W203 C320CDI Saloon Rear Springs

mercman01

Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2012
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Location
UK
Your Mercedes
W203 320CDI, R170 230K. Previous W210 - E300TD
Hi Everyone,

Can anyone help with pointing me in the right direction of what springs I need? I'm completely lost.

I've read that the existing springs should have some colour codes on them, problem is that both rear springs look to have been replaced back in 2011 and neither have any colour marks on them but now one of these replacements has broken (looks like these springs last about 5 to 6 years!)

When looking at replacements, it seems various types are available depending on if Self levelling, Sport etc and some suppliers even state I need to check the type using Mercedes EPC?

I'm lost as to what version I should be using? the car is an Avantguarde model and is not self levelling, so would that mean Sport springs are the ones I need or are they different again on an Avantguarde?

Thanks in advance!
 

John Laidlaw

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2013
Messages
26,373
Reaction score
9,163
Location
Wirral
Your Mercedes
Land Rover Discovery 4
I’ve a feeling LK has a chart for springs from MB which is nearly as clear as lake bottom mud...
 

Wighty

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2016
Messages
13,434
Reaction score
12,465
Location
Sunny Essex
Your Mercedes
W211/E320cdi/2009 and CLK200k 2009
I'm in need of new springs as well , but I'll probably just ring MB Grangemouth so I know I've got the right ones
 

LostKiwi

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2006
Messages
31,324
Reaction score
21,574
Location
Midlands / Charente-Maritime
Your Mercedes
'93 500SL-32, '01 W210 Estate E240 (RIP), 02 R230 SL500, 04 Smart Roadster Coupe, 11 R350CDi
I’ve a feeling LK has a chart for springs from MB which is nearly as clear as lake bottom mud...
Indeed I do.... It's all in EPC.

OP. The springs to fit will depend on engine, transmission, extras etc.
Mercedes use different springs and spring pads to tailor the suspension to each car (yes seriously!).

If I fire up a laptop on the weekend I'll post the info otherwise I'll do it Monday.
 

bembo449

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2012
Messages
6,774
Reaction score
3,518
Location
gainsborough , lincolnshire
Your Mercedes
Mercedes Cl500, shitron dispatch
any part suppliers should be able to supply the correct set for your car by using the reg number
 

LostKiwi

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2006
Messages
31,324
Reaction score
21,574
Location
Midlands / Charente-Maritime
Your Mercedes
'93 500SL-32, '01 W210 Estate E240 (RIP), 02 R230 SL500, 04 Smart Roadster Coupe, 11 R350CDi
Might be useful to have the first 6 digits of the VIN as well (after the WDB). It will be something like 203022.
 
OP
M

mercman01

Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2012
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Location
UK
Your Mercedes
W203 320CDI, R170 230K. Previous W210 - E300TD
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
Thanks for the replies chaps.

The most (kind of helpful info) I can find is the W203 section in this document, it mentions the colour codes but they still appear to recommend the same item code without any choices for different colours so seem to be just generic fitments: http://www.mladov.ru/katalog/suplex/SUPLEX_2008-2009.pdf

But it still doesn't really help fully as I have no idea if it has the lower Sports suspension or just the Sports pack or maybe both of these?!

LostKiwi - Much appreciated for your offer next time you're on your laptop, the first 6 digits are: WDC203020
 
OP
M

mercman01

Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2012
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Location
UK
Your Mercedes
W203 320CDI, R170 230K. Previous W210 - E300TD
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #8
any part suppliers should be able to supply the correct set for your car by using the reg number

I was hoping the same! but the three I contacted today all had options depending on if it was with the Sports suspension option or not, which I'm not able to answer at the moment so still left me a bit stuck.
 

LostKiwi

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2006
Messages
31,324
Reaction score
21,574
Location
Midlands / Charente-Maritime
Your Mercedes
'93 500SL-32, '01 W210 Estate E240 (RIP), 02 R230 SL500, 04 Smart Roadster Coupe, 11 R350CDi
Ok.... here's the charts (I'll explain at the end):
Rear_Springs1.jpg Rear_Springs2.jpg
 

LostKiwi

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2006
Messages
31,324
Reaction score
21,574
Location
Midlands / Charente-Maritime
Your Mercedes
'93 500SL-32, '01 W210 Estate E240 (RIP), 02 R230 SL500, 04 Smart Roadster Coupe, 11 R350CDi
Contd.....
Rear_Springs3.jpg Rear_Springs4.jpg

Ok.....

So first you need to determine the option codes for your car. This is also called the datacard and can be decoded from the VIN (there is a VIN decoder for android phones called MB VIN Decode). Once you have the build sheet start by looking at the relevant tables and add the points for the options you have:
For example you have a 203.020 so your base points are 169.
Then add base equipment (for example if you have Comand add1, if you have a spare wheel add 7 and so on.
Assuming you have both you now have 169+1+7+....

Now we need to know if you have 'Normal suspension' or 'Sports suspension' (code 486) - this is where the datacard will help.
If you have sports suspension it will show code 486 in the datacard.

So lets assume your points total was 177 and you have code 486...

Looking at the tables the part number for the spring is 210 324 34 04 with spring pad 210 325 02 84 (9mm pad)

You don't need to replace the pad unless its missing.

Simples isn't it ;)
 
OP
M

mercman01

Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2012
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Location
UK
Your Mercedes
W203 320CDI, R170 230K. Previous W210 - E300TD
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #11
Wow! Many thanks for posting the charts and explaining them LostKiwi.

The datacard shows 486 so that's also answered the Sports suspension one.

It did make me chuckle once I'd worked mine out, your example of '177 being 210 324 34 04 with spring pad 210 325 02 84 (9mm pad)' works out to be the exact ones I need as my car adds up to 176 in total!

Thanks again to everyone for helping me get to the correct result.
 

AIB understand your special Mercedes deserves a special insurance policy. We have a refreshing attitude to insuring high performance, modified, imported or classic and vintage cars and deal with the UK’s leading insurers. We offer discounts for length of ownership, where the vehicle is kept overnight and limiting the mileage and can also cater for those clients who need higher mileage and business use. To obtain a quotation please call the team on 02380 268351 or visit us atAIB Insurance
Top Bottom