Based on all the searching and researching I've done, this is what I've concluded regarding appropriate setup for my 300E:

1) Sportline sway bars front and rear
2) Stick with stock springs (LarryBible swears by 'em for ride compromise)
3) Bilstein HD front and rear
4) Appropriate bushing, linkage swaps, rubber mounts when doing the above
5) Steering damper

Now I'm committed to a 16x7 inch slk 7 spoke rim (I'd buy from you Luke, but tirerack.com doesn't seem to offer them). The original wheel and tire height for stock 195/65r15 = 24.99". The alternatives for similar height are:

1) 205/55R16 = 24.88"
2) 215/50R16 = 24.47"
3) 215/55R16 = 25.32"
4) 225/50R16 = 24.87"

Option 1 is the obvious choice at first glance. Option 4 is a recipe for rubbing based on previous posts here at the forum. Option 2 is a possibility, but with a 0.5 inch reduction in height, that equates to a 1-2 mph skewing of the speedometer reading at highway speeds (hardly an issue). More importantly however, is that the 0.5" reduction in height makes an already unfilled wheel well look even more empty. What about Option 3? There seem to be mixed reviews on the forum about whether it rubs. If I'm doing the Bilstein HD's, wouldn't I see less articulation of the wheel and therefore less chance of rubbing? Any thoughts? I'm still not sold on Option 3 even if rubbing isn't an issue due to increase in unsprung wheel/tire weight, but I might sacrifice .05 seconds on a 0-60 run in favor of a more filled out wheel well that can be accomplished on stock springs.

All comments are appreciated.

I guess I didn't get the whole story.

What is the reason behind staying with the stock springs? Won't the sportline springs lower the car, just a tad....maybe enough to fill up the wheel well a little more to your satisfaction?

As far as the wheels/tires go, I think it depends on the style of wheel you have as to how good a wide tire might look.

If you stay with a fairly "stock" appearance, I'd select option 1. But, you can always install different tires for your 2nd set...if you don't like the look/handling of your initial choice.

Good luck!

The purpose of staying with the stock springs is to a) save money and b) give the HD's a little more room to travel than a Bilstein sport/Sportline spring setup. I understand from reading other posts that the Bilstein Sport and HD provide similar stiffness. I'm trying to get firmer ride without bone jarring, and one of the forum veterans seems to thinks staying with the stock springs provides a good mix.

My consideration of Option 3 is about filling the wheel well and maximizing the contact patch on the road without rubbing or negatively impacting the performace characteristics of the car.

Thanks for your comments. Others please chime in as well.

I've got 3 W124s, and have recently gone through the same evaluation you find yourself doing. On my '92 300D (same suspension etc. as 300E), it was too floaty at speed...felt underdamped and undersprung. I was inclined to change out the springs and perhaps the front bar, but step one was to install 225/50-16 V-rated Toyos on 7.5 X 16" '96 E420 wheels. No rubbing at all, and the car rode actually a bit nicer, like the added weight of the wheel/tire setup complimented the suspension.

Since I also own a set of 215/55-16 ContiTouring Contacts on the same rims, I popped them on and found that they do rub a tiny bit on full compression (on the bumpstops). The next step was to fit Bilstein HDs aty all 4 corners...what a humongous difference!! The suspension is a bit more "busy" around town, but not objectionably so; on the highway the ride is beautiful, but dramatically more controlled. The car handles quite nicely, too, so I don't plan to change anything else since I want to retain the ride quality I enjoy now.

I suggest you try the same thing, drive it a bit and see if you still feel you need the thicker front bar.

__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

Michael,

Great insight. So no more rubbing with the HD's then? I like your approach, a little at a time. In learning from your experience, I would combine the HD and wheel/tire purchases to avoid the rubbing. Were you still able to maintain your tight turning radius in parking lots, and also without rubbing?

Regarding the sway bars: am I correct in understanding that they would primarliy improve stiffness/body roll in cornering, but have little if any effect on straight-line suspension?

Keep the comments coming folks. Extremely helpful.

Turning radius is unaffected.

The HDs didn't stop the rubbing, but they did make it less frequent since they're tougher to compress all the way. The tire size is what causes the rubbing; the 215/55-16 is too tall, and sorta wide. Go with 225/50-16 and you'll be fine (but do not do a Z-rated tire, since its dramatically increased responsiveness will net you a "tippy" feeling ride. Stick with a touring-oriented tire)

A thicker bar will compromise straight-line ride a bit. Don't do a bar unless you've done everything else and you feel the need for even more front-end control.

__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

Glad I'm reading this thread.

Mike, at what point is another alignment necessary when changing suspension bits?

After the struts/shocks?
Swaybar install?

Can one get by with changing the springs without having to do an alignment?

I'm curious because the only shop I trust isn't cheap when it comes to doing a good balance/alignment. That's why I have been "accumulating" the suspension pieces to have it all done at once.

I know there are mixed opinions on this (my comments are for W124s only), but I'm inclined to think that if you change your front struts, you need to re-align the car as you might change the camber. Now, I'm not sure if you need to align it when you replace the springs, but given you're taking much of the suspension apart to access those springs I'd sure think so! Anybody else?

I would not bother aligning a W124 if you only changed the sway bar, though.

__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo