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500E Lowering springs
- Thread starter Greg1980
- Start date
Why not H&R springs? A bit more than 20mm but close enough. Use thicker shims.
The H&R springs tend to lower the car too much, unless you really like the "dumped" look. Ride quality suffers as well. That said, they are about the only off-the-shelf lowering spring option around these days for the W124, unless you want to cut a set of stock springs.
I'm surprised the W124 guys don't have a standard "forum favourite" workaround for lowering the car.
For the R129 we use H&Rs or Eibachs with #1 shims in front and #3 in rear to get a balanced symmetrical look and not too low. That's what my car has in my profile picture.
I'm sure this has been considered before but why don't you run H&Rs/Eibachs with #4 shims all around to get that height you're looking for plus extra comfort? Or #4 in front and #2-3 in rear?
On that note I have a full set of R129 stock springs in near mint condition no rust and 100kms on them if anyone wants to use them to cut and experiment.
For the R129 we use H&Rs or Eibachs with #1 shims in front and #3 in rear to get a balanced symmetrical look and not too low. That's what my car has in my profile picture.
I'm sure this has been considered before but why don't you run H&Rs/Eibachs with #4 shims all around to get that height you're looking for plus extra comfort? Or #4 in front and #2-3 in rear?
On that note I have a full set of R129 stock springs in near mint condition no rust and 100kms on them if anyone wants to use them to cut and experiment.
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As Sheward noted above, the E500E has unique springs that are different from all other 124 chassis, plus SLS. My personal favorite is to use a 1-pt pad up front with stock springs, then cut about 1/4 coil off the stock rears and adjust the pads as needed so the ride height is level with a full tank of fuel. There's no need to use H&R springs if you only want an E500E slightly lower.
There's no advantage to the H&R springs, and Eibach does not make any springs that work with the E500E.
As noted back in post #3, the preferred method of lowering with improved handling would be to use AMG E60 replica springs, which are ~10mm lower and also have higher spring rate (slightly firmer).
Yes... 1/4 of a full circle, which is a small amount. This is about 2 or 3 linear inches, approximately.
Hello All....
Sorry to use that post about lowering springs ( if moderator wants to put in another thread, please do!!)
My car (1993 400E) is currently sitting on H&R springs, so the car is low....however, I moved to Maine (from Florida) and would like to go back to normal height in the near future.
I have a couple of questions :
is 1243213904 correct for the front? (Original MB brand)
is 1243241104 correct for the rear? ( looks like 1243243604 is no longer available) (lesjofors brand)
Major question : What size shims do I need for front and back???? (8mm, 13mm, 22mm...or other???)
also IF anyone has OE springs for sale (front and rear) please let me know ( IF you live in New England...so I can come pick them up..lol)
Thank you in advance.
Sorry to use that post about lowering springs ( if moderator wants to put in another thread, please do!!)
My car (1993 400E) is currently sitting on H&R springs, so the car is low....however, I moved to Maine (from Florida) and would like to go back to normal height in the near future.
I have a couple of questions :
is 1243213904 correct for the front? (Original MB brand)
is 1243241104 correct for the rear? ( looks like 1243243604 is no longer available) (lesjofors brand)
Major question : What size shims do I need for front and back???? (8mm, 13mm, 22mm...or other???)
also IF anyone has OE springs for sale (front and rear) please let me know ( IF you live in New England...so I can come pick them up..lol)
Thank you in advance.
124-321-39-04 is correct for the front.
124-324-12-04 is correct for the rear. (#11 rear spring is correct for many / most 6-cyl cars). #36 would be a Sportline rear spring for 400E.
#39 front appears to still be available new. #12 and #36 rear are NLA new but I'm sure you could locate used ones. 124 coil springs do not really "wear out" or "sag" over time.
Spring pads/shims depend on both the color code of the particular spring you are installing AND also personal preference, along with trying to keep the car level. Check with David Hendy, he may have good used springs for sale and he's somewhere in New England.
124-324-12-04 is correct for the rear. (#11 rear spring is correct for many / most 6-cyl cars). #36 would be a Sportline rear spring for 400E.
#39 front appears to still be available new. #12 and #36 rear are NLA new but I'm sure you could locate used ones. 124 coil springs do not really "wear out" or "sag" over time.
Spring pads/shims depend on both the color code of the particular spring you are installing AND also personal preference, along with trying to keep the car level. Check with David Hendy, he may have good used springs for sale and he's somewhere in New England.
IF i can't find 124-324-12-04, can I use 11 ?? what's the actually difference?124-321-39-04 is correct for the front.
124-324-12-04 is correct for the rear. (#11 rear spring is correct for many / most 6-cyl cars). #36 would be a Sportline rear spring for 400E.
#39 front appears to still be available new. #12 and #36 rear are NLA new but I'm sure you could locate used ones. 124 coil springs do not really "wear out" or "sag" over time.
Spring pads/shims depend on both the color code of the particular spring you are installing AND also personal preference, along with trying to keep the car level. Check with David Hendy, he may have good used springs for sale and he's somewhere in New England.
#11 is slightly longer but with smaller wire diameter (less stiff) so it will likely have the car sit a bit lower vs the #12. Might work ok, might not.
I'd get a good used #11... if you want new, call a dealership and talk to a live person to ask about availability of #11. Don't trust the online sites. Looks like a handful on eBay as well.
I'd get a good used #11... if you want new, call a dealership and talk to a live person to ask about availability of #11. Don't trust the online sites. Looks like a handful on eBay as well.
I think you mean 12 ? right?
Still trying to figure out the rear springs
I found these on fcp Euro as it states it is same as OE 1243241204
Does anyone has used these :
Thank you
I found these on fcp Euro as it states it is same as OE 1243241204
Does anyone has used these :
Thank you
Meyle is never going to be the same as OE. The vast majority of aftermarket springs are a "1-size-fits-most", where the aftermarket mfr produces a generic spring that is similar to a half-dozen OE springs which are NOT the same, and claim it "fits" or is "suitable for". This is almost never the case. The Meyle could be an exact reproduction of the OE #12, but I'd be surprised if this is true.
However, you could gamble on the Meyles and see what arrives. Measure it carefully and compare to the coil spring spec spreadsheet on W124performance.com. At $60/pair it's a cheap experiment. Note that FCP says these ship in 2-3 weeks, meaning they are not in stock, and it could take a month or more to arrive.
I'd look for a good used set from someone parting out an 034. There's a single NOS #12 on UK eBay (link) which is obviously new / NOS, although it doesn't show the part number stamped on the bottom coil. Be careful, some sellers have bad listings, like this one which claims NOS but looks used, not new, and also does not show the part number stamped into the bottom coil.
Yes, I have seen both on Ebay.Meyle is never going to be the same as OE. The vast majority of aftermarket springs are a "1-size-fits-most", where the aftermarket mfr produces a generic spring that is similar to a half-dozen OE springs which are NOT the same, and claim it "fits" or is "suitable for". This is almost never the case. The Meyle could be an exact reproduction of the OE #12, but I'd be surprised if this is true.
However, you could gamble on the Meyles and see what arrives. Measure it carefully and compare to the coil spring spec spreadsheet on W124performance.com. At $60/pair it's a cheap experiment. Note that FCP says these ship in 2-3 weeks, meaning they are not in stock, and it could take a month or more to arrive.
I'd look for a good used set from someone parting out an 034. There's a single NOS #12 on UK eBay (link) which is obviously new / NOS, although it doesn't show the part number stamped on the bottom coil. Be careful, some sellers have bad listings, like this one which claims NOS but looks used, not new, and also does not show the part number stamped into the bottom coil.
the UK one seems legit ( and red color) but the cheapest US one does not have any color code on it....so if it's "blue" , then it won't work...lol
I haven't see a 400/420E anywhere for sales or parts!!
I might just use higher pads if I can't find the springs....but then the cost to have them installed would be basically the same labor cost as putting new springs!
however, I don't really drive in the winter (one day a week and only when it does not snow)
So, honestly, at the end, I might just forget about it until i sell the car, when it dies...lol
Here is fcp email to me (which is weird because I don't have sls)Meyle is never going to be the same as OE. The vast majority of aftermarket springs are a "1-size-fits-most", where the aftermarket mfr produces a generic spring that is similar to a half-dozen OE springs which are NOT the same, and claim it "fits" or is "suitable for". This is almost never the case. The Meyle could be an exact reproduction of the OE #12, but I'd be surprised if this is true.
However, you could gamble on the Meyles and see what arrives. Measure it carefully and compare to the coil spring spec spreadsheet on W124performance.com. At $60/pair it's a cheap experiment. Note that FCP says these ship in 2-3 weeks, meaning they are not in stock, and it could take a month or more to arrive.
I'd look for a good used set from someone parting out an 034. There's a single NOS #12 on UK eBay (link) which is obviously new / NOS, although it doesn't show the part number stamped on the bottom coil. Be careful, some sellers have bad listings, like this one which claims NOS but looks used, not new, and also does not show the part number stamped into the bottom coil.
"This spring is only available in Germany and we would only be able to visually verify specific details by ordering it in, which would take upwards of 2-3 weeks. The best way to confirm fitment would be through the OEM number, which does not match the number that your VIN calls for. Your VIN calls for spring PN 124 324 26 04."
Yeah... nope.
Spring @ 124 324 26 04 is with optional SLS, which your car does not have (and, 99.99% of 034's in USA also do not have).
EPC shows #12 spring with "Standard" (non-SLS) suspension... screenshot below.
Interesting that the Meyle Malaysia would come out of Grrmany.
yep. definitely NOT ordering it!! LOLYeah... nope.
Spring @ 124 324 26 04 is with optional SLS, which your car does not have (and, 99.99% of 034's in USA also do not have).
EPC shows #12 spring with "Standard" (non-SLS) suspension... screenshot below.
Interesting that the Meyle Malaysia would come out of Grrmany.
View attachment 203255
There's no way to cut the rear spring without removing it first. Use sheward's method above to lower the inside of the LCA and release tension, then remove the spring. Remember the bolt must only be tightened with the suspension in ready-to-drive position, not with the suspension/wheel fully extended. This is not easy to do.
Remember that the SLS turnbuckle must be adjusted slightly, otherwise the SLS will keep raising the rear end to compensate for what you are cutting off the spring. Details & photos are here. Adjust the SLS turnbuckle FIRST, before cutting springs!
Assuming these are stock 500E rear springs, and you already adjusted the turnbuckle... only cut about 1/4 coil off. If that's not low enough, try another 1/4 coil (total 1/2 coil cut). I wouldn't cut any more than that.
Bad news is, the rear springs (124-324-30-04) show NLA at MB Classic, and if you mess anything up, you might not find replacements.
I've always been suspicious of cutting springs. Doesn't it open the spring up to corrosion?
R
Theoretically, yes, unless the exposed / cut end is painted or otherwise treated with a protective coating.
What I did was jack up the control arm placing the jack right at the front of the control arm behind the brake rotor while the car is on jack stands until it got to about where it normally sits then tighten the bolts. Or ask the shop you get an alignment at afterwards to open and retorque those bolts.
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