S/W204 Springs - Differences??

S/W204 Springs - Differences??

Author
Discussion

DaveyBoyWonder

Original Poster:

2,741 posts

181 months

Tuesday 6th December 2022
quotequote all
Hi all.
My S204 C180 estate seems to sit quite low at the back/high at the front. Springs look good - but I'm starting to wonder whether it has the right springs, maybe they've been replaced previously? Do the diesel/V6 engines have different springs on the front vs my little turbo petrol engine which I assume is a fair bit lighter? What about the rears - do saloons have lighter weight springs vs the estate? Just trying to figure why the front/back are so different to each other...

trevalvole

1,270 posts

40 months

Wednesday 7th December 2022
quotequote all
Merc springs often break, so it is possible that they have been replaced with the wrong ones.

As to what the right ones are (iirc): Merc on their Xentry system (previously EPC) specify springs based on the model, whether it has sports suspension or not, but also on a points system based on the extras that have been fitted... The springs have colour-coded dots on them to help identify which springs have actually been fitted.

So I suspect you need somebody with access to an Xentry or EPC system to find out - if MWStewart sees this and is at a loose end he may be able to help out, as may the technical support staff at the Mercedes Benz Club (if you are a member).

DaveyBoyWonder

Original Poster:

2,741 posts

181 months

Thursday 8th December 2022
quotequote all
Cheers - or might just shove some H&Rs on all round.

DaveyBoyWonder

Original Poster:

2,741 posts

181 months

Monday 13th February 2023
quotequote all
trevalvole said:
Merc springs often break, so it is possible that they have been replaced with the wrong ones.

As to what the right ones are (iirc): Merc on their Xentry system (previously EPC) specify springs based on the model, whether it has sports suspension or not, but also on a points system based on the extras that have been fitted... The springs have colour-coded dots on them to help identify which springs have actually been fitted.

So I suspect you need somebody with access to an Xentry or EPC system to find out - if MWStewart sees this and is at a loose end he may be able to help out, as may the technical support staff at the Mercedes Benz Club (if you are a member).
Just revisiting this as I need to replace the wheel bearings as well so whilst its up on axle stands I may take the chance to do whatever is needed with the springs...

I'm not a member of the MB club - I guess someone at my local dealership would be able to tell me what I need (I've checked the fronts and can see the colour dots, not checked the rear - guess I just need to cross check those with that the dealership might be able to tell me and order the correct springs)?

trevalvole

1,270 posts

40 months

Tuesday 14th February 2023
quotequote all
DaveyBoyWonder said:
I'm not a member of the MB club - I guess someone at my local dealership would be able to tell me what I need (I've checked the fronts and can see the colour dots, not checked the rear - guess I just need to cross check those with that the dealership might be able to tell me and order the correct springs)?
I suspect getting the dealer to add up the points to determine the correct springs is the best way forward. Sachs, who probably make the springs for Merc, are available for less on Autodoc, but you are still left with the problem of ordering the right springs. And, other than Autodoc, Sachs springs on the likes of ebay are probably not much cheaper than Merc ones. There's also the matter of spring pads, which come in various thicknesses and are again determined by points, so you might want to ask the dealer about that (may be just to confirm the existing ones are right), plus whatever else he'd recommend you change at the same time as the springs.

There's a bit of discussion on here about Merc springs and pads if you scroll down: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Dicky Knee

1,061 posts

138 months

Tuesday 14th February 2023
quotequote all
I have an E Class S211 which snapped a front spring.

I took a photo of the dots with my phone shoved up the wheel arch and ordered a new pair from my local MB Dealer. I got the impression from the spares guy that springs are the bane of their life but the model, rego and dot colours will get you the right ones.

DaveyBoyWonder

Original Poster:

2,741 posts

181 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2023
quotequote all
Cheers both. Will have a browse of that previous thread too...