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W211 KW Coilover Swap Part 3
#326
Junior Member
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?
#327
Senior Member
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.
#328
Junior Member
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.
#329
Senior Member
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.
#330
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):
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/timetoy-165177-albums-timetoy-s-pics-2370-picture-steellowercontrolarm-02-33902.jpg)
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):
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/timetoy-165177-albums-timetoy-s-pics-2370-picture-steellowercontrolarm-02-33902.jpg)
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:
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/members/timetoy-165177-albums-timetoy-s-pics-2370-picture-steellowercontrolarm-01-33901.jpg)
#331
Senior Member
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?
#332
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.
#333
Senior Member
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?
#334
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.
#335
Senior Member
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.
#337
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Join Date: Dec 2012
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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.
#342
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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.
#343
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.
#344
MBWorld Fanatic!
I'd use Arnott. Look up M Power in Houston.
#345
MBWorld Fanatic!
+1 I just used Arnott for our Denali XL - fast shipment and even got $50 back from our core deposit! ![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
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!
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
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; 11-02-2013 at 02:13 PM.
#346
MBWorld Fanatic!
#348
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Join Date: Oct 2009
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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