w203 coilovers.. whats best??

[tdh-syorks]

Hi im looking at dropping my c class on some coilovers and was wanting advice from you guys and gals.
I've seen a set of FK which will drop the car by 55mm, I was also wondering what wheels would go well with this, will 19" be too extreme and rub??? I do cary quite a few passengers in the rear and also I live in Sheffield where the roads are absolutely shot.
I know this is a bad idea but I've owned the car for 10 years now and its really starting to show its age tatty scratched paintwork, rusting arches and rattles from suspension.
I have considered getting a new car but im going this route of giving it a new lease of life.
The suspension will be done firstly followed by the bodywork then new wheels.
Any advice will be considered.

Cheers Tom

 

[BlackC55]

I use the H&R stuff. Its not cheap but it is the best. I can supply if you wish.

 

[tdh-syorks]

well tbh ive set myself a budget of £2000 to smarten it up, im looking at around £1000 for a full resprey dents removing etc and was looking at some new wheels too.
i was looking to spend around £600 on the coilies.
how much could you do me some H&R for??
thanks

 

[BlackC55]

well tbh ive set myself a budget of £2000 to smarten it up, im looking at around £1000 for a full resprey dents removing etc and was looking at some new wheels too.
i was looking to spend around £600 on the coilies.
how much could you do me some H&R for??
thanks

They will be much more than £600. With coil overs you get what you pay for. I have used cheap ones in the past and they lasted 6 months before they leaked.

Email me your reg to [email protected] and I will sort a price.

 

[tdh-syorks]

Yeah I know where you're coming from. I had some on my mk5 golf that were eBay specials and they lasted about 18 months.
I've seen some eibach ones as well for £950.
I'm Considaring saving a little more for these

 

[EuroCarParts]

Personally, we all know the truth.

The non branded (and even the cheap branded) ones just don't last, and there is NO support from dealers as they just hide and run.....

Olly is the boards approved H&R dealer and he knows what he's talking about - if might be twice the price but they'll outlast the budget ones (and outperform them) 4 times over!

 

[tdh-syorks]

Yeah, I perfectly understand, I work at the tempered spring company in Sheffield and were part of tsl turton which makes all the springs for most of these companies. Unfortunately we don't make the shockers just the springs.
I do know from past experience that cheap micky mouse parts won't last. The better quality the better.
I think if I hang on I'll save up a bit more and get a decent set.
I was thinking of making an air ride kit for it but I think they'll be complications and the car is my daily ride.
I have made a set of air ride last year for my mates mk1 golf.
I think I'll just save a bit more cash.

Cheers guys.

So if I look at H&R theyll be suitable for my needs, I do on average 14,000 a year so theyll be getting some hammer.

 

[BenzedUP]

I have H&R Coilovers on my AMG, supplied and fitted by Olly at PCS and I recommend them, it seriously changed the way the car rides and handles plus it's abit more gripy now.

They are well worth the money, imo.

 

[tdh-syorks]

Think im gonna go this route now.
Thanks for the feedback..

 

[Dieselman]

Yeah, I perfectly understand, I work at the tempered spring company in Sheffield and were part of tsl turton which makes all the springs for most of these companies. Unfortunately we don't make the shockers just the springs.

Other than adjustable ride height, I'm still confused as to what benefits a coilover set up gives over a separate spring and damper one, especially if adjustable dampers are used.

Why not just make yourself some progressive rate springs?

 

[tdh-syorks]

The springs in are what I made a few years ago,
all im wanting the coilovers for is the lowest setting, I want it slammed to the ground just for looks

 

[Dieselman]

The springs in are what I made a few years ago,
all im wanting the coilovers for is the lowest setting, I want it slammed to the ground just for looks

Just make some new springs then...

Sorry, but I'm still confused as to why you want coilovers.

 

[tdh-syorks]

I just do, lol
I want the option of adjustment available to me.
The current setup is poo.
Because the genuine shockers aren't made for the springs I've made im getting a lot of creeks and groans from the suspension on the front end and rather than goin back to a standard setup which is too high for my liking im going this route. Its less time consuming and difficult than changing the springs.
Have you ever changed the front springs on one of these?
Its probably one of the must difficultest jobs on the car.
I used a set of coil compressors that cost me over £500 and tbh they've never let me down until I used them on the c class.
In the end it took 3 of us to hold it in place and we lowered the ramp onto it to compress it enough to get the bolt on.
Never again.
Mate of mine lost end of his finger whilst changing his.

 

[Dieselman]

Have you checked the track control arm inner bushes for the creaking, they last about 5 minutes before breaking up.

Nasty on the finger. These are a McPherson strut, so can't they just be done off the car?

 

[BlackC55]

Have you checked the track control arm inner bushes for the creaking, they last about 5 minutes before breaking up.

Nasty on the finger. These are a McPherson strut, so can't they just be done off the car?

Yes they can. They are a doddle with a spring compressor. They are a unusual design as the gap between the coils is quite large.

 

[tdh-syorks]

The bushes are brand new, I changed them all in February due to MOT failure.
And it made no differance.
Hoping new struts will cure it.

 

[tdh-syorks]

First steps being taken on this, I have just had all brand new genuine control arms front and rear, track rod ends and drop links, I won a genuine full rear suspension setup brand new off eBay for £77. Over £700 worth of parts. Well chuffed. I now need to pick the coilovers I want. I have seen some bilsteins but I think im going more towards eibach.

 

[EuroCarParts]

What about a H&R Coil over kit from Olly @ PCS ?

 

[Charles Morgan]

I have Bilstein coilovers on my C55 which is pretty well lowered. Absolutely brilliant ride (sensitive to tyres though - the Michelin PS3s I fitted recently add an entire level of comfort).

I wouldn't go 19inch wheels though.