E320 CDI Sport 2008 Ride Height

[Happy Chappie]

Hi Folks. There are already other threads suggesting there isnt necessarily an easy answer. The car broke an offside front spring about 500 miles ago. Got towed to a local garage who changed both front springs. The front of the car now looks way too high. These are the measurements taken from the middle of the wheel to the high point on the wheel arch. Wheel are 18inch with correct tyre pressures.

Near side front. 38.6cm
Off side front. 37.5cm
Near side rear. 35.6cm
Off side rear. 36.5cm

The difference in the front heights looks a lot worse than the measurements suggest, and the difference in the rear heights might or might not have been present before the front springs were changed.

In any case the front looks much higher than it was before and I must say spoils the low slung look of the car. As the measurements stand, I assume that there should be no differences on the front and back axels even if everything is incorrect

My questions are:
1) Am I looking at something which will settle down? The garage said the springs will bed in.
2) What should the front ride height be ? Although both sides are different, both sides look wrong to me.
3) Wrong springs?
4) Incorrectly fitted and/or adjusted
5) is there something about the new front springs which would cause a discrepency in the rear measurements?

Any views greatfully received.
Thanks. Happy Chappie

 

[LostKiwi]

Getting MB springs right is tricky as there are multiple combinations of spring and rubber pad to take differing spec levels into account.
I might be able to post the chart for your car tomorrow which will give the genuine MB part numbers.
If they fitted generic springs it will almost certainly be incorrect.

 

[Happy Chappie]

Getting MB springs right is tricky as there are multiple combinations of spring and rubber pad to take differing spec levels into account.
I might be able to post the chart for your car tomorrow which will give the genuine MB part numbers.
If they fitted generic springs it will almost certainly be incorrect.

Thanks LostKiwi. That would be very much appreciated.

Do you think the discrepancy on the rear could be due to some uneven "drag" from the incorrect and uneven front springs, or could this be due to a broken rear spring. If it looks like a rear spring might be broken, could you also send the chart for rears please.
Many Thanks. Happy Chappie

 

[LostKiwi]

If it were down to variations in front springs the highest rear corner would be diagonally opposite the lowest front.

 

[Happy Chappie]

If it were down to variations in front springs the highest rear corner would be diagonally opposite the lowest front.

Yes, that would be logical. I best get the back checked as well. Thanks for your help.
Happy Chappie

 

[LostKiwi]

Ok so here goes (welcome to the complex world of MB springs!)

Step 1 - work out your points. Take the base model (this is 208 and the three numbers following) and from the chart add the extra components your vehicle has. For example if your VIN is 208365 you start with 45 points. Aid con adds 8, autobox adds 3, radio adds 1 for a total of 57.



Now look at the following chart for the spring and pad for 57 points:


If you have HD spings (code 482) the part numbers change:


The pads are on top of the spring and available in different thicknesses to fine tune ride height.


Now the same for the rear springs:



Hopefully that makes some sense.

 

[Happy Chappie]

Ok so here goes (welcome to the complex world of MB springs!)

Step 1 - work out your points. Take the base model (this is 208 and the three numbers following) and from the chart add the extra components your vehicle has. For example if your VIN is 208365 you start with 45 points. Aid con adds 8, autobox adds 3, radio adds 1 for a total of 57.

View attachment 37851

Now look at the following chart for the spring and pad for 57 points:
View attachment 37852

If you have HD spings (code 482) the part numbers change:
View attachment 37853

The pads are on top of the spring and available in different thicknesses to fine tune ride height.


Now the same for the rear springs:

View attachment 37854 View attachment 37855 View attachment 37856

Hopefully that makes some sense.

Hi LostKiwi

A complex world indeed. The charts and method of calcultaion are crystal clear. One can forgive any garage other than a specialist for getting this wrong. Many thanks for your very clear and comprehensive help.
Regards. Happy Chappie.

 

[LostKiwi]

No problem.

 

[LostKiwi]

Just realised I gave duff info- those are w208 (CLK numbers). You need W211 numbers. Will sort it tomorrow.

 

[LostKiwi]

Hmmm... looks like I'll need your VIN to get the correct charts as there are several variations.

 

[Happy Chappie]

Hi Lostkiwi
I would appreciate that. VIN is WDB2110222B253965.
Thanks