Hi everyone, I've really enjoyed being in this forum since day one. The help that I'd got from members here is daunting.

Ok, I'm embarking on a suspension upgrade for my 1983 W126 (280SEL, M110 engine) soon. Having read about all the enthusiastic posts on suspension upgrades in this forum, I knew this is THE next thing to do after my REMUS exhuast upgrade.

I'm in the process of sourcing for a Eibach Pro-Kit (thanks to YMsin) lowering set, and as for my shocks, I'm a tad undecided between KONI Red-shocks and SACHS Advantage Line. Anyone has any violent reactions to the Eibach Pro-Kit, KONI or SACHS? I would appreciate some feedback before I really launch the shuttle.

My 126 currently has the typical bodyroll especially around bends, hopefully this will be gone after the upgrade.

Watch this space for more updates, and wish me luck!


Mervyn
1983 W126 (280SEL)

Mervyn,

The (standard very poor) W126 handling will definitely improve after lowering the car; especially when you do the lowering with the right parts...
I have a set of Billstein/Eibach lowering springs under my C250D and I had Eibach lowering springs under my former 190D. I have driven a total of 400-450.000km on these lowering springs and must say that I am very satisfied with the ride (not to harsh but yet firm enough to do some sporty cornering).
I have installed a set of Koni yellow (adjustable) sport shocks underneath my C250D and am quit pleased with them (I know they are not red, but they are Koni).

My friend used to drive a W126 260SE and I am quiet familiar with the body roll you mentioned. It will get less after you have lowered the car...

greetingz,

__________________
1990 300SL-24
1993 C250D with a minor 600+k kilometer
www.MBenzNL.com(the Netherlands)

Hi MBenz, I just loved those cars of yours!

So it seems the suspension upgrade is one major undertaking that you did to almost, if not all, of your cars, right? I would take this as a value-for-money upgrade, and keep the bucks for nitty-gritty engine and cosmetic upgrades later.

So I presume I wont go wrong with Eibach Pro-Kit and Koni? I choose the Red because the Yellow seems to give a less comfortable ride, although it scores on sporty handling. I do not think my W126 goes well with a Yellow, perhaps due to the car's weight and aerodynamics. But if I'd something like your C250D, the sportier the shocks, the better!

Thanks for sharing!

Mervyn
1983 W126 (280SEL)

Mervyn,

Thanks for the compliment. I lowered the C250D because the handling sucked big-time (compared to my former, lowered, 190D), I am going to lower the W124 300CE conv. (because it looks a bit like a dune-buggy now and probably more with the future 235/45-17's). The 300SL's suspension is unmodified; the handling is just right the way it is.

Eibach and Koni should be a good choice. There are differences between the different after market suspension parts, but these will fairly improve the handling of your car. The Koni yellow shocks are a waste of money on the W126; I agree with that. The red Koni shocks will do.
The ride will get significant harsher and the tire wear will increase, but you will gain some handling performance...

Keep us updated!

greetingz,

__________________
1990 300SL-24
1993 C250D with a minor 600+k kilometer
www.MBenzNL.com(the Netherlands)

If you chose Koni, then the reds are the way to go. However, don't overlook Bilstein. The guys with the hot rod 126 coupes swear by H&R springs with Bilstein comfort shocks. They still offer a good ride while matching well with the sport springs and improving control during cornering and braking. They are priced right and come with a lifetime warranty. Food for thought...

__________________
Richard Detoy
'84 300SD
'76 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans

Trust me here, I've jacked around with W126 cars for years in terms of the performance stuff.

Use H&R Progressive sport springs, 1.4" lower in front, 1.25" in the rear, 13mm spring pads from the dealer (number 2 nib), and if you use 18" AMG wheels, then 20mm/side H&R hubcentric rear spacers with 60mm lug bolts in the rear.

Visit http://www.mbcoupes.com and you'll notice that many of the W126 coupes have been lowered this way including my car. As a matter of fact, all the cars on the home page are lowered with H&R springs.

Regards,

Satish

AMG has a lowering kit for the w126. Has anyone had any experience with it?

__________________
Jason Priest
1999 E430
1995 E420 - retired
1986 420SEL - retired

Yes, it was basically subcontracted by Eibach with shocks made by Bilstein. The kit is no longer available (hasn't been for at least 8 years).

A nice set of H&R Progressive Sport Springs with Number 2 MB spring pads will do that car right.

Satish

Hi everyone,
I've visited the H&R site as well as the mbcoupe site. The H&R spring for the W126 (w/o self levelling) retails for 410, which currency is that in? Sterling pound? And I would suppose the kit refers to a set of 4 springs, thats about all, yeah?

SE, SEL, SEC W126 6-cyl, V8 1981-91 w / o self-leveling, 8 1.4 1.4 29559 410.00 kit

I know the Eibach Pro-Kit springs cost about USD#320, I hope the H&R set do not cost more.

Mervyn
1983 W126 (280SEL)

Go to http://www.tirerack.com

You can usually get the entire 4 spring set for H&R for $279 USD.

Satish

What kind of alignment changes have to be made when switching to the H&R springs and #2 pads? Will H&R provide that information when you buy the springs?

__________________
Jason Priest
1999 E430
1995 E420 - retired
1986 420SEL - retired

No change in factory alignment specs. Simply install the springs, then take the car to the DEALER. And I truly stress the word AUTHORIZED-MB DEALER!!! for the 4-wheel alignment. Trust me, I've been at the W126 modification game for many years now and have a final formula of what works and what doesn't. You MUST get a 4-wheel alignment with (preferably) your stock wheels on the car. Then, if you are running larger diameter wheels and tires, put those on when the alignment is done.

Number 2 springs pads are 13mm. I recommend these front and rear. However, to some, they may only want to lower the front; especially since the 420SEL doesn't have a rear self-leveling suspension to optimize passengers and cargo in the rear, you may opt for 18mm or 23mm pads in the rear.

-Satish

Hi Satish,

Found the H&R's in Tirerack, thanks!

I have a question pertaining to your previous post:
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You MUST get a 4-wheel alignment with (preferably) your stock wheels on the car. Then, if you are running larger diameter wheels and tires, put those on when the alignment is done.
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Does that mean that the alignment is only done once, and that's before fitting the larger wheels, am I rite? If so, does it also imply that the larger wheels setup will not be aligned? I'm getting rather confused, please enlighten me.

Thanks!

Mervyn
1983 W126 (280SEL)

You must get the alignment only once. The reason for getting an alignment with the factory wheels is because many alignment gear found at most dealers doesn't have the heads for 18" or larger wheels found on today's high end cars. Therefore, you may get a better alignment with your stock wheels. After that, just stick on the bigger wheels and you're good to go.

-Satish

MBenz, Richard and Satish,

I've already ordered a set of KONI Reds for my 126, however, I have more difficulty sourcing for the springs since hardly anyone carries them for 126 application here in Singapore. But I'm still trying anyway.

Now my question is, can I install the KONIs now, and when I get the springs later (say, in 2 months time), then I fit that on. Or would it be wiser to do both at one go?

Reason why I'm eagerly contemplating to install the KONIs first is that my rear shocks are already failing, and whenever I have more than 1 rear passenger, the car tends to scrape the tarmac when going over humps and bumps.

Your advice please? Thanks!

Mervyn
1983 W126 (280SEL)