a good price now...Thanks

JYO

In case your'e interested, I saw on the tirerack site that they sell a matched set of Eibach springs and dampers (shocks) that are made for each other. This might give the look you want and proper ride qualities versus mixing and matching. It's about $700. And there is an aignment kit for sale if you need it.

mr_markski

Sorry Boss, I don't have anybody special that I go to. I just get things done as needed sometimes by whoever is close by. Those guys at ASP on Mission street, they seem to be alright. I bought some stuff from them, AutoPlus is cool but pricey sometimes. Also on Mission Street.

Alexbenz

i had the eibach prokit but it wasn't low for me..... i don't have too many people in my car unless it's a bunch of girls after a club, j/k but just installed the h&r cupkit and it tight...it's a soft ride and handles good.....

Whitey

ahhahahhahahahahhahah!!!!!!! Are we talking suspensions here??????

Alexbenz

ahahahahaha, that's a good one dave

Whitey

now, just give us "Part II" of your ride experience........

The Godfather

The cupkit isn't harsh at all. It's actually pretty soft and to my taste, not stiff enough. I have had Bilstein Sport/HR combo on the W124 and currently on the W202 and they are much stiffer/harsher. My W210 has HR cupkit, and my dad, who didn't want harshness (he's old lol), got HR Cupkit too, and didn't go for the Bilstein/Eibach combo.

But yes, it's low. Here's how low (look how it sits on the tires, not anywhere else, as I have a bodykit that makest he body lower to the ground):

jimmydagreek

I have the Bilstein/H&R combo and love the ride but that's because I like my suspension a bit stiffer than others. I must say that Mike is correct in saying that the H&R Cupkit is a lot softer and a nice ride as I've ridden in Mike's benzo and the ride is nice...

Richard Galing

I have the same set-up and much agree with Jimmy...I like my ride stiff. Had experiences with Lorinser & Brabus springs in the past, too soft for my taste.

jago1244

guys, can any of these be put on my 4matic?

there seems to be some debate on which is softest.

i'm also now confused re the actual sets...

is this a list of whats been mentioned? :
h/r cupkit
h/r springs w/bilstein shocks
eibach springs w/bilstein shocks
eibach springs and dampers

out of these, which is closest to stock ride?

and to add further confusion, who's done one of these sets and put new sways on too?

ideally i would like to lower height a bit , cut down on body roll, and preserve softest ride.

thanks , j.

jimmydagreek

I can't answer the 4-matic question but as far as the "softest" ride, from what I've read and heard the softest so far with the greatest lowering has to the the H&R Cupkit. I haven't heard of too many installing sway bars as just lowering the car IMO reduces a lot of body roll as it is. IMO I would lower the car first and drive it to see if the handling is sufficient for you before you buy the sways. I like the handling on mine with the H&R/Bilstein combo and don't really need the sways.

Whitey

I've been told the E is sufficiently rigid (does this have anything to do with it?????) so that it doesn't really need a sway bar......my E without it feels like my E36 Bimmer with sway and tower bars, so I guess it must be true.

fatchance

Been running the Eibach springs and dampers for about 3K.

Initially, the suspension was stiff! After everything settled and the damper seals broke in, the ride has improved quite a bit.

It's still stiffer than stock( in a good way) and in combo with 18s, the ride is what I would have expected it be coming from the factory.

there's your data point!

-travis
'98 E430
Brabus Monoblock V
Eibach pro-system
and some other stuff.

Popsikel

Thanks for all the info guys. I've decided to go with the Eibach/Bilstein combo. The H&R cupkits would have been awesome but I still think about the people that usually rides my car. Vanity would have force me to get the H&R, but practicality suggested the Eibach/Bilstein combo.

I have it scheduled to be put on this weekend. I'm doing my mod one at a time...living in the bay area sometimes forces you to think first before you buy something...hehehehe...

I wanted to post some pics here but I don't know how...can anyone direct me to the right route ...thanks again.

fatchance

Sounds like a good choice! I would expect the ride to be very similiar to the eibach pro-system. (matched springs and shocks)

BTW, what shop did you end up choosing to do the install?

Always on the lookout for good service!

-travis

Whitey

I've waited over 8 months for a set of Eibach/Sach shocks that is part of the Pro-kit and was recently told they'd stopped production of the shocks for the W210 due to low demand Anwyay, I went with the Bilstein Sprint shocks in the end and am lovin' the ride