OK. I've got a new set of the larger diameter and wider wheels/tires off of a '97 E320. I've put them on my '89 300E and they look great, except that since they're taller, they raise the entire car by about an inch. Just under, actually.

So I'd like to lower the car and I've pulled up some of the old threads on this. But the spring thing has thrown me a little. They talk about the "Sportline" springs being a good spring from a lowering/harshness comprimise. But I don't know who makes the Sportline springs.

I've seen the H&R Sport and OE Sport, but I'm not sure these are the same thing. And if so, what's the difference?

Also, can I replace the springs without doing anything with the shocks right now?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Wendell

How "old" are the shocks/struts you have now?

OE as far as I can tell. We got the car from the original owner in '96, and I don't think he ever had anything done on this part of the car. I certainly don't see anything that indicates they're aftermarket. The springs and shocks are both black in color, with no aftermarket names or anything on them.

If that's the case, then they've got approx. 225K miles on them. The odometer went out in '96 ith 160K showing.

What size are the tires from the 1997 E320? You may have the wrong size tire.

The Sportline springs are made by Mercedes, our sponsor, the "Partshop" has them as well as your local dealer ($).

:-) neil

I'm beginning to gather that. They're 225/50 16's. I'll check out the Partshop thing now.

Thx!

Wendell,

With 225K on the shocks and struts, I would seriously consider replacing them if/when you get lowering springs...


Imagine you lower your car 2 inches with big tires and worn out struts/shocks...a recipe for possible rubbing or other problems

Hi,

I lowered my 300 e using Eibach springs and Bilstein shocks.
It worked out very well. I had a bad experience with H & R springs on another car, they didn't last.

Best Regards,

Richard

Be carefull about the alignment settings if you lower! The fronts are easily adjsuted, but the rears are not and you could have real performance and tire wear issues. I saw an adjustable plate for the rears once, but the cost was over $500/pair.

If you can live with altered slip angles and increased tire wear then the lowering is OK - just something to think about.

R.

__________________
2003 AMG S55
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/3414/...5813f01a_s.jpg

The Delsing adjustable camber arms and the KMAC adjustable camber kit for the rear is about $300.

:-) neil

Hi Neil,

Where can I get those arms and camber kit?
I'm about to fit new wheels and tires and I'd like
to get the car set up properly.

Thanks,

Richard

www.delsingmotorsport.com

Site is currently down for some reason.

Try this one for K-Mac:

http://www.k-mac.com.au/makes/merc.htm

or

http://www.truechoice.com/store/bresults.asp?tol=1
about 1/4 of the way down on the list