Is it at all possible to fit W126 front and rear suspension springs on a W123?? Say 420SEL springs on all fours of a 300D? I've been told it's possible from RC Imports (rc-imports.com), but from my measurements, it doesn't seem the fronts are going to fit because of the overall diameter.

I want to better the cornering of my 1984 300D. Besides lowering the center of gravity, my car currently hits the stops in the rear if I'm not careful going over dips. W126 springs are readily available and cheap from the local junkyard, and they generally have stiffer spring rates. Using W123 and W126 FSM data, spring cutting is easily calculated for desired ride height or spring rate change.

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Dave

2002 Audi S6 Avant
1983 300D
1984 300D (sold)
1990 560SEL (sold)

damn....I drive mine pretty good and never bottomed min out but once in the last year. If you can calculate what you want rate and spring wise there are springworks than will make you a set to spec...

rear suspension ride height read this thread for some info of how to do this.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Check out John Olson Sport Springs

Provides sport springs for all Mercedes-Benz models from 1926 through early 90's I believe

http://www.slmarket.com/springs.htm

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Nate

1995 E420
1992 BMW 525i
1984 300D Turbo sold
1993 Volvo 244 sold
1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P!


"The details are not details. They make the product."
-Charles Eames

www.cbs.nu

shocks yet?

benz springs are really tough and seldom fail.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I agree with Tom... with good shocks you will have to be going over dips at ridiculous speeds to bottom out.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

Yeah, the bottoming out is probably partly due to the old KYB shocks that came with the car when I bought it last summer. I was planning on replacing all four with Bilstein HD at the same time I cut and install the new springs. What about using Koni? Which is better for handling?

To lower the car, it looks like I can get a pair of springs for ~$170 from Coil Spring Specialties (Brian Carlton's post). It's too bad I can't use the W126 springs, since they only cost me $30 for four.

Veloce300DT, are you using springs from John Olson? I've been to his website before, but I wanted to try the junkyard source first.

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Dave

2002 Audi S6 Avant
1983 300D
1984 300D (sold)
1990 560SEL (sold)

I havent tried the John Olson springs yet, but plan getting a set soon. I'll be sure to post my opinion once I have them on the car. I am hoping I can enhance the handling slightly without compromising the great ride of the w123

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Nate

1995 E420
1992 BMW 525i
1984 300D Turbo sold
1993 Volvo 244 sold
1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P!


"The details are not details. They make the product."
-Charles Eames

www.cbs.nu

KYB's are junk on that car. If you replace them with bilsteins you probably will find that nothing more is needed to make it a really good handling car, assuming the tires and the wear items in the suspension are up to snuff. Stiffer springs are likely to take away smoothness of the car with very little improvment on the overall handling.

I am running Ventura 45mm lowering springs, and Bilstein shocks, all new suspension - 17" wheels and a front shock tower bar...
Jake