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KW V3 Sedan Suspension Installed On A Wagon!.....Sort of.
I took a leap of faith last year (and a massive discount) based on the dream of having some quality aftermarket suspension on my wagon. I have been running the H&R lowering springs with stock struts up front, and some ghost link lowering links and stock shocks in the rear. I loved the look, but was never in love with the ride quality. I think the 65,000 miles that were on the stock shocks had really taken the life and spirit out of them. After impatiently waiting for several months for my German goodies, they finally arrived a couple weeks back, and I got around to installing. First off, the quality of these are beyond impressive. Both front and rear have independent adjustments for compression and rebound, and look super impressive. Since this suspension is for a sedan, I knew I would not be using the rear springs, as the wagon has factory air springs, but I hoped the shocks would be useable.
Yesterday I finally got around to putting everything in. The fronts went in without a hitch - There are tons of write ups about strut replacement, so I dont think it needs to be laid out. After transferring the rubber isolators and top hats, everything bolted up without issue - even the plastic guide that hold the brake lines and speed sensors. The rear shocks however, are about five inches too long. This was great news to receive after battling the rear interior pieces to gain access to the top top shock mounts that are hidden under EVERYTHING. I reached back out to KW to see if another application may fit, or if they will make me something custom to match the front. Worst case scenario, I will install some of the Bilstein B6 replacements.
All in all, I have to say that the ride is drastically improved, and it was worth all the hassle. Car is off to alignment, holler if you have any questions, or if you want to buy the rear shocks, springs and perches for your sedan!
I am curious, can you measure how tall is your original rear damper un-compressed please.
V3 length too please, if you still keep the measurement.
I want to compare with my original SACHS or Bilstein B4 , I am a non air-spring car.
If the difference is like your photo for V3 vs you rear damper at 5", there is a possibility the V3 itself is also too tall/long by mistake.
5" difference is just way too much if we assume V3 length as normal sedan with regular spring.
Loosing 5" of suspension vertical play on an air-spring vs a from steel spring ....sounds really a lot.
I am curious, can you measure how tall is your original rear damper un-compressed please.
V3 length too please, if you still keep the measurement.
I want to compare with my original SACHS or Bilstein B4 , I am a non air-spring car.
If the difference is like your photo for V3 vs you rear damper at 5", there is a possibility the V3 itself is also too tall/long by mistake.
5" difference is just way too much if we assume V3 length as normal sedan with regular spring.
Loosing 5" of suspension vertical play on an air-spring vs a from steel spring ....sounds really a lot.
The stock wagon shocks are roughly 16.5 inches long un-compressed, while the KWs are about 22 inches. I assume the sedan has a taller wheel tub, since Mercedes was concerned about getting the rear floor flat in the wagon.
I'll post some photos once I get my ride sensor issues resolved next week. I had a KMAC bushing kit installed to give me more toe and camber adjustments, and it the process the ride height sensors got all out of whack. I have an appointment on Tuesday to get that taken care of.
The stock wagon shocks are roughly 16.5 inches long un-compressed, while the KWs are about 22 inches. I assume the sedan has a taller wheel tub, since Mercedes was concerned about getting the rear floor flat in the wagon.
Indeed, my rear one uncompressed top threaded shaft to true bottom (not installation bolt mid center) is 59cm or 23". Wow so much difference.
Thanks
I took the Dad-Mobile to Benzworks in Huntington Beach, and they sorted out all my ride height sensor issues, and got everything dialed in. I have to say I am super happy with how everything turned out, and will update this when I have new rear shocks to install. While we wait and figure out if something from KW will work, I went ahead and ordered some Bilstein B6 replacements, and once they arrive from backorder purgatory, I'll install them. Until then, here is the final ride height for the wagon. Up next, wheels!
Very cool mod. This is something I had been pondering about. I have been periodically checking online for a FULL COILOVER option for the W212 E63 for a while now. None of the big name suspension companies have come up with a solution. Just as the E55 guys have been deleting their air suspension, I am hoping someone comes up with a direct replacement solution for the now aging W212s. Did your car come with adjustable suspension dampening? If so, are you getting fault codes for having deleted the OE front shocks? How to deal with this electrical/software issue?
Very cool mod. This is something I had been pondering about. I have been periodically checking online for a FULL COILOVER option for the W212 E63 for a while now. None of the big name suspension companies have come up with a solution. Just as the E55 guys have been deleting their air suspension, I am hoping someone comes up with a direct replacement solution for the now aging W212s. Did your car come with adjustable suspension dampening? If so, are you getting fault codes for having deleted the OE front shocks? How to deal with this electrical/software issue?
My car was just the self leveling rear air suspension, not the full Airmatic setup or adjustable dampening suspension. No fault codes on the rear, and it has been lowered with the same ghost link lowering links the whole time. I would give the guys at Benzworks in Huntington Beach a call, they really have heir stuff together and could probably answer better than anyone if that is possible.
My car was just the self leveling rear air suspension, not the full Airmatic setup or adjustable dampening suspension. No fault codes on the rear, and it has been lowered with the same ghost link lowering links the whole time. I would give the guys at Benzworks in Huntington Beach a call, they really have heir stuff together and could probably answer better than anyone if that is possible.
Thanks for your response and the referral. The W212 E63s also only have air suspension in the back. The front uses traditional coil spring and adjustable strut just like yours. I guess the difference is that the AMG car has dampening controls in cabin... which I am sure will set off error codes should I delete the OE assembly for the KW set up like you did. I know for some cars out there they have made modules that plug in the the harness to fool the computer into thinking the OE strut is still in place; just haven't seen/found such thing for the W212s.
Keep up the good work. Subbed to witness the epic finale with the rear shocks.
Finally got around to installing the rear Bilstein B6 shocks on Monday, and boy what a difference it made! Had to get new top mounts for the shocks, which technically dont exist, but they share the part with a number of other models.
I am facing same issue, my E63 W212 (M156) suspension is getting worse, but I want to preserve original 3 mode control by original button , and same time want to keep rear air work, just like AMG original suspension function, I had mail to KW to check KW DDC avaliable or not, unfortunaly , DDC not work for W212 E63, any other solution ?
(I dont want to remove rear air and I want to suspension mode changing by original button/system )
I'll post some photos once I get my ride sensor issues resolved next week. I had a KMAC bushing kit installed to give me more toe and camber adjustments, and it the process the ride height sensors got all out of whack. I have an appointment on Tuesday to get that taken care of.
what issues were you getting with the ride height sensors being out of whack?
when I had the KMAC bushing kit installed, the shop that did the work couldnt get the car to sit back down from max height on the air suspension in the rear regardless of what we tried. Said it needed to be a Mercedes specific shop that had the proper equipment to recalibrate it. These guys are still my mechanics for my 4Runner, but I take the wagon to a MB specialist now.
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