Suspension Upgrade 300cd

[andy]

I know this isn't a "performance" car, but what could I do to enhance the handling of my 300cd? I'm considering new shocks in the very near future. Do I get factory replacements with 20year old technology or is there something better? I'm putting 16inch wheels from a 99 clk this week. I noticed the sway bars front and rear. Do they come in different sizes? How about urathane bushings? My car is not fast, once it gets going it's great. I love taking it on long curvy drives. I still want a smooth ride, but if I can make it tighter with less sway that would be nice too. Thanks for any help, andy

[mbdoc]

Koni's or HD Bilstiens will really help handling on this car.

[AutoX10]

Having auto crossed a 280CE not so long ago, here are some ideas:
set 1 degree or so negative camber in front wheels;
substitute smallest rubber spring seats front and rear;
add rear sway bar from station wagon (1mm thicker)
fill holes in front sway bar bushings on firewall with 1/4" aluminum rod;
substitute shorter slightly stiffer alternate rear springs.
I think I can scrounge up MBZ part numbers if you need them.

Be careful with front wheels and tires. Those tie rod ends are very close. That can be fixed too but you may not want to mess with the spindle assembly.

If you're interested, I've got a set of Performance Friction Z rated pads that will fit your car. Drop a note.

[andy]

Thanks Autox10, I just put my CLK wheels on and they look great. I had to take the rear ones off. The bolts were too long. I'll buy some shorter ones tomorrow. The rear has all kinds of room left(wheels are 16x7 37mm offset with 205/55 tire). The front wheel comes very close to the tie rod. But it doen't touch. The sway bar from a station wagon sound like a good idea. I'll have to check out the front sway bar to see what you suggested. Do the rubber spring seats come in different thicknesses for my car? I think the car would look much better lowered a bit. What's the best way to do this for my car? Does anyone make "sport" springs for this chassis? Thicker, shorter springs, thicker swaybars, new shocks and new swaybar bushings(polyurethane if possible), I think these things would be perfect if I can find them. Thanks for your help. andy

p.s. do you have part numbers?

[AutoX10]

I second M.B.Doc's comments on shocks. I used the HDs and was v. happy with them.

Rick Ellinger has a set of springs available, check out:
http://www.rc-imports.com/Parts&Services/racing_parts.html

Front spring seats nub height
123 321 13 84 1 8
123 321 14 84 2 13
123 321 15 84 3 18
123 321 16 84 4 23
Each 5 mm difference changes vehicle height 8mm

Rear spring seats
115 325 22 44 1 9.5
115 325 23 44 2 14
115 325 24 44 3 19
Each 5 mm difference changes vehicle height 7mm

STD front spring 123 313 36 04
Std rear spring 280CE 123 324 06 04
123 324 29 04 lowers car 30mm
Std rear spring 300 CD 123 324 35 04 (I think)
If so 123 324 34 04 would lower car 30mm or so

Std rear sway bar 123 326 45 65 is 13mm
123 326 46 65 is 15mm, that doesn't seem like much but it"s 77% stiffer!
Bushings for 15mm bar are 124 326 21 81.

I've got 2 2 nub front spring seats and 2 1 nub rear spring seats left
over. Let me know if you're interested in them. They cost less than $10 each new.

If you're going to swap springs yourself, use the right spring compressor and be careful. Good luck.

[andy]

Thank you very much AUTOX10. andy

[andy]

Autox10(or anyone else that can help), thanks for your help so far. I do have a few more questions. I checked my car and I feel that I would like to bring the front down about 2 to 2 1/2 inches. The springs that Rc imports has will lower the car 2.5 inches. I need to call them to ask how much they cost and how they will affect the ride. Also, can I use stock shocks with the car lowered up to 2.5 inches? One more thing, Is there any way to tell wich springs seats I have on the car right now? I think it would help to know my starting point before I try to go up or down. I'd also like to bring the rear down about 20mm. I think I can get close with the spring seats if I have one of the thicker ones to start with. I appreciate your help. thanks, andy

[AutoX10]

Count the number of nubs. They should be visible around the top of the springs. The spacing on my post didn't transfer very well. The 1st 10 digits are the part numbers. The next column is the number of nubs for ID, and then the last column height.

The rears run from 9.5 to 19mm, so the max you can take out is 9.5mm which would reduce ride height about 15 mm.

You may like the back end higher than the front for appearance but if your looking to improve handling you want the back end down as it's the only way to improve camber.

[RayC]

I know this is an old post, but I was wondering if you or anyone else have done these modifications to their coupes?

[omegabenz]

No, Not yet, I am planning on it however.

I do have AMG 17x8 ET28 Aero wheels on my coupe though, actually I have three sets of those wheels. Right now I am on pirelli P7000s, but My pilot sport a/s tires ride much better than even the stock tire size.

I think instead of messing with the swaybar on the top of the car, I am going to make a lower sway bar to fit down there.

Putting on a wagon sway bar is a good improvement.

when I take my engine out I am going to put on 560 SEC brakes on the front, which will be pretty soon.

[RayC]

I did find a British company that sells a "lowering spring kit" for 123 cars. Lowers the car by 40mm, which is, I guess about 1/2 inch. Made by Ventura for 99.00 pounds. They're at www.europarts.com. Now if I could just find a stiffer front sway bar everything would be all good.

Ray

[omegabenz]

H & R makes a kit for W123 cars.
40mm/25.4mm/in = 1.57"

[RayC]

Cool!

Where can they be found?

[BF_JC230]

does anyone have pictures of how there projects turned out? i am very curious to know what is being done by all....thanks alot-jake

[omegabenz]

I put on 560 SEC brakes so far, but thats it, and I got BBS RC307 wheels now. It stops good. I painted my calipers black, but I think red would have looked great, I was trying to avoid looking too ricey.

I am going to redo my suspension in the summer.