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Can't stand how much body roll my 2017GLE 350 has and how much wheel well gap there is. Purchased a set of the H&R springs and am currently trying to decide on wheels. Thinking about going from the 19" wheel to a 20" wheel(would like to go to a 21" wheel but afraid the ride will get to harsh).Has anyone here installed the springs and if so how do you like them? Did they help reduce body roll? How's the ride? What size tire and wheel setup did you go with?
I put H and R springs and 20" AMG wheels. Overall, the ride is OK but the rebound is a tad too quick with the stock shocks. I had 22 inch wheels and they were terrible ride quality.
Bill - Looks good. Wish my ML350 looked that good. My 2015 Ml with 70,000 bounces like crazy but afraid to tighten it up due to spouse not liking a firm ride.
The springs were $300 on eBay and installation was $721 at my fave independent shop, Star European. The rear springs are not difficult but the front springs are a pain in the butt besides being dangerous without the correct tools.
If you have the air suspension then the module is the only way you can go. For those of us without the air suspension we have to swap the springs. As soon as I can decide on wheels I'll get my springs swapped out.
If you have the air suspension then the module is the only way you can go. For those of us without the air suspension we have to swap the springs. As soon as I can decide on wheels I'll get my springs swapped out.
I'm also looking at 20" wheel options, I want a somewhat light weight wheel that looks OEM+ without spending 5K+ on custom forged wheels. It's hard to find 'budget' wheels in the 2-3K range that meet my criteria. Some decent cheaper wheels out there like rohana etc look nice but don't meet the load rating for our GLE's further limiting the choices.
I put H and R springs and 20" AMG wheels. Overall, the ride is OK but the rebound is a tad too quick with the stock shocks. I had 22 inch wheels and they were terrible ride quality.
Hi Bill, now that the honeymoon is over and you've had more wheel time with the new suspension, what are your impressions on the H&R springs? Is it Goldilocks "just right" or should it only be paired with different/better dampers/shocks? Any regrets or reservations recommending it to other GLE owners (with standard non-air suspension)?
Overall, I would recommend the H and R springs. It gives the GLE the proper stance and honestly, the rear shocks are really close but could use 5% more high-speed rebound. I used to build race shocks for a living so it's only my opinion. Compression is good. That says a lot about the stock dampers.
Overall, I would recommend the H and R springs. It gives the GLE the proper stance and honestly, the rear shocks are really close but could use 5% more high-speed rebound. I used to build race shocks for a living so it's only my opinion. Compression is good. That says a lot about the stock dampers.
Thanks for the update. Your background obviously makes your assessment more credible. 5% less than ideal high speed rebound definitely sounds like a reasonable trade-off. Just curious, how many miles do you currently have on your OE dampers? Do you think having H&R sport springs will accelerate the wear (and shorten lifespan) of the OE dampers, from operating outside of their normal range?
Overall, I would recommend the H and R springs. It gives the GLE the proper stance and honestly, the rear shocks are really close but could use 5% more high-speed rebound. I used to build race shocks for a living so it's only my opinion. Compression is good. That says a lot about the stock dampers.
Thanks for your assessment. IMO W166 shocks could use more rebound damping than 5%. I'd say 20% or more, but then we're getting into harsh ride territory.
Maybe the progressively wound H&R's decrease roll enough that the rebound doesn't need to be bumped up much. Would you agree?
Hard to believe but we have good roads in the suburbs of Chicago. The city is a totally different story with potholes galore. That said, there are a series of three rollers just after a bridge going east on Ogden Ave. in Oswego. It's about the only place to get the suspension to do any work. The compression is good but the rebound is just a little too fast. I've watched a lot of cars go through this area and mine goes through OK but some cars are on the verge of losing control especially short-wheelbase cars. You know, if they were Ohlins shocks, I wouldn't add more than two clicks but that's my preference.
There more I think about it, I really like the springs. I love the stance, it's easy to get in the car, and there is very little body roll.
Thanks. I've got 37,000 miles, so hopefully my OE dampers are not worn and up to the task.
Originally Posted by mikapen
Thanks for your assessment. IMO W166 shocks could use more rebound damping than 5%. I'd say 20% or more, but then we're getting into harsh ride territory.
Maybe the progressively wound H&R's decrease roll enough that the rebound doesn't need to be bumped up much. Would you agree?
Mikapen, do you have H&R springs installed too? Is your suggested 20% more rebound a general observation for stock GLE suspension, or only when combined with H&R springs?
Did anyone consider Eibach's Pro-Kit springs? Specs are similar, with slightly less drop (and Eibach Pro-Kit has reputation for being slightly softer or more comfortable than H&R Sport): https://www.eibach-sportline.com/eib....php?pid=77740
Mercedes-Benz Model GLE (W166) Type GLE 320 4-matic, GLE 400 4-matic, 500 4-matic, 500 e 4-matic, GLE 250 d, GLE 250 d 4-matic, GLE 350 d 4-matic
Part. No. E10-25-030-01-22
front axle lowering 30-35 mm
rear axle lowering 25-35 mm
max. frontaxle load 1500
max. rearaxle load 1650
Hints A,7,18,181
......
Mikapen, do you have H&R springs installed too? Is your suggested 20% more rebound a general observation for stock GLE suspension, or only when combined with H&R springs?....
Just stock steel suspension. I don't have the car any more, but if I had kept it instead of trading for a V167, I would have been seriously considering new suspension bits.
The W166 was just too floaty and luxo for me, and my sense was that more rebound would be the answer. Lots more. I have had Gabriel and Koni that had adjustable rebound, so I have been able to play with that side of a shock's behavior. Not on the W166 though.
BTW my W164 was a lot more controlled - another comparison I made.
I still have my H&R springs sitting on a shelf in the garage. I'd ordered a set of wheels and new tires and was getting ready to do the work when but then realized that there was just too much that I did not like about this vehicle so I sold it and went back to BMW. I had the GLE just shy of 1 year. Really liked it when I 1st bought it but then after driving it a bit I just couldn't stand the way just about everything on the vehicle operated. The 3 biggest issues were the Command system, the steering and the ride. At 1st I though the ride was just me but then realized that every time I drove it I would get nauseous from the boat like ride which is why I decided to get the springs. After realizing that once I did the springs I would probably have to start looking for shocks that would work correctly with the springs and being that there are very few options in the aftermarket for this vehicle I decided to cut my losses.
I still have my H&R springs sitting on a shelf in the garage. I'd ordered a set of wheels and new tires and was getting ready to do the work when but then realized that there was just too much that I did not like about this vehicle so I sold it and went back to BMW. I had the GLE just shy of 1 year. Really liked it when I 1st bought it but then after driving it a bit I just couldn't stand the way just about everything on the vehicle operated. The 3 biggest issues were the Command system, the steering and the ride. At 1st I though the ride was just me but then realized that every time I drove it I would get nauseous from the boat like ride which is why I decided to get the springs. After realizing that once I did the springs I would probably have to start looking for shocks that would work correctly with the springs and being that there are very few options in the aftermarket for this vehicle I decided to cut my losses.
That's a good description of the floaty W166 sensation.
I, too, decided not to change suspensions and changed vehicles - but to a V167 GLE. The base car still had more lean than I liked so I went for the more sophisticated suspensions. Both the E-ABC and the AMG Active Ride Control are leagues ahead of Porsche (I'm surprised to say that), BMW and Audi.
Now I find excuses almost every day to get out and do some therapeutic carving. Like I used to do with the Macan.
But it's good to see that there are some good aftermarket solutions, and good to get the feedback on the forum.
Let's not mix all W166 GLEs into the same basket. General "GLE", "W166" references need to be more specific, i.e. GLE350 or GLE400.
There is 166 GLE63/S (and 166 ML63 before it) with wonderful standard Active Curve and even GLE43 is not a slouch in handling department with standard "AMG tuned" airmatic. Also unlike 167, 166 had Active Curve available as a (very, very rare) option on all non-63 models.
I still have my H&R springs sitting on a shelf in the garage. I'd ordered a set of wheels and new tires and was getting ready to do the work when but then realized that there was just too much that I did not like about this vehicle so I sold it and went back to BMW. I had the GLE just shy of 1 year. Really liked it when I 1st bought it but then after driving it a bit I just couldn't stand the way just about everything on the vehicle operated. The 3 biggest issues were the Command system, the steering and the ride. At 1st I though the ride was just me but then realized that every time I drove it I would get nauseous from the boat like ride which is why I decided to get the springs. After realizing that once I did the springs I would probably have to start looking for shocks that would work correctly with the springs and being that there are very few options in the aftermarket for this vehicle I decided to cut my losses.
With what you have looked into to lower the suspension, I would raise mine in the back slightly for towing purposes. My GLE350 4matic does not have air suspension. Do you know of a way to raise the suspension height?
I get physically ill when I see the black plastic around the wheel-wells of the V167. I guess that means I will keep my W166 for a while. Mine is basically a dog hauler.
With what you have looked into to lower the suspension, I would raise mine in the back slightly for towing purposes. My GLE350 4matic does not have air suspension. Do you know of a way to raise the suspension height?
Use a Weight Distributing Hitch. It will return weight, and traction, to the front steering axle.
You don't have to (and shouldn't) add spring height to the rear because it will upset the balance of the car.
Air suspensions don't return that weight that is levered off the front end, when you put a big weight behind the rear axle.
Use a Weight Distributing Hitch. It will return weight, and traction, to the front steering axle.
You don't have to (and shouldn't) add spring height to the rear because it will upset the balance of the car.
Air suspensions don't return that weight that is levered off the front end, when you put a big weight behind the rear axle.
I don't know if you tow, but while the WDH re-distributes the weight, it does not make up for spring sag which is why even many pickup truck owners add an air suspension (air bags) to their 1/2 and even 3/4 and 1-ton trucks.
Naturally the mistake people make is using air suspensions to make up for weight distribution or even tail-load a camper, but this raises the risk of excessive sway. We don't have any sway problems and I've driven in 30+mph gust storms just fine, but the back end isn't where it should be and neither are the headlights- in part because the springs are exactly new either.
Many truck owners properly set up a WDH along with having an air suspension so until a model comes along where I upgrade I'll have to keep looking for a solution I guess.
Last edited by SUV John; Apr 30, 2021 at 04:24 PM.
Yes, I use a WDH and have been towing with my GLE350 4Matic for going on 3 years now - https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...gle-350-a.html.
...... I don't know if you tow, but while the WDH re-distributes the weight, it does not make up for spring sag which is why even many pickup truck owners add an air suspension (air bags) to their 1/2 and even 3/4 and 1-ton trucks.
Naturally the mistake people make is using air suspensions to make up for weight distribution or even tail-load a camper, but this raises the risk of excessive sway. We don't have any sway problems and I've driven in 30+mph gust storms just fine, but the back end isn't where it should be and neither are the headlights- in part because the springs are exactly new either.
Many truck owners properly set up a WDH along with having an air suspension so until a model comes along where I upgrade I'll have to keep looking for a solution I guess.
Yes, I tow a 6,000# RV like the one you showed, 720# tongue weight.
The WDH definitely "makes up for the rear-end sag."
But if it's improperly sized or adjusted, it won't. The right WDH will level the tow vehicle, and headlights.
I agree that shifting loads rearward is an invitation for sway, but using springs / airbags to reduce sag is a control issue, because you haven't dealt with the lightened steering axle.
A properly spec'd and set up WDH does this.
The pickup owners who have to add airbags plus a WDH haven't sized or set them up properly. Or are way over their payload ratings. Either is unsafe, IMO.
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