I just had 18 in wheels put on my 2002 C320 Wagon. The guy who I bought the wheels from threw in an AMG suspension from a C32 so I had these installed.
To me the front & rear doesn't look balanced. Front has a 5 ginger gap and rear has a 1.5 finger gap. I heard that the wagon is heavier in the rear than the sedan so this might be the problem. I like the way the back looks but I'm wondering if it's too low? I haven't had passengers yet but I'm afraid the rear might rub. Should I raise the back slightly and lower the front slightly? What is the normal drop? Should it be same for front & rear? (Should it have the same size gap in front & rear? or does it matter?)
Any recommendations to get the correct lowering? I want to keep the ride 'sporty' and not too harsh. I thought the stock setup was too cushy and the current AMG one I have is OK. I don't want to go any harsher than that. I don't race or anything.
Option 1: H&R springs (Not sure if this is that much different than what I currently have)
Option 2: TEIN Basic Coilover (Can't confirm if this works for W203 Wagon)
Option 3: H&R Coilover (Is the ride too harsh?)
Option 4: Bilstein PSS9 Coilover (Seems the best but very $$$)
Option 5: Cut front springs (Cheap but might screw up the ride)
Some other issues I'm having are alignment & 'tramlining' problems. I heard that this happens when going to a wider tire. If I'm going to change the suspension again should I even bother with getting an alignment? I might not change the suspension for a month. Everytime I drive over a bump the steering jerks to one side and the car doesn't track straight.
Also one of the front AMG shocks was shot so they left the stock shock on there. Is this going be a problem? Should I replace all the shocks to be the same or is it OK to have one mismatched shock. I assume that I should just replace all the shocks but if I have to then I might as well deal with the lowering at the same time.
Thanks for your replies
2002 C320 Wagon
I believe the wheels are staggered: I think this is the specs from memory: Carlsson 1/6 EVO F:18x8.5 R:18x9.5
The tires are Kumho (forgot to write down model but I think its 235 front & 265 rear)
Shocks & springs from 2002 C32 AMG (xcept 1 front stock shock)
AMG F&R sway bars
AMG Exhaust
just get coilovers dude. C32 stock suspension the front is HIGH because of bogus US regulation.
you don't want to run 3 stiff shocks and 1 stock shocks. it will throw off the balance of the handling. the driving over the bump thing you are experience is because of that stock soft shock.
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2002 M112K with lots of mods
2008 M272 with some mods
Anyone know if the TEIN Basic coilover fits on the wagon? On their website it says 'exc. wagon' but it just seems weird that it would work on the sedans and not the wagon.
Why the price difference between coilover brands? I get that the Bilstein PSS9's are ride & height adjustable so that sounds attractive but is it worth the price? I mean it's not like I'll keep readjusting the ride all the time. Here's the prices
I'm thinking of TEIN Basic or H&R for cheapness. But can't confirm if the TEIN will work for wagon or not so most likely I'll go with H&R. Unless H&R's ride is too harsh then I'll go for ride adjustable coilovers.
In that case is it better to go all out and get the Bilstein PSS9's or save some $$ and go for the KW V2's??? It's less than a $100 difference.
Yeah the H&R coilovers seem like the best option budget wise. Should I even bother to get an alignment or just wait until I get the coilovers? I drive only like 50 miles a week. So it'll be like 2-300 miles before I get the coilovers
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