[W126 Coupe] MBCOUPES Digest, Vol 56, Issue 9

[Mark La Rochelle]

Thanks Gerry, I really appreciate your comments and advice. I will try and
get a hold of Satish next week when I am in Birmingham, it looks close to
his shop.

Cheers

Mark

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Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 12:16 PM
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Subject: MBCOUPES Digest, Vol 56, Issue 9

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: Lowering 560 SEC (Gerry Van Zandt)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:35:45 -0500
From: Gerry Van Zandt <gerryvz at mac.com>
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Lowering 560 SEC
To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com
Message-ID: <E824EC14-9203-4394-BE55-3EB1D8AD9CE7 at mac.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes

Hi Mark,

I have a 1989 560SEC and I lowered it about five years ago. I run 16"  
Lorinser DS-90 wheels (which were made for the SEC) and the stock  
suspension with Eibach Pro-Kit springs for the SEC.

I have found that the Eibach springs do a pretty good job of  
maintaining the SEC's comfortable ride, though my understanding is  
that they are significantly softer than the H&R SEC springs. Over the  
years I have come to desire a bit of a firmer ride, so when it comes  
time to replace my front shocks and rear hydro struts, I plan to  
purchase and install a set of the H&R springs.

I think that the combination of HR springs with an 18" wheel will  
prove to provide a very firm ride.  Some here have complained that the  
SEC's ride with 18s is too harsh, while others think that it's just  
fine. 16" and 17" wheels seem to provide the best compromise of  
comfort and looks IMHO for the SEC (I run staggered AMG Monoblock 18"  
wheels on my 1994 E500 on a stock suspension and I think that combo is  
just splendid !).

That said, I have no complaints with the Eibachs, which have proven to  
be of good quality.  Alignment with the Eibachs has been no problem,  
though the adjustment is very very close to the end of the provided  
range. You can purchase parts that can give you more range of  
adjustment, but if you get a set of Eibachs or H&Rs, you should be  
able to work with the stock adjustment settings, but just barely.  BTW  
the Eibachs gave me probably about 1.5" of lowering (that's an eyeball  
calculation) all around the car.  The stock SEC IMHO sits  
extraordinarly high and looks rather awkward, so lowering really  
improves the look of the car.

If you want knowledgeable and expert service on your SEC, I'd work  
with Motorwerks which is owned by Satish Tummala, who runs this site.  
They are in Michigan I believe.  http://www.motorwerksgroup.com/index.htm

Satish or one of his team can provide you with good commentary on your  
options here.

Your cheapest source for "Euro" lights would be Speed Autoteile in  
Germany, which offers awesome prices and fast overseas shipping.  You  
can contact them via email or phone - http://www.speed-autoteile.com/   
Do know that a new set of Euro lights will likely run you over USD  
$1,000 if not more as prices have dramatically gone up in recent  
years.  The nice thing is that if a lens gets cracked, they are  
replaceable and easily available for not-too-expensive prices.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,
Gerry




On Mar 10, 2009, at 11:15 AM, mbcoupes-request at mbcoupes.com wrote:


>

> Hi,

>

> I have a 91 560 SEC that I bought in Atlanta last summer and  

> imported into

> Canada; I want to lower the car and am looking for advice and any

> recommendations any one might have.

>

> I want to maintain the rear self-leveling shocks [replace with new  

> ones] and

> the car has 18" AMG wheels with 245/40ZR-18 tires.

>

>

>

> In no particular order, here are my questions:

>

>

>

> H&R, Eibach, AMG. any experience ?

>

> I know on some vehicles, people change spindles; is it necessary or  

> even

> possible on the SEC?

>

> With the Wheel/Tire combo, will lowering the car adversely affect  

> the ride?

>

> Other than an alignment are there any other issues.

>

> Can anyone recommend a shop or mechanic who actually has experience  

> doing

> the work; either in the GTA or Michigan [near Birmingham or  

> Southfield]

>

>

>

> Also, I have to replace the headlights as the lenses are cracked and  

> want to

> replace them with Euro lights and clear indicators. Does anyone know  

> the

> cheapest source for these?

>




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