John H

I did a search but didn't find much. It might be time to split the E55 category into one for W210 and one for W211.

I want to lower my 2001 E55 but don't want to change the ride quality or goof up the handling. I think I'll do a pad change first as it's only takes a few hours (I have a spring compressor). Has anybody done a spring change on an E55? What other mods were necessary? Is the rear camber adjustable? Are shorter shocks mandatory? I love the factory firmness and for day in, day out driving it's a firm as I want. I'm asking because I lowered my 300E with a H&R's and Bilstein Sports - looked great but definitely a much harsher ride, about what the E55 is stock.

BTW great site.

E55 KEV

Wow! A Newbie with 1 post and you want the E55 section to be split up? Not many complaints about both being lump together nor with the addition of the E63.

What spring pads do you have? I and most W210 E55's have #3 pads. The best setups may be the Kleemann and the Renntech. I belive Renntech makes a rear camber kit.

John H

I thought that would get some attention! Glad you like my enthusiasm! The production of W211 E55s out numbers W210 one by roughly 10:1 (2,000 W210s to about 20,000 W211s if I'm not mistaken). With very little relevant overlap between the two except for the AMG plate, a separate section might make sense. Having gone through hundreds of posts I can say from my experience I have to sort through a lot of W211 chaff to find W210 info. No big deal for a W211 fans since most of the posts here are relevant to them.



Thanks for the info!! I do not know which pads I have. If other have changed out the pads and Like the results I will go that route first. Is there a way to tell which pads I have without pulling the springs?

ProjectC55

I agree they should make a W210 E55 sect and a W211 E55 sect.Don't they do that for some of the non-AMG cars?

E55 KEV

Then you would need a W211 E63 section.

E55 KEV

The pads have little bumps on them. 1 to 5 bumps/sizes for front and 1 t 4 bumps/sizes for rear. They are visiable with the wheels removed and you may be able to see them without removing the wheels at top of suspension.

X55

Eibach no longer makes a specific application for the 210-E55, they used to. I think I'm going to do H&R's on mine as they seem to be the popular choice and reports indicate a more planted feel.

Ag E55

Unless you are ready to regret it, don't change the springs on you E55. I had mine changed with H&R, along with #2 pads...I have regretted it ever since. The drop looks absolutely killer, don't get me wrong...but the ride quality has gone to the crapper.....I know that it is bit more exaggerated due to my 19's...but if I had to do it all over again...I wouldn't do it.

Maybe, you should move up to 19's, and then change the pads to #1....this should give you that "no gap" look. Good luck what ever you decide, but for me, I wish I had never done it. The ride quality is really not what MB should be....feels like a cheap Honda with chopped springs.

X55

AG did you upgrade shocks when the springs were installed or are you on the factory shocks?

Ag E55

My car only had about 40K miles at the time, so I left my stock shocks in place.

45acp

funny, after i installed my h&r sports (w#1 pads), i felt the ride was just like oem (which was not i wanted) . time to change the shocks for me.

John H

Thanks for all the responses!!!

Kev, I will check the "bump" count. A pad change, if I don't already have #1s, seems like the simplest way to start out.

19" wheels would close the gap but make the overall car higher. Not the route I would like to go.

Not sure what to make of the opposing views on going the H&R route; I did read somewhere here that the Eibachs are progressive and a bit softer than the H&Rs (which, by the way, looked to be progressive on their web site pic but?).

To anyone who lowered their w210, were there any negative handling side effects?

r_liebo

I'm looking into something along these lines myself. I have done extensive searching, and the best options seem Kleeman, H&R, or possibly switching to OEM euro springs. I'm leaning toward the latter, and am asking the dealer about it later this week to see if they know of the difference. I am not into modding generally, but I really would like the car to sit a bit lower and handle a bit better. OEM euro shocks may be the safest route.

I'll let you know what I find out.
BTW -- I agree about the need for a separate forum. Discussions about modding W211s , which seem to make up about 80% of the posts these days, don't offer much for us W210 folks, unfortunately.
The disparity will only get greater as more w211s hit the market and w210s bite the dust.

John H

I very much agree with you!
My goal at this point is to get the car to sit lower. That's all. I'm satisfied with the overall performance as this is my business car and used to haul clients on occasion. I like the idea of the euro springs. Let me know what you find out. If push comes to shove I may just start cutting a quarter coil at a time until I get the look I want, just like I do on my Fords.

Chappy

My W208 CLK55 has the euro-spec springs and will be at the Atlanta AMG Meet in November. I have not had to change dampers and the alignment is within spec. I purchased my springs from a source in Belgium.

Details about the Atlanta AMG Meet can be found here...

https://mbworld.org/forums/events-gatherings/163006-registration-info-atlanta-amg-meet-november-4th-5th.html

ProjectC55

Yep the H&R's are horrible.I have #4 pads and the car still rubs and I have a damaged front drivers fender because of these stupid springs. Putting back on the stck AMG springs and cutting 1/2 a coil off, or I highly recommend the springs that the Chapster has on his CLK55.

ProjectC55

Y not!

RacerX0911

all you guys that want sub-forums...vote here..
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...highlight=w210