I was pretty much set on installing the AMG spring/shock package, until I got the word from extended warranty packages - ANY change of springs will void the warranty on all suspension/steering parts! Even MB/AMG! I can change the shocks, but that is it.

I have heard that the sports option suspension only changed shocks and sway bars on the C230. Does anyone have any experience installing Koni adjustables on their car with the stock springs? I would like to eliminate some of the dive and sway, lowering the car would be nice but not as important as the above.

I have to make up my mind on the service contract by 12/18, as the warranty expires 30 days later. If there aren't any major improvements to be had by changing shocks alone, I will have to choose between the contract and the suspension. Any ideas out there?

__________________
John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

I believe the suspension warranty is 4 year 50k miles. Seeing your C230 is a 98, in 2002 warranty won't exist anymore. So If you want, do the AMG conversion, however, I do believe all the Sports Package didn;t really do much compared to the C36/C43 AMG suspension.

Just a thought.

__________________
Chirag (Charlie) Patel
--------------------------------------------
- 03 Mercedes S600 Sport TTV12
- 97 Acura NSX-T
- 99 BMW E36 M3 w/500+ HP
- 04 Lexus RX330
- 04 Dodge Dakota Quad 4x4 V8

4 Sale:
- 99 BMW M3 E36 Coup with Dinan SC, Upgraded to an RMS Stage 3 with Aftercooler, 12psi, and 500+hp @ flywheel.

The factory warranty will be over in 2002, but the Extended Warranties (5 years/100,000miles) I am looking at purchasing are what won't cover any suspension or steerring issues if I put on the AMG kit. If I were not getting the extended service contract, I would do like you suggest and on January 18th add the AMG kit. But since I am, if anyone has tried performance shocks with their stock springs, I would appreciate feedback.

The Koni site says their red shocks are more stiff than factory, and the yellow sports are more aggresive than the red. they only list yellow Sport shocks for the C230, indicating they think the factory shocks are too soft.

__________________
John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

Nobody has Koni sports or Bilstein sports on their stock C230?

__________________
John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

John,

WRT warranty issues, the likelihood is that the only suspension part to fail might be the steering gear or power steering pump. If you’re going to replace the major suspension components by way of performance retrofit anyway, there is only a slim probability of a failure in those components. So in the end it’s not much of a gamble to go for the suspension change. As an aside, it is even more likely that no one will ever notice the change, especially if the parts from manufacturers typically found in an MB anyway.

Cheers

__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

At 63K-miles, my C230 has slightly worn lower front ball joints. Somewhat explained by our TERRIBLE roads.

My personal experience with trouble sopts on MB's doesn't include the suspension and/or braking gear.

Most likely to be electrical or gaskets. If your warranty covers these along with big-$$$ items, I'd go ahead and install the suspension.

If you're nuts, you could do what my friend with an A4 1.8T does. When his car needs warranty service, he has to remove his 200hp ECM, and put back the OEM ECM. You could take the suspension out everytime you go to the dealer!

__________________
John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

Check out Renntech. The adjustable koni's are awesome. I beleive they are the only Koni's availaible that are 2 way adjustable.

They also sell springs and other components.

Well, Monday I get the service contract, and the C230 will get it's pre-contract inspection. So today I ordered the Koni sport adjustables - the only ones Koni makes for the C230. After the service contract takes effect, I will have the Koni's added. Later, after the contract has been in effect a while and I see how well the car is holding up - a bit spooked about them needing to go in the trans twice - I will pop for the AMG springs. Thanks for all the feedback!

__________________
John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

Where did you get the Koni adjustables for your car? I was wondering where I could find them and how much it would cost?

Thanks

Tirerack (click on banner at top of wheel page, go to 'suspension') has them. I believe they were $97 each plus shipping. Luke is the contact person to use, and moderator of the wheel/tire forum.

I went through my friend in San Clemente whose tire, brake, and suspension store I have been using for about 20 years. (He just bought an ML, so he is probably lurking out there in the background somewhere. ) Lots of people have good experience ordering from Luke at tirerack. I just prefer to 'steer' the business towards my friend - no offense Luke!

__________________
John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

Are those single or two-way adjustable? I found some two ways at Renntech, rebound and bump, that seem like the best setup, but I thought I would look more.

It depends on the car. The Koni catalog lists some of their shocks as non-adjustable, some as single, and some as double adjust. Further, they make Sport and regular models. The Koni home page http://www.koni-na.com/ has a catalog in Adobe.pdf format that can be downloaded. The catalog says that the engineers evaluate the suspension, and may offer just regular or just sport for a given model. For the W202 C series, they only offer Sport single adjustable.

__________________
John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

John,

Why did you decide on Koni?

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...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

They were the same price as MB Sports shocks and the AMG shocks, are adjustable, and have a life time warranty. They also looked to do the best with both the stock springs for now, and the AMGs for later.

__________________
John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

I had the Koni Sports installed today! Per their recommendation, I set it for the lightest setting to start with. This eliminated much of the nose dip on braking, firmed up the feel of the steering, and made the ride less bouncy on dips. Cornering improved a lot, but ride is still very comfortable, almost unchanged, even on rough roads. Not as firm as the 300E sportline package, and not as decent in the handling department yet, but a very reasonable first improvement, and there are still 2 firmer adjustment settings left if Leise decides she wants more handling before she gets her spring kit.

__________________
John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E