W211 E320...whats wrong in this pic?

[DSM10000]

It must be the springs or how they are fitted, standard i.e. non-airmatic "shock absorbers" (dampers) cannot affect ride height The adjustments you mentioned were for changing the damping rates.

 

[BillyW124]

It must be the springs or how they are fitted, standard i.e. non-airmatic "shock absorbers" (dampers) cannot affect ride height The adjustments you mentioned were for changing the damping rates.

exactly what i was thinking, I was seconding that those adjustments were to do with some sort of 'bump stop' adjusting in my terminology. But yea damping rates!

 

[LTD]

It'll sort itself out when the bottom couple of inches of each spring rusts away ....

 

[st4]

An E320 spring will be tougher than a 500 spring, the diesel is heavier. I bet they are for a pano roof car

 

[MJH]

I can fix it for you ?

 

[BillyW124]

An E320 spring will be tougher than a 500 spring, the diesel is heavier. I bet they are for a pano roof car

Im wondering if there is anyway to prove that they were labeled wrong? I guess colour coded markings on the springs will be the way forward.

But then we would be talking niche and perhaps limited knowledge making the answer hard to come by on that one.

 

[Troon]

I suspect they'll settle a bit over the next few weeks, and the front only looks high because the rears have already settled.

Take a look at the sales brochure — your gap doesn't look extreme compared with those.

Bear in mind there are two heights: Classic / Elegance (normal) and Avantgarde / Sport (-15mm). Could it be that your VIN reflects the original-fit higher suspension (which was an option, 485, on Avantgardes like yours) but the car's been modified with the lower suspension during its life?

 

[BillyW124]

I suspect they'll settle a bit over the next few weeks, and the front only looks high because the rears have already settled.

Take a look at the sales brochure — your gap doesn't look extreme compared with those.

Bear in mind there are two heights: Classic / Elegance (normal) and Avantgarde / Sport (-15mm). Could it be that your VIN reflects the original-fit higher suspension (which was an option, 485, on Avantgardes like yours) but the car's been modified with the lower suspension during its life?

They've been on for approx more than half a year!

Looking on the EPC data card my Avantarde 211 has sport suspension from factory.

This was taken into account when ordering them.

 

[ldjambazov]

Billy, I recently replaced my stock shocks with HD Bilstein. While I was trying to install the springs I noticed quite a resistance in the new shocks while trying to push the stud down. It was at least 3 times harder than the original ones. It was caused by the gas pressure inside.
Because I felt the original front end little bit low, I wanted to lift it slightly, it was always giving me hard time when going over speed bumps. So I installed the retainer on slot 8 from the bottom. It ended up about 1/8 higher that the originals. I think this contributes also to the height of the front end.
Right now my car looks exactly like yours. I am happy with the height, but not relay happy with the ride, it became stiffer and not as pleasant as before, but this is beside the point.
Now to your problem, if the new shocks have higher "push in" force, meaning higher gas pressure inside, it is like adding additional spring on top of the existing one, and this will lift your front end. You can check my theory by simply going in front of your car and trying to lift it a bit. You will see how much force is required to get it about 1" higher.
Depending on how long the shocks manage to keep the gas pressure inside, every shock will leak gas, you may see gradual lowering of the car. Like the girlfriend breasts, they look different at 18 than at 36, right!!

I would say enjoy the ride and don't worry for the height. It will come down eventually.

Regards.

 

[BillyW124]

Thanks for the update mate,

Car is still sitting the same as it was when we changed the shocks and springs. You could be right with the gas pressure on the shocks though however they arent HD ones. Just the normal.

I do still think i've been supplied with the wrong springs as an Avantgarde model with a data card stating 'sports chassis' will not be sitting as high as it is!

 

[trapperjohn]

Good to see you back Billy. I may have missed a post or three but I dont recall you posting as often as you did.

CHEERS

 

[BillyW124]

Good to see you back Billy. I may have missed a post or three but I dont recall you posting as often as you did.

CHEERS

Hi John, I must admit i havn't been posting much you're right. I've been busy with work and renovating my newly aquired property with my mrs so thats been taking up all me time. Once done the 124 will have a new home!

It hasn't been all on the quiet front though, very soon the 220 m111 is no longer! It'l be an M104 320 amongst other things. Watch this space!

 

[rascalmaster]

tiny tyres?

 

[BillyW124]

tiny tyres?

No!

I'm just going to get some H&R's 40mm.

40mm drop cross referencing to the gap i have with the merc springs currently will put it back to 'normal'. Its actually 1.5inch gap right now!

so...In actual fact it wont be 'lowered' if you know what i mean!

Seen a set online for the 320 CDI suitable for Avantgarde - Sports chassis.

At least then it wont snap on me down the line. The good thing is i can use the normal shocks with the springs.

 

[V12]

MB springs have the 10 digit part number stamped into the end of them, if you want to check this as well as the colour coding.

Measure the height from the front and rear jacking points to the ground to check how "level" the vehicle is.
Distance between wheelarch and top of tyre will always be smaller on rear of any mercedes.

Rear springs could be sagging and front are brand new, combination of both gives the impression of it being uneven.

Just a few thoughts off the top of my head.

 

[BillyW124]

Rear springs could be sagging and front are brand new, combination of both gives the impression of it being uneven.

Just a few thoughts off the top of my head.

You have a point V12, however the funny thing is the car remains completely level!

The curb height remains consistent front to back. It's really strange.

 

[V12]

Then there is nothing wrong with your car.

The truth may be that you are comparing your vehicle to others with airmatic/saggy/broken springs etc etc.

If your car is level at the jacking points then I wouldn't touch a thing.

I know the wheel arch gap is hard to deal with, but that is the way they were designed.

 

[BillyW124]

Update

So The problem is finally solved...

After much debating if the spring was ordered correctly but perhaps been labeled incorrectly (which i still believe)?

Instead of going down the route of ordering another set 'hoping' it will be the right ones this time around, scrapped the idea and got my self a PROPER set of springs that did the job once and for all.

I'll show you how S$£t MB make their springs in a bit...

the car now now sits properly and not on stilts!!

BEFORE:





AFTER:

 

[sinewave]

Them wheels could do with a Refurb!

 

[BillyW124]

The differences

Wanting to see the differences between my 45mm lowering springs and the one I was supplied (bearing in mind i have an Avantgarde - 'sports chassis' slapped on the data card)

...a big difference and somthing that looks more like it!

This pic makes me scratch my head though....

both compressed the same length on the shock...

..any how, important thing is the car sitting properly as it should:

Really happy with the ride as well, feels the same with no ride comfort compromise with the bonus of better cornering.