Earlier tonight in another site, I got into an arguement with business who tried to convince people on a forum that they should only buy Brabus springs (b/c that just happens to be the only springs he sells) and that H&R and Eibach don't make springs specifically to your car nor do they use racing and development testing. I replied to his post saying that tuners like Brabus, AMG, RENNtech, and Lorinser don't make their own springs, they contract one of the two leading companies, either Eibach or H&R to do it for them. I also went on to explain how H&R and Eibach have far more racing knowledge than any of these tuners ever could about suspension, b/c Eibach and H&R are on just about every race car, including F1.
He replied saying that since these tuners are Mercedes exclusive, they are therefor better b/c this somehow makes it fit better. I replied to that saying that though H&R and Eibach do make them for many cars, but its not a one size fits all magical spring. I told him to see on H&R web site how many different ones they make for every different chassis b/c different models will have different engines and therefor different weight and will require different springs. H&R for the W202 chassis for example makes a different one for the C220, C230, C43, C280, etc. They are made VERY specifically to your vehicle.
So my question is, don't you guys think that its silly to buy Brabus springs, since they are made by H&R and just come in a Brabus box for an extra $200? Brabus knows engines, not springs. The spring and suspension experts are H&R and Eibach, hands down. These companies are contracted by tuners and race teams to make springs for their cars. So can someone please explain to me why I would want to buy Brabus springs as opposed to H&R springs?

I bet it is because the Brabus box is much nicer!

__________________
1995 G320
1984 280GE
1971 Unimog 416

You are correct! Very few tuners make their own springs, but as you say contract spring makers to make a spring for them. BUYING from Brabus keeps them in business$$$$.

__________________
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Retired Moderator

I don't know too much about the topic, BUT isn't it possible that the spring manufacturers are producing springs made to order for these other companies, and not selling the exact same spring themselves? The springs they are producing for sale under there own label may be a different specification.
Gilly

Gilly,
I,think you have a point there.
Most well known tuners esp.Benz tuner(Porsche too)
specialized only in one particular marque.They
special order springs w/there own specs.
For they know what power,how low,how heavy etc.
the car will be to meet the customers demand.
Besides they are very reputable,they can charge
more $$$$.Same as tuners wheels.One place to go.
OZ wheels.Only an opinion.

Clauser1

I've heard the arguement before that the springs are made to tuner's specifications. But what I wonder is what are their specifications? I mean, Eibach & H&R springs are already made for aggressive driving. I wonder if you had an unmarked Brabus spring for an E320 and an unmarked H&R spring (remember, they make them for Brabus), could anyone really tell the difference? And I don't mean just the looks, I mean if you put them both under tests. I doubt there would be any difference.
Like Clauser said, you can compare it to wheels. My OZ Superturismos cost less than the Carlsson 1/16 RS, but guess what, they are identical, minus the different labels on the center caps.

At least for the W124 wagon, I can tell you that H&R, Eibach, MB SportLine, and Brabus springs are all different at least in height. However, I don't know the spring rates.

The H&R are VERY short, and perfect for the track, but not the street. They do look the best.

The Eibach is between H&R and MB Sportline in height.
The Brabus is specially matched to Brabus self-levelling struts.

Hope this helps,
:-) neil

DTM FAN

I am dropping my car off tonight to get my Lorinser springs installed tomorrow. I hope to give you some feedback tomorrow night and maybe some pictures.

h&r and eibach do do a good amount of research. maybe what i like best is that they prototype their parts on cars in the u.s. before releasing it here, and sometimes make adjustments based on those results.

tuners do specify their own spring rates, as well as specially valved shocks. when used together, they produce whichever desired ride/handling characteristics the tuner intended. in general, matched spring/shock sets work pretty good whether it be from tuners (i.e. brabus kit) or suspension specialists (i.e. h&r cup kit).

it would be interesting to see a chart of spring rates for all the tuners vs h&r and eibach, to see exactly how different they are.