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Looks like it’s time to do the coil over conversion on the e55, and wanted some input regarding kits and spring rates.
Car is stock with 72,000 miles 19” wheels and lowered currently about 1/2” to 3/4” on stock airmatic.
It’s a driver out to dinner and work, so no performance is needed. Looks like most of the kits are priced closely to each other, and one out there that’s half the price. While I like to save money, not sure the rev9 is any good.
What are the suggestions and quality problems with other kits? Where is the best place to get the rear control arms?
And most importantly what spring rates are good for a compliant but not harsh ride?
What issues are you having with the Airmatic that you want to remove it all? I understand it can be expensive to maintain, but I wouldn't buy a car with a coilover conversion (and I work for a German coilover company).
I have an 2008 E220, 2005 CLS500 and 2005 E55. All are on steel suspension. On the E220 i have Bilstein B4 shocks and Eibach lowering springs (35mm). I have been driving this setup since 2019 and for about 135000km and it is perfectly fine for a daily. On the E55 i have H&R monotubes, which i installed in 2021. I don't drive the AMG often, but when i do, i want it to feel sporty. That's what that suspension does, it's a bit hard and firm, but handles nicely in corners. You can't change the dampening on those, so this is not an option, if you want a soft ride. On the CLS, which i bought last month, i installed Sachs oem spec shocks and H&R 35mm lowering springs. I haven't driven this setup properly yet, because i still need to register it (probably next month), but from the quick test drive i did, it felt quite nice for a daily. The ride was firm, but still very comfortable, like on the E220.
My suggestion would be, if you are unsure, how hard or soft you want your car to handle, go for coilovers that have adjustability. KW would be my number one choice for that. If you know you want it to feel like on airmatic comfort mode, but a less boaty and more direct, you can go for stock spec shocks and lowering springs, since that option is noticably cheaper than coilovers. Lowering springs are around 200€ here and a set of shocks is around 370-400€. KW coilovers are around 1800-2000€ i think.
Thanks., I’m leaning towards an adjustable, but not stuck to it. The KW looks good, but I think that’s a little out of the budget for this car. I’m looking at the ones in the $1100 range, and was wondering what the differences between those brands are.
Do they make the correct front spring rate for the extra 55 weight up front for the lowering springs, or is it a universal e320 spring.
The front weight rate is the same between AMG and non AMG. According to the papers the AMG has a higher rear weight rating. When i contacted H&R, they said their E320 testcar was heavier than my AMG and 500. They issued me a paper, saying, i can use their rear springs on my V8 models, since i needed that for the German Tüv.
That’s interesting, an e320 that has more unsprung weight than a comparable v8 model. I would guess the e55 to be at least 100lbs heavier in the front, and the weight is moved forward some due to the extra cylinders.
The lowering springs and stock shocks certainly would simplify things, as once the correct ride height of the car is determined, all of the Coilovers I have stay put. The real question with the e320 springs is how much farther will it be in the front because it is heavier?
Thanks., I’m leaning towards an adjustable, but not stuck to it. The KW looks good, but I think that’s a little out of the budget for this car. I’m looking at the ones in the $1100 range, and was wondering what the differences between those brands are.
Do they make the correct front spring rate for the extra 55 weight up front for the lowering springs, or is it a universal e320 spring.
i wouldn't worry about the front weight. I measured my E55 on a wheel scale and the front was 948kg and rear was 918kg. The front springs from H&R, Eibach are as following:
H&R front:1195Kg (depending on spec, there are 4 options)
H&R rear: 1295Kg
Eibach front: 1095kg for sedan and 1165kg for wagon
Eibach rear: 1230kg
The stock line shocks usually have an option to adjust the ride height too. On my Sachs there were 5 options to fit the lower spring plate. The Bilstein B4 had an option to adjust the spring plate by screwing it up or down. On the rear you can use different spring cups and plates. Depending on your load index you can put in more plates and make the rear higher. Black thing on the spring can adjust the ride height on the rear. You can add or remove those plastic plates
max weight load front 1195kg and 1295kg rear Eibach weight ratings: Sedan Front 1095kg Rear 1230kg Wagon Front 1160kg Rear Airspring
I have KW V2’s on my 04 E55 put on by the previous owner after several airmatic failures. It can be placed at stock ride height and has a range of rebound adjustment. Let me know if you have any questions.
Do the stamped rear control arms hang down just as far as the aluminum ones for the airmatic. Looks like the aluminum ones curve down farther and the stamped ones are straight with a cup for the spring. Wondering if I could fab a coil bracket for the aluminum ones to accept the coilover and would it be at the same level as the bottom of the stamped non airmatic ones?
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