Lowering questions...currently using H&R sport
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 50
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From: Irvine, CA
2003 E320
Lowering questions...currently using H&R sport
I think I'm in the market for a coilover suspension setup, because I want my car to sit about .5" lower than it is with the H&R springs.
Currently I'm lowered on H&R springs (-1.5F/-1.3R) with a staggered 18" wheel setup. Surprisingly my camber is in an acceptable range with these mods and without camber kits, front is at -1.38 and the rears are -1.25. Even with this lowering I still have a tire to fender gap of 1" in front and .75" in the rear on both sides.
The thing I don't understand is the reason why my car seems to have a more noticeable gap compared to people with H&R or Eibach springs with 18" wheels on our w211's. Is it because my Benz tech at Laguna Niguel re-used the original spring pads on the install? But from what I saw only the rear uses the spring pads while the front doesn't.
Or is there an alternative route that doesn't involve cutting springs (not acceptable) or maybe find some info that I cant seem to locate regarding aftermarket shocks that have a position to mount the spring 'lower' on the shock body.
Seahonu seems to be the only one running coilovers that is active on our W211 boards. I'm just want to make sure there is something else I can do to get that additional .5" lowering before I resort to ordering the PSS9's.
My 19's are supposed to arrive tomorrow and I really just want to reduce the noticeable gap on these larger wheels!
edit: I noticed I put the wrong info on the front camber, its -1.38 not -.38 as I previously posted.
Currently I'm lowered on H&R springs (-1.5F/-1.3R) with a staggered 18" wheel setup. Surprisingly my camber is in an acceptable range with these mods and without camber kits, front is at -1.38 and the rears are -1.25. Even with this lowering I still have a tire to fender gap of 1" in front and .75" in the rear on both sides.
The thing I don't understand is the reason why my car seems to have a more noticeable gap compared to people with H&R or Eibach springs with 18" wheels on our w211's. Is it because my Benz tech at Laguna Niguel re-used the original spring pads on the install? But from what I saw only the rear uses the spring pads while the front doesn't.
Or is there an alternative route that doesn't involve cutting springs (not acceptable) or maybe find some info that I cant seem to locate regarding aftermarket shocks that have a position to mount the spring 'lower' on the shock body.
Seahonu seems to be the only one running coilovers that is active on our W211 boards. I'm just want to make sure there is something else I can do to get that additional .5" lowering before I resort to ordering the PSS9's.
My 19's are supposed to arrive tomorrow and I really just want to reduce the noticeable gap on these larger wheels!
edit: I noticed I put the wrong info on the front camber, its -1.38 not -.38 as I previously posted.
Last edited by sunkist; Jan 16, 2008 at 06:29 PM. Reason: updating camber info
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 15
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2003 e320
I had 19 staggered installed with H&R springs. If you want pics, PM me and I will send them to you.
I put the car back to stock because of tire wear. (lasting 5k miles for new sets only in the rear) After putting it back to stock, I still have the same issues with tire wear.
So I might just go through the whole process again and lower it.
I put the car back to stock because of tire wear. (lasting 5k miles for new sets only in the rear) After putting it back to stock, I still have the same issues with tire wear.
So I might just go through the whole process again and lower it.
Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 213
Likes: 4
From: SF Bay Area
2015 GLK 250 BT
Humm, interesting. I specifically did not acquire/install H&R springs, being that it may lower by too much +1". That's why I went with PSS9 to have the height adjustable from 1.5" to 0.5". Well, another added bonus with PSS9 are the adjustable valves which is really nice. I have fun setting them to stiffer at #5 or lighter to #7 or #9.
