W211 Coils
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 103
Likes: 4
W211 E55, W210 E55, 94 Daihatsu Mira TR-XX, (Sold)W203 C55/C32, (Sold)04 S211 E320 Designo
W211 Coils
Hello,
I bought my E55 a couple weeks ago and it needs a new air strut along with a compressor. So instead of dealing with that, I'd just like to go on coils. I'm probably going to buy BC Racing Coils and was wondering what spring rates to go with. I plan on taking this car up in the canyons every-so-often and would like something that handles decently, but isn't too stiff for daily driving. I know the standard BC spring rate is 18kg front and 17kg rear but wanted to know what other people have gone with and how they like it. I also see that yellowspeed coils are currently on sale and they have a spring rate of 18kg front and 16kg rear. I do enjoy the airmatic when it's working but coming from a C55 I miss having struts and springs. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
I bought my E55 a couple weeks ago and it needs a new air strut along with a compressor. So instead of dealing with that, I'd just like to go on coils. I'm probably going to buy BC Racing Coils and was wondering what spring rates to go with. I plan on taking this car up in the canyons every-so-often and would like something that handles decently, but isn't too stiff for daily driving. I know the standard BC spring rate is 18kg front and 17kg rear but wanted to know what other people have gone with and how they like it. I also see that yellowspeed coils are currently on sale and they have a spring rate of 18kg front and 16kg rear. I do enjoy the airmatic when it's working but coming from a C55 I miss having struts and springs. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
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Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
I have coilovers on my NA(1st generation) Miata, coil springs on my '99 E55, and air springs on my '05 E55.
If I'm racing at Motorsports ranch or Autocrossing, I'll take the coilovers on the Miata. Nine-hour road trips, I'll take the coil springs on the '99 E55; nice and cushiony. All other times, I'll take the air springs on the '05 E55; nice compromise between comfort and handling for daily driving and trips four hours or less (the seats are the limiting factor on the time, not the suspension).
FWIW, if I'm looking to purchase a W211 E55, if it has been converted to coilovers I will either refuse to make an offer or reduce my offer by $2500 as I would want to convert it back to the original suspension. May not matter to you but it does to me and I've been driving my W210 and W211 E55 AMGs for eight years now so I sort of know how each one feels. YMMV. Your circus, your monkeys, so pick your course of action. I recommend you not jump into coil springs after just a couple of weeks.
Best to you whatever route you take.
If I'm racing at Motorsports ranch or Autocrossing, I'll take the coilovers on the Miata. Nine-hour road trips, I'll take the coil springs on the '99 E55; nice and cushiony. All other times, I'll take the air springs on the '05 E55; nice compromise between comfort and handling for daily driving and trips four hours or less (the seats are the limiting factor on the time, not the suspension).
FWIW, if I'm looking to purchase a W211 E55, if it has been converted to coilovers I will either refuse to make an offer or reduce my offer by $2500 as I would want to convert it back to the original suspension. May not matter to you but it does to me and I've been driving my W210 and W211 E55 AMGs for eight years now so I sort of know how each one feels. YMMV. Your circus, your monkeys, so pick your course of action. I recommend you not jump into coil springs after just a couple of weeks.
Best to you whatever route you take.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 103
Likes: 4
W211 E55, W210 E55, 94 Daihatsu Mira TR-XX, (Sold)W203 C55/C32, (Sold)04 S211 E320 Designo
A close friend of mine had an E55 for quite some time and I drove it on a rally so I'm familiar with air suspension. Airmatic is wonderful don't get me wrong but I'll have better peace of mind with struts and springs. I'm also planning on heavily modifying mine and keeping it for years as it's been a dream car for me. In my mind, since I'm probably looking at 1k+ to fix my airmatic, I might as well just delete it.
