Choice of spring/shock kist for my W124

[kth286]

For perfect ride height, the rear arch should sit half-inch lower than the front....measurement should be taken from centre of wheel to peak of arch both front and rear.


talbir

That should be reversed, and the rear arch should be higher than the front to allow 2 persons to sit in the rear of car without it sagging down at the rear and giving the car a tired worn out look.

 

[Will]

That should be reversed, and the rear arch should be higher than the front to allow 2 persons to sit in the rear of car without it sagging down at the rear and giving the car a tired worn out look.

But what about when you've also got two people in the front (driver + passenger)?

Surely then it'd maintain the same balance. After all, there'll always be at least one person in the front (driver), but not always/often two passengers in the rear

Will

 

[talbir]

That should be reversed, and the rear arch should be higher than the front to allow 2 persons to sit in the rear of car without it sagging down at the rear and giving the car a tired worn out look.

All tuners have always worked to the rule of keeping the rear lower - and check the picture above of the AMG.....rear sits half-inch lower.

Nothing looks worse than the rear sitting higher than the front, unless you're going drag racing....

talbir

 

[MBK]

Hi Nik,

Yeah the ride in my car is much nicer now very smooth, i can take bumps at more than 2mph without leaving bits of the exhaust behind lol (theres a skill to taking speed bumps but its not practical for me anymore). the whole set up feels good, if you want you can pop down and i'll take you for a spin, so you can see for yourself.

Kully

 

[Dee-124CAB]

Niks, the best way to measure the height is like Talbir stated, from the centre bore to the arch.

I you are finding it difficult to see the nibs, try jacking the car up a little.

The silver W124 in the pic you attached is definately lower than a sportline model.

I cannot say how much officially lower the E36 AMG was compared to the Sportline cars, but note the camber on the rear wheel on that silver one, I would guess its at least -30mm (I may be wrong though!).

PS: The stance on that E36 is super sexy.... subtle, mean, without being chavy. And sets the Gen2 kit off perfectly.

 

[Niks]

Dee - Yea thats exactly how I want my car to look but with my EVO alloys. I think the best thing would be if someone looked at it for me as im not sure what im looking out for (i know it sounds dumb)

Kully - I'll PM you regarding the ride, it would be great to meet up. I think after that I'll get a better idea of how it feels when the car is lowered.

I'll measure up the height again from the centre of the wheels and post the results when I get some time.

 

[grober]

Niks if you want to do a spot of DIY check the video link I just posted in this other thread. http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/wheels-tyres/68735-w124-rear-spring-compressors.html#post765808The suspension on the w124 is virtually identical to the 190 except being uprated for the heavier car. It all goes together the same way. I should add this should only be attempted by more experienced home mechanics since there is some risk involved with changing springs.

 

[Niks]

Thanks Grober for that link, I remember seeing this a while ago on Wheeler Dealers. After watching that it kind of makes sense but as im not mechanically minded and fear it might go horribly wrong if I did it myself, its better if I get someone to have a look at it for me.

 

[janner]

I have a set of Ventura springs that will fit your car. I can bring them with me to the PCS get-together. £10? (£2.50 a spring ).

 

[Niks]

Janner - how much will they lower my car by? do you have anymore info on these springs? Ive never heard of Ventura

 

[grober]

Janner - how much will they lower my car by? do you have anymore info on these springs? Ive never heard of Ventura

They are a Dutch company. Eurocarparts used to supply them for a while? They were also used on some of the Bilstein lowering kits for a while also. They lowered 40mm AFAIK and were a distinctive bright red in colour.

 

[d w124]

Bro:That`s the ones i`ve got on my car.

 

[Niks]

Really? will these work well on standard MB shocks as right now I dont think I can do the whole shocks and springs all in one go.

 

[MBK]

Yeah they should all work on standard MB shocks which will be either Bilstein or Sachs.

 

[janner]

They are quite low and firmer than my H&R springs that I've got now. You won't have any problem with standard shocks but ideally you need Bilstein Sport shocks (the yellow ones) which are valved for lowered springs. You will also need a wheel alignment after fitting them. The rear camber is not adjustable on the W124 so anything lower than Sportline springs will wear the rear tyres on the insides more than normal.
What do you think?

 

[Will]

Niks - for a tenner it's a no brainer

Sounds like a good opportunity for you/your car

Will

 

[pupsi]

For a tenner you cant go wrong.

You can always fit these and then fit the shocks later.
They will work with standard shocks but ideally you want shortened shocks, as the car will now be lower.

If you need a hand fitting, let me know.

 

[Dee-124CAB]

Definately the cheapest & best way of finding out if a lowered W124 is really what you want.

For a tenner, think of it as dipping your toes in the water before you start throwing serious money at the suspension.

 

[Niks]

I did some research about these Ventura springs and a post I read didnt sound promising at all about them. I'll give it a miss and to be honest I dont want to cut corners with this, especially when it comes to the mechanical side of my car.

I've narrowed it down to either Eibach springs or H&R. Its just finding out which combination will be best with which Bilstein shocks.

If I was to keep my standard shocks, and replace the standard springs with MB Sportline springs, is there a way of knowing how much it will reduce the ride height by?

 

[janner]

It's up to you but there's nothing wrong with the quality of them. Bilstein used them in their handling kits and they are TUV approved. Eurocarprats sold me them for my coupe when they should only be used on a saloon. They are quite firm though.