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W211 KW Coilover Swap Part 3
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,558
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From: Sacramento, CA
Ducati
Has anyone received the finalized parts list? I have had the coils sitting in my garage for 4 months and am just waiting for the parts list 
I might pull the trigger on all the parts from spinn's post just to give the conversion a shot.
I might pull the trigger on all the parts from spinn's post just to give the conversion a shot.
Last edited by justinwrock; Jan 24, 2012 at 05:54 PM.
Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 125
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
2005 E55, 2002 GT2
I just had the conversion done 2 weeks ago over at AutoTalent and I am EXTREMELY pleased with the result and totally convinced that it was worth the cost. The car now finally drives PROPERLY.
The list of parts I used was that sent out by Serge as well as a parts list posted here by spinn. A few of the parts I ended up requesting to be purchased were not needed at the end (and I can find that out later this week what they were--cost was minimal <$20 iirc)
Thanks, Serge/Benz-Works, for your guidance on the install as well.
The list of parts I used was that sent out by Serge as well as a parts list posted here by spinn. A few of the parts I ended up requesting to be purchased were not needed at the end (and I can find that out later this week what they were--cost was minimal <$20 iirc)
Thanks, Serge/Benz-Works, for your guidance on the install as well.
Last edited by grimm; Jan 25, 2012 at 01:26 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
FBO 2005 E55 w/ LSD
Whats a rough ball park when its all said and done for those of you who have made the switch? The thing looks hammered to the earth in post 1. Its got to be a way better solution than replacing airmatics if they go bad. I always thought 'air ride' type suspension was more show than anything... but I digress.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: SF Bay Area
2004 E500
I just had the conversion done 2 weeks ago over at AutoTalent and I am EXTREMELY pleased with the result and totally convinced that it was worth the cost. The car now finally drives PROPERLY.
The list of parts I used was that sent out by Serge as well as a parts list posted here by spinn. A few of the parts I ended up requesting to be purchased were not needed at the end (and I can find that out later this week what they were--cost was minimal <$20 iirc)
Thanks, Serge/Benz-Works, for your guidance on the install as well.
The list of parts I used was that sent out by Serge as well as a parts list posted here by spinn. A few of the parts I ended up requesting to be purchased were not needed at the end (and I can find that out later this week what they were--cost was minimal <$20 iirc)
Thanks, Serge/Benz-Works, for your guidance on the install as well.
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,664
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
W221
I just had the conversion done 2 weeks ago over at AutoTalent and I am EXTREMELY pleased with the result and totally convinced that it was worth the cost. The car now finally drives PROPERLY.
The list of parts I used was that sent out by Serge as well as a parts list posted here by spinn. A few of the parts I ended up requesting to be purchased were not needed at the end (and I can find that out later this week what they were--cost was minimal <$20 iirc)
Thanks, Serge/Benz-Works, for your guidance on the install as well.
The list of parts I used was that sent out by Serge as well as a parts list posted here by spinn. A few of the parts I ended up requesting to be purchased were not needed at the end (and I can find that out later this week what they were--cost was minimal <$20 iirc)
Thanks, Serge/Benz-Works, for your guidance on the install as well.
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: SF Bay Area
2004 E500
After messaging Grimm, he basically confirmed that my list vs Serge's list, only lacked the rear shock-to-control arm bolt. I updated the list to include that. Also, there is a rear shock shim that comes in different sizes. My list only lists one size, which Grimm couldn't confirm whether it was the correct size used or not. A different size may be needed. Hope this helps everyone.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,173
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From: Puerto Rico
2005 E55 AMG
After messaging Grimm, he basically confirmed that my list vs Serge's list, only lacked the rear shock-to-control arm bolt. I updated the list to include that. Also, there is a rear shock shim that comes in different sizes. My list only lists one size, which Grimm couldn't confirm whether it was the correct size used or not. A different size may be needed. Hope this helps everyone.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: SF Bay Area
2004 E500
Figure the OEM parts, the shocks of your choice, plus a day's garage work if they've never done the conversion before (per Grimm). Should just require removing airmatic system and rear control arm and then installation of all your parts. I would guess that it could be done in 4-6 hours time, if they've fooled around with removing the airmatic system previously.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: SF Bay Area
2004 E500
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3-five-five/ TUNDRA/ 07 997 cab
That is excellent news! I no longer worry about the airmatic!
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: The Granite State
.
After messaging Grimm, he basically confirmed that my list vs Serge's list, only lacked the rear shock-to-control arm bolt. I updated the list to include that. Also, there is a rear shock shim that comes in different sizes. My list only lists one size, which Grimm couldn't confirm whether it was the correct size used or not. A different size may be needed. Hope this helps everyone.
I haven't spent much time doing the background research, but I remember reading that the 2005 and 2006 E55s had some upgraded front suspension parts over the '03 & '04 models (CLS steering rack, and possibly different front A-arms?).... I was curious if those changes would have any effect on this parts list or if it's 100% identical for all years ('03 - '06)???
-G
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: SF Bay Area
2004 E500
Beers to you for this research!
I haven't spent much time doing the background research, but I remember reading that the 2005 and 2006 E55s had some upgraded front suspension parts over the '03 & '04 models (CLS steering rack, and possibly different front A-arms?).... I was curious if those changes would have any effect on this parts list or if it's 100% identical for all years ('03 - '06)???
-G
I haven't spent much time doing the background research, but I remember reading that the 2005 and 2006 E55s had some upgraded front suspension parts over the '03 & '04 models (CLS steering rack, and possibly different front A-arms?).... I was curious if those changes would have any effect on this parts list or if it's 100% identical for all years ('03 - '06)???
-G
Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 125
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
2005 E55, 2002 GT2
Just checked back in on this thread. Thought I'd snap a quick pic of the car with the KW's installed (including one that one of the guys at AutoTalent that did the install took) and the car both aligned and balanced. May not be of much information but it might provide those an idea as to how "low" you would be able to go with this configuration (and this isn't all the way down)
Incidentally, I do not rub either.
Incidentally, I do not rub either.
Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 125
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
2005 E55, 2002 GT2
The handling is what one might expect from a typical coilover system. The "twitchiness" associated with highway driving, where I actually was somewhat scared to push it too much, is now gone. I often find myself going "faster" than I would have before because I don't have that "bouncy" feeling in the car.
Most importantly though is that the car is predictable. I'm more confident that it will go where I want it to rather than where it might "lean over to".
I currently have my compression & rebound settings set to 6/12 in the rear and 5/12 in the front. If I set it back to a 6 or even dial things up to a 7/12, then the car will have that same highway feel as it did with the airmatic. Those people that are running 20" wheels with very low profile tires may want to set it up that way. I, on the other hand run the continental extremecontact dws's with the forgestar 19's and so what I have it set to right now feels good for highway/city driving.
Most importantly though is that the car is predictable. I'm more confident that it will go where I want it to rather than where it might "lean over to".
I currently have my compression & rebound settings set to 6/12 in the rear and 5/12 in the front. If I set it back to a 6 or even dial things up to a 7/12, then the car will have that same highway feel as it did with the airmatic. Those people that are running 20" wheels with very low profile tires may want to set it up that way. I, on the other hand run the continental extremecontact dws's with the forgestar 19's and so what I have it set to right now feels good for highway/city driving.
Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 125
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
2005 E55, 2002 GT2
I didn't measure, but I know that Serge did when he was installing them into the black E55 in post #1.
Going by the photos (and obviously there may be a pound or two difference in my totals), here is what I came up with:
Each of the airmatic shocks and air spring assemblies weigh in at 19.5lbs and 16lbs. So that comes out to 71lbs. The two control that are replaced weigh in at 4.5lbs each and are replaced with ones that around 6.5lbs each. Then take into consideration that each KW coilover (with perch, etc) is around 13.5lbs and 14lbs, which is 55lbs. So 59lbs total installed
So...~12lbs total? Anyone else that has done this conversion, does this sound reasonable?
Going by the photos (and obviously there may be a pound or two difference in my totals), here is what I came up with:
Each of the airmatic shocks and air spring assemblies weigh in at 19.5lbs and 16lbs. So that comes out to 71lbs. The two control that are replaced weigh in at 4.5lbs each and are replaced with ones that around 6.5lbs each. Then take into consideration that each KW coilover (with perch, etc) is around 13.5lbs and 14lbs, which is 55lbs. So 59lbs total installed
So...~12lbs total? Anyone else that has done this conversion, does this sound reasonable?
