Mercedes W202C280, To lower or not to lower? That is the question.

[davethemus]

I own a T plate V6 C280 and although i understand that it already has the uprated sports suspension which is lowered somewhat, when I am driving i just don't feel that it digs into the road enough when cornering at speed. So i was thinking of changing the entire suspension system and dropping the front, 60mm and the back 40mm or changing the shock absorbers to gas shock absorbers and keeping it at the standard 35mm drop.
Your views please.
All input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Seamster15]

Its a mid range comfy saloon, not a sports car hence the lack of sports feel. Mercedes spent Millions setting up the suspension for the car........

 

[rag1873]

If you do lower it just watch out for the speed bumps etc. My passat sports is lowered and we have to watch where we take it in certain areas, cant even put it into the driveway if there are 2 adults in it!! I wouldnt buy another lowered car coz of it. Id leave the W202 as standard, its a W202 i drive and i find the suspension on it is great... far comfier than the lowered passat too!!!

 

[74merc]

I've got a C280 Sport and it feels fairly well planted on the road - though lacking in feel. I'd say you'd be better off replacing any worn bushes etc, lowering the suspension is likely to make it worse.

 

[Adam230K]

Bilstein B12 is the best available suspension kit for your car, its had very good ratings by everyone i know who has it.

The handling goes up to a different league and it lowers the car nicely without comprimising too much on comfort.

 

[vijilants]

Here

 

[Deutsch]

For better cornering I would change the bushes for black PU bushes allround and then add strut braces to minimise chasis flextion! - I did the Bushes thing with my 525 which had M-Tech suspension and this made a noteable difference!

 

[vijilants]

There are no struts on the W202

 

[stevesey]

I wouldn't go much lower - I changed the front pads for #1 for the extra few mms - with 4/5 up I have to watch the speed bumps.

 

[BlackC55]

Go for a B12 kit from bilstein

 

[KillerHERTZ]

I wouldn't go much lower - I changed the front pads for #1 for the extra few mms - with 4/5 up I have to watch the speed bumps.

I dont know anything about Suspension, but my car is due a service at the end of the month, can I get them to change the pads down to the #1 position as I would like the front only lowering by about 1"? Is this a simple job?

 

[BRABUSS]

if you do decide to lower your car or any car for that matter, your best bet will be to go for a coilover, this is less harsh than other suspension set ups, but can be expensive. but well worth it

 

[stevesey]

I dont know anything about Suspension, but my car is due a service at the end of the month, can I get them to change the pads down to the #1 position as I would like the front only lowering by about 1"? Is this a simple job?

#3 -> #1 pads will only do about 1/2", I think - actually my before measurements are in my PM box somewhere, I'll measure later and let you know the difference.

Changing pads is essentially the same effort as changing the spring - so similar labour cost if you get a garage to do. Which reminds me yours is riding high on one corner anyway isn't it (after you had a spring replaced)?-Better to get this properly sorted. Perhaps a new pair of matched 40mm springs would be a better bet.

EDIT: Checked and #3 -> #1 pads dropped the front from 345 -> 335 (front wheel centre to arch), so less than 1/2".

 

[Deutsch]

There are no struts on the W202

Excuse my ignorance not having worked on a C class before - but what do the shock absorbers mount onto at the top end?
Another old trick is to add a towbar (removable ball obviously) as this will reduce flextion at the back end.

 

[Gruffofcdff]

I thought that all the kits available such as eibach etc were over priced rubbish! too hard a ride with sport springs and shocks. I have cut my standard coil springs by 2 coils and it handles superbly. gotta watch out for sleeping policeman and humps obviously! i couldnt be any happier withthe cornering characteristics on and of the track, have done this to two previous mercs and know of others doing the same.

 

[NW_Merc]

You could go for an eibach anti-roll bar kit along with your B12 spring kit

 

[Gruffofcdff]

What kind of price gets you a B12 kit and ARB kit all in?