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  #31  
Old 08-01-2003, 02:22 PM
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ksing44 - Other than the KMac bushings, did you replace any other suspension components/bushings/control arms?

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  #32  
Old 08-01-2003, 02:52 PM
ksing44's Avatar
1995 E320 SE
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Downingtown, PA
Posts: 658
nothing more yet

Just shocks, springs, spring pads, the K-MAC bushings, 16” wheels, and of course new 205/55/16 tires. My car only has 70K miles, so I am not planning to replace any of the other components until they are worn. I may go for the “sportline plus” swaybars, but I am not getting all new sportline bushings until I really need new ones.
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I just couldn't give up on my 1995 E320.

I think it might be like always going back to that same bad relationship with an ex girlfriend.
You feel you love them too much, or you are just too stupid to know any better.



Flickr slideshow of my 1995 E320
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24145497@N06/sets/72157616572140057/
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  #33  
Old 08-01-2003, 02:53 PM
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That reminds me:

1- Where can you buy K-MAC bushings?

2- How much are they?


Thanks!!
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  #34  
Old 08-01-2003, 03:22 PM
ksing44's Avatar
1995 E320 SE
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Downingtown, PA
Posts: 658
K-MAC

Jeff Owens
K-MAC Suspension
K-MAC.com.au
Phone: 714-628-9555
Cell Phone: 714-206-8794
204 West Carleton Avenue
Orange, CA 92867

Rear Camber/Toe Kit - part# 502026H $226.00 and $11.00 for shipping by UPS. The total was $237.00.

I bought this a while ago, so I’m not sure if the price is still the same. I think jeff has them stored in the back of his car or something. he is a rep for K-MAC. It is the exact same part that others sell, but they sell it for twice the price.

Hey gsxr, you can add this information to one of your super spreadsheets.
__________________
I just couldn't give up on my 1995 E320.

I think it might be like always going back to that same bad relationship with an ex girlfriend.
You feel you love them too much, or you are just too stupid to know any better.



Flickr slideshow of my 1995 E320
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24145497@N06/sets/72157616572140057/
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  #35  
Old 08-01-2003, 09:37 PM
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just got my car back from bergwerks. the car rides great now. no more bouncy feel. had new HD's installed for the front and new accumulator's for the back. and raised the car slightly with #4 pads up front and #3 i think in the back, used to be #3front and #1rear. will post pics once i get a digicam or something of that sort.
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  #36  
Old 08-03-2003, 01:55 PM
chc chc is offline
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Another place to get the rear camber correction kit is benzboy.com
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  #37  
Old 08-03-2003, 02:55 PM
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Note that the Benzboy kit is actually a threaded Heim (?) joint setup that replaces the stock non-adjustable arm. This is fine, but doesn't have as much rubber in the bushings (if any?) to soften the ride. For track use it's great, but for street use, you can get excessive wear on the links. The price is about the same so it boils down to personal preference, IMO...

Thanks for the link, btw!
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  #38  
Old 08-07-2003, 11:51 AM
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Can Bilstein sports be used with OE springs?

How much stronger/stiffer are these than OE?

FQ
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W124
Sportline Swaybars
Bilstein HD Struts
16" E420 wheels
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  #39  
Old 08-08-2003, 04:22 AM
ksing44's Avatar
1995 E320 SE
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Downingtown, PA
Posts: 658
I think HDs are preferred with OEM springs

I think HDs are preferred with OEM springs. From what I have been told, the Sports have reduced travel and are designed for a dropped car. The HDs have just about the same valving as the Sports, but have the normal amount of travel. I have read many posts saying that they are very happy with the HDs on a car with OEM springs. I have HDs on a car that is lowered about 1 inch and I am happy with the shocks. So I did the wrong thing and used the HDs on a dropped car and it seems OK. Next time I may try the Sports, although these shocks may last a lifetime. Similarly, I’m sure you could use the Sports on OEM, but it probably isn’t the best choice. I suppose the shock would be stretched to its limit and it might "top out" or something.

Try searching, because there are many posts about Bilsteins. Below is just one post discussing different versions of the Bilstein shocks.

keep sportlne shocks or change for bilstein sports to go with eibach springs on w124?
__________________
I just couldn't give up on my 1995 E320.

I think it might be like always going back to that same bad relationship with an ex girlfriend.
You feel you love them too much, or you are just too stupid to know any better.



Flickr slideshow of my 1995 E320
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24145497@N06/sets/72157616572140057/
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  #40  
Old 08-08-2003, 11:30 PM
chc chc is offline
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Finally got the HD form Phil, easy, fast, good price and excellent service.
Have them installed, picked the car last night, Not feeling satisfied, too bumpy and harsh for me, the only happy time is when cornering. Hopefully, they will get settle later on. Otherwise, might take off the H&R and put back the stock spring. I really don't want to spend money another set of shocks/struts.
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  #41  
Old 08-09-2003, 09:20 AM
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yal yal is offline
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Curious, if you have H&R's why did you go with HD's? I think you will definately have to switch to stock shocks. If your HD's are compressed it would feel harsher. You should have got sport shocks, it would have been worth it. Why don't you try selling the HD's?
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  #42  
Old 08-11-2003, 08:16 AM
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chc,
you are not the first that has said the HD's feel harsh, that is why i am skeptical. I am on OE springs, with sportline swaybars. though. I want to tighten her up a bit, without to much ride deterioration. I also have 140k on original MB shocks/struts, so I am sure whatever I do will freshen up the ride. I also have heard that HD's have "lifted" the front end of a car a bit, until they settled. Did you notice this problem? I am waiting to find a car with HD's i can drive to feel the difference, before doing them. Let us know if the ride grows on you< and how much better are they in the twisties?

thanks

FQ
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W124
Sportline Swaybars
Bilstein HD Struts
16" E420 wheels
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  #43  
Old 08-11-2003, 02:00 PM
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Hi guys,

Just a few thoughts on this topic since we do a lot of lowering and suspension work on W124's.

You have to decide what you're really trying to accomplish with tuning the suspension. Suspension tuning is exactly that: tuning. It's not a one brush fits all comers equally by any stretch of the imagination. Factors such as typical road condition, tire/wheel packages, wear on other suspension components, etc. should all be taken into consideration along with driver preferences when devising a suspension upgrade.

Here's how we generally approach it with customers.

Step #1: Better looks and better handling with minimum comfort compromise
- Change springs only (H&R's or Eibach)

Step #2: Reduce body roll again with minimum comfort compromise
- Thicker swaybars

Step #3: Better rebound control at significant compromise
- Firmer valving in shocks

Step #4: Tightening up the rubber
- Sportline or equivalent upgrades to all applicable control arm bushings, subframe mounts, etc.

The short story is that both Eibach and H&R do a great job of improving the handling without compromising the ride comfort. The firmer shocks are what will provide the least improvement for most drivers yet have the biggest ride comfort compromise. The ride degradation in the HD's for newer cars is not as large as for the '80 and early 90's cars.

The valving in the Sports and Heavy Duty shocks is identical. The difference is purely in the travel. The change in ride heights with either the H&R or Eibach sport springs (or Sportline springs) is not enough to require a shorter travel shock. There is plenty of travel in the Comfort to handle this drop on the W124. We've confirmed this directly with Bilstein tech support.

As for the stories about the sport springs burning out the comforts, it's not an issue. These shocks start heading downhill around 70,000 miles and are barely serviceable at 120,000 miles. 90k - 100k is usually a pretty good change interval depending upon road condition and driving habits to keep the suspension feeling good. If you match up an old shock with a firmer spring, yes, it will feel overmatched. New comforts stand up great to any of these springs. Unless your shocks are still tight, change the shocks while installing the new springs. Will the shocks wear out a bit faster with sport shocks? Probably. Is it a noticeable or considerable difference? No.

For 90% of the customers looking for a sportier suspension and better looks, a spring upgrade and fresh comforts is the ticket.

If the car is nearing 150k+ miles, it will need lots of fresh rubber in the suspension due to wear and at that point other upgrades can be made in mounts, bushings, etc.

Our $0.02 for what it's worth.
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  #44  
Old 08-11-2003, 02:13 PM
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Thanks Carl for a well thought out and detailed response. That pretty much sums up what I have thought. This may help other members with simialr questions on "tuning" Since I am at the 140k mark, i will freshen up bushings struts etc.. and the handling improvements I will leave up to the swaybars. I really do not want to slam the car, though i did go with 1 bumps all around, down from 2 front, and 3 rear, and that helped the "look" even out a bit front to rear. Being on the highway most of my commute, i did not want to have a harsh ride, and these w124's can eat up the miles effortlessly. The swaybars have already helped tremendously, now i wish i went bigger. My next step is comforts, and they will feel a heck of a lot bettet than 140k originals.

Thanks again.

FQ
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W124
Sportline Swaybars
Bilstein HD Struts
16" E420 wheels
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  #45  
Old 08-11-2003, 03:39 PM
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Just watch out with stiff springs and Comforts. I had a set of Neuspeed springs, which dropped the car a LOT - over 2 inches, I think. With about 25kmi on my Bilstein Comforts, there was just not enough rebound damping. The ride wasn't BAD, but it sure wasn't good either. I was going to get Sports (or OE Sportline, which are almost the same) to fix that but the car was totaled before I could mess with it. I was also thinking of using the 500E front struts which have internal rebound/extension limiting springs, however for those to work properly you must have the ride height set very close to original 500E specs.


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