W124 Springs
W124 Springs
I have plans to chop the stock springs, 2-3coils, and install 8mm spring pads.
However, there is a lot of options for this car. Eibach, H&R, Vogtland..It just seems for ME a 1.3''-1.5'' drop is not enough.
Would it be worth it to buy aftermarket lowering springs, and cut a coil on those? Pros? Cons?
Cut stock spring?
Cut aftermarket springs?
1987 300D: EGR Delete, ARV Delete, Cold Air Intake...
So im looking to lower..and upgrade the suspension on my w124.
I have plans to chop the stock springs, 2-3coils, and install 8mm spring pads.
However, there is a lot of options for this car. Eibach, H&R, Vogtland..It just seems for ME a 1.3''-1.5'' drop is not enough.
Would it be worth it to buy aftermarket lowering springs, and cut a coil on those? Pros? Cons?
Cut stock spring?
Cut aftermarket springs?
1987 300D: EGR Delete, ARV Delete, Cold Air Intake...
Aftermarket springs are labelled "progressive". If they leave your body on the front bump stops, then yeah, I'd say that's a pretty progressive rate dictated by the rate of the bump stops.
Aftermarket springs come in the V6 or V8 flavor. If they don't specify, assume they're for the V6. The 603 is too heavy for the V6 springs.
The aftermarket springs made for the W124 lower the car too much for good handling or street driving. If you're after a cosmetic thing, buy these. If you want performance, don't.
Springs from the R129 and W201 will fit in the w124.
Check my thread http://www.superturbodiesel.com/std/thread-4165.html
The only thing I might change with my setup is going to slightly stiffer 500e front springs.
My car makes enough cornering force to be downright scary at the limit. Static cornering force is higher on this car than my last build, a B5 Audi S4 with STaSIS Ohlins suspension and spherical control arm bushings in the front end.
Check 190rev.net for tons of suspension info. Read through this forum, there are only 6 pages.
raysorenson
09-09-2013, 09:32 AM #2There are 2 ride heights on the W124. The early models were much higher than the later models. The advertised drop of aftermarket springs is for the later, lower models and will lower your '87 much more. Looking at my GF's '92, a 1.5" drop will have the body riding on the bump stops on the front struts.
Aftermarket springs are labelled "progressive". If they leave your body on the front bump stops, then yeah, I'd say that's a pretty progressive rate dictated by the rate of the bump stops.
Aftermarket springs come in the V6 or V8 flavor. If they don't specify, assume they're for the V6. The 603 is too heavy for the V6 springs.
The aftermarket springs made for the W124 lower the car too much for good handling or street driving. If you're after a cosmetic thing, buy these. If you want performance, don't.
Springs from the R129 and W201 will fit in the w124.
Check my thread http://www.superturbodiesel.com/std/thread-4165.html
The only thing I might change with my setup is going to slightly stiffer 500e front springs.
My car makes enough cornering force to be downright scary at the limit. Static cornering force is higher on this car than my last build, a B5 Audi S4 with STaSIS Ohlins suspension and spherical control arm bushings in the front end.
Check 190rev.net for tons of suspension info. Read through this forum, there are only 6 pages.
1981 Mercedes 300TD Lowered 4 speed manual Holset HX30
mike-81-240d
09-09-2013, 12:59 PM #3Just cut the stock ones, the more you cut the stiffer they get. And it's free.
1981 Mercedes 300TD Lowered 4 speed manual Holset HX30
http://www.w124performance.com/images/W1..._specs.pdf
raysorenson
09-09-2013, 02:52 PM #5If you cut springs, I recommend finding a stiffer O.E. spring for the rear on Ebay or the J.Y. to knock out some understeer. Daves spring chart give info. Ignore the deflection load column since it changes with sprung weight. Wire diameter is what you're interested in.
http://www.w124performance.com/images/W1..._specs.pdf
Gonna look for the thickest wire diameter springs I can find, compare them to the springs currently on the car, and then determine how many coils to cut....(at least 2) haha
Looks like this is the thickest wire diameter for the fronts
Part number: 124-321-25-04
Application: 4Matic (??allows axle pass-through??)
Wire diameter: 16.25
For the rears
Wire diameter: 14.35
Applications: 400E Sportline (short, non-SLS), 300E Sportline (tall), 300E Sportline (tall), 300E Sportline (short)
Part numbers: 124-324-28-04, 124-324-28-04, 124-324-28-04, 124-324-23-04
1987 300D: EGR Delete, ARV Delete, Cold Air Intake...
Wow that's a great chart to have. Thanks!
Gonna look for the thickest wire diameter springs I can find, compare them to the springs currently on the car, and then determine how many coils to cut....(at least 2) haha
Looks like this is the thickest wire diameter for the fronts
Part number: 124-321-25-04
Application: 4Matic (??allows axle pass-through??)
Wire diameter: 16.25
For the rears
Wire diameter: 14.35
Applications: 400E Sportline (short, non-SLS), 300E Sportline (tall), 300E Sportline (tall), 300E Sportline (short)
Part numbers: 124-324-28-04, 124-324-28-04, 124-324-28-04, 124-324-23-04
1987 300D: EGR Delete, ARV Delete, Cold Air Intake...
(09-09-2013, 12:59 PM)mike-81-240d Just cut the stock ones, the more you cut the stiffer they get. And it's free.
I was always under the impression that even if you shorten a spring its spring rate stayed the same....
How does it work?
JarrusJenkins,
Sure enough, coil# counts. http://www.afcoracing.com/tech_pages/spring.shtml#rate
raysorenson
09-11-2013, 06:19 PM #8Garage, if I understand my chassis tuning theory correctly, a shorter wheelbase car will require stiffer rear springs in general. The R129, being both a shortened version of the W124 chassis and stupid heavy, will have stiff rear springs. I got mine from a 94 500sl, one of the heaviest years according to wikipedia. The wire diameter is 14.5mm which is also the thickest rear spring wire ever used in a W124, the E60. I don't recommend going quite that heavy without adding weight to the rear.
JarrusJenkins,
Sure enough, coil# counts. http://www.afcoracing.com/tech_pages/spring.shtml#rate
see the pictures here. http://www.superturbodiesel.com/std/thread-4514.html
Duncansport
09-15-2013, 08:23 AM #9I installed the H & R touring cup kit for the W124 and i couldn't be happier with the ride and handling. Corners very flat and rides about as stiff as a newer C300 sport. The only issue i had with the kit is that the front springs made it sit about .5 higher then the rear so i needed to put 4mm shims (1 tab) in the front. That gave the car a slight rake. I set the front end up with 1.5 degrees of camber, .15 toe in and 10 degrees of caster. In the rear the camber settled in at 1.65 with toe being about .10. I highly recommend this kit as even at "my cost" the kit was $50 more then just Bilstein B8's . The H & R comes with springs and shocks.
see the pictures here. http://www.superturbodiesel.com/std/thread-4514.html
W124 om606 HX40 finished and it's a beauty 450bhp/456ft-lbs
maxypriest
09-16-2013, 05:41 AM #10I'm planning to use this kit in my 124 - looks spot on in the picture! :-)
W124 om606 HX40 finished and it's a beauty 450bhp/456ft-lbs
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