W202 lowering suspension and shocks

[NW_Merc]

I am seriously considering lowering my car, however I am concerned about the ride height as it 4 or 5 centimetre drops do seem like quite a bit IMO.

Has anyone had any trouble with lowering the car say 35 or 40 mm? Are there any pitfalls with doing this?

 

[R2D2]

Many of us have lowered our W202s down the years, the question is how much of your ride quality are you prepared to give up?

 

[KLP 92]

I lowered my class 45mm using the H&R springs. The ride is firmer esp at the back.

 

[NW_Merc]

Does it affect the ride quality very badly?

 

[KLP 92]

Does it affect the ride quality very badly?

Its hard to say as mine is but i changed my shocks for Lorinser ones so my ride was firm to begin with which got firmer with the springs.

Corners?? Don't slow down for them anymore

Just lower the car, won't be that bad. I could fit a brick between the gap i had in my front wheel arches so it just had to come down.

 

[mobeyone]

Another vote for lowering here, huge improvement on ride and handling.

If you do lower the car, maybe worthwhile buying new springs aswell.

 

[R2D2]

It depends what you use your car for. If you are young bloke wanted a cool looking car and image is everything then slam the car fit 18in wheels and look cool! If you drive family around, drive on ruibbish roads or value the "mercedes" feel go steady. Changing the spring caps and leaving the shocks and springs alone can lower the car by sometimes as much as 18mm without effecting the ride.

 

[R3ch]

I currently own a W202 Sport which I believe has already got a lowered suspension but I want the front to sit a bit lower than the back. What size or brand of spring should I use which will give a not so firm ride. I'm only planning to change the fronts and leave the back as it is. The car is on its standard 16in sport wheels.

C180 Sport

 

[Alps]

i have H&R`s, sits nice, prefer to have put slighltly higher spring pads, it does rub a little, but mine has the lowest spring pads!

 

[R3ch]

i have H&R`s, sits nice, prefer to have put slighltly higher spring pads, it does rub a little, but mine has the lowest spring pads!

hi Alps, what's the drop on your front ones? What are the standard pads that they use on the W202 Sport facelift model? How many cm can you achieve by simply changing to no. 1 pad?

 

[paulmb]

sent you pm...................btw, thanks alps.............car is done. i put #2 pads at the front and #3 pads at the back..........got pics of it up in the members gallery.

paul:bannana: :bannana: :bannana:

 

[Alps]

Paul, looks good mate, its a sensible drop, so shouldnt have any rubbing issues!

 

[paulmb]

No rubbing at the front alps, but occasional rubbing at the back.....i think the wheel hits the clip which holds the rear bumber in place on the inside of the arch. Funny looking clip, it just pops out and the bumper can be pulled away. Only does it when the car is fully loaded........how can i deal with this......