W124 Sportline vs Standard Springs
 

I've found out my new(ish) 320TE has sports suspension (which explains the big front sway/ARB & 7" wheels), but it has no sportline badges/seats etc... just the suspension in the build codes.

Previous owner had a 'specialist' put on new front springs recently, but I have a feeling they didn't go by the VIN and put on standard ones, as the front of the car looks too high to me, and looking at other sportline cars between the wheel and arch looks too big... There's no colour codes on the springs, and 11 windings (I *think* sportline springs should have 10?)...

chazola, no color code on the springs would indicate they are not genuine MB springs. Your local MB dealer will be able to tell you the spec number of windings for the Sportline and standard springs.

I agree that the space from the top of the tire to the fender looks larger than normal for a 124 vehicle; however, the ride height appears normal. Are the tires the proper profile?

Your wagon appears to be in pristine shape. Is that the original paint?

Hi, yes correct 205/60/15 tyres on 7" original rims... Just checking again one coil appears to have approx 12 windings, and the other 11...!? I've found the correct part number, which is 1243212904, and ordered a pair for my mechanic to fit soon. Original paint, not perfect but not bad for 23 years old!

Ride height is fine for a standard car, and it drives ok, but too high for sportline looking from other pics of sportline cars- the top of the wheel rim should be just above the top edge of the bumper/side chrome trim on the plastic panels, from what I can see:

When I swapped my coupe's springs for sportline gear I took a few pics. There's a thread here:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/performance-paddock/365359-300-ce-sportline.html

I count just under 10 coils on a sportline spring with the stock spring a full coil longer.

Also note that the rubber pad in which the top of the coil nests also contributes to ride-height, the number of bumps on its perimeter identifies the thickness.