$3000? Really? That seems expensive, even by UK standards (not much demand here). As for drivehsafts (and I do mean driveshafts), lowering the car permanently will put your driveshafts at an angle and accelerate wear. If your car is as low is it in your avatar, in about 4 months you'll notice a deep sound like your disks are rubbing when you coast. This will be your driveshafts. Replacement driveshafts from MB are about £450 over here (in the region of $800) so for the money you would spend on coils and 'shafts, air is a better option. I know it's expensive but you'll save the ride and components. It's worth the extra. And you'll have irregular tyre wear issues not to mention the extra load and awkward angles your bushes will be at.
I lowered my 230 by about 120mm and it did look amazing but it wasn't worth the hassle. Use bags and you'll be able to choose your ride height.
Mine is a photoshop job, really inexpensive and literally know problems with the car. A 120mm drop makes me think the picture of your car is the real deal. Is the 560 work done? are you on airbags? if so can we get some solid pictures of the work?
bags are horrible IMO. the shtiest ride quality ever, and obviously since the whole car is wobbling around on an upper and lower "bag" of air, the geometry is at a constant random change. i mean, your sacraficing the functionality of your whole suspension system, simply to be able to adjust the ride height with a switch. i guess it all depends on your top priority.
Sounds like you've been in a 'bagged car that's been setup really badly and/or has leaky bags. A freind of mine installs them and the ride is perfect, no wibbly wobbly corners, feels like stock. And any suspension system will be at 'constant random change.' Lowering it makes the change permanent...
bboy - it's confession time, my sig is but a photoshop. And the 560 work is yet to be finished. I've just got my gearbox x member fabricated (no welder here) because I couldn't find the one I need. The 560's out of the W126 along with the black leather. The rear reclining seats don't fit, either. The frame would go in, no worries, it's just that there's no legroom to use it! I do have electric adjustable ergonomic memory seats, though : ) Engine mounts have been made but I've just got the wiring loom out - ever seen a 560SEL loom? I wouldn't bother... I'll post some pics when I get back to work. Projects like this make my job worthwhile : )
When I lowered mine I literally cut the spring in half - it scraped the backbox on catseyes : D Here's a 'before' picture.
M
Oh, do you read Mercedes Enthusiast? I just wrote a feature for them about MB lowriders, check out the January issue.
Lol, yeah, it is really tempting. If you do choose to trim the springs, make sure that you re-grease the cups the spring sit in otherwise, like mine used to, you'll get some painfull knocking sounds. And don't expect them to last - three of the four snapped...
wtf? in half!?! i came to the conclusion that 3 coils cut off the bottom is the best for the front. there are 13.5 coils in a standard 123 spring, so there's no way you cut yours in half, cause mine is lower, and not to mention i retained the upper bushing. and the bags i've dealt with were top notch. $6000 job in a toyota hilux. it was a COMPLETE suspension system with no leaks. it was a harsh ride lifted or dropped, and through corners it felt like absolute garbage. but thats just my experience with them. and no, any suspension system isn't at a random geometry change. obviously the components that are meant to move are of course going to searve there purpose, yet the only geometry change should be the caster when the steering wheel is turned. and on top of that any rubber component will make small changes depending on it's condition.
Lol, yeah, it is really tempting. If you do choose to trim the springs, make sure that you re-grease the cups the spring sit in otherwise, like mine used to, you'll get some painfull knocking sounds. And don't expect them to last - three of the four snapped...
Yeah we get Merc Enthusiast every month its a good mag. Not enough stuff on 123's though. The last thing i saw on a 123 was the latest issue had like 2 pages on a 240D... But i didn't bother reading it.
Well 2 coils sits even with the front tyres so it looks good, i did it only 2 to be safe as taking the springs out is the very hard unless you have a proper Merc spring compressor as the spring is so damn long. Didn't wanna have to take it out again.
snapped coils? blasphemy! i've never heard of that happening.. sure you didn't heat them?
and when it comes to magazines, i'm frustrated as hell with mercs.. i go to the stand and the only options are merc enthusiast and classic merc.. i buy them often, but whats the point.. you never see modified cars and even less likely, a 123. this most recent issue has a 230E in it i believe. haven't gotten to read it yet. i remeber when i used to be a "dubber" i had 4 great mags to choose from. and the bimmer guys have at least seven!!! we're getting screwed on literature..
Linear Mode
