hey guys...going on a trip soon and need input on some spring and damping questions for a 300e as I want to upgrade before I leave...will Bilstein HDs work w/Eibach springs (or should I go w/Sports?) I understand that the valving is the same, the difference lies in the length of the shock/strut...I've read posts from some who say the Sports "suck" and some who say the HDs are the "real deal", and vice versa...I know that I am asking for opinions here (and we all certainly have them), but I think I know enough to determine the opinions I will consider most...I don't want too harsh of a ride and I don't want a slammed look (subtle and stealthy is my goal). I am also replacing the stock 15x6.5 15-holes with either 15x7 or 16x7.5 8-holes as part of the upgrade, along with a new steering dampener...also, with the Eibachs, please refresh my memory as to which bump pads (front/rear) will provide a balanced look...I know that I'm asking alot here, but I've found that if you don't at least ask, you will never find out...Thanks to all here who make this a tremendous tool to make our toys more enjoyable, Bill

Its hard to say.

I plan on doing the bilstein sports with my lowering springs as the car has been lowered at least 1-1.5"

I used the neuspeed (H&R) springs. 2 bump front, 3 bump rear pads. car sits perfect without looking slammed, but you can tell it is definately lower.

I have 16x7.5 wheels too. not 8 holes. I'll upgrade to 17's sooner or later.

The sports are intended for cars with lowering springs.

The HD's might end up being slightly compressed normally with the lowering springs. and therefore will already have tensiona nd may in fact feel stiffer than the sports, but I have no clue as to whther I am right or not.

Why not contact bilstein and verify through them the application?

Otherwise, check on maybe the sportline shocks/struts. more of a close to factory dampening, but a sportier shock than standard.

I'm sure you will get the information you need.

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

I'm upgrading to a full sportline suspension (except steering box) in the coming weeks. Till then, I cannot give you an objective overview of what this setup drives like.

Good luck in your decision.

Here's what I did/am doing:

Factory 15X7 8-holes for sportline
OEM sportline suspension upgrades

thanks for your responses, guys...I ordered the Sports and the Eibachs today...I hear that the Eibachs lower the car by 1.1 - 1.2" and that is about what I am looking for...Ashman, I know that you have 2 bump and 3 bump f/r, but do you know the standard OEM installed pad thickness (90 300e) for me to accurately compare? I definitely want to go lower, just not too much...Thanks again, Bill

pad thickness depends on the car. the dealership should be able to look up which ones came on your car. The pads were to gett he ride height of the cars more equal with each other in the smae model line up. Differences ever so slightly in ride height of different 300e's, was more evened out because of the spring pads. one car might be really low with the 1 bump, so it may have the 3 or 4 bump in the fron and 3 bump in the rear. another might be too high and have thinnner spring pads. Its all in manufacturing tolerances.

Otherwise, pull a front and rear wheel, and feel the spring pad on the top of the spring, for the little nubs which are on the bottom side of the spring pad. those are the bumps.

I like the fact I can go lower if I want to, we shall see if I want to later when I do the 17's.

Alon

__________________
'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

Ashman, Am I correct in thinking that you don't have to change shocks when you go with the Eibachs to lower the car. I want to lower the car but with 30K on it the shocks are a long way from being worn out. Any problem with that?
Pete

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
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I had the H&R installed on my 89 300E with 105000 miles on the stock shock a month ago, it still work pretty good to me.

Mine has stock shocks, works just fine.

Rear shocks are in need of replacement though, they are leaking, but I will do that soon enough.

Ride has nto been compromized too much by the rear shocks being bad. I do notice it over bumps though that the rear is a bit bouncy.

That is all to do with the shocks.

Mbenz Drove something like 150,000 KM or more on stock shocks in a lowered 190D.

So I would say keep the stock shocks as long as you can, it saves on the expense of new ones. I want Bilstein Sports, because I want that stiffer more nimble ride.

Alon

__________________
'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

I just put Bilstine sports on this weekend. My car is lowered and as far as I know the Sports are ment for a lowered car and the HDs are ment for a non lowered car. They are deffinaly stiffer but at the same time they ride better than my old stock shocks. If you are going to lower your car I would say go w/ the sports.

Subman

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el presidente -

I noticed you've chosen to stay with the 15" wheels. It seems that most folks lowering the car opt for 17" wheels as part of the modification. I want to install the SportLine suspension myself (actually have MB AutoWerks do it probably) later this year, Im curious why you stayed with 15" ?

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1992 500E

thanks again for the responses...OK - here we go...I've got everything coming in over the next few days - Sports, Eibachs, 16x7.5 8 holes...my last lingering question is about spring pads...does MBZ make ONLY 3 pads for the rear as opposed to 4 for the front? I want a "level" look or a slightly higher rear end...suggestions? Ashman, I know you have 2 bump fr and 3 rr...I was considering 3 fr and 4 rr, but have read that 4 bump rr doesn't exist...are the pads interchangable from front to back? I want lower, but don't want to go "too" low, I simply want to take advantage of the progressive properies of the Eibachs when I decide to "push" it (which, btw is often)...also, will a thicker pad result in a slightly more cushioned ride (I'm concerned that the ride may be too stiff, harsh) or will it simply control height??? The deeper I get into this deal, the more confused I seem to get and I want to get it right the first time...as always, thanks...Bill

Rear has only 3 sizes. front has 4 sizes.

Alon

__________________
'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

After much agonizing.....

I came to the following conclusions:

1. I wanted the car to have a "stock" appearance
2. I do like the looks of a 16" wheel, but I did not want an aftermarket 8-hole wheel. During my search, I couldn't find an 8-hole MB wheel in 16" that would fit my car correctly.

Bottom line...I would have gone to a 16" wheel (not 17"), but given my criteria of wanting MB wheels, this was unavailable. Yep, I did also consider going to a 17" AMG type, but I liked the 8-hole look better. To me, it looks "unmolested".

Upgrading to a Sportline suspension will not make the car look "slammed", so I really do not consider this upgrade as a true "lowering" of the car..., just a slightly more aggressive stance.

Keep in mind, I've had my coupe for 7 years...I've lusted after the 8-hole look for some time. If I decide to get 17" AMG Monoblocks (AERO-II), it will be attached to a CLK55!

One last note....I also considered buying the 16" AMG AERO-I wheels (same style as on the Hammer), but I felt if I went this route, I'd want/need exhaust and the monochrome look to make it right. Long story short, I decided to skip all that expense and stay with what I liked originally.