Rear springs sagging, w202, considering "upgrade"
 

If I post this in the wheel and tire forum, the Shop Docs will never see it. So, thanks for the leeway.

This is a 10 year old C230, with 138k. The shocks need to be done as 2 are leaking, and the rear sags a bit. My plan was to swap in some Bils. HDs, and 2 new springs on the rear. The more I look at it, I've never been happy with the pronounced gap in the front well, and the car is especially susceptible to crosswinds, and feels as though it is going to take off at the front end when a stiff wind goes under it.

What about some Eibachs? The drop isn't too bad, only about 1.5 in the front, which I am fine with. In fact, I think it would help out. My only concern on an older car is once I get it in the shop, they're going to tell me it needs different spring pads, or a camber kit (which Eibach sells), or some unforseen tweaking that will cost me an extra few hundred bucks.

I'm not going to tackle this myself and rent a spring comp., etc. I have a friend who could help, but I'd rather have it done as cleanly as possible.

Opinions gurus?

NOW we're talking.
I did this 2 years ago.
Eibach " Pro-Kit " springs, NOT " Sportline ".
Combined this with Bilstein Sport shocks.
Amazing.
The ride is firm but comfortable.
The Eibach's are linear springs in the front & progressive rate at the rear.
For springpads I used # 2 up front & # 4 in the rear ( to maintain that slightly raked look ).
Anything else you want to know, just ask me. ;)

goodness! Thank you Manny!

Well, my next Q was HD or Sport. I've heard conflicting info, Sport may or may not be needed for shorter springs, and the site I plan to order the from says the only diff is Sports are 30% stiffer, not necessarily shorter. If you say Sports ride fine, I'm all for it.

So you did new pads all around? What about a camber kit? Eibach sells them. I just don't want to wear out my new Pilot Sport A/$

The Bilstein Sport are the SAME valving as the HD's, except for having a shorter shaft.
Bilstein recommends these on any drop exceeding 25 mm ( this, in order to retain the full travel on the shock ).
I had an assortment of springpads ( they're only a few $ ), so I could taylor the stance of the car EXACTLY the way I wanted it.
I did not buy the Eibach camber kit, but when I took the car to my friendly M-B dealer, they used their camberbolts, to get the alignment correct. ;)

ok, so maybe $20-$40 for pads, how much for their "OEM" bolt kit?"

Did you install the springs/shocks yourself and, if not, how much was the labor including the bolt installation? My dealer charges $129 for alignment......but they are the only ones I trust with MB alignment

Here is the bolt kit:
http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/quote.jsp?clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&cookieid=1XC0ZKQX91Y80N26LD&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&partner=mercedesshop&year=1997&product=L2042-66752&application=000359633
I did install the springs myself.
You can do the rear springs in about 1 hour without a spring compressor.
Unless you have the proper spring compressor, I would leave the front springs to someone else.
Don't remember the cost of the alignment ( at the dealer ), or the price for the bolts, but it was worth it, in as far as I also value my new tires. ;)

Thank you!