jmass03

Car is an '06 Alabaster White E350 Sport Package with E55 Front conversion (being done as of yesterday). I bought a set of 20 inch Zauber Gettins off of a forum member here. The current tires - Falken FK452's are pretty much shot so I'll be changing them out. Fronts are cupping and rears are down to the wear bars.

Fronts are: 245/35-20
Rears are: 275/30-20

I mounted all four wheels up this weekend just to see how they'd look. I'm in a dilemma now. I can't decide whether I want to go through with installing a set of lowering springs on the car.

My two options for springs are:

H&R Sports which state a 1.4 inch drop in the front and a 1.3 inch drop in the rear.

Eibach Pro-Kit which states a 1.2 inch drop in front and rear.

The springs will cost me just under $300, plus installation ($300) and an alignment ($100). Looking at just around $700 for this modification.

As of now the tires on the wheels are Falken FK452's. A tire that runs fairly skinny. I've ran this tire in the past, but from my understanding this tire is old technology and there are better options out there. My wheel/tire shop (also the ones offering to install the suspension), have recommended going with the Hankook Evo V12's. They are just around the same price as the FK452's yet they run wider than the Falkens. They will provide more wheel protection, while also offering a much quieter ride (I drove the car with these current Falken's on it - could be the fact that they're so worn, but it's LOUD).

I've uploaded pictures here. What do you think? I of course judged these at night and I'm really torn. One half of me says, leave it. The other half after browsing the E55 Picture thread says drop it. I've got less than a two finger gap all the way around. Far from slammed, but definitely not four wheeling it.

I apologize in advance for the dark pictures and the dirty car. It was late at night and we've been getting heavy rain here in south Florida the past few days.

Thoughts, opinions, criticisms?

MasterMoparSB

Honestly, it looks like you will have rubbing issues with either of those drop kits. Are there spacers on your car?

I personally would with H&R, I love their products.

Car looks great though!

jmass03

I thought that as well. Should I go with a different size of tire?

Current set up: FRONT: 245/35-20 REAR: 275/30-20

Should I go with: FRONT: 245/30-20 REAR: 285/25-20

No spacers. I'm leaning more towards H&R as all the reviews have pointed to them.

I'm considering if I decide to lower it, doing the suspension upgrade first and then moving to changing out the tires since I'll have a little more room to play with tire sizes. The last thing I want to do is rub.

djrabbi

i say no cause u have 20s........lookin to pop tires.....i would if i have 18-19.....

SurgeSi

im lowered with 20's
245/30/20 front

dsm2925

You must have a few extra sets of wheels then!

djrabbi

we do live in the nation where the pothole originates...

mitch500E

i say do the drop h&r's tho

K-A

The problem with modifying wheels is that it looks unfinished and funny when it's not lowered.

I personally would never lower an E-Class more than the Sport lowering from the factory (what's the point of buying an E-Class anyway, as much of the cost instituted to the car is for the comfortable suspension geometry and engineering), and with the state of pot-holes that we now, many people are reporting bent 18" wheels.

For your setup I think we'd need to see the finished product, i.e with the new kit on it, etc. and from afar, to see if it would look better lowered. I'm betting on definitely based on those wheels though.

pinebaron

[QUOTE=K-A;4606268] with the state of pot-holes that we now, many people are reporting bent 18" wheels.
QUOTE]

+1 just replaced both 19" front wheels last Saturday though only one was bent due to NJ pot-holes.

K-A

Ouch! That sucks. My buddy had 19's and he said he spent so much money continuously fixing them, he put the stock 17's for his W211 back on.

sunny_j

+1

421

drop it like it's hawt

BenzboyW210

My $0.02...

Aesthetically...and in keeping with the look you are creating, I'd say drop it a bit more. However...

Functionally...I think you are probably already pushing it at the current height. Either you drive on the salt flats all the time or you don't leave the laneway much. Dropping it more will likely cause problems, IMO. From camber to suspension performance to rubbing, etc.

I'd leave it at the current height. I just blew a tire on a pothole with my stock 18"s...on 20"s I'd be crawling along like a snail. Slammed, with 20"s, even with a suspension upgrade...you aren't leaving much room to absorb impacts.

jmass03

Just had it dropped two days ago. Looks fantastic. Still on 18's. Waiting for my 20's to be refinished, new tires. Will post pic's when all is done! Thanks.