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suspension uprades. anyone have advice?; seek thoughts regards suspension mods
Topic Started: Thu Oct 29, 2009 2:34 am (714 Views)
kmanley
Newbie
[ * ]
hi, just wondered

has anyone had any adverse experiences from fitting lowered springs etc in their 190? am thinking about lowering my car and uprated dampers, does anyone have any advice regards this plse? am seeking to lower car to see if i can improve handling/cornering from standard and not looking for car to
look radically slammed or impractical over speedbumps. does anyone have any advice please regards best types of suspension kits/uprades? has anyone lowered their car and wished they hadnt? anyone fitted uprated/nylon suspension bushes as part of an upgrade.
ive always worked on cars and have carried out engine work etc but not suspension, has anyone come accross any pitfalls while lowering their cars at all?

appreciate your time!! 190s are the greatest cars. !

kevin
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bazfj40
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[url]http://img291.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1120a10cq6.jpg[/url]
[ *  * ]
have a look through this section m8 some good advise in here, dont think you need different shocks as you can use your standard ones with lowering springs as long as you dont go to low, 40mm i think i read in here,baz.
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sportline_stu
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More than part of things
[ *  *  * ]

I think most people agree that up to 40mm is ok. Any more than this then it can affect all sorts of things, I think including the camber and ride quality. There are a variety of springs available to you

I have changed the springs on my 2.6 to sportline springs. These are genuine Mercedes parts and were a factory option. The sportline pack included other bits including uprated Bilstein shocks.

Just changing the springs made a noticeable difference to the handling and cornering of the car with minimal loss of ride comfort. It is without a doubt the single best improvement/change I have made to the car.

I have resisted the temptation to change the shocks so far.

Uprating the anti-roll-bars will also help improve handling/cornering - I have read a thread on here where just the ARB bushes were replaced and the owner noticed an improvement in the front end handling.

Stu
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Richy190E
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bubble bubble
[ *  *  *  *  *  * ]
New ARB bushes will make a noticable difference as the bar will load up quicker without as much roll.

I eventually intend running Spax -40mm shocks and springs, Delrin rear subframe bushes, polyurethane front wishbone bushes, ARB bushes and rear arm bushes. Adjustable preload on the rear ARB and thicker front bar and maybe urethane rear link arm bushes.

Thats on a roadgoing car on 15" lightweight MB wheels, Toyo TR-1 tyres.

I drove a car a couple of years back called a z-car mini. its basically a classic mini shell with a spaceframe and a hayabusa engine, the suspension was very soft in a straight line (dare I day comfy!) yet chuck it into a corner and the ARB's took control and kept the car flat, it was amazing.
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kentronix
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I'm only really here for the Kitchens

My advice is bilstein sports shocks and a 40mm drop will totally sort out the ride. Not cheap if you buy new but the ride will be great.

Cheapest single upgrade is to change the front anti roll bar bushes. £20 and half hours work will remove so much play. Front top shock mounts are probably next at £40 a pair.

The general thinking is 40mm spring drop will not require a shock change but any more and you should change the shocks too. Personally I think decent shocks makes more difference to handling, shorter springs make more difference to the looks.

So best do both :)

I dropped 60mm (plus a bit) on the front and would rather be a tad higher. Its a pain over those 3 hump style speed bumps. I have to drive with my wheels on the top of the humps so my sump is in the gap and doesnt scrape on the ground.

This is only my advice from my experience of course, lots more knowledgeable chaps with good advice around.
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Martrider
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Longest build time in history?
Depending on what engine size you have, Boge-Sachs kit inc springs and HD dampers will amaze you for £199 (From GSF). You don't need more on a 2.0ltr and the difference is startling. I ran mine for 4 years and about 100k miles and they were brilliant.

And for that price, plus you can afford to replace top mounts and ARB bushings at the same time and have a very nicely sorted set-up.

Just a check at the same time that your suspension arm bushings are in reasonable nick, and give them a good spray with WD-40 on a regular basis and you shouldn't have too many problems.

Just a note though, my front dampers had sunk a little which is why i bought this kit all in one to change over to. It can end up settling a little more than 40mm but i never had a problem with height, and run 17" wheels with 215/40s with no rubbing at all.
Edited by Martrider, Fri Oct 30, 2009 3:24 pm.
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D Merc
Part of things
[ *  * ]
Hi,

I've just lowered my 2.0 auto 40mm and I have to say that the handling is much improved over standard :), the turn in is also better and the cornering is flatter and more 'planted'...I used GSF -40mm springs all round btw (although the rears could do with a coil off IMHO)


I will eventually replace the standard struts with Bilstein uprated ones, but for now I'm impressed with the stance my car has (a bit more aggressive and noticably lower). When I do get the standard struts replaced I'll probably chop off 1 coil all round for what I would consider to be a perfect stance for the 190 (see Downside's ride for my idea of a perfect stance), but for now I can enjoy the fact that my car looks better, handles better and can still make it over speed bumps without any issues. :)

I'd say get the GSF springs and see for yourself, it'll be the best thing you can do to your car for very little outlay (I paid £70 for the springs and £80 labour)...as a 'phase 1' suspension upgrade it's a sound investment and you can then fine tune the ride/handling by adding uprated struts, new bushes/ARB etc...go for it....you won't regret it!

;)

D Merc
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kmanley
Newbie
[ * ]

thanks for everyones comments. sounds like changing springs without dampers (dont think mine are leaking or need replacement) , is a reasonably cost effective way of improving handling, which is why i was looking to do this (having had a well set up a mini which appeared to handle better on certain types of roads) . probaby will change some other parts like the bushes too. thanks once again, tis best to ask advice to get the benefit of others experience. best rgds ! kevin
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kentronix
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I'm only really here for the Kitchens

Always best to ask, after all, you dont have to take it but its good to know :)

If your sticking with standard shocks you shouldnt go more than a 40mm drop. All the travel will be in a very short area which will wear the shock very quickly.... from what I am told. Let us know how you get on.
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