alphonso

Hi all, I'm a little new to MBs
Haven't owned one until recently and havent had time as yet to pull it apart and figure out how it works...

When I lower my 1993 500SEL in a week or two... can anyone tell me what to look out for, or even a link to a step by step guide to save me a bit of time would be great.

Can I just buy new springs and shocks and fit them or are any other parts needed? Do I need to do anything to the self leveling system?

Thanks

Bernanke

hey, i just did bilstein shocks and i just bought intrax lower progressive rate springs, I will be installing those. there are also 4 spring pad widths that you can chose. 8mm, 13mm 18mm, 23mm

Stefano

Go with the H&R springs. They are hands down the best when it comes to there manufacturing techniques and materials they use, and probably the best price. I paid 275 for my set. But did modify my springs to get the look and perfomance I wanted.

rambo006jr

I have a 98 s500 and thinking about lowering with h&r springs. However, people told me that there are no spring kits for the later model of the w140? I thought I could order them from tirerack.com. Does anybody have experience with lowing a later model of the w140? how's the handling after conversion? thanks.

Stefano

The handling is great. Like a sports car that can hold 5 comfortably. Its not that difficult to lower an S class. As far as I know the suspension is exactly the same from 92 to 99 So I don’t see why they wouldn’t have springs for that year.
Here’s a link to my page. I was going to do a how too, but never got around to it.
So check my link out and maybe it will give you an idea on how low to go.
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/758569

Bernanke

i wouldn't recommend H&R or Eibachs b/c they are not progressive. they are most sport oriented. Intrax and B&G have progressive rate springs for our car. progressive rates allow for much smoother ride, they aren't as good in handling as HR or Eibach but still much better than stock and drop the car about 1.25 inches.

Stefano

Are the Intrax and B&G the best springs “no” All depends on your situation, and what you want. 1.25 was almost impossible to notice on my car mainly due to the size of an S class, so I wanted to go a bit lower. This meant cutting the spring, if the springs I used were progressive I would of either had to cut the progressive end of the coils, which goes against the whole purpose of buying progressive springs, or if I cut the opposite end of the springs. They would of most likely bottom out my suspension. Shorter springs have to be compensated with stiffness or you’ll be hitting the rubber stops. So with the combination of progressive springs with 18 inch wheels and 30 series tires you could possibly be able to achieve a decent look. It’s all about how low you want to go. I believe by the time I was done with my car it lowered a good 4.0 to 4.5 inches or more as you can see in the pics. For most that’s to aggressive of a look. I was tempted to try the intrax springs. I’ve seen them on eBay sell as little as 80 dollars a set for an S class. I love to try different methods tweaking the suspension and trying different applications. I’m in the processes of tiging some cut spare A arms to reduce the camber since I haven’t been able to source a camber kit for the S-Class. I’ll post some pics when and if I complete this one of many projects. Also I have an air ride kit for the rear I,m going to install. Im going to see how much the air ride will effect my handling.. For when my fat *** Butafuccos buds sit in back. Or for when I tow my Quad around I don’t have deal with the rear squat look.

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/758569

Bernanke

i HIGHLY recommend not cutting the springs, its NOT the right way to do things. i think 1.25 plus maybe thinner spring pads is all the drop any normal S-class will need. I do not want a SLAMMED W140, just a nice drop to make the car have a better stance.

///Dre

Great info guys!

I am planning H&R stage 2 to lower my ride, but I have:

19x8 with 255/35/19 Fronts
19x10 with 285/30/19 Rears

I was told it will hella rub, so I'm waiting to wear these off and get new tire sizes.

I also pushed a little of the fender out on the front right, can I really not lower them now? Are Air suspensions worth it?

Stefano

When I had 255 40 19 in the front it would rub slightly when wheels were cranked going up onto a driveway or bump.. I swapped them out with 235 35 19 in front and have no problem at all. I then rolled the fender lip and now it accepts the 255 40 19 in front. I like to alternate between the two sizes. Just a warning that your cruise control will most likley be inoperable when using the 35 series tires on 19s in front. The pictures I have are I believe to be 235 35 19 front and 255 40 19 rear. http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/758569 The back 255 40 19 are cutting it close, as for rubbing inside and outside.. Air bags are defiantly the way to go for some people. Softer ride, tires last longer, but you do sacrifice a bit of performance if you are using straight bags in place of the springs vs the bag as a helper to the spring. Air strutt kit for these cars.

rambo006jr

guys, I am not familiar with the air suspension that you are referring to. I am planning to install h&r spring and keep original stock shock absorbers. what is the air suspension that you are referring to? I want a little better handling but would like to keep more of the comfort. Is the air suspension a special options? Thanks.

maci911

1.what pads to use with these cut h&r springs front and back
2.how easy for someone to install these springs byhimself at home

Bernanke

hey guys, I just got a set of Intrax Progressive rate lowering springs. They are better than H&R and Eibach (linear rate springs) for street use and are softer springs but still lower the car about 1-1.25 inches. it allows for softer initial compression but still provides excelent handling at the limits, i will let u guys know how it goes.

maci911

were did u get intrax and why are they better than hr or eibach,also if using #1 pad will that still retain the comfort level

Bernanke

there are two types of springs... liner and progressive. Linear is exactly that meaning the compression rate of the spring is constant (i.e. 400lbs per inch, or something like that). Progressive rate springs are different for instance (i.e. 100lbs first inch, 200lbs 2nd inch, 300lbs 3rd inch, 400lbs 4th inch). The reason this is better is the initial compression is very soft so it still mimics the stock suspension somewhat but once the spring is compressed more it reall start to perform like a linear spring.

Visually you can tell the difference easily, linear springs: the coils are all equally spaced. Progressive springs: some coils are closer than other (hence progressively closer to one another). Linear springs technically are the best for all out race track performance b/c of the extra feedback and etc but for our cars progressive rate springs are a much better alternative b/c they lower the car AND provide smooth ride while not hurting ride quality but still creating a much more sporty feel at the limits.

i bought mine just now for $274 shipped (249 before shiping). If you want the springs lemme know and i can give you contact info. Intrax that i know of is the only manufacturer left that makes progressive rate springs for our cars... hopefully everything goes to plan.

hellah fresh

anywhere i can find spring for my car that has self leveling?

rogi-w140amg

HERES A PIC OF MY MBZ 1997 S320 ON 18' AMG LOWERED ABOUT 2 INCHES
.
I CUT THE FRONT SPRINGS ABOUT 2 INCHES AND IT GAVE ME THE LOOK I WANTED .
THE GOOD THING IS THE RIDE QUALITY DIDN'T CHANGE ITS STILL SMOOTH LIKE IT WAS BEFORE.

LET ME KNOW WHAT U GUYS THINK??

z168

Not a fan of the raked look. How many coils did you cut?

I prefer the car leveled

oldsinner111

I dont know why you Guys would just save some money,and cut your springs with a cut off wheel.

YJSXJ

for the same reason you don't just spray paint a new Add-on piece with a can of rustoleum. There's a way to do things, and then, there's the Right way to do things.

XFXDX

Where do I get springs for these cars, and slimmer seats? I'd like to achieve 3"+ drop. Don't want to bag it. Don't mind stiffening up the ride, would actually prefer it!

Seems cutting springs is the only way to achieve the aggressively lower stance, I'm not seeing any other options. If there are any, what are they?

Thanks.

JUICEDW140

Besides bags or hydros...cutting is the only way to achieve a 3inch drop...

XFXDX

Thanks for that, juiced. I figured as much...

Harley Mac

so how much coils did u cut off and is it top or bottom of the spring
.also how did you lower the rear