W124 Lowering Springs - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

chaser234 · #1 08-15-2002, 09:36 PM

Hey I was just wondering if people could post what kind of lowering springs/air bags that they used in their w124 and what they think of them in terms of affordability, performance, looks, etc. Thanks a lot!

omegabenz · #2 08-18-2002, 11:37 PM

I lowered my brother's W124 with Eibach springs. It looks good, but man it slammed the car. I found that the rear upper and lower arms are bad because the bushings are worn, so I have to install new ones, then get an alignment, you will definately need that.

JCE · #3 08-19-2002, 12:35 AM

I use the MB Sportline springs. The pictures and specs are in the 'cars' tab at the top of the page under Sportline. Total drop in height is under an inch, handling 1000% better, ride very comfortable, price nearly identical to aftermarket if you do just the springs and shocks (skipping the sway bars, sub frame/control arm bushings, etc. Depends on if you want a slammed look, or the best blend of handling and ride comfort.

omegabenz · #4 08-19-2002, 03:37 AM

1000% man thats a lot, if you got that much with sportline, man these Eibachs dropped my brothers car like 2+ inches at least. Man its slammed, its got no wheel gap practically, maybe .5 inches. I will post a pic when I get a chance.

Speedtek · #5 08-19-2002, 04:32 AM

omegabenz-

What is the part number of the springs you installed in your bros car?

Subman · #6 08-19-2002, 11:48 PM

Take a look at my website I have done some write ups on my suspension. I have ebach it is all on the site.
-----Suspension mods-----
Take a look at my pics on my site to get a feel for the drop. I do not feel my car is "slammed" as omegabenz says, but a nice drop.

BTW you can look up the part numbers on eibach's site.

Subman

edit: I am not omegabenz's brother.

Ashman · #7 08-20-2002, 12:02 PM

I have H&R's. I love em.

BTW, JOHN is right, his car handles amazing!! I have driven it, and I was amazed at how amazing it handled.

Alon

el presidente · #8 08-20-2002, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ashman
I have H&R's. I love em.

BTW, JOHN is right, his car handles amazing!! I have driven it, and I was amazed at how amazing it handled.

Alon

'Amazing' Ashman, j/k

Is there a noticeable difference in you suspension setup vs. the sportline?

Didn't you replace the struts and rear shocks too?

Steve

omegabenz · #9 08-20-2002, 02:54 PM

www.eibach.com

for w124 300E cars

PRO-KIT 1.2 in 1.2 in Ride heights may be adjusted through Mercedes Pad Syst.üPlease consult your authorized Mercedes Dealer if add'lüride height adjustment is needed. 2517.140

ANTI-ROLL-KIT 28 mm 17 mm 2505.320

There are many postings on what pads are what part numbers, so you can look that up. It droped my brothers car a lot I think, so I noticed that the rear links were worn out, so I am going to fix those, then get it aligned. I will take pictures soon.

Ashman · #10 08-20-2002, 03:47 PM

steve, haven't done shocks yet, but johns car handles way nicer than mine does, as his is the full sportline conversion, and I only have h&r springs right now.

When I do sport shocks and add swaybars, ohh man my car will be sweet.

But new golf clubs were calling me and I just had to get them.

Alon

el presidente · #11 08-20-2002, 04:08 PM

Alon,

Not sure I mentioned it previously, but those Carlssons are SWEET!

gsxr · #12 08-20-2002, 07:24 PM

I have Neuspeed (made by H&R?) springs on my one car and Carat/Eibach on the other, both with Bilsteins all around. My previous 124 had H&R springs with KONI's. All handle awesome but ride quite a bit stiffer, regardless of the tire sized mounted.

The Eibach sway bar kits are something like $500, and you can get the complete Sportline sway bar kits from *************** for about $225, direct from Mercedes. The only difference is the Sportline front bar tapers at the ends (less than stock, though), and the Eibach is 28mm end to end (so I'm told). I had installed both front & rear bars on all 3 cars.

I also installed the Sportline front control arm bushings, but not the rear Sportline subframe bushings (yet). Both the H&R and Neuspeed springs required cutting a 1/2 coil from the fronts, for my 300E and 300D, to get the front down to match the rear (which has the thickest pads.) Maybe they were designed for a heavier front end? Anyway, both ended up REALLY low, about 2-3 inch drop, which was more than practical - you drag and rub everything. The Carat/Eibachs worked great out of the box, with a nice 1.5-inch drop. If I were to do another car, I'd try the factory Sportline springs, hopefully they wouldn't be as harsh riding.

So, the springs & shocks made the most difference but are the biggest & most expensive job. Sway bars were second biggest improvement and are pretty easy & cheap to install. The c/a bushings made the least noticeable difference. Right now I'm interested in doing brake upgrades, to the 1994/95 E320/420 brakes (see my other thread for details & p/n's).

Photos of my cars are at these URL's. (They're a little out of date, I now have 500E Euro lights and will have 94/95 marker lights installed shortly. I'll update when I take some new photos):

http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/showlink.asp?CatID=502&parentID=35&subname=1987_300D_Sportline_(Dave_M.)&parentname=W124_E,CE,D,TD_Class

http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/showlink.asp?CatID=503&parentID=35&subname=1987_300D_Sportline_(Dave_M.,_#2)&parentname=W124_E,CE,D,TD_Class

Also, more assorted MB related photos (engine work, etc) are here:

http://www.meimann.com/images/mercedes/

Regards,