Id replacement vs original springs
 

Is there any way to identify replacement vs original rear springs? I'm suspecting my 240D has had it's rear springs replaced at some stage as the stance is very high and the ride seems real harsh. Rather like the description of the rear "performance springs" that Eric sells.

- Peter.

The chassis FSM , there are two books, has a huge info section on the springs.. color coding which you might find on the end... 'Wire size' which you might could measure....
Perhaps they installed the ' bad roads country ' springs.... which you would want in many third world countries.... and some US third world states.....

Springs purchased from Mercedes dealers have markings on them red/blue calling out which spring pad should be used.

None of the aftermarket springs I've ever bought had these.

Look at the rear springs, for "spring helpers" as the car may have been sagging and someone installed these to bring back the stance......When these cars get this age, you will start to notice that a case of beer in the trunk, will cause the rear to sag....I stuffed 1x1 pieces of wood in my springs to bring back height......I would also check the fsm for the height....and see if your car is at the correct height before condemning the springs as replacements...

James Dean's comment about color coding x 2 in order to tell if you have OEM or aftermarket.

Also you're comment about the stance being very high and the ride harsh is usually a description of an aftermarket spring with the wrong spring pad.