W208 rear coil springs - which ones??

[zedmeister]

Hi folks,
I'm after some rear coil springs for my CLK320 Elegance. It seems like they have become quite rare now, Merc saying that they could take months to come in as they are on back order from Germany. I have had a hunt around and can get third party ones which I'm fine with, however they need the colour code off the springs, which is no longer there as I had them changed 5 years ago and didn't use OEM ones at the time! Is there a way of getting the exact part number or dimensions or colour code from my VIN number?

 

[zedmeister]

Mercedes have very kindly recalculated my car for me using their tables and so I need the "2x red" marked springs and the 17mm rubber mounts at the rear.

 

[Droverunner]

Would the KYB catalogue help... I can find your car and two alternatives either standard or h.duty. If you click on extra info it gives the Mercedes part no. cross reference.

KYB Catalogue - KYB Europe

KYB catalogue - use the electronic catalogue to search for the correct part using vehicle make and model or VIN.

kyb-europe.com

 

[zedmeister]

In your opinion, what brand of springs are the best? I hear good things about Eibach and Sachs.

 

[Droverunner]

I've fitted most common makes of aftermarket springs on different cars over the decades and never had any problems albeit I've never run a car more than 20k on its replaced springs. Only advice I have is be very wary of any aftermarket type that calls itself heavy duty or you risk a ride like a Series 3 Land Rover.

 

[zedmeister]

I've gone through a lot of springs, genuine Merc ones and aftermarket. Must have changed at least 8 on various cars, these will make it 10. I hear the Merc ones are not that good and I think I've used cheap aftermarket ones, so I was thinking of getting Eibach this time as a lot of forum guys rate them.

 

[AnthonyUK]

Sachs are OK too.

 

[AnthonyUK]

Also rears are so much easier to change and a little less prone to breaking.

 

[zedmeister]

How much would you expect to pay for labour only?

 

[AnthonyUK]

My Indy did mine but only on the understanding that the suspension arm retaining bolts were not seized so I had the ensure they were able to be removed beforehand as they are not allocated much book time for this, maybe only 30-45 mins per side.

I had the fronts done at the same time so can’t give exact costs.