Sportline vs Eibach

[RavzSa]

Hi All,

Happy new year!

I local breaker is selling of a set of sportline springs and spring pads from a 1996 E320 and I am considering installing these onto my 220E. I have been advised that these are a straight swap.

Now I'm wondering whether to install the sportline or the Eibach E2512-140 springs. The Eibach springs will have to be sourced internationally at a higher price but will be brand new opposed to the
25-year-old sportline. I have had a look at the sportline before being stripped and the car stood evenly.

Which would be the better of the 2 as I am looking for a lowered look with comfortability and good road handling.

[John Green]

Front springs are differant between a 4 and 6 cylinder car?

[CraigB]

I'm not sure but there is a possibility that the new eibach has the technology of a progressive rate spring - the advantage say over what seems to be popular practice of cutting springs is that cutting really harshens up the ride, whereas when i put progressive rate H and R in a W126, it was much lower but I reckon softer ride over small bumps but stiffening progressively when loaded more. Hope that makes sense. But the sportline would be a proper lowered spring, not like cutting one, and yet I reckon your eibach would possibly still ride better than standard. But do give some thought to JG comment of how much lighter the 220 and would that affect the spring rate - may sit higher without the extra weight on it and that's not what you are looking for.

[RavzSa]

Thanks for the feedback, I think I'm going to give these springs a miss, too many variables. Most likely just take the torsion bar and maybe the spring pads.

Desperately in need of a new set of springs as my current springs are bowing

I always assumed that eibach would be progressive springs as they are the oem supplier for many manufacturers. I will have to do more research and also check if I can find H&R locally at a decent price

[Ivanerrol]

MB Springs are really high quality stuff and were individually matched to suit the cars in that era.
They should be lasting 500,000k's more.
More likely your spring pads or struts are cactus or someone has put the wrong struts or springs in during a previous changeout.
How are your control arm bushings holding up?

There are various spring pad heights as well.

The height of the suspension is due to the design of the spring and the spring pads. The struts are there to dampen the shocks.

[RavzSa]

Control arm bushes were done about 7 years ago

My springs currently look like this;

20190518_105129.jpg

20190518_105124.jpg

20190511_162039.jpg

[Ivanerrol]

You should support the lower control arm to take the strut out.
There's a risk the spring will fly out at a deadly pace.
If you don't support the arm with the strut out, the spring will bend as you've shown