I have heard that it is possible to fit W126 springs to a W123 chassis to stiffen up the handling. If Bilstein HD shock absorbers are also fitted, the W123's handling is apparently transformed.

Aside from the sacrilege of modifying a W123 in such a way, does anyone know how easy it is to fit the springs? Do they have to be cut down to compensate for an increased ride height?

I'm thinking that such a modification might raise the 280E's handling to even higher levels - and one could get the acceleration to match simply by dropping in the 3.54:1 ratio final drive gear.

Thoughts, comments gentlemen?

As I auto-crossed a 1981 280E for 3 years, I can tell you that these cars will handle. I used Koni's(shocks) & Jamex springs on the front. In the rear I used cut down OE springs for W116 chassis part # 116-324-09-04 & Bilstein HD's. The car was featured in Grassroots Motor Sports magazine in the Sept/Oct 1995 edition. As they say HAVE fun & be different!! I ran a 3.92 rear w/limited slip. Also ran the car at several MB club events. Ran 15.04 sec. qtr mile time.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
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Sounds good ... are the Jamex springs still available?

How much did you cut off the W126 springs?

Did you modify the engine in any way? And where did you get the limited slip diff from? I didn't know there was one available for the 280E.

Questions, questions ..!

I have seen Jamex ads in several magazines. They are a German spring/shock company like Eibach. Had the rear springs out 2-3 times before I had the ride height the way I wanted it.
Had euro engine & std. trans with a few mods (200+ hp).
MB didn't & doesn't make a limited slip for this rear end.
I used the limited slip from a 190E 16V diff & had parts re-machined so that it would fit! That took 2-3 months & a bunch of $$$$$. Have a very good friend that has a REAL racecar, 280E that he raced for 4-5 years that will go over 160 at Daytona. His engine makes more than 300 hp & it's for sale.
Also had W126 (560SEL) brakes on the front. Car would go & stop!

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator