w124 coupe sitting too high on oem springs

[bh13coupe]

bear with my this is my first post.
I have recently changed my springs and shocks on my w124 e320 coupe. previously i had after market springs (fitted by previous owner) that allowed the car to sit too low and the ride was harsh. I fitted new bilstein HD shocks all round and switched to oem springs with the idea that i can get the smooth ride back and put up with the car sitting a little higher. however the ride height is mega high now and looks awful. I have heard the springs will settle and the car will drop in time. has anyone had a similar experience and can confirm this is the case or do i have a problem with my monster truck ride height. any advise would be appreciated. i am not interested in the the HR/Eibach drop by 40mm route all I want is the car to look stock as it came out the showroom.
Thanks
Paul

 

[trapperjohn]

Welcome Paul. Good choice of motor. The rest of the gang will be along in a while and will assist in getting the car to look stock. Some crackin experts on here.

 

[kbhogalW126]

Firstly Welcome Paul.

I have the same car and fitted new springs on my car last year.

It took a wee while but eventually they will settle down and be fine.

I'm sure someone more knowledgable than myself will come along soon and confirm how long it "may" take to settle.

Regards,

KJ

 

[coupe deville]

I replaced my front pair due to one being busted [ well Mr Ian B Walker did it for me ] and no probs, got them from the dealers using number plate to get exact match [springs are chassis specific] They were a fraction high but settled, yours sound more than a fraction, where did you get them from ?
welcome to the club, nice choice of car, its our duty to preserve the species for the future although my patience is being tried at the minute, I thought the new tyres might cure the steering wheel being slightly cockled to the right but no, it still is so I.m going to get it tracked at a specialist who knows what he's doing and now the windscreens cracked and just after I'd told the missis that I wont be spending any more on it this year cos its running like a little beauty,

 

[grober]

Did you use the same spring pads that were there with shortened springs. It could be if the springs were very short the previous owner may have used the thicker spring pads to adjust the ride height ? They vary in thickness 8mm,13mm,18mm,23mm front and 8mm,13mm,18mm rear identified by the number of rubber pips on the side of the pad.

 

[bh13coupe]

I replaced my front pair due to one being busted [ well Mr Ian B Walker did it for me ] and no probs, got them from the dealers using number plate to get exact match [springs are chassis specific] They were a fraction high but settled, yours sound more than a fraction, where did you get them from ?

I bought them from my main dealer (jacksons poole) using my vin number on their system. so i am confident they are correct.

 

[bh13coupe]

Did you use the same spring pads that were there with shortened springs. It could be if the springs were very short the previous owner may have used the thicker spring pads to adjust the ride height ? They vary in thickness 8mm,13mm,18mm,23mm front and 8mm,13mm,18mm rear identified by the number of rubber pips on the side of the pad.

thanks Graham, i will speak with my mechanic to confirm

 

[kth286]

Paul

I can give you a second opinion on the correct part number for the correct springs if you put your full VIN up.

I subscribe to the Merc EPC.

In the meantime look under the arches with torch to see the top rubber spring pads and count how many nipples are on the edge of the rubber pads.

There will be 1 to 4 on front and 1 to 3 on rear rubber pads.

1 is the thin pad and 4 being the fattest pad.

What were the previous springs and shocks and will you be selling them ?

 

[Sp!ke]

I also have this problem on my W124 Coupe on the rears.

The front is fine but the rears are like stilts, so I am keen to hear how you get on with this.

 

[Dieselman]

I also have this problem on my W124 Coupe on the rears.

The front is fine but the rears are like stilts, so I am keen to hear how you get on with this.

Your springs should be 124 324 16 04 unless you have sports suspension then it's 124 324 23 04
Spring pad for blue spring 201 325 10 44 (2 burl, 10mm) for red spring 201 325 11 44 (3 burl, 18mm)

As the pad height is compound it makes nearly twice the difference.

 

[Roger Jones]

I have 124 324 28 04 for Sportline rear springs. I think that came from the E-class owner's bible. Perhaps the US provenance of that makes a difference, but wouldn't that be surprising?

The MB Technical data passenger cars (October 1993) handbook gives the rubber mounts as:

8mm, 1 lug, 201 325 09 44
13mm, 2 lugs, 201 325 10 44
18mm, 3 lugs, 201 325 11 44

These apply to 124, 129, 201 and 202 chassis. There's no info specific to the E320 Coupé.

What's the depth to the top of the rear wheel arch with an empty boot?

 

[Dieselman]

thanks Graham, i will speak with my mechanic to confirm

Front springs should be 124 321 22 04 for standard suspension, 124 321 29 04

pads 201 321 10 84 (2 burl, 10mm) for blue spring 210 321 11 84 (3 burl 18mm) for red spring.

rear springs should be 124 324 16 04 unless you have sports suspension then it's 124 324 28 04
Spring pad for blue spring 201 325 10 44 (2 burl, 10mm) for red spring 201 325 11 44 (3 burl, 18mm) for sports springs the pads are 201 325 11 44 (blue)201 321 12 84 ( 4 burl, 23mm,red).

I've used typical options for this calc, Auto, air-con, stereo, sunroof.

 

[bh13coupe]

i have checked my invoice and the codes i have are front 124 321 22 04 and 124 324 11 04 which match up with your information.

 

[bh13coupe]

Paul

I can give you a second opinion on the correct part number for the correct springs if you put your full VIN up.

I subscribe to the Merc EPC.

In the meantime look under the arches with torch to see the top rubber spring pads and count how many nipples are on the edge of the rubber pads.

There will be 1 to 4 on front and 1 to 3 on rear rubber pads.

1 is the thin pad and 4 being the fattest pad.

What were the previous springs and shocks and will you be selling them ?

Hi KTH

vIN is WDB1240522C167768 3

 

[bh13coupe]

Hi KTH

vIN is WDB1240522C167768 3

I also forgot to say that I will be selling the springs and shocks, the shocks are std oem and the springs are red and cant see any codes on them, i will clean them up to see if i can identify the manufacturer.