Arnott's coil spring conversion installed - my review
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 5
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2012 C180 CGI Coupe (race use only), 2003 S350
Arnott's coil spring conversion installed - my review
I have just installed the coil spring conversion kit from Arnott on my 2003 S350 3.7L (Airmatic w/o 4Matic). I just want to share my experience driving with it after a few days of use.
First off, the install was a breeze. I did have my regular Mercedes specialist installed the kit for me. This is their first time seeing and installing Arnott product but they said everything went smooth without any surprises.
Arnott claims that the ride will be like stock and also stock ride height. I think they are on the money with the ride height. The image below is how my car sits with the Arnott kit installed.
The ride is very-slightly stiffer but is better than stock. This feel is very similar (but with less intensity) to switching from oem black Bilstein shocks to the yellow HD shocks without replacing anything else. Body movements are now more controlled, even on undulating roads and over speed bumps. However, the ride is still very comfortable befitting of an S class. In no way would you consider the ride as sporty, let alone harsh.
For anyone who wants to keep stock ride height and stock ride but without the Airmatic system, I would highly recommend the kit.
Thanks.
First off, the install was a breeze. I did have my regular Mercedes specialist installed the kit for me. This is their first time seeing and installing Arnott product but they said everything went smooth without any surprises.
Arnott claims that the ride will be like stock and also stock ride height. I think they are on the money with the ride height. The image below is how my car sits with the Arnott kit installed.
The ride is very-slightly stiffer but is better than stock. This feel is very similar (but with less intensity) to switching from oem black Bilstein shocks to the yellow HD shocks without replacing anything else. Body movements are now more controlled, even on undulating roads and over speed bumps. However, the ride is still very comfortable befitting of an S class. In no way would you consider the ride as sporty, let alone harsh.
For anyone who wants to keep stock ride height and stock ride but without the Airmatic system, I would highly recommend the kit.
Thanks.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
2012 C180 CGI Coupe (race use only), 2003 S350
I live half a world away from the US in Indonesia. So for me it was about USD 2050 for the kit plus shipping and another USD 600 for Customs. Install was less than USD 200 as the shop is owned by a close friend.
I would not bother with the core return since sending my old parts would cost more than the USD 300 Arnott is offering.
I would not bother with the core return since sending my old parts would cost more than the USD 300 Arnott is offering.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,474
Likes: 439
From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
In the USA, selling the good Airmatic units on Craigslist (a free internet classified ad system) could net enough to partially offset the system's cost.
