Question: Are all 202 OEM springs and shocks the same?

[ludachris]

Hello guys,

I have both a C280 and a C43. The C280 has a H&R cup kit on it and the C43 has the OEM suspension. I want to swap the suspensions on the two cars to lower the C43.

However I do not want to be giving away a good thing. Is there anything special about the C43 suspension as opposed to C280 suspension or any other 202 for that matter? I read something about C43s having bilstein shocks but Ive also heard that all 202s have bilstein shocks stock.

On another note: is there any difference in the brake rotors or calipers of the two cars? Are the C43 rotors any bigger? The calipers?

Thank You

[Captain - X]

Standard suspension on all non-AMG Mercedes is BOGE. Don´t know if the AMG´s using Bilstein, but it dosen´t sound unresonable.

[Denlasoul]

43's have 13.1 inch front rotors and 11 inch rears.

Cannot remember C280's but definitely smaller.

Calipers are bigger as well.

[jnolte]

c43 stops faster than some ferraris

[cfourthree]

Sorry, not allowed to sell without fulfilling Board requirements. Please see Threads at the top of the Classifieds Section for further description.

-DLS

[Nelson Lago]

i cant see a porblem with swaping them but im not 100% sure

[hvmercy]

When I ordered the aftermarket springs
for my 202, one of the questions the seller
asked me was the model, i.e. C230, C280, C36, C43.
I asked why it would matter. He said the
weight for all these model varies especially if you're talking about C43. He mentioned
that the C43 engine weighs more than the
rest of the other models so it is essential.

[ludachris]

Originally posted by hvmercy
When I ordered the aftermarket springs
for my 202, one of the questions the seller
asked me was the model, i.e. C230, C280, C36, C43.
I asked why it would matter. He said the
weight for all these model varies especially if you're talking about C43. He mentioned
that the C43 engine weighs more than the
rest of the other models so it is essential.

I think there is a difference in the spring pads betweeen the two cars. Because the C43 has a heavier engine, its going to have thicker spring pads to cushion the weight. Where did you get your springs from? Who did you talk to?

Thanks for the advice guys. I will be swapping the suspension today and I will let you guys know the exact differences between the components of the two cars. If what Denlasoul said about the brakes was true then I will probably be leaving those where they are.

Thanks again!

[JRE320]

Spring pads are the same. And your rotors and brake pads are not cheap. Try asking the dealership and you'll find out.

[ludachris]

hey guys,

Just finished swapping the front suspensions of the two cars and I found out a few things:

The C43 has Bilstein shocks and #2 pads in the front. The rotors on the C43 are definitley bigger than those on the C280. The calipers on the C43 are 2 piston (front) whereas the C280 has single piston calipers (front).

The C280 came with #4 pads front and rear.

I used #1 pads with the cup kit on the C43. I used the #2 pads that were on the C43 on the C280 because I thought the #4s might make it look too high.

Keep in mind this is a 1999 C43 and a 1997 C280 and that the springs pads may not be the same for every year of these two cars. Im sorry if im telling info that you guys already know but i hope someone finds this writeup helpful.

I also found out that it is a pain in the ass to do this kind of work without air tools, a lift, or a spring compressor.

I look forward to doing the rear tomorrow and ill let u guys know how it goes.

[Nelson Lago]

hay dude mabe you can help me a little i have a 99 280 and all i want to know is it hard to chang springs and shocks i mean just to replace them i need new shocks and springs

[ludachris]

Originally posted by Nelson Lago
hay dude mabe you can help me a little i have a 99 280 and all i want to know is it hard to chang springs and shocks i mean just to replace them i need new shocks and springs

It depends how experienced you are. I am somewhat experienced with cars and I have lowered a 202 before and I would still say it is a hard job. I would not recommend doing this kind of work the way I did. Working with compressed springs is dangerous and should only be done by a professional.

As far as the progress goes...I finished up the swap today. The rears were far easier than the fronts. I found out that the C43 has #2 pads in the rear as well. The C43 looks great and the C280...well....it looks lifted.

Thanks for all the advice and I hope someone finds this helpful!