Jun 17, 2015, 07:21 PM
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W211 KW Coilover Swap Part 3
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Delaware,OH
2003 Z06
I am definitely interested in doing this swap. How much weight would this save too from the air matic suspension coming out? I would think quite a bit since all the hoses and pump and those struts would come out. I'm sure they prolly weigh a ton. Which H&R coilovers are people going with and KW coilovers too? Are there any others that people go with?
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: SF Bay Area
2004 E500
I would guess the weight savings is less than a 100lb (didn't get a chance to weigh everything). It's actually personal preference for coilovers and what your intent is. The H&Rs are basic coilovers with no adjustability in rebound/dampening; KWs have a wide range of adjusability for track purposes. Just be prepared for the drop to be lower than normal and that it may cause your camber/toe to be out of range of adjustability as well.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Delaware,OH
2003 Z06
Isn't the height adjustable on the KW coilovers though? and also if I needed to then I'd get an adjustable camber kit.
Even saving 50 lbs from the swap would be amazing since I'm going to be going with lightweight 19's and 2 piece rotors and everything so if i can save like 100-150lbs by doing these swaps and taking stuff out of the trunk that isn't needed then I'd be happy.
The rims are 21lbs each for front and less than 22lbs each for the rears and the evosport 2 piece rotors will save me over 30lbs there alone so i should be over 60lbs saved on just rims and brakes.
Even saving 50 lbs from the swap would be amazing since I'm going to be going with lightweight 19's and 2 piece rotors and everything so if i can save like 100-150lbs by doing these swaps and taking stuff out of the trunk that isn't needed then I'd be happy.
The rims are 21lbs each for front and less than 22lbs each for the rears and the evosport 2 piece rotors will save me over 30lbs there alone so i should be over 60lbs saved on just rims and brakes.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: SF Bay Area
2004 E500
coilovers are inherently height adjustable; the higher priced coilovers have dampening/rebound adjustments for the shock portion, which will affect the overall ride quality. KW and Bilstein are pretty reputable for their products.
Do a search on camber kits and you'll find that it's pretty limited on what's available for W211...but it's all depends on how far you're willing to go with correcting it.
Do a search on camber kits and you'll find that it's pretty limited on what's available for W211...but it's all depends on how far you're willing to go with correcting it.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 458
Likes: 3
'08 E63 Wagon
Guys, I have a question for the peeps that had the conversion done.
Look at the picture of the "steel" lower control arm (the circled part):
You see the part were the lower control arm mate with the chassis there is a slot. This is an issue, as the overlapping part is very small and will crack once 500+ ft.lb of torque is going through it.
Can you guys take a picture of your setup? How do you solve the issue? My guy is welding a couple washers to the arm ONCE aligned.
Before:
Look at the picture of the "steel" lower control arm (the circled part):
You see the part were the lower control arm mate with the chassis there is a slot. This is an issue, as the overlapping part is very small and will crack once 500+ ft.lb of torque is going through it.
Can you guys take a picture of your setup? How do you solve the issue? My guy is welding a couple washers to the arm ONCE aligned.
Before:
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: SF Bay Area
2004 E500
Are you saying your installer torqued the bolt down at 500 ft-lbs to cause it to crack? I'm not aware of it being a problem on mine. Could it be that the control arm just wasn't designed for the rigors of the wagon body?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 458
Likes: 3
'08 E63 Wagon
As you accelerate there are forces being applied to the mounting points of the lower control arm, pushing IN the control arm. There forces, thanks to our engines, can top 500+ ft.lbs of torque, potentially breaking the little tab (circled red) that holds the lower control arm in place. This is true of the Wagon and Sedan.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: SF Bay Area
2004 E500
so the 500 ft-lbs that you're referring to is the torque from the AMG boosted engine? that's a different issue then. Being that mine is a non-AMG, I don't have the same torque specs, nor do the regular E-series sedans. I don't know what's typically standard on AMG suspensions...air springs or coils...but maybe the control arms are not meant for the rigors of the AMG. If coils were standard in some AMGs, then it shouldn't be a problem, as the arms should be designed to hold up. Could it be just a bad part? Have both sides failed?
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 458
Likes: 3
'08 E63 Wagon
so the 500 ft-lbs that you're referring to is the torque from the AMG boosted engine? that's a different issue then. Being that mine is a non-AMG, I don't have the same torque specs, nor do the regular E-series sedans. I don't know what's typically standard on AMG suspensions...air springs or coils...but maybe the control arms are not meant for the rigors of the AMG. If coils were standard in some AMGs, then it shouldn't be a problem, as the arms should be designed to hold up. Could it be just a bad part? Have both sides failed?
Can you take a pic of your undercarriage showing this mounting point, I'd like to see how it is attached on yours.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: SF Bay Area
2004 E500
ah gotcha. like I said, if the AMG models had the option of non-air suspension, then I would think that the control arm has been designed to accommodate the torque of an AMG already. I haven't heard of anyone else having issues with it, as most of the people that have done the conversion have had AMGs. I'll try and get a photo, but I don't think it's going to be any different than what you have.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: St. Paul, MN
03 E55 AMG, 05 S4 Avant, 09 A4, 71 El Camino SS
I don't see the slotted control arm being an issue regardless of any amount of engine torque... the control arm is is wedged between a bolt/washer and the inner sleeve of the control arm bushing, and isolated from the frame by the bushing itself. That weld has no integrity anyhow..I could break it with my bare hands.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
05 Lotus Exige; 14 E350 cab; 13 S550
I have a set of these KWv2's that I just pulled off my 07 E as I converted back to stock and sold the car. Looking for $1300, and I'm located in LA. Local buyers have preference. I put about 12K miles on them, and they were in 100% perfect working order when I pulled them. PM me if interested. I'll post them in the FS forum too, but this seemed like a good place to post them as well.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
E500
Anyone knows anyone in the Houston area who can work on my E500 conversion? And which one is better Arnott or Strutmasters? Have finally decided to save myself cash and headache by replacing the air suspension. Please help. Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 20
From: Las Vegas, NV
1000Hp Diesel Trucks, 2019 E63s
I'd use Arnott. Look up M Power in Houston.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,066
Likes: 37
From: Folsom, CA
2005 E55 AMG
+1 I just used Arnott for our Denali XL - fast shipment and even got $50 back from our core deposit! 
here's the guys I bought from
http://www.ebay.com/itm/REMANUFACTUR...item43b5a8659f
$494 for a reman strut, but you get $200 back when you return the bad one and they pay shipping!
here's the guys I bought from
http://www.ebay.com/itm/REMANUFACTUR...item43b5a8659f
$494 for a reman strut, but you get $200 back when you return the bad one and they pay shipping!
Last edited by Toadster; Nov 2, 2013 at 02:13 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 55
05 E55 AMG, E320 CDI, Turbo E46 M3,IS300 2JZGTE,VQ35 Turbo Maxima, Mercedes 300D
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 661
Likes: 3
From: Saudi Arabia - Qatif
Brabus K8 E55 05
I am sorry I will off topic from KW coilover but still on the coilver topic in general.
I am about to order coilover kit for my car, but I am confused when I see the pics and I can not decide what to order.
For the rear suspension I see some of them you have to have the spring and shock seprated and you have to change the lower control arm to fit the spring in just like the KW here. A kit that I saw is:
http://www.octanemotorsports.com/03-...-p-137280.html
Another types I have seen that the spring and shock are together as one part. Anyone knows what is the difference? Will Both work? Attached picture of what I saw which comes from "KSport Kontrol Pro Coilovers". Reference link is:
http://www.octanemotorsports.com/200...-p-148177.html
or even this D2 where I also attached a picture of it:
http://www.octanemotorsports.com/03-...m-p-19662.html
I am about to order coilover kit for my car, but I am confused when I see the pics and I can not decide what to order.
For the rear suspension I see some of them you have to have the spring and shock seprated and you have to change the lower control arm to fit the spring in just like the KW here. A kit that I saw is:
http://www.octanemotorsports.com/03-...-p-137280.html
Another types I have seen that the spring and shock are together as one part. Anyone knows what is the difference? Will Both work? Attached picture of what I saw which comes from "KSport Kontrol Pro Coilovers". Reference link is:
http://www.octanemotorsports.com/200...-p-148177.html
or even this D2 where I also attached a picture of it:
http://www.octanemotorsports.com/03-...m-p-19662.html
