W212 E350 'Sport' Springs - MB or Bilstein?

[W1ghty]

Thank you - on the 'good' side I can peek in and see one green dot and one brown dot. I can't see anything on the 'bad' side or on my other W212.

'll see if that helps tracking things down. But yes, it might be best to just cough up for the MB ones if I'm unsure.

On AUTODOC the spring colours are mentioned but you have to open and read all the small print at the bottom of each spring listing .

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

On AUTODOC the spring colours are mentioned but you have to open and read all the small print at the bottom of each spring listing .

Thank you, I did see that, there's only one with green and brown but it says there are three brown dots and all I can see is one green dot and one brown dot. Research continues...

 

[markjay]

One potential issue, is that if you bought the car second hand, you cannot be certain that the springs fitted to it are the original ones.....

I seem to the remember that the Datacard used to show to MB part number for the springs, but I don't think that it still does that.

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

This car was second hand, but was purchased from MB dealer direct by my father. In theory it could have replaced springs, but it's very unlikely as it only had <20k miles on it when he purchased and is on 50k now and I know for sure that it hasn't had the springs replaced during his/our ownership.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

This car was second hand, but was purchased from MB dealer direct by my father. In theory it could have replaced springs, but it's very unlikely as it only had <20k miles on it when he purchased and is on 50k now and I know for sure that it hasn't had the springs replaced during his/our ownership.

What I did was a tad coy , but I rang a dealer and said my used Merc wasn't sitting quite right at the front ,and I think incorrect springs are fitted , I randomly told him 3 green 2 yellow , no no that's incorrect your vin is listing 2 green , 1 yellow .

 

[MrGreedy]

@TeddyRuxpin

Did you get this resolved buddy?
If so, what did you go for?

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

Yes indeed, I got original MB ones via MB of Newcastle on eBay. It was £213 for the pair. Mine was one green dot and one brown dot but if you send your VIN to them they'll make sure you get the right ones for your car.

I also changed all four ARB drop links at the same time. I bought Lemforder via autodoc and they cost £89.

I got it all done at TM motors in Molesey, London, an MB specialist that I use from time to time as they charged about £450, from memory, perhaps a bit less, but over £400. I can't be dealing with spring compressors in the winter, and while the ARB drop links are easy enough to change (especially the rear) it was only £80 extra to get them to do them. So about £700-800 in total, I think. More if you consider ulez and an overpriced lunch while they do the work...

 

[MrGreedy]

My car, much like yours, is getting to an age where these suspension related things could pop up at any moment and give us a nice 'surprise'.

The price of the Bilstein shocks has gone up quite a lot from when you were looking (on your other thread I think).

Speaking with the indy last week, they noted the drop link rubbers are starting to crack (but don't need replacing right now), but they mentioned it as an easy DIY because they know I love wriggling round on the drive. I'll do these myself when the weather warms up.

I also asked them about the ARB (because the bushes are bonded to the arms and it's replacement of the whole bar, not just the bushes) and I was told they've never replaced a w212 ARB yet and they seem to last really well, also backed up by Merc usually holding zero w212 ARBs in the country, and needing special order from the Fatherland if one is required.
So im this case, when I do the drop links, seeing as the ARB is easy to get off these cars, I'll remove all corrosion from the bar and repaint before fitting new drop links. Whilst I have the paint out for my rusty sump pan, this will be the time to do it.

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

The drop links are cheap and an easy DIY, especially the rear and have a massive improvement in ride.

Yes, I looked into the ARB bushings but got put off by the fact that you have to buy the whole bar etc. Neither cars I have have rusty ARBs, it was mostly the mounts I worried about as I was obsessing about getting the car driving 'like new'. I didn't want to pay for a full replacement bar and didn't want to buy aftermarket ones etc so I just left it.

Yes, they're getting on a bit - I have the palladium silver 59 plate W212 with 180k miles on it and that's had everything done on the front except springs/shocks/top mounts, and the ARB bushings done on the rear. I also changed the outer track rod ends and the engine mounts were done a couple of years back.

I have a black 60 plate with 56k miles and that needed the front springs done, and has had all 4 ARB bushings.

They both drive beautifully (within reason - I've always thought they weren't the comfiest nor the sportiest handling) - if anything the 59 plate one might drive a smidge better due to the new rubber! Insane that they are compatible in any way in terms of the drive after 3x the milage.

 

[MrGreedy]

Just to check you meant ARB bushings!?

Where did you get these?
I presume Merc don't sell them.
Usually because they are bonded you have to cut them off as best you can, hot heat gun/frazzle of the remaining bits, wire brush and then rebond the new aftermarket ARB bushes and paint the ARB next to the bushes where it's been given the rough treatment whilst the bushes were stripped off.
What did you use to rebond?
And if not rebonded, does this cause incessant squeaking over speed bumps

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

I did mean to say it - I looked into replacing them but I didn't in the end! Too much hassle and not actually causing a clunk etc.

 

[MrGreedy]

AND (it never blooming ends does it) were they 25mm or 26.5mm diameter. In EPC, there are two listed for my car and it's not sure which.