MB recomended replacement spring rates softer than the originally fitted.

[MarkC]

I have a 99' CLK with a broken front spring. I ordered two springs for the front to match side-to-side, and the MB parts guy looked up my car's option code to get a number which is then used to choose the correct rate spring. When I picked up the springs I noticed that the color code (white stripe) was different than the red/gray stripe on the ones originally fitted to my car. The parts guy said that this is an ongoing issue and so simply use the same color coded striped springs when fitting replacements rather than go by the computer's recommendations.

I was thinking about this and perhaps the MB computer recommendations is correct, that by using a one grade softer spring as a replacement with the car's other older (and thus slightly saggy than when new) springs, the ride height will be the same.

Since I am only replacing the fronts, I'm afraid that the front will sit higher than the rear (as the rear springs are old) and perhaps that the MB computer recommendations for a one level softer spring is to compensate for the other original older springs which would likely be sagging slightly compared to new.

Should I use the 1-level-softer white stripe springs or the red/grey which was fitted as original? Anyone have experience replacing just one or two MB springs and can comment about the ride hight results?

Thanks in advanced