W202 Which suspension

[John Jones Jr]

Hi, all needing a little input please.
I'm in the process of buying goodies for my little project, namely a C230K man.
Now, I've a fair idea of what I want & don't want. This is not a big budget car, I've got one of those and that's more than enough . Also, there's some other items that need attention, upgrading/modifying too. So, I'm after as many opinions/views as reasonable possible & advise too in order to get a good compromise between value for money & actual worthwhile
improvements to the car, one being the suspension - which can make or break a car imo. I've already had some input from one experienced member but the more the better as my last two W202's remained on OE suspension thus I never looked into upgrades etc.

Below, I've listed some spring & shock choices which are all reasonably priced but which one?

Koni Sport (yellow, top adjustable) €423 + Eibach springs €170.... €593
Bilstein B12's Pro kit (30/30mm)...............................................€560
Bilstein B6's €480 + Eibach springs €170............................,...... €650
Bilstein B12's Sportline kit (50/35mm).......................................€610
H&R Cup Kit Sport kit(60/40mm)..............................................€460
H&R Cup Kit Touring kit(40/40mm)...........................................€430


The car will part daily driver (if all goes well), B road blaster and long distance tourer i.e. 400/500 mile trips in a day. Basically a jack or all trades and master of none.

Thanks in advance.

 

[noogieman]

hey buddy.
where can I find the best shop with lowest price for top adjustable Koni's for my C43?
£423 seem very cheap?

thanks

 

[BlackC55]

Go for the H&R. Top quality kit.

 

[John Jones Jr]

Go for the H&R. Top quality kit.

Yes, I been leaning towards the H&R Cup Touring Kit. Cup Kit's seem very popular and good value too, especially the Cup Sport. Which version would you advise? Cheers

 

[John Jones Jr]

hey buddy.
where can I find the best shop with lowest price for top adjustable Koni's for my C43?
£423 seem very cheap?

thanks

Generally but not always I find the best value in Germany via Google.de. Ebay.de is very good also and not just for the popular items/parts. All those prices are I think from eBay.de & all include VAT & delivery (to either the U.K. or Ireland).

Here's what you are looking for:

KONI Stoßdämpfer Gelb VA/HA Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse (W202) Lim. / T-Modelle in... | eBay

 

[noogieman]

Generally but not always I find the best value in Germany via Google.de. Ebay.de is very good also and not just for the popular items/parts. All those prices are I think from eBay.de & all include VAT & delivery (to either the U.K. or Ireland).

Here's what you are looking for:

KONI Stoßdämpfer Gelb VA/HA Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse (W202) Lim. / T-Modelle in... | eBay

yeah found some gut german prices on ebay myself a few days ago.
your linked shox is for normal w202 cars, not suitable for c43 i assume?
gelb einstellbar shox have another partsnumber.

These are correct
http://www.ebay.de/itm/KONI-Stosdam...697803633?pt=DE_Autoteile&hash=item43aef07771

 

[John Jones Jr]

I don't know if they're suitable for C43's, it does say all W202's & even the CLK430. So, they might be? Check out the Koni site for factual info.

P.s. The part numbers will be different in both adverts regardless, as one is a kit of four, the others are a pair of front & a pair of rears.

 

[noogieman]

I don't know if they're suitable for C43's, it does say all W202's & even the CLK430. So, they might be? Check out the Koni site for factual info.

been there and lurking.
i will get the adjustable shox.
i think it's a best buy?

 

[BlackC55]

Yes, I been leaning towards the H&R Cup Touring Kit. Cup Kit's seem very popular and good value too, especially the Cup Sport. Which version would you advise? Cheers

The cup sport wound be my choice.

 

[John Jones Jr]

Thanks again, for another valued opinion. I'm getting there. Down to two choices now.

 

[John Jones Jr]

A little up date. I ended up purchasing the Koni Sport (yellow, top adjustable), was getting the H&R Cup kit on advise from Mazza & Olly (cheers guys) but couldn't say no to the Koni's as I got them at a super price thanks to my BIL who's German. Hopefully I'll have the same result with a set of springs.

 

[noogieman]

A little up date. I ended up purchasing the Koni Sport (yellow, top adjustable), was getting the H&R Cup kit on advise from Mazza & Olly (cheers guys) but couldn't say no to the Koni's as I got them at a super price thanks to my BIL who's German. Hopefully I'll have the same result with a set of springs.

did you buy them from german ebay?
there are few sellers there with different pricetags, did you find the cheapest shop?

let us know when you fit them and make a review of your driving performance! :bannana:

I wanna know how the ride quality is and if your car will be bouncy with lowering springs and Koni's?

 

[John Jones Jr]

No eBay this time as per my post above. They are being bought from some sort of motor sport company, don't know much more than that for now. Yeah, sure I'll do a review for what it will be worth, I say that as any car I've ever driven with new shocks (standard or otherwise) has always felt far better. Anyway, I'll let know you what they're like in a week or so.

 

[John Jones Jr]

Received the Koni's this morning and fitted them. It's a different car! Set on position 1 out of 0-1-2 range. The handling is far, far improved. Not harsh but well planted. Taking some corners 10mph faster without effort. Even on poor roads driving at 20 or 50mph is not an issue as they just soak up the bumps and no crashy feelings coming from the suspension. Happy days. Spings next.

 

[mattc]

JJJ, how is your set up 2 years later? Can you offer further insight?

 

[John Jones Jr]

Hello Mattc. The car is as per my last post but with another 10k miles added. I'm still very happy with the Koni's.

Now, I did reset the rear shocks to the softer '0' position hoping to take any advantage that position may offer for slighter better traction in the wet (more weight transfer to the rear). Honestly, I haven't got a clue if it made any difference and haven't driven the car since last September but now have a set of Eibach springs on order, so those should be fitted soon. I'm expecting an overall improvement as original Sport springs are still fitted and must be a tired. HTH.

Are you in the process of renewing your suspension, if so are what are you buying?

 

[mattc]

Having just bought it I plan to put some considerable motorway miles on it. I am down to see Olly on Tuesday and that will be one of the points to be discussed. First off I need to see what he recommends being replaced/renewed (it is 123k up after all). Was keen to now what your experience had been so thank you

 

[John Jones Jr]

You're more than welcome. Go with Olly's advice - H&R, maybe the touring kit. I was going H&R, see posts above and they really seemed value too, especially from eBay.de. They're cheaper again now thanks to a weaker Euro.