Just purchased a really clean 1989 420SEL with 95K. Previous owner lowered with H&R springs with some 17" wheels and 235/45-17 tires. Car handles very well, tight, tracks well with no pulling. He told me (IIRCC) there was two shims in the front and three in the rear. gives it a slight nose-down rake. I have noticed that the L/F fender is 1/2" closer to (and rubbing) the tire than the R/F. Probably been this way for about a year and a half and 17K. Tires are wearing fine with nothing out of the ordinary showing. All the rest of the tires (front & rear) are not rubbing and the clearence is equal on the rear, or at least darn close.

I've ruled out major body problems (no rust or damage). No apparent suspension issues (no thunking or bunking), so I'm wondering what may give? Any ideas? Is the R/F to high and the tires are known to rubbing in medium to hard cornering?

I will add that he used the Bilstein HD shocks, which I am going to swap for the sport models. The HD's with the H&R's are a bit stiff for me.

Cliff

Shims? What shims? The stock springs come with a rubber "spacer" above the spring, They are made in various thicknesses to match various vehicle weights. But I cannot imagine trying to stack these rubber "shims". Maybe there is a special H&R shim that they use to trim ride height? In that case you should be able to peer up in there and see if both sides have approximately the same "shimming". Use a small mirror thru the hole in the body above the spring.
You could try measuring the height of the frame from the ground on each side at the point where the lower control arm attaches, this would rule out any body variations, such as a higher fender, etc.
The shocks have some spring effect due to the gas prerssure, only maybe 25 pounds, but might effect ride ht a small amount if one is shot.

I bet those babies do rub occasionally. I have 225/55/16 with stock springs, and one of them rubbed slightly when I bottomed it out. I found the rubber bumper in the shock was kinda beat up - replaced the bumber and that fixed it. as an afterthought; with lower springs, those shock bumpers are probably in compression all the time; in fact, they probably add some spring force (might affect ride ht also). Check them out, should be 105mm long.

DG

Why not Bilstein comforts? Good blend of performance and ride comfort with those. I run on the 1991 coupe, 16'' wheels with eibach springs, the car is lowered with a slight rake in front, nor rubbing, and no scuffing and have had no problems for over 10 years.

It has a very slight "rake" in the appearance which works well for me...

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Yes, spacer is what I ment. I will check out how many are installed.

I did stick a piece of painters masking tape under the fender to see how bad or often it rubs during a normal commute. It's not as bad as the missing paint makes it look. Straight ahead driving I don't think it rubs at all, but left hand direction changes and I'm rubbing.

Cliff

I did think about changing to a 16" wheel if the sport shocks with the 17"'s didn't give me the ride I am looking for. I'm trying to acheive a ride similar to an '85 Z28 I had years ago; firm and responsive, but delivered a nice highway ride. What I currently lack now is the nice highway ride. Lots of hashness, especially in the rear. I do realize some of this is due to the much lower profile tires transmitting the road surface conditions into the car.

Was sort of under the impression that lowered springs and comforts was a no-no. You advice is food for thought.