Has Anyone Actually Installed H&R Lowering Springs on Their Diesel Whip? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Sev · #1 03-26-2016, 10:23 PM

I found these springs while doing a search - the H&R 29 535-1, and 29536-1

Has anyone installed these or know of someone who has? It would be interesting to know what's the max tire size you can run on an otherwise stock 300d sedan without rubbing, with normal city driving?

Here is the technical documentation about these springs from H&R certification document

http://www.autoteilemann.de/media/content/pdf/tecdoc/PDF5060/29535.PDF

link to the above, translated PDF using Google Translate

According to the PDF:

the springs provide lowering of the body up to 50 mm (depending on the vehicle version)

There are no technical objections against the use of standard
and other wheel / tire combinations in conjunction with the described
Chassis modification if the following conditions are met:

There are separate ABE / component are in for the wheel / tire combinations before and the requirements listed therein are complied with, eg requirements for adequate freedom of motion and adequate wheel guards, excluding the requirement for a standard suspension.
IV.
Notes and conditions
IV.1. Requirements for the manufacturer / Installation operations:
1. The headlight settings must be checked.
2. The springs have the fully relieved in the axial direction
be free of play.
3. After modification the vehicles are to be measured.
4. Vehicles with load-dependent brake pressure controller this is the empty level reset (according to manufacturer)
other springs.

chasinthesun · #2 03-26-2016, 10:41 PM

Theirs a 300cd w/ a lowered body on CL in Dallas ,only wants 4k for a nice example in black ,the add goes on to say requires a new suspention though which leads me to believe that a lowered diesel mercedes will go through hell with the lessened suspention .It does turn alot of heads but ride would suffer.

Sev · #3 03-26-2016, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chasinthesun

Theirs a 300cd w/ a lowered body on CL in Dallas ,only wants 4k for a nice example in black ,the add goes on to say requires a new suspention though which leads me to believe that a lowered diesel mercedes does goes through hell with the lessened suspention .It does turn alot of heads but ride would suffer.

I appreciate your reply to my thread

t walgamuth · #4 03-26-2016, 11:10 PM

I had some h and r lowering springs on my 84 280e euro that I autocrossed. Lowered it an inch and a half or two iirc. made the ride firmer. Without stiffer sway bars I am not sure how much the handling was helped for autocross as the car still leaned like a sailing ship in a heavy wind.

Desert Panther · #5 03-27-2016, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I am not sure how much the handling was helped for autocross as the car still leaned like a sailing ship in a heavy wind.

That pretty much describes every 70's & 80's Mercedes-Benz that i've pushed hard in corners

My own personal 123 coupe is riding on what I assume are the original springs which have lost their former youthful springiness and are now effectively lowering the ride height and no doubt the ride comfort, so I guess this is what lowering springs are like???

If center of gravity is lowered, this has to benefit handling in some way, correct?

t walgamuth · #6 03-27-2016, 05:57 AM

Yes....theoretically.

Sev · #7 03-27-2016, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I had some h and r lowering springs on my 84 280e euro that I autocrossed. Lowered it an inch and a half or two iirc. made the ride firmer. Without stiffer sway bars I am not sure how much the handling was helped for autocross as the car still leaned like a sailing ship in a heavy wind.

Nice! So do you happen to remember if the H&R springs on your 280e were one of the part numbers I mentioned in my post, or were they perhaps just cobbled together H&Rs with the correct length, diameter and spring rate?

t walgamuth · #8 03-27-2016, 03:42 PM

I bought them from a reputable source. about 25 years ago. Sold now, no idea on the number.

Sev · #9 03-27-2016, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I bought them from a reputable source. about 25 years ago. Sold now, no idea on the number.

Dang, that was quite a while ago, I'm surprised you remember! I dunno, I have had so many cars over the years, this is the only car I have kept this long, as well as my Mercedes 190e's. Others have come and gone and who knows what I've done to them. I usually research a project, buy the parts, install or have them installed, and then forget all about it. Which is why I keep logs for each car.

By any chance have you heard of anyone running these H&R springs on w123? Because the last time I seriously looked into it was a couple years ago, and I remember dudes who were buying Vogtlands but they weren't being sold by Vogtland, and then I also remember looking into Eibach and H&R at the time, but neither offered anything.

Hey if anyone has heard of anyone running H&R lowering springs for w123, please do post it up here. I know there are others who are interested as well. I literally DIE every time I look at the fender gap on my car.

t walgamuth · #10 03-27-2016, 07:01 PM

I sold them to a guy here on the forum. I'd suggest running a WTB ad here. There is a chance he never installed them and can sell.

MTUpower · #11 03-27-2016, 08:42 PM

There was a group buy on lowering springs here about four years ago- I bought in and had four springs. I installed the fronts but since I have a wagon I sold the rear units to someone else. I love the front end with the lower springs and Bilstein HD shocks up front, handling and cornering is much better than stock. Note that wagons have a beefier sway bar than sedans or coupes.

t walgamuth · #12 03-27-2016, 08:46 PM

My 82 123 wagon handled very nicely just stock too. The leveling suspension in back seemed to make it more stable in quick maneuvers.

Sev · #13 03-27-2016, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTUpower

There was a group buy on lowering springs here about four years ago- I bought in and had four springs. I installed the fronts but since I have a wagon I sold the rear units to someone else. I love the front end with the lower springs and Bilstein HD shocks up front, handling and cornering is much better than stock. Note that wagons have a beefier sway bar than sedans or coupes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

My 82 123 wagon handled very nicely just stock too. The leveling suspension in back seemed to make it more stable in quick maneuvers.

Yep, remember that group buy. I missed out on it. But if the H&R's are the real deal holyfield, and someone can confirm that they bought they and are legit when installed, then I'm going to buy a set from UK ebay. I've actually been looking to maybe contact Bilstein and ask them to make sport shocks for this car. The only difference between w201 and w124 HD and sport Bilstein is the distance of travel on the piston and the exterior color of the powdercoated finish. So why not one for w123? Someone must have asked H&R to make the springs, otherwise the company doesn't do it on its own.

That being said, I have read reviews of people with wagons who deleted the SLS and went with traditional springs and shocks, and I also watched mercedes source's video on the subject. I'm a fan of SLS, so good for you for keeping the precision German engineering on your wagon. I am also aware of beefier sway bars from wagons. Neither of these are the subject of this discussion, but they good to note nonetheless.

t walgamuth · #14 03-27-2016, 10:57 PM

The premade springs for special applications market is non existant after a certain age....mercedes especially.

I think there are places who will bend new springs for you to order, though I have never done it.

Sev · #15 03-28-2016, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

The premade springs for special applications market is non existant after a certain age....mercedes especially.

I think there are places who will bend new springs for you to order, though I have never done it.

I understand, but H&R wouldn't be a company to put out that they have a spring set for a very specific model year range and chassis without actually putting out that product.

I've owned w201 and w124 H&R springs and they are exactly what the manufacturer said they'd be, namely a 60/40 mm drop over stock, while bearing in mind that each factory spring set varied from vehicle to vehicle based on gross weight with optional accessories. H&R is very consistent and they wouldn't put out a product unless it was what it said it was. I'm almost tempted to buy a set just based on that fact.

H&R still makes lowering springs for w201, which chassis begun in '83 and ended in 1993. This is 23-33 years ago, and overlaps the production run of w123. So it's beyond reason to expect. I'm not coming on here asking about lowering springs meant for w108 or w109. But you know what, I'd be willing to bet more w108 and w109's have been dropped with lowering springs of some kind or another than w123's.

I was just hoping someone out there actually tried this setup. I guarantee you someone on the German boards has tried it. They're mainly sold in Europe right now.