sbarsap

Hi guys I just got some ASA ST4 18", my first mod to my stock 01 E430 Sport.
Below are the pics. I also got my new Shift Knob today.
My next mod would be bilstein sp/eibach prokit, so hopefully the gap on top of the wheels would look a little better. Also will get a tint, any suggestions on what %?

Any other comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Whitey

Hey sbarsap, finally got the rims

I would suggest spacing the rear wheels out a bit more by 5mm at least, 10mm better. It will be more apparent when you lower it.

Yes, that ride is also in desperate need of lowering. I see you've done the MY00+ side skirts too.....that makes at least 3 members who have done this mod so far (those who have revealed themselves at least). Keep the mods coming!

sbarsap

Hi Whitey,

Thanks for your suggestions.
I have an 01 E430 Sport so the car already had the E55 side skirts, rear (except for the exhaust cutout) and front bumper.

One of the other mods I was going to do was the AMG C32 brakes. Alex at BNB tuning tolde me I will need 10mm spacers to clear my new wheels. I was concerned about this as I have heard that adding spacers would affect the ride quality and safety.

Can you please help with a fewquestions I have:

1. Should I use the 10 mm spacers on both rear and front wheels, since the C32 kit is only for the front?

2. What kind of spacers should I use? (any brand suggestions would be helpful)

3. Should the spacers be hub centric?



I appreciate you help.

Shane C

looking good ........ time to drop it!

Big J

Nice looking! what's size are those?

sbarsap

This is what I ordered:


4 x 18x8 ASA ST4 Silver w/Machined Lip (Bolt Pattern: 5-112)
4 x 245/45YR18 Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3

E320se

How is the ride (little harsh?) and handling (better turn in?) comparing to the factory suspension?

My stock suspension is little too soft and way too much body roll in the corner. It's like night and day comparing to my M3 but with aftermarket suspension.

Did you go with Eagle F1 GS-D3 based on experience or recommendation? I like my Bridgestone S-03 very much on the M3 but possibly look into the Michelin Pilot PS2 when I am upgrading the tires. Mostly depend on price.

moa4r

nice wheels, it will look 100 times better when u get the suspension. spacers should not be problem, try H&R spacers or do a search on the forum. you might also need new lug bolts. GL w/it post pics when u lower it

JamE55

sbarsap,

Very nice! Time to kleemannize it!

sbarsap

I haven't yet upgraded the suspension. that is my next upgrade. I will let you know.

The car came with Goodyear F1 GSD3 tires on the stock Sport wheels so I decided to get them on the new wheels since they performed very well for me. They were also $20-30 cheaper than the PS2's for each tire.

sbarsap

I checked the price of the kleeman suspension and it was like $2000 for the spring/shocks not including installation. That's a little over my budget considering the other mods I am planning. Besides I have already bought the Bilstein SP's and Eibach's so I think I will stick with them for now. I need to buy spring pads before going to get the installation done.

I just got a quote from a local performance shop for doing the install (shock + springs + alignment) for $540.00. I am thinking this is a little high as from the other posts I have read the job doesn't sound too complicating. The shop told me the job would take 5-6 hours because I am using lowering springs.

Brandini

Sbarsap,

Thanks for posting the picture I was wondering what my car would look like with those wheels .....Looks good !

I am having my windows tinted on Monday....15% I'll post pictures when its done.

BTW. Not to hijack your thread. But I would like to get some 18's as well but I am not certain I'm ready to lower my 210.. MY 124 has Bilsteins and HR's. It's too low and too harsh for my taste. Can anyone suggest some 18's that will look nice on the car without lowering...Monoblocks?

BTW Sbarsap... Nice sago palm !!!

JamE55

sbarsap,

The Bilstein SP's and Eibachs are not bad either. For that setup use #1 pads all around and your ride should sit well.

As for the installation that's pretty expensive and it doesn't take 5-6 hours even though you have lowering springs. You might want to try another shop. Here in cali you can get something like that done for about $250-300 bucks that includes lowering springs etc... and it doesn't take 5-6hrs.

Brandini

That sounds a bit hight to me also... I had the springs and shocks installed on my 124 for $180. I dont think this car is that much different.

sbarsap

Thanks for the compliments.

I am no expert but with your current suspension setup (Bilstein/HR) your car should have already been lowered compared to stock. Infact the hR springs lower the car more than eibach's. I will post a pic of the car after the suspension upgrades.

sbarsap

You guys in Cali are lucky, you have several options to get your mods installed. I am having a hard time finding a place here in Houston. Most of the places that work on Mercedes' don't do install of any after market parts. The place I got the $540.00 quote (which I though was too high myself) was a Beamer performance shop. I will keep trying though. Thanks for the advice guys.

E320se

I got a few quotes for suspension install in SF Bay Area and they varied a lot. Found a more reasonable one lately for slightly less than $500 includes alignment. Don't forget alignment as you are lowering the suspension and everything changes.

I believe the most difficult part is the tool to extract the springs as it is kind of special, otherwise I could get it all done (incl alignment) for less than $400. Can someone verify this tool?

Btw, there was an annual sale last year from Kleemann on the W210 suspension kit for around $1050 but thought that it will be very costly in the long run for shock replacement and so I did not go for it. But I was able to pick a good deal on a Carlsson kit and the shock is basically a re-valved Bilstein so probably a Bilstein Sport will work in the long run.

JamE55

You can always visit cali while getting your stuff installed here...

stemags

I also use the F1GSD3's,,they are real nice handling tires and the price is reasonable.
looking nice

LorinserLV2

Wheels look 5 stars!


Although get the HR wheel spacers, they re expensive , about 200 euros the set of 4 , but the difference is tremendous.


Congrats!

Whitey

To be honest (hope I do not offend), I would get another set of wheels with the right offsets if you're going BBK.

If you NEED 10mm (I do not know, maybe Alex can confirm) to clear the AMG BBK, then the rears would need to go out more proportionately, i.e. 20mm otherwise it wouldn't look right as I said. You will need correspondingly longer bolts....an extra 20mm is unimaginable (altho it is available)...think about all the extra strain from the leverage etc....

As already, H&R hubcentric spacers for sure.

(P.s. Looked in the picture like you have a pre-MY00 front bumper...mmmm, my eyesight must be going with age....)

sbarsap

Whitey, again thanks for your advice. I guess I will forget about the C32 kit and go with a similar setup as MikeyE430 (drilled rotors, ss brake lines, etc). I will also look into getting spacers for my rear wheels, I think I will go with th 5mm as you suggested. Also I will go with the H&R make for the spacers like someone else suggested.

vraa

Houston sucks mod wise.

Whitey

If Tx sux that badly for parts, there's always plenty on the net.

10mm would also give noticeably better handling, besides a more agressive appearance (better looking) but that's JMO.

sbarsap

Whitey, I meant Houston sux for finding shops to install the mods for Benz's. Parts are no problem, I got my parts through the net. Most places here only perform mods on Japanese care. The ones that, I have found, work on Benz's charge an arm and a leg.