SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: R230 Adjustable Coilover Kit : It's Finally Happening!
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 333
Likes: 25
From: Miami, FL
R230
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 333
Likes: 25
From: Miami, FL
R230
Sean, just opened his shop after Hurricane Irma and trying to catch up with everything. We didn't have power for more than a week. I will keep you guys posted. My car should be done soon as well.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 955
Likes: 127
From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 9
Sl55 AMG
They are much superior to the stock SL350 bars sold by other companies as part of their kits. The 350 front sway bar hits the 55's oil pan as it is designed for a V6 not a V8
I can't comment on VVK's coilovers as I fitted KW Variant 3 coilovers.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Ferndale, WA
2004 SL600
I ordered a kit for my SL600 on August 19. I have been in near constant (multiple times a week) communication with Sean at VVK since mid September, including several texts from him at midnight last night. My SL600 is my daily driver, so I'm a bit more impatient than others to get my car back on the road.
I don't believe zebra555's car is done yet. Per Sean on Oct 12, when they tried to fit the most recent front sway bar prototype into zebra's car they found it required a little more tweaking. VVK is not fabricating the sway bars, they have another company that is about an hour away from them making the bars. Sean is hoping to have the revised bar by tomorrow. Presuming it fits whenever he gets it, Sean says their plan is to have a run of 10 front bars made. Zebra555, V12TTenthusiast, and myself are inline for the first 3 bars. I've instructed Sean not to ship my kit until they can ship me a complete kit. He has sent me photos of my coilovers.
While this is taking way longer than advertised, they appear to be close to having a complete kit. Based on V12TTenthusiast review of his partial set up without a front sway bar, I am - for now - being the squeaky wheel and trying to get a complete kit.
Does anybody know of another company that has successfully offered a front sway bar for V12 cars?
I don't believe zebra555's car is done yet. Per Sean on Oct 12, when they tried to fit the most recent front sway bar prototype into zebra's car they found it required a little more tweaking. VVK is not fabricating the sway bars, they have another company that is about an hour away from them making the bars. Sean is hoping to have the revised bar by tomorrow. Presuming it fits whenever he gets it, Sean says their plan is to have a run of 10 front bars made. Zebra555, V12TTenthusiast, and myself are inline for the first 3 bars. I've instructed Sean not to ship my kit until they can ship me a complete kit. He has sent me photos of my coilovers.
While this is taking way longer than advertised, they appear to be close to having a complete kit. Based on V12TTenthusiast review of his partial set up without a front sway bar, I am - for now - being the squeaky wheel and trying to get a complete kit.
Does anybody know of another company that has successfully offered a front sway bar for V12 cars?
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Newbie
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
From: Kyrenia
SL55AMG
I have VVK Sway bars installed on my SL55 and can report that they are excellent
They are much superior to the stock SL350 bars sold by other companies as part of their kits. The 350 front sway bar hits the 55's oil pan as it is designed for a V6 not a V8
I can't comment on VVK's coilovers as I fitted KW Variant 3 coilovers.
They are much superior to the stock SL350 bars sold by other companies as part of their kits. The 350 front sway bar hits the 55's oil pan as it is designed for a V6 not a V8
I can't comment on VVK's coilovers as I fitted KW Variant 3 coilovers.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
From: Kyrenia
SL55AMG
KW has variant 3 and it is competition series and is far expensive and wonder if anyone used KW series for SL350 on SL55 amg? is it possible to use them on SL55 amg as a converion kit.with 350 sl sway bars ..
I also noticed a company called Ceika which produces coilover kits for SL55. has anyone experienced it? Any pros and cons will be so helpful.
I also noticed a company called Ceika which produces coilover kits for SL55. has anyone experienced it? Any pros and cons will be so helpful.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 333
Likes: 25
From: Miami, FL
R230
KW has variant 3 and it is competition series and is far expensive and wonder if anyone used KW series for SL350 on SL55 amg? is it possible to use them on SL55 amg as a converion kit.with 350 sl sway bars ..
I also noticed a company called Ceika which produces coilover kits for SL55. has anyone experienced it? Any pros and cons will be so helpful.
I also noticed a company called Ceika which produces coilover kits for SL55. has anyone experienced it? Any pros and cons will be so helpful.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 9
Sl55 AMG
I was thinking to use SL350 KW kit, but the KW told me that they couldn't upgrade the spring rates or revalve the shocks. They highly recommended not to use this kit on AMG cars. Don't think it will work good on much heavier SL55/SL65. As far as Ceika, I've never heard about this brand before. Their website also look very shady to me. Also there is no customer support in US or any phone numbers listed.
The dampers and springs are designed for a maximum axle load.
When the ABC struts, pump, valves etc are stripped out and replaced with the coilovers and standard power steering pump there is a weight saving of around 40kg.
After the weight reductions the 55's rear axle is within the target load and the front is only 2% over
Understandbly KW wont officially confirm that their 350 coilovers work on the 55. However I was able to speak with one of their design engineers who told me (off the record) that 2% was negligible and that it should be ok.
I took the chance and am delighted with the result.
Ok they are expensive compared to other brands but that is due to the extensive R&D and actual car testing that they carry out.
They are also stainless steel and three way adjustable
I am delighted with the ride now.
It is now a sports car rather than a cruiser
Last edited by Batman600; Nov 1, 2017 at 02:43 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 9
Sl55 AMG
However the front bar is a poor fit due to the different oil pans on the V6 and V8 engines.
The 350 front bar can be fitted using packing plates at the fixing brackets. But it will hit the 55's oil pan and/or chassis cross member
Some people may be happy taking the chance that this will be ok.
But I wasn't happy with that so I fitted the VVK front sway bar which is stiffer and fits much better
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
From: Kyrenia
SL55AMG
I have fitted the KW Variant 3 SL350 coilovers on my SL55 AMG.
The dampers and springs are designed for a maximum axle load.
When the ABC struts, pump, valves etc are stripped out and replaced with the coilovers and standard power steering pump there is a weight saving of around 40kg.
After the weight reductions the 55's rear axle is within the target load and the front is only 2% over
Understandbly KW wont officially confirm that their 350 coilovers work on the 55. However I was able to speak with one of their design engineers who told me (off the record) that 2% was negligible and that it should be ok.
I took the chance and am delighted with the result.
Ok they are expensive compared to other brands but that is due to the extensive R&D and actual car testing that they carry out.
They are also stainless steel and three way adjustable
I am delighted with the ride now.
It is now a sports car rather than a cruiser
The dampers and springs are designed for a maximum axle load.
When the ABC struts, pump, valves etc are stripped out and replaced with the coilovers and standard power steering pump there is a weight saving of around 40kg.
After the weight reductions the 55's rear axle is within the target load and the front is only 2% over
Understandbly KW wont officially confirm that their 350 coilovers work on the 55. However I was able to speak with one of their design engineers who told me (off the record) that 2% was negligible and that it should be ok.
I took the chance and am delighted with the result.
Ok they are expensive compared to other brands but that is due to the extensive R&D and actual car testing that they carry out.
They are also stainless steel and three way adjustable
I am delighted with the ride now.
It is now a sports car rather than a cruiser
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 9
Sl55 AMG
Rear shims
Front top mount
Rear top mount
The coilovers dont come with top mounts so you have to buy them separately.
They comprise a metal mount and a separate rubber shim. The shim sits inside the top mount and the bottom is recessed to receive the top of the coil spring.
The shims were sold out worldwide so Mercedes actually had to start a new manufacturing run just for me
I found out later that the front shims from an E55 or E350 are almost identical.
Last edited by Batman600; Nov 1, 2017 at 03:32 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
From: Kyrenia
SL55AMG
Thanks for your share , they are so helpful but i just want to search Ceika bit more and then will decide what to do. have some friends use Ceika on BMW s with happy faces . This makes me to think twice . When decide will let you know and share here .
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
From: Kyrenia
SL55AMG
Just noticed difference easily and you are right about the oil pan and now decide to go for VVK
thanks a lot for your share ..
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 333
Likes: 25
From: Miami, FL
R230
I have fitted the KW Variant 3 SL350 coilovers on my SL55 AMG.
The dampers and springs are designed for a maximum axle load.
When the ABC struts, pump, valves etc are stripped out and replaced with the coilovers and standard power steering pump there is a weight saving of around 40kg.
After the weight reductions the 55's rear axle is within the target load and the front is only 2% over
Understandbly KW wont officially confirm that their 350 coilovers work on the 55. However I was able to speak with one of their design engineers who told me (off the record) that 2% was negligible and that it should be ok.
I took the chance and am delighted with the result.
Ok they are expensive compared to other brands but that is due to the extensive R&D and actual car testing that they carry out.
They are also stainless steel and three way adjustable
I am delighted with the ride now.
It is now a sports car rather than a cruiser
The dampers and springs are designed for a maximum axle load.
When the ABC struts, pump, valves etc are stripped out and replaced with the coilovers and standard power steering pump there is a weight saving of around 40kg.
After the weight reductions the 55's rear axle is within the target load and the front is only 2% over
Understandbly KW wont officially confirm that their 350 coilovers work on the 55. However I was able to speak with one of their design engineers who told me (off the record) that 2% was negligible and that it should be ok.
I took the chance and am delighted with the result.
Ok they are expensive compared to other brands but that is due to the extensive R&D and actual car testing that they carry out.
They are also stainless steel and three way adjustable
I am delighted with the ride now.
It is now a sports car rather than a cruiser
""Thank you for contacting KW. The V3 system uses progressive springs with no helpers, unfortunately it does not allow for upgraded springs as the progressive design does not have a set rate and we only test for the springs that are assigned to each kit. Sorry but with 300 lbs added our system would not be effective."
On top of it SL350 came without ABC in Europe, so add another 100 lbs or so extra load.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 9
Sl55 AMG
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 9
Sl55 AMG
Here is the official reply from KW that we received this year:
""Thank you for contacting KW. The V3 system uses progressive springs with no helpers, unfortunately it does not allow for upgraded springs as the progressive design does not have a set rate and we only test for the springs that are assigned to each kit. Sorry but with 300 lbs added our system would not be effective."
On top of it SL350 came without ABC in Europe, so add another 100 lbs or so extra load.
""Thank you for contacting KW. The V3 system uses progressive springs with no helpers, unfortunately it does not allow for upgraded springs as the progressive design does not have a set rate and we only test for the springs that are assigned to each kit. Sorry but with 300 lbs added our system would not be effective."
On top of it SL350 came without ABC in Europe, so add another 100 lbs or so extra load.
However the thing you need to consider is that the KW Variant 3 coilovers for the 350 are significantly more aggressive than the stock Bilsteins.
They are stiffer and better damped.
As I mentioned previously the lightened SL55 is only 2% over KW's design parameters for the 350 front coilovers.
I have driven the car aggressively through twisty country roads and, combined with the stiffer VVK sway bars, the KWs have performed superbly.
The highest praise that I can give is that the handling and comfort are every bit as good as the 997 Carrera S I previously owned
