lower the front

[ZEEK]

I dont know if many of you have this problem or not but my front is higher than my rear. I went to the dealer to ask about some spring pads thinking i can change the front pads and it will even out the car, but the dealer said these w209s dont have pads . Is it true? Did any of you have this problem? and if so waht did you guys do to resolve it?

[Klinh]

Only 50% true !!! Mercedes still used spring pad in the rear to even out the height. If you try to even out the fender gap, the rear will rise up.

[ZEEK]

can't I just do something in the front to lower it to even out with the rear?

[wazv6]

even with lowering springs you'll have the same problem, i think the only way you can solve that problem is with coilovers. you'll then have the ability to even out your ride height

[localbrew]

I don't recommend this but you can cut a little bit of the coil off if it's that important to you. Or go coilovers.

[ZEEK]

so how come the lowered clks that i see here are evend out? they must be on coilovers? and how much do these coilovers cost.

[wazv6]

Originally Posted by ZEEK

so how come the lowered clks that i see here are evend out? they must be on coilovers? and how much do these coilovers cost.

if there even'd out then odds are there on coils. coils are not cheap espically for our cars. i've been shopping for a set of coils and the cheapest i've found were from a company called K Sport and they quoted me at $1500, cheapest ive seen bilsteins for were for $1800 on tire rack and KW are even more $$$$

[ZEEK]

this is fkin crazy. **** man.

[ZEEK]

how about we cut the front springs a little bit?

[wazv6]

Originally Posted by ZEEK

how about we cut the front springs a little bit?

i highly reccomend you dont cut springs, its unsafe man, i've known a few guys who had cut springs mostly on honda's and didn't turn out too good for them

[ZEEK]

thanks a lot for the help man...

[localbrew]

Originally Posted by ZEEK

thanks a lot for the help man...

check the classifieds bro, there are a lot of used coilover kits out there.

[Klinh]

Originally Posted by ZEEK

so how come the lowered clks that i see here are evend out? they must be on coilovers? and how much do these coilovers cost.

Even with coilover kits like KW, on the Clk and C-class, you will need wheel spacers in the front to lower your car all the way down. I wasted $1800 on the KW kit. I removed the kit only after 2 weeks because of the rubbing problems and the ride is too stiffed for mine Clk 500 Cabriolet even at the softness setting. I decided to go with Eibach spring and Bilstein sport shock. I then changed mine rear spring pads to even out the fenders gap with the front. I love the new ride.

[ZEEK]

Originally Posted by Klinh

Even with coilover kits like KW, on the Clk and C-class, you will need wheel spacers in the front to lower your car all the way down. I wasted $1800 on the KW kit. I removed the kit only after 2 weeks because of the rubbing problems and the ride is too stiffed for mine Clk 500 Cabriolet even at the softness setting. I decided to go with Eibach spring and Bilstein sport shock. I then changed mine rear spring pads to even out the fenders gap with the front. I love the new ride.

so you lowered the car first then changed the rear pads to raise it a little bit so that it can even out with the front? is that correct?

[Klinh]

Originally Posted by ZEEK

so you lowered the car first then changed the rear pads to raise it a little bit so that it can even out with the front? is that correct?

Yes but depending on your car weight and spring brand, you will have to decide to go with thinner pad or thicker pads to get the fender gap even all the way around. This is how my car look.

[ZEEK]

your car looks great.

[ZEEK]

btw, what kinda pads you have right now?

[Klinh]

My car is totally different then your in term of weight due to the V8 and convertible. The brand of spring also lowered the car different too. I'm currently using pads #4.

[ZEEK]

actually i have a 03 500 as well. I need to change my profile. But yes 500 conv is diff.

[localbrew]

Personally I'd go Koni's, I've used bilsteins before and I love the Koni's

[ZEEK]

i think first im gonna go with H&R sports then get konis later because money is tight right now.

[stormkenny3]

yeap H&R springs are cool am planning them soon.

[Klinh]

Originally Posted by ZEEK

i think first im gonna go with H&R sports then get konis later because money is tight right now.

The H&R spring usually drop alot more then Eibach spring therefore, I don't think the factory shock able to handle it. I try the Eibach spring with the factory shock on my car and the rebound were very loose on my car.

[ZEEK]

but if i remember correctly, localbrew had dropped his car with H&Rs first t hen he got konis later. How was your ride with H&Rs only localbrew?

[Klinh]

Originally Posted by ZEEK

but if i remember correctly, localbrew had dropped his car with H&Rs first t hen he got konis later. How was your ride with H&Rs only localbrew?

You can if you want but I'm just saying that if you don't mind driving your car bouncing and your shock will get destroy faster.

[ZEEK]

Originally Posted by Klinh

You can if you want but I'm just saying that if you don't mind driving your car bouncing and your shock will get destroy faster.

oh ok, thanks alot for the help man

[KCMBCLK500]

I am planning on H&R springs along with 19" wheels and rely on factory shocks for now. How bad is "bouncing"? I do plan to replace shock later, but the shop told me since my shock is so new now, why not use it for a while first then when it does go bad, buy aftermarkets ones like Bilstein or etc.... any advice? Is the suspension different on the CLK500 AMG package compare to none AMG package?

[Klinh]

Under normal driving, is smooth. High speed driving, is very bounce when you hit dip/pothole on the road. I personally don't like it. Those shock will not last so why do you want to pay for the labors twice ($250-$300) when you can use that money to buy aftermarket shocks? I have Eibach springs which is well known to lower the car less then H&R springs. So the more the car is lower, it can only be worse.

[KCMBCLK500]

Thanks for the advice. What about coilovers? How is the ride? Any recommanded brands? KSports, D2, Tein, or Bilstein etc.......? All advice appreciated~

[AMGOODNESS]

not sure what KW coilovers you had but my V1's are perfect. the car rides amazingly better than the stock Bilstein set-up. my car is slammed too and still have no issues riding on 19's. you will need some front spacers to clear the front perch of the coilovers. it was well worth it for me.