S210 lowering

[philg1981]

Have just got a 2002 s210 320cdi with the rear self leveling suspension. It needs to go lower (just abit as it's a daily) but Unsure whether to go for the -35mm on offer or to try loosing a coil or 2 off of standard springs. I also know you have to adjust the level sensor bar and would be interested in how much ushers have adjusted theirs. Please don't give me the usual replies about cutting springs as aware off all the issues.
Just wondering if anyone here has done either and has any pictures. Currently running standard 16s but will be getting staggered 18 amgs when I get them refurbed.
Thanks

 

[a111r]

Mine's an Avantgarde and is low enough as it is, possibly the springs are tired.

 

[ringway]

My current 210 is pretty low in some of the pictures here. LINK.

I still have the low springs. If anyone is interested, make me an offer.

 

[philg1981]

Think mines an elegance model.
Ringway - yours looks a nice wagon. Do you know how low the low springs were? Still looks good on the newer springs - are they standard sport items? Would they be like -15 or -20 over standard ride height?

 

[ringway]

Think mines an elegance model.
Ringway - yours looks a nice wagon. Do you know how low the low springs were? Still looks good on the newer springs - are they standard sport items? Would they be like -15 or -20 over standard ride height?

Mines an Elegance too. Just because it isn't an Avantgarde doesn't mean it's a poor relation. I can't put my hands on the spring at the moment, but my car is currently set to "Standard Sports Chassis" (Avantgarde set up) as was my last 320CDI Elegance model.

 

[philg1981]

Oh she is a well spec'd elegance - even has the orthopedic seats in! I'd like just abit lower than sport spec as it's for daily/family/work use. Trying to get away from world of low bouncy cars - that's why I sold the golf (on coilovers)

 

[ringway]

The orthopaedic seats were quite an expensive option on an elegance (standard on the E430, though).

The four springs I have would make you car lower, but possibly too low. I seem to recall a pad or two in the setup on my car.

 

[philg1981]

Has any one fitted the adjustable camber boltsvat the front? Are they expensive from a dealer?plus has anyone fitted adjustable rear arms? Thinking I might go.All proper and add these things too - hate buying tyres!

 

[philg1981]

Got some adjustable rear camber arms - look decent enough. So just a matt err of minding the springs now. It has a ride height (centre of wheel to arch) of 360mm all round. I'd like 320 or 330 all round. What is the height of avantgarde models at the rear? I see there is another hole on height valve that I can use, but of it only goes to 350 for example, I will have to try send adjust rod length? Has anyone.r done this?
Thanks

 

[tjamesbo]

I have thought about lowering my 320CDI Elegance Estate possibly to avantgarde height can i
1 Just Fit the avantgarde springs? do i need to also fit avantgarde shocks at the front ?
or
2 Thinner spring cups and shortened springs

3 Adjust Rear Ride height with both options presumably only difference at the rear is the springs

Its on 16 inch rims at the moment but I have a set of 17 inch AMG's ready to go on
Boyd

 

[philg1981]

As far as I'm aware or have found out -
1. Could get away with springs in my experience (of vw) but may bottom out quicker. Worth a go as a shock swap is quite quick job.
2. Depending on your existing cup number you may get a decent extra drop on top of lower spring height - believe an extra 12mm is possible. Again run with standard shocks or avantgarde.
3.the rear will need springs plus the self leveling suspension adjusted to suit. If you put shorter springs in but don't adjust the sls system it will stay at standard ride height.

Wheels will look better with drop, I'm going from 16 to 18s myself

 

[philg1981]

Well my boss is away tomorrow and I cleared all my work so I'll be getting the big girl lowered in the morning - by angle grinder! Will report back with results.

 

[tjamesbo]

just had the front spring off today to change the lower arm & balljoint and the spring cup looked quite thick untili got to the part at the end of the spring at that point there are only a few mms thick of rubber so no point changing cups
so to lower its either avamtgarde springs or get the elegance ones shortened
I'm not looking for a lot just down to avantgarde height i think I'll price up a set of springs .... that 'll put it on the back burner .
Are you just slicing your springs down ?
Boyd

 

[welland99]

Mines an Elegance too. Just because it isn't an Avantgarde doesn't mean it's a poor relation. I can't put my hands on the spring at the moment, but my car is currently set to "Standard Sports Chassis" (Avantgarde set up) as was my last 320CDI Elegance model.

When you say "set" to std sports height, what does this mean? Do you press a button or twiddle a knob to adjust the ride height?

 

[bob6600]

When you say "set" to std sports height, what does this mean? Do you press a button or twiddle a knob to adjust the ride height?

No such feature on a W210. The car is an elegance model but was specced with an avantgarde suspension (lower) from factory. Ringway will correct me if I'm wrong

 

[ringway]

No such feature on a W210. The car is an elegance model but was specced with an avantgarde suspension (lower) from factory. Ringway will correct me if I'm wrong

Spot on, Bob.

The lower A/G spec from the factory was termed as "Standard sports Chassis".

 

[philg1981]

Well got tohe big girl lowered this morning. Will post up a few pics later on. I took 1 coil off each spring spring. Front came down by 32mm and is running number 5 cup rubbe. rears came down by 17 mm, Unsure of cups as stuck up in chassis. Moved the sls lever to the other hole. But I'm happy with the results, and could still settle more. Ride is 95% as before but handling is much improved. Fitted adjustable rear camber arms while doing the springs so needs set up for tracking etc. Still.

 

[philg1981]

Just a few before and after shots of how it went -
1
Before short


During surgery


Adjustable rear camber arms

4
Arms in place

At this point photobucket had stopped working! Will get after shot up soon. It has settled -32 at the rear and -37 at front. Still need tracking/camber sorted. Then set of 9x18 with 225/40 going on her. May need to look at the rear sls again as altho lowered is abit clunky. Maybe spheres needs regassed. But apart from that good job all round.

 

[alex89]

Awesome, love seeing these being dropped. There's not enough people that do them.

I went down the cheats route..... Airride

 

[philg1981]

Love the holstens. Are they 22s? May be my old set!
Hers my s210 on 18s