Suspension completed on my 01 ML55
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
From: St Louis
01 ML55, 05 Jaguar X type, 05 mini Cooper convertible, 03 VW Eurovan
Suspension completed on my 01 ML55
I finally got the suspension done on my ML. I went w/ the Bilsteins, H&R rear springs, H&R sway bar. What a difference!! It lowered it right @ 1 1/4" and the handling is definately more precise w/o being too harsh. I got the wrong springs from Tire Rack (my fault as I ordered round spring ends / mine are flat). They overnighted the right ones and credited the other ones. They are a great company, I have used them on 2 BMW's and 3 Porsches for tires, springs, etc. Along w/ the new exhaust I am really pleased w/ the ML. What a car / truck!!
Steve
Steve
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
How much did it cost?
Thanks for posting.
I want to run same set up on my 2000 ML55. I have PZero tires which are better than Yokohamas but not a patch on the SP9000 the car came with when new.
Dealer quoted $2000 for replacing standard shocks all round and rear springs.
How much did you pay for installation? Is there an easy way to tell whether you need flat or round spring end ahead of removal?
Cheers,
Mark
00 ML55
01 Z3 Coupe
06 M Roadster
I want to run same set up on my 2000 ML55. I have PZero tires which are better than Yokohamas but not a patch on the SP9000 the car came with when new.
Dealer quoted $2000 for replacing standard shocks all round and rear springs.
How much did you pay for installation? Is there an easy way to tell whether you need flat or round spring end ahead of removal?
Cheers,
Mark
00 ML55
01 Z3 Coupe
06 M Roadster
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
From: St Louis
01 ML55, 05 Jaguar X type, 05 mini Cooper convertible, 03 VW Eurovan
The installation ran me $600, shocks were $500, sway bar $250, springs $210. The same guy that fabricated the exhaust did the suspension. I still want to do a 4 wheel alignment as the camber has changed w/ the lowering. The only way to tell on the springs is after you take the struts out. Personally I would go w/ the flat end as that is what mine was but also make sure that whoever you buy them from has both in stock just is case. When I ordered mine I was told by the dealer he thought they were round and I waited 2 months to get them. I would hate to have the car apart that long. I'll try to shoot a picture today and get it posted, the look is killer and the ride even better. Mine is a dark green and I blacked out all the trim. It looks like a mini van on steroids.
Steve
Steve
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
From: St Louis
01 ML55, 05 Jaguar X type, 05 mini Cooper convertible, 03 VW Eurovan
mbenzman:
I am not sure what the reply represents. Are these vehicles you own that have had suspension modifications? Are they your cars? I guess I am impressed either way. Sure looks like you have a lot of M/B products. Unfortunately this is my first one. I have always had Porsches (5 911s and my beloved 944) BMWs (current M3, sold M5, sold Alpina B9, a couple 320i's, a 2002) Triumphs, Fiats, Audis (including an 83 sport Quattro), and 5 VW Vans going back to a 69 I had in High School. I would hate to shine a black light in that one as it also accompanied me to college and had a lot of "action".
Steve
I am not sure what the reply represents. Are these vehicles you own that have had suspension modifications? Are they your cars? I guess I am impressed either way. Sure looks like you have a lot of M/B products. Unfortunately this is my first one. I have always had Porsches (5 911s and my beloved 944) BMWs (current M3, sold M5, sold Alpina B9, a couple 320i's, a 2002) Triumphs, Fiats, Audis (including an 83 sport Quattro), and 5 VW Vans going back to a 69 I had in High School. I would hate to shine a black light in that one as it also accompanied me to college and had a lot of "action".
Steve
Last edited by Speakerdude; Oct 4, 2007 at 09:38 PM.
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 784
Likes: 0
From: Ga.
All of them!
Earlier you stated you were going to post pics and that smiley eating popcorn was a just fast way to "subscribe" to your thread. This would send me a notice when something is posted so that I could come directly back and check the update. At least I didn't use a 
Those M/B's are only some of my fleet, and yes, they are mine. I bought my ML55 @ 2 years old. It may well be the best vehicle I have ever owned. It does have a couple flies in the ointment though, the weak shocks and springs for the load I place on it is the largest, so you have my attention as I haven't found the solution until maybe now.
I am interested in this as the supension on my ML55 definitely needs upgrading especially when fully loaded. I would would prefer bilsteins you have mentioned, and although I am a M/B mechanic, I have not found any other options other than the factory weak shocks. So, did you retrofit something, or did bilstein come out with them recently, I checked online with my suppliers again maybe 3 weeks ago and only found the stock ML55 stuff.
I want the stiffer then I have due to my full sized spare/carrier and third row seats.
You mentioned tire rack, do you have part numbers?
Rich
Post dem pics please.
Those M/B's are only some of my fleet, and yes, they are mine. I bought my ML55 @ 2 years old. It may well be the best vehicle I have ever owned. It does have a couple flies in the ointment though, the weak shocks and springs for the load I place on it is the largest, so you have my attention as I haven't found the solution until maybe now.
I am interested in this as the supension on my ML55 definitely needs upgrading especially when fully loaded. I would would prefer bilsteins you have mentioned, and although I am a M/B mechanic, I have not found any other options other than the factory weak shocks. So, did you retrofit something, or did bilstein come out with them recently, I checked online with my suppliers again maybe 3 weeks ago and only found the stock ML55 stuff.
I want the stiffer then I have due to my full sized spare/carrier and third row seats. You mentioned tire rack, do you have part numbers?
Rich
Post dem pics please.
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 784
Likes: 0
From: Ga.
All of them!
Nice fleet, I have a customer/friend with a e28/B7, what a sleeper. You like mods.? Try this one I'm doing on my 02 CLK55 cab.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...7&goto=newpost
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...7&goto=newpost
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
From: St Louis
01 ML55, 05 Jaguar X type, 05 mini Cooper convertible, 03 VW Eurovan
I have stuck a couple pics on. The ML is now lowered a little over an inch (see pics). I also shot the springs. Note height and also the flat end vs the round end. The round end ones in the pic are my old ones. The installation is relatively straightforward though a PITA. Tire Rack only has two spring listings for H&R one round end, one flat end. I bought the shocks off Ebay for $500 delivered. They are the Bilstein Sports. The ride is greatly improved. I don't know if it was because my old ones had 75,000 miles or the Bilsteins are just that much better. Either way it looks good and rides good w/o being harsh. I don't haul heavy stuff. I mainly have an upright bass and a small Phil Jones amplifier as the biggest thing. I agree that the ML is the best vehicle I have ever owned. I too have gremlins, mainly a very erratic fuel gauge. For $70K I would be pissed, for $20K I can reset the odometer when I fill up just to be safe.
Steve
Steve
Last edited by Speakerdude; Oct 5, 2007 at 08:02 AM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
From: St Louis
01 ML55, 05 Jaguar X type, 05 mini Cooper convertible, 03 VW Eurovan
The ride is great. I also wanted Eibach but could only find the H&R. I instaled H&R on my 91 911 C4 and the ride is terrible but on the ML it's great. It also sounds eally good w/ the Camaro exhaust. I also like the blacked out trim against the green body. It's easy to do and is more stealthy.
Steve
Steve
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,212
Likes: 9
From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
the other thing I would think about doing? Is adding wheel spacers to widen the stance of the tires a little bit and fill the wheel wells
Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 166
Likes: 17
From: Long Island, New York
2006 SL55 AMG
The installation ran me $600, shocks were $500, sway bar $250, springs $210. The same guy that fabricated the exhaust did the suspension. I still want to do a 4 wheel alignment as the camber has changed w/ the lowering. The only way to tell on the springs is after you take the struts out. Personally I would go w/ the flat end as that is what mine was but also make sure that whoever you buy them from has both in stock just is case. When I ordered mine I was told by the dealer he thought they were round and I waited 2 months to get them. I would hate to have the car apart that long. I'll try to shoot a picture today and get it posted, the look is killer and the ride even better. Mine is a dark green and I blacked out all the trim. It looks like a mini van on steroids.
Steve
Steve
thank you
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 472
Likes: 239
From: New Hampshire
ML 63 AMG
Originally Posted by Ajai Thomas;[url=tel:8972515
8972515[/url]]where did you get the sway bars and was this a set or just the rear? please send a link if you remember or still have the link.
thank you
thank you
Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 166
Likes: 17
From: Long Island, New York
2006 SL55 AMG
If anyone else has any idea of good options for the sway bar, please let me know.
cheers
