To lower or not to lower?

[vutown]

Guys,

I have a 1985 190E and was thinking about lowering it with some springs and shocks. I told my local indepedent shop owner and he said that it's not recommended to do this, for it will mess a lot of things up. To any of the guys out there who have lowered MB's, what kinds of problems do you encounter? Also, what size rims/tires are you running it with? Thanks in advance.





vutown

Do make a search on
"lowering springs"and you will find all kind of question
and answer about lowering your car.From spring manufacturer
and spring pads.Wheel sizes and tires combo.

Clauser1

[MBenzNL]

Originally posted by vutown
I told my local indepedent shop owner and he said that it's not recommended to do this, for it will mess a lot of things up.

Ask any tech and you will get this as an answer. There is no use in lowering a car other than changing the looks and whether the car looks better or not when it is lowered is a matter of taste. Lowering a car is spending money for negative side effects only and /changed better looks only (tires & suspension parts wear faster, the ride gets rougher and the car may bottom out on bad roads).

Nevertheless I had a 1985 190D that was lowered a lot by changing springs and springpads only. I drove this lowered car for 200.000km and enjoyed the improved handling a lot.
I had 195/50-15 and 205/45-16 tires on this car...



greetingz,

[Pbalias]

I agree with MBenz...Techs will tell you not to. I lowered my 400E and it feels like an all new car. I used to think the car was set up for grandma driving, but after the springs/wheels combo, damn it's a blast to drive. Everyday I find myself pushing the car a little harder in the turns, just to see what it'll take and I love it. I WOULDNT HAVE DARED DO THIS BEFORE THE DROP. And to me, it looks bad ass!

Peter

oh by the way...Dont just do the springs. You may need to buy an adjustable bushing kit and some new shocks, and this gets pricey!

P

[Robby Ackerman]

Vutone

Lower it and enjoy it. It will look better, drive better and sound better! I've lowered my 190 SL ... 5" between the oil pan and pavement and my 190 E has 5 1/2 inches ground clearance. I'm using koni adjustable shocks, eibach springs in front and Hyperco springs with perch kits in the rear.

[vutown]

okay, okay, I guess all of you have convinced me to lower my car. Besides the springs and the shocks, what other elements do I have to consider? Any rubber joints, CV joints, etc? Thanks again!

vutown

You said it is an 85,
You might consider
changing Your shock tower mount,
if its still the original.
Just a thought.

Clauser1

One other element you may consider changing are... the wheels! Get some 17" or 18" wheels too. Might as well go all the way with a wheel upgrade to match the suspension upgrade.

[Mervyn]

I'm in the same predicament as Vutown.

I have a 1983 W126 (280SEL), and plans for lowering is already underway. I've bought a complete set of KONI Reds, 4 spring rubber pads (13mm for front and 8mm for rear)and will get my lowering springs in 3 weeks time. I also bought 4 new brake hoses to replace when I do the suspension works.

Does the shock tower mount (as mentioned by Clauser1) and adjustable bushing kit (as mentioned by Peter Balias) applies to my 1983 W126?

Any other elements to look out for? I need to set aside some cash just in case it turns out that I've got more to replace than I know!

Thanks a lot!


Mervyn

[vutown]

Alright guys,

I've decided that I'm not going to lower my car for a few reason, mostly financially. However, I do have another post out there, in regards with changing the front springs.


Recently, I've been experiencing rattling noise on my front driver's side suspension. I went to a independent MB shop, and they said that I needed to get new strut mounts. K, cools, $40 from FastLane. However, he also recommended that I also change the shocks because mine were a bit soft, and also since I was changing the strut mounts, might as well do the shocks since the process involves taking out the shocks.

I'm still deciding on whether I should get the Bilstein Sport or comfort shocks. Also, I'll be doing this myself. What other elements do I need to change? Any bushings, rubber stops, etc? I'd like to order everything from FastLane because I like their prices and service. Thanks guys!

vutown

[Robby Ackerman]

If you subscribe to this list I can't imagine you'd be happy with comfort shocks. If you enjoy driving get the Bilstein sport shocks. I use Koni adjustable shocks on my 190E so I can soften it for the drive to work and harden them for the cruise through the mountains or the track. Note though that their soft setting is rock hard by most people's standard. My fenders right behind the front tires are 4.5" above the ground and fenders in front of the rear tires are 4 5/8" above the road. Full fuel tank, no driver or passengers. It is sweet making right or left hand turns without a change of speed and having the car sit flat.

Robby

My 1992 190 2.6 was lowered & stiffened using MB/AMG kit from new,I took it up to 100k with absolutely no wear & tear problems except grounding exhaust back box & front undertray on rough tracks.Ground clearance was 4.5" which has to be watched if you go off smooth tarmac.
I was running 205/55/16 AMG alloys,roll was virtually nil & the ride was firm but not harsh with good feedback.
Unquestionably, far superior to the standard 190 setup.
I run a 250TD C class(Elegance setup) its like driving a blancmonge.
Tigerfox.