Review of my H&R Spring experience
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 142
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From: California
AMG GTS, Bentley GT, SL600, Range Rover V8 5.0 Supercharged, Aston Martin Rapide S, S600, GLS63
Review of my H&R Spring experience
Here is an update on my H&R Spring install on my 1999 W140. I started with OEM front and rear spring pads which were 18mm (3 bumps) and red Mercedes springs and I switched to the thinnest (8mm 1 bump) spring pads and H&R springs. Car has a perfect stance now. The ride is absolutely perfect and very comfortable. I am still using OEM shocks. I do not have SLS. Here are my conclusions:
1. The myth that OEM shocks are not valved for aftermarket springs is simply a myth. That is not the case. I have used OEM shocks with lowering springs on many cars and it results in a much more pleasant ride than aftermarket shocks.
2. Spring pads do not lower the car more than the height of the pad. I installed 10mm thinner pads and I got exactly 10mm more lowering. Some have written that 10mm lower pads will cause 17-18mm lowering and this isn't the case.
3. People posting that their lowering springs cause their car to scrape etc, it is not the case and there may be other variables involved such as the prior owner cutting a coil etc. I have zero rubbing, zero issues pulling into my driveway and I am at 43mm lower than stock (33mm for the springs and another 10mm for the thinner pads).
4. Those complaining that the ride is stiffer with H&R springs probably have cut their coils or also installed aftermarket shocks. The H&R springs for the W140 are some of the best I have tried and give a very plush ride. I am generally not an H&R fan as I prefer Eibach's ride quality but I feel no difference from the original ride with these H&R springs and I am running 19" wheels and max performance summer tires.
1. The myth that OEM shocks are not valved for aftermarket springs is simply a myth. That is not the case. I have used OEM shocks with lowering springs on many cars and it results in a much more pleasant ride than aftermarket shocks.
2. Spring pads do not lower the car more than the height of the pad. I installed 10mm thinner pads and I got exactly 10mm more lowering. Some have written that 10mm lower pads will cause 17-18mm lowering and this isn't the case.
3. People posting that their lowering springs cause their car to scrape etc, it is not the case and there may be other variables involved such as the prior owner cutting a coil etc. I have zero rubbing, zero issues pulling into my driveway and I am at 43mm lower than stock (33mm for the springs and another 10mm for the thinner pads).
4. Those complaining that the ride is stiffer with H&R springs probably have cut their coils or also installed aftermarket shocks. The H&R springs for the W140 are some of the best I have tried and give a very plush ride. I am generally not an H&R fan as I prefer Eibach's ride quality but I feel no difference from the original ride with these H&R springs and I am running 19" wheels and max performance summer tires.
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Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 15
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1998 SL600
This is helpful to know, thank you for posting your experience. I just picked up a '96 S600 with plans to lower it and will use H&R springs with thin spring pads on the stock ADS shocks. How much (if at all) did you adjust the self-leveling in the rear? Any further updates you can share?
