W201 Using Bilstein Sport Shocks on Standard Height CAr? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JamesDean · #1 08-07-2015, 05:05 PM

Hi All,

I'm thinking about un-lowering my 190E. It will fix a number of "problems" I've been having for a while.

Namely,
-Camber Arm Squeak
-Wheel Rub in areas (maybe it wont fix this?? maybe AMG spacer kit is needed?)
-Ground Clearance with my exhaust
-Ride comfort on longer drives.

My biggest problem right now, and it might not even be a problem, is that I have a set of newish Bilstein Sport (Yellow) strut/shocks on the car. I understand that these are 10mm shorter but I am not sure if that is 10mm piston length or they are just valved 10mm lower.

So my question is, can I run Bilstein sport shocks (yellow tube) on a standard height car?

Some pics:

Rubbbbb

ps2cho · #2 08-07-2015, 10:45 PM

How about just getting some sportline springs?

JamesDean · #3 08-08-2015, 05:18 PM

That's an idea.

Right now I have Eibach lowering springs. Are the sportline ones higher than that but lower than stock? Or are they same height as stock but stiffer response?

Junkman · #4 08-08-2015, 05:54 PM

There were some threads about changing the pads on top of the spring as a method of changing height. I paid attention to threads related to the 126 and don't know whether they are relevant.

JamesDean · #5 08-08-2015, 06:16 PM

I think if I am going to be doing anything that involves pulling a spring... a new spring is going to be going back in..these are largely in good shape still but there is some rust at the bottom rung(s).

The fronts are running one nub pads and the rears are running three (highest)

ps2cho · #6 08-08-2015, 10:37 PM

Sport line are definitely higher than eibach but lower than stock. It's a nice compromise and I don't think the prices are too bad last time I checked although it's been a few years.

JamesDean · #7 08-09-2015, 01:06 AM

Some Part Numbers:

Front Spring, 201 321 38 04, around $120 US each
Rear Spring, 201 324 39 04, around $90 US each.

190E 2.6, 56 Points
Spring Pads Front, Blue - 201 321 09 84 - $7.60/ea
Spring Pads Front, Red - 201 321 10 84 - $8.80/ea

190E 2.6, 26 Points
Spring Pads Rear, Blue - 201 325 10 44 - $8.40/ea
Spring Pads Rear, Red - 201 325 11 44 - $9.60/ea

So about $450 or so in parts..

How does the sportline models deal with camber in the rear? With the Eibachs, custom camber arms are needed to properly align the rear end. Maybe the sportline springs don't drop it down low enough to effect?

w123fanman · #8 08-09-2015, 03:21 PM

They use the stock camber arms IIRC (I pulled and posted all of the parts numbers for Sportline mechanical bits on benz world), although the PO of my Sportline had adjustable ones installed, no squeaks like some people complain about.

duxthe1 · #9 08-09-2015, 04:41 PM

I swapped used sportline gear into my CE and ended up at 2 degrees negative camber in the rear. I made custom rear upper arms about 6mm longer to get back down near 1 degree camber.