Anyone ever lowered one of these cars? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Lonesome · #1 05-09-2007, 07:55 AM

Late 70's early 80's 123 or 116? Thinking about doing it just wondered how hard and I would like to see some pics. Thanks.

pawoSD · #2 05-09-2007, 08:03 AM

All you're going to do is hit more things on the road...speed bumps...etc. You'll hit the oil pan on something, lose oil....dead engine...etc...

If you do lower it, I'd install skid plates to protect the bottom of the car at least.

Rashakor · #3 05-09-2007, 11:17 AM

Actually after 30 years most of these cars are already lower than factory (spring fatigue). I would not recommend lowering even further, you will have camber and toe problems unless you revise the entire suspenssion geometry ( and that my dear is real engineering, not rice-tuning!)

#4 05-09-2007, 11:20 AM

Besides, if you lower the car those neon lights under the body may hit the ground.

babymog · #5 05-09-2007, 11:36 AM

Most of the cars of that era rode higher on US springs to meet bumper height requirements, we used to lower our cars to European specs (late '70s/early '80s). I don't really know if that is true for your car.

I'm not a big fan of lowering cars for road use, my quattro is lowered a little, but that was for track not for looks, and my daughter's cabrolet is lowered about 2", handles great but rides harsh. Also be mindful of where you'll park, if you parallel park often with the bumpers lower than others' bumpers you might get a lot of broken lights.

1981_300sd · #6 05-09-2007, 12:02 PM

Buy a body kit before you lower it. The kit will give the appearance of lowering it.

#7 05-09-2007, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

I'm not a big fan of lowering cars for road use, my quattro is lowered a little, but that was for track not for looks, and my daughter's cabrolet is lowered about 2", handles great but rides harsh. Also be mindful of where you'll park, if you parallel park often with the bumpers lower than others' bumpers you might get a lot of broken lights.

I agree, lowering a benz sedan just looks ghetto anyway (the plastic body kits look even worse). Lowering a car for handling is a whole different thing. I have a 914/4 (currently needs to be reassembled

) that was set up for autocross, it has 2 or 3 inches of ground clearance with very high rate springs (it's basically a go-cart), and it is at risk when going over speed bumps. With a sports car it's a performance trade-off, but lowering a sedan is just messing up a good car.

Johnhef · #8 05-09-2007, 12:27 PM

I did the front of my CD to match the sag of the rear- note though, you better make sure all your suspension bushings are good. I had to replace everything to get it back in spec for alignment.

#9 05-09-2007, 09:32 PM

Post your question in the BenzWorld Forum. There are alot of gasser W123 owners there that think it looks cool and did it to theirs.

sixto · #10 05-09-2007, 09:54 PM

This is how to lower the back end -

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/1502264-post20.html

At that point you can ditch power steering and gain back the weight and hp penalties

Sixto
93 300SD 3.0

Lonesome · #11 05-10-2007, 08:48 AM

Guys, thanks for all the responses. Just a little curious.... I personally think that just about every car looks better sitting a little closer to the ground. : )

Fimum Fit · #12 05-10-2007, 09:01 AM

a neighbor had a really big oak tree fall on his W126 lengthwise. That made the roof only about 3 feet off the ground at the highest point. Is that why they call it "slamming?"

Rashakor · #13 05-10-2007, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fimum Fit

a neighbor had a really big oak tree fall on his W126 lengthwise. That made the roof only about 3 feet off the ground at the highest point. Is that why they call it "slamming?"

chuckles!!!