Hello,

I have seen a loweing kit for my 1989 300SE. It is manufactured by a company called Terra and it is called the 'Ventura Lowering Spring Kit'. It lowers the car by 45mm. It only costs £69, I was wondering if anybody has any info on the kit at all, or if anybody has any info on lowering the W126.
Is 45mm a lot? I don't want to be driving around on the floor!! All I'm really looking to do is make the car look a bit meaner, and improve handling.

Thanks for all your help

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Oliver

Hi Oliver, I am planning to lower my 126 too once I get my hands on the 18 inch rims. My friend (also driving a 126) has already lowered his some time ago, and yes, he is using Terra Springs. I am not so sure about the exact model though, but he did advise that it is better to use the linear spring, and not the progressive one.

So far the lowering is about 2 inches, and I can assure you that your car will not be scraping the ground. On the contrary, if you ask me, it looks fantastic! Never once believed that a 126 can appear so agressive and sporty. I am really itching to lower mine.......

Thats about all the info I can give you now, but if you can get those springs, go ahead. They're the right ones. By the way, is there a website address for this Terra company?

Mervyn
1983 280SEL
REMUS Twin DTM Exhuaust
DBA Cross-drilled and slotted rotors (F)

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Mervyn

1979 W123 (200/M) Midnight Blue
1983 W126 (280SEL) Dupont Deep Black (Previously Pristine Silver)

I'm not too sure about Terra's web site, but I have found the springs for sale at http://www.eurocarparts.co.uk
They are just down the road from me, so it's quite easy.
Are these expensive to fit?

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Oliver

Oliver, I'm not too sure about how much it cost to fit these springs, but I would get someone trained to do it for me since it involves making sure your tires have clearances under the fender.

One more thing, if your car is an "L" (as in SEL), I heard that you might need different springs in the rear due to the extra weight. You might want to check on this.

Is 69 pounds the price for the set of 4 springs?

Mervyn

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Mervyn

1979 W123 (200/M) Midnight Blue
1983 W126 (280SEL) Dupont Deep Black (Previously Pristine Silver)

I hope £69 is the price for 4. Does it sound a bit cheap?

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Oliver

Oliver, have you gotten the Terra Springs yet? Do update me when you have installed them, I'm thinking of getting them too, although these springs are rather hard to find here in Singapore.

Thanks!

Mervyn

I haven't got them yet. I am still looking into it.
Will I need anything else other that the springs?
I'm a bit worried about who I get to install it aswell, I don't want some backstreet guy messing with my suspension, but I don't want to pay a main dealer mega bucks.

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Oliver

If I were you, I will change my shock absorbers together with the springs, unless you had them replaced recently. Get the OEM Bilstein or Boge to maintain the same comfort level, and if you want some sportiness (read: harshness) in your drive, then you might consider KONI or perhaps Eibach shocks. I'll go for the OEMs, I dont think the W126 can afford any more harshness given its weight.

Probably you would also want to replace your rubber spring mounts.

So far I think Terra is still the best choice springs for W126. And you pay for what you get, so leave this suspension job to someone qualified.

Thanks for the advice! I'll have to look into it a bit more, but I'll keep you up to date.

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Oliver

Wow - sounds like your cars would look kinda lean and mean. Wouldn't the lowering of the springs affect the comfort?

How much would that job cost you, Merv?

There is a company in PJ (I think its called Aerotech) that specialises in springs. When I changed mine, I couldnt decide whether to have it lowered. Knnowing our "beautiful" roads, I decided to opt for the original.

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... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

The car will definitely look lean and mean, especially for an old dame like our W126s. Trust me, with the right rims and proper ground effects, your 126 will be in for a long-due makeover. I have seen it, and I pretty like it. However, its really up to an individual's preference.

Here in Singapore, the OEM springs will cost abt $35 each (US$20), while the Bilstein shocks go for $45 each (US$27). Labour cost for the setup varies across workshops, let alone countries. But I should be looking at probably $200 max.

Lim, I have this impression that most auto services cost cheaper in Malaysia. Have had pals who did certain auto stuffs in Malaysia and they all come back singing praises about the cheaper service. Maybe I should drive in one day when I have some major task, say a paint job. Should save me a considerable amount of money.

Hey Merv - do that and do give us a call. I resprayed my 300se for about RM2000-00 - (go figure the rate!). And the shop in PJ doing springs : http://www.speedworks.com.my

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... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

RM2000 for a respray?? My, thats a good deal. Is there a color change?

And oh, the Speedworks shop sounds familiar, and as I guessed, we have one in Singapore too! But the one here only deals in retail merchandise (I think), and not a workshop. Have seen their advertisements in our local newspapers pretty often, and always promoting K&N filters. So you had your springs and suspension done by them?

Mervyn

Hi Merv - had a respray from white to silver (something like yours). I had the springs and suspension changed but to original specs. Didnt want my car to be too lean.

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... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.