Is it possible to replace stock 86 300E swaybars with 500E swaybars? If so, how much do they usually run from a dealer? Would they be better to use on a lowered 300E, instead of the Eibach swaybar kit, since the 500E is technically a racecar.

I've heard that the 500E swaybar runs about $100. It should be possible to do the swap in spite of the fact that the 500 is wider. You'll need to replace the bushings as well.

The 500E is technically not a racecar...they were never raced in any organized events like the 2.3-16 and 2.5-16.

They are formidable cars, no doubt about it, but I'm not sure they could be classified as a racecar since M-B didn't use the 124 chassis or M119 engine in any racing program.

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'94 W124.036 249/040 leder; 8.25x17 EvoIIs
'93 W124.036 199/040 leder; 8.25x17 EvoIIs, up in flames...LITERALLY!
'93 W124.036 481/040 leder; euro delivery; 8.25x17 EvoIIs
'88 R107.048 441/409 leder; Euro lights
'87 W201.034 199/040 leder; Euro lights; EvoII brakes; 8x16 EvoIs - soon: 500E rear brakes
'70 R113.044 050/526; factory alloys; Euro lights

Rich30769:

Have you considered the Sportline sway bars from PartShop for the 300E? I measured them when I did the conversion, and there is a long discussion on them in the archives, but basically, my car now corners FLAT!!! I mean, if it is leaning on the corners, I sure can't feel it, and people following me have said the car looks like a go cart in the corners! I can't imagine needing a beefier bar set without taking it to the Long Beach Grand Prix!

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John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

JCE and Yen-Hsen Liem,
Thanks to the replys from both of you. My next quetion is how can the Eibach swaybars cost more than the 500E's, and JCE did you use the whole Eibach setup? How much of a difference did you notice in ride and handling?

Rich

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Richie
1986 300E

Richie:
I didn't use Eibachs. I started to go that route, and the forum moderators told me about the Sportline option. Basically, lowering/performance springs, shocks, sway bars, and bushing package designed by the Mercedes factory!. There is a complete description and photos on it under the blue "cars" button at the top of the page. Also, if you do a search under the word "Sportline", there is a ton of discussion, including dimensions on the sway bars compared to stock.

A summary - the sportline suspension kit cost me the same or a bit less than going with Eibach's. The car was lowered by about 1/4" to 1/2" initially, and finally by about 3/4" after everything settled in at 6 months after installation. The ride was BETTER on freeways, smooth city streets, and light dips. The ride lost about 10% in comfort over railroad tracks and rough road, some of that from the Pilot XGT-V4 tires. The handling impresses the hell out of anyone who drives it, including the tech who installed all the parts - he is going to do the same kit to his w124 after he finishes his current project of stuffing a ford 5.0V8 into a volvo wagon.

The total appearance of the car was changed more than the numbers imply, as shown by the pics at the "cars" tab above. The car is more level, there is less wheel well visible above the tire, and the effect is more "sporty" than "rice". It looks more aggresive, but it doesn't really look lowered until you see 2 300Es side by side.

Finally, the entire kit is made up to parts specified by Mercedes for YOUR year and VIN number, which PartShop requires to order the parts. PartShop delivery was fast, and their support to me (and to a couple of questions from my independent tech) was fantastic! With Sportline, you get a kit Factory designed for your car, with big dollar factory research and testing on the components. I spent a few extra dollars for something not in the kit. I bought the "Sportline" badges for the side of the car.
Hope this helps.

[Edited by JCE on 12-17-2000 at 12:36 PM]

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John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E