Lowering my 02 CLK55 AMG... suggestions?

MPRESION · 03-30-2005, 12:49 AM

Hi everyone!

I just picked up my 2002 CLK55 AMG this past weekend and am already itching to lower my car... not crazy, but just enough. I'm already thinking of using H&R springs. Is there anything else that I may be missing as I want to ensure that it is done right? I keep hearing people talking about spring seat pads, but not sure what these things are or if I should be doing something else along with the springs. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

MPRESION

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Chappy · 03-30-2005, 08:20 AM

How low do you want to go? Will you be putting on large wheels?

"I keep hearing people talking about spring seat pads, but not sure what these things are or if I should be doing something else along with the springs."

I am guessing you are referring to spring pads. Your springs sit underneath these "shims" and can vary by height...in the following increments: 5, 9, 13, 17, and 21 mm. (one "bump" to five "bump"). The spring pads are inexpensive and I changed them when I put on new springs.

Good luck

MPRESION · 03-30-2005, 10:41 AM

Chappy,

I'm going to 18's. As per how low, maybe just about a bit over an inch drop or otherwise a fingers width between the top of the tire and the fender. I'm going with the H&R Sport Springs (part# 29377), and as per they're website, the lowering is 1.0" front and 0.9" rear.

How do I know which shim height to get and where do I get them?

Thanks!
MPRESION

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chappy

How low do you want to go? Will you be putting on large wheels?

"I keep hearing people talking about spring seat pads, but not sure what these things are or if I should be doing something else along with the springs."

I am guessing you are referring to spring pads. Your springs sit underneath these "shims" and can vary by height...in the following increments: 5, 9, 13, 17, and 21 mm. (one "bump" to five "bump"). The spring pads are inexpensive and I changed them when I put on new springs.

Good luck

Chappy · 03-30-2005, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPRESION

How do I know which shim height to get and where do I get them?

Thanks!
MPRESION

Get them at the dealer. Very inexpensive (3-4 dollars each).

I put on 5mm in rear and 9mm in front, but am running stock wheels.

King///AMG · 03-30-2005, 12:31 PM

I also have an 02 CLK55 and I am planning to set it down with H&R's in about a month. The place I took it to (Motorwerks) told me that they would use H&R springs and the stock pads since I have low miles on the car. They said that should be adaquate but if I wanted lower, then I can go with a different pad. I have seen another w208 AMG using the stock pads and H&R setup and it looked just fine.

hellcat · 03-30-2005, 12:42 PM

With the H&R springs do you need to get new shocks as well or will the factory shocks still work?

King///AMG · 03-30-2005, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hellcat

With the H&R springs do you need to get new shocks as well or will the factory shocks still work?

I've been told that the factory ones are just fine...

MPRESION · 03-30-2005, 02:14 PM

So which size of pads typically come stock with the car? And if I get a smaller pad thickness, does that mean the car will sit that much lower in millimeters as compared to the stock pads?

Chappy · 03-30-2005, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hellcat

With the H&R springs do you need to get new shocks as well or will the factory shocks still work?

Read this....

http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/sho...+stock+springs

Chappy · 03-30-2005, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPRESION

So which size of pads typically come stock with the car? And if I get a smaller pad thickness, does that mean the car will sit that much lower in millimeters as compared to the stock pads?

In theory, yes. But it rarely works out that way.

Read here....

http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=39125

BklynBenz · 04-01-2005, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King///AMG

I've been told that the factory ones are just fine...

you have your 19's on now with no spring or suspension mods? if so, can you post a pic of your car from the side, im curious as to how high the car sits. thanks.

ProjectC55 · 04-07-2005, 10:17 AM

Every CLK can be different as far as pads are concerned.It's dumb but unfortunately that's the way it is.My car has #3 in front and #4 in back.car in back has #4 in front and#4 in back with H&R's and still sits a tad lower than my car.His car stck came with #3's all around and my car stck came with #2's all around.

Learso · 04-07-2005, 06:15 PM

Hi,

I can make a suggestion that I got from someone in this forum. Consider the AMG euro-spec springs. I just got in touch with a guy in European that is going to send me the springs within the next three weeks, probably more like two weeks. It may come down to taste but I find that I like the european look best instead of the usual 1"+ lower springs here. These just lower the car too much in my view. The CLK55 is a great car because is a mix of all the things I want in a car, included 2+2 seating, everyday practicality, and non-showish looks. The AMG springs I am thinking will lower the ride about .75" which will still look "normal". Also consider getting the MonoblockIIs 18" rims that I bought myself. People can not tell at first if this is what the car came with, even dealers! But the look, when you take a second look or compare it to another AMG CLK55 is noticable and the handling does improve. I will post pics once I get my springs and they are installed.

Good luck,

Learso

03-30-2005, 12:31 PM	#5
King///AMG Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Washington Twp., Michigan Posts: 283 Drives: AMG, Ferrari, Lexus	I also have an 02 CLK55 and I am planning to set it down with H&R's in about a month. The place I took it to (Motorwerks) told me that they would use H&R springs and the stock pads since I have low miles on the car. They said that should be adaquate but if I wanted lower, then I can go with a different pad. I have seen another w208 AMG using the stock pads and H&R setup and it looked just fine. __________________ Ferrari 360 Modena -- Rosso Corsa, Tan, F1-style paddle shift (coming very soon). CLK55 AMG -- Obsidian Black, COMAND System, 19" Chrome AMG Style IV Double Spoke 2-Piece Rims on Pirelli PZero Nero's. Lexus ES300 -- Alabaster Metallic on Ivory, Gold Package, Mark Levinson Premium Sound (Sold). Lexus IS300 -- Graphite Grey Pearl on Ivory, SportDesign.

03-30-2005, 12:42 PM	#6
hellcat MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 4,803 Drives: 97 4Runner	With the H&R springs do you need to get new shocks as well or will the factory shocks still work? __________________ "The speed with which the fiscal situation has deteriorated has been breathtaking. Just one year ago, in the Mid-Session Review of the last budget of the Bush Administration, the federal budget was expected to move from deficit to surplus in 2012 with debt equaling 36% of GDP. Today, the deficit is expected to be almost $800 billion in 2012 with the debt at over 71% of GDP and rising." -JP Morgan Market Bulletin, 8 Sep 09

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03-30-2005, 08:20 AM	#2
Chappy MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Hotlanta Posts: 7,887 Drives: AMG	How low do you want to go? Will you be putting on large wheels? "I keep hearing people talking about spring seat pads, but not sure what these things are or if I should be doing something else along with the springs." I am guessing you are referring to spring pads. Your springs sit underneath these "shims" and can vary by height...in the following increments: 5, 9, 13, 17, and 21 mm. (one "bump" to five "bump"). The spring pads are inexpensive and I changed them when I put on new springs. Good luck __________________ W208 CLK55 - 2002 (Silver w/Charcoal - 43K miles) 1 of 3,381 W208 AMG Coupes Worldwide 304WHP / 321TQ - Stock! W124 Estate - 1995 MBWGCM #71 Kombi's Uber Alles Member #3

03-30-2005, 02:14 PM	#8
MPRESION Almost a Member! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 68	So which size of pads typically come stock with the car? And if I get a smaller pad thickness, does that mean the car will sit that much lower in millimeters as compared to the stock pads?

04-07-2005, 06:15 PM	#13
Learso Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 253 Drives: 2009 GL450, 2009 G55 Mocha Black with Cognac Interior, 08 911 Turbo Cab, 08 CLK63 Black Series	Hi, I can make a suggestion that I got from someone in this forum. Consider the AMG euro-spec springs. I just got in touch with a guy in European that is going to send me the springs within the next three weeks, probably more like two weeks. It may come down to taste but I find that I like the european look best instead of the usual 1"+ lower springs here. These just lower the car too much in my view. The CLK55 is a great car because is a mix of all the things I want in a car, included 2+2 seating, everyday practicality, and non-showish looks. The AMG springs I am thinking will lower the ride about .75" which will still look "normal". Also consider getting the MonoblockIIs 18" rims that I bought myself. People can not tell at first if this is what the car came with, even dealers! But the look, when you take a second look or compare it to another AMG CLK55 is noticable and the handling does improve. I will post pics once I get my springs and they are installed. Good luck, Learso

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