W210 sport springs - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

lupin..the..3rd · #1 08-24-2009, 03:15 PM

All,

I'm about to refresh the suspension in my '97 E300, and am considering some Bilstein Sport's, along with H&R sport springs. H&R advertisises that their springs will lower the car 1.4" in front and 1.3" in the rear.

I'm after better handling and road feel, but I don't care for the "low rider" look. I'm having a hard time visualizing what this 1.4" / 1.3" drop will look like.

If anyone here has the H&R springs installed on their W210, could you post a photo here from the side that clearly shows the ride height? Even better would be if you've got Before & After photos.

I appreciate it!

KarTek · #2 08-24-2009, 03:38 PM

I think you're reading my mind! I've been looking at the H&R's as well. I already have the sport shocks (yes, I know you're not supposed to use them with regular springs...) and I'm looking to upgrade the rest of the suspension in my quest to improve handling.

I installed lowering springs on my friend's Mustang years ago and I'll tell you , the difference was night and day. I would expect a similar improvement with the 210.

I'm with you in not wanting the low rider look. I don't like seeing the tops of the tires "tucked" into the wheel wells. Based on measurements I have taken, the 1.4 and 1.3" would be perfect. I have the 2005 16" rims with 245/50/16 tires currently and I think the tops of the tires would just meet the top of the wheel arch.

I'll be watching this with interest.

wis · #3 08-26-2009, 10:35 AM

you can tweak the ride height with the rubber spring pads. i have pictures of my car but it has 18" wheels they are on my home computer i will try to post them this evening for you. i can tell you it is not excessive especially if you have the taller spring pads i am very happy with mine.

wis · #4 08-29-2009, 08:48 AM

here are some pictures before i put the shorter spring pads on i think it had f 5 r 4

wis · #5 08-29-2009, 08:52 AM

even with the 18" wheels there is no rubbing at all. before i swapped in the shorter spring pads most people did not even notice it was lowered.

michakaveli · #6 08-31-2009, 09:03 PM

I would advise against H&R springs on the w210 diesel. They do not have a set of springs specifically for the w210's with the diesel engine. Lightman went through a fiasco with H&R trying to get the right springs to work. I think all in all, he ended up with the V8 model springs, like for an E430, E55 due to the heavier weight of the engine.

Easiest solution that I have come across are the E55 springs. Even with these springs, my '97 E300 has dropped A LOT, front and rear, more so in the front.

I have a set of Eibach Pro-Kit shocks, don't know what those are, but the handling is VERY firm. Coupled with my 18" wheels, you feel everything in the road. It's not punishing by ll means, but MUCH firmer than OEM that came with the car.

lupin..the..3rd · #7 09-03-2009, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wis

here are some pictures before i put the shorter spring pads on i think it had f 5 r 4

That looks quite nice.

Is it possible to get a minor lowering of the car just by changing these spring pads? Any idea where to find the part numbers for the smaller pads?

TIA

wis · #8 09-03-2009, 05:11 PM

thanks,yes you can get some degree of lowering by changing the pads depending on which ones your car has on it to start. if you have #1s all around you are stuck. if you look at the rubber on the top of the spring somewhere around the outside diameter you will see a number of small bumps, this indicates which thickness pads you have. your local mb dealer can look up the part#s for you you will need to know what you have and what you want though. i ended up with #3 in the front and #1 in the rear and the car is low and mostly level (just a bit higher in the back) with the h&r springs. it is best to change them by the same number front and rear if you want the rake of the car to stay the same. let me know if i can help anymore. if you have trouble getting the #s and i can get them for you if you let me know which pads you want.