Lowering an S210 Mercedes

[SmokeEm]

Anyone done it? Got any photo's?

i was thinking of getting a set of the proper compressors and lopping off 2 coils all round?

Hopefully, the ride won't become awful and bouncy like Fords n Vauxhalls do with chopped coils!

[dubbelduwwel]

Assuming that you are referring to the W210 station wagon (the S Classes - W220, W221 etc are horses of another colour altogether!), the rear suspension is self leveling with hydroaccumulators - a system slightly more complicated than adjustment by angle grinder. Over the years the system has not changed dramatically and it might be worth your while to visit the many Mercedes forums - there is a wealth of knowledge out there.(Even include models like W124, W126 and even W123).

[SmokeEm]

Yes, I have spheres on the rear. That is why I am worrying that lows on the cheap are not possible.

I got confused because you can buy lower springs on eBay? Why sell them if the car will level itself out?

My car is a 1999 E240 Estate Elegance BTW.

[hairymel]

only merc i have worked on with self-leveling , had a lever and valve connected to the rear suspension to set height.

adjust lever to a lower setting and jobs a goodun - simples ;-)

[UtterPiffle]

Yup, take a couple of coils off the front (but buy the proper tool! - those springs are under huge pressure!)

For the rear, I did 1.5 coils (because my car is a parts chaser, and I can't have it stupid low), then adjusted the sensor on the offside rear suspension arm.
I did read somewhere that the easiest way to do this is cut the coil, then fill the car with something very heavy, get the car on a ramp, and adjust the sensor until the car sits at the right height.
I am Utterpiffle, so just adjusted it one way until it was bouncy and un-drivable, then pulled it back a bit.

This is 2 coils front, 1.5 at the rear. Number 1 spring pads all round. On saying that, my car is an AMG so it has the shorter Bilstein shocks, not sure you'll go this low at the front on stock suspension without it bottoming out?

[SmokeEm]

I think I had best leave doing it to a pro. Or at least someone who knows what they are doing. If anyone knows someone close (ish) to Farnham, Surrey, let me know. Could be a weekend day job for cash monies.

[SmokeEm]

@utterpiffle - Your barge looks AWESOME. I would give a kidney for those wheels but I just can't justify to the Mrs that I should spend more on 4 wheels than the whole car has cost me

[hario]

I have a Mercedes coil spring compressor kit in my garage if you want me to remove & cut them at my house (East Putney). You would have to provide an angle grinder and a jack as mine are both AWOL at the moment. I only have one currency and it is beer tokens..