Suspension/Handling advice...

**B4TM4N** · 10-12-2007

Hi guys!!

So I've been going to the track quite a bit this year and I'm wondering what you guys think and any opinions you have on what I should do next in terms of handling. All I currently have are Eibach Pro-Kit springs and a set of R-Compounds.

I started with 225/50/16 Toyo Proxes RA1 and now I'm on 235/40/17 Hankook Ventus (RSS?) Z211.

I am thinking of Coils of some sort but I dunno what my options are. I know Bilstein and KW V3 coils exist. I dunno if I have any other (more affordable) options out there. Thinking of sways + struts but I dunno what options I have.

ALL ADVICE WELCOME!!

THANKS!!

-Kelvin

**alroumi** · 10-13-2007

Eibach and H&R are the cheapest springs and are quiet good from some while, If you are going to progress for something very dedicated go for the Carlsson/Bilstien Coiloversystem whilst at it you should compare with the Brabus coilovers and the offerings from MKB and Kleemann.

MCFaisal · 10-15-2007

I have an R170 - but, I do have H&R Springs and Bilstein shocks. The mistake I did was get the setup before I actually tried to autocross my car. I was used to fun oversteer on the streets but the shocks and springs radically changed the characteristics of the vehicle - its all major understeer now. So it took some time getting used to but I don't think my times would have gone down to much had I not purchased the setup. I would suggest getting completely used to your cars existing handling traits (at least 10 events) then buy shocks, then springs and so on. If you have an SLK55AMG then I wouldn't worry about getting to much for the suspension as the car is excellent stock.

MCFaisal · 10-15-2007

I see you have a 280 - get the real deal man, I would go for a full bilstein coilover kit BUT get rid of those tires man! Hankooks?!? no....stick with the following:

Bridgestone Potenza RE01R
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3
Continental SportContact 2s
Dunlop Direzza Series

Your not in an import man in fast and the furious, toyo's and hankooks are typical import tires. Mercedes reccomends either dunlop, pirelli or continental and after extensive research I see why. The way the tires break at the limit is designed with the cars in mind so the cars suspension and tires are in sync. They both will give up at the same time basically.

Baron7700 · 10-16-2007

Michelin Pilot Sports.

If you have the springs already, i would maybe spend the money on headers or something to make the car a little more muscley. I think your current suspension set up can handle the cars speed quite well right now.

OR upgrade your brakes, to maybe something like the 350's brake system (which is just the brembo 335mm kit i believe), or even the AMG brakes (but you would need bigger rims for clearance, where as the 350 brakes work on 17's.)

Just my 2 cents.

**B4TM4N** · 11-09-2007

Thanks guys. What do you guys think is better in terms of coilovers:

Bilstein PSS9's vs. KW Variant 3?

Also, as for tires...McFaisal, the ones you mentioned are all UHP aren't they? I'm lookin' at R-comps only and I still have to keep price in mind. Even the Potenzas are only semi-slick I believe. Am I wrong? I'm lookin' at the next set to be 235/40/17.

Bridgestone Potenza RE01R
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3
Continental SportContact 2s
Dunlop Direzza Series

**Ynot** · 11-10-2007

I don't know anything about Bilstein but the KW's are adjustable to your track needs and I've only heard good things about it.

Continental SportContact 2s are bad on the track, it's what I'm currently tracking with, they melt on a hot day and will make you slide around on the track, fun but not the fastest way around a road course. I thought I was the only person but found out on the bimmer forums that it's common for Conti's to melt on a very hot track.

Addicted2Speed · 11-10-2007

If you are interested, I am selling complete SLK55 AMG suspension w/ 6k miles. I'll let it go for 600$, shoot me a PM if you want.

**B4TM4N** · 11-12-2007

Thx guys. I think I've decided to go with KW V3. Anyone know any sources for best pricing?? I have a source that said about $2400 CAD to include shipping as well. Is that high/low?

**Ynot** · 11-14-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by B4TM4N

Thx guys. I think I've decided to go with KW V3. Anyone know any sources for best pricing?? I have a source that said about $2400 CAD to include shipping as well. Is that high/low?

It's about $2,000 USD, last time I checked, it might be worth getting addicted's SLK55 suspension. It's a good deal.

**F111F** · 11-15-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCFaisal

I see you have a 280 - get the real deal man, I would go for a full bilstein coilover kit BUT get rid of those tires man! Hankooks?!? no....stick with the following:

Bridgestone Potenza RE01R
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3
Continental SportContact 2s
Dunlop Direzza Series

Your not in an import man in fast and the furious, toyo's and hankooks are typical import tires. Mercedes reccomends either dunlop, pirelli or continental and after extensive research I see why. The way the tires break at the limit is designed with the cars in mind so the cars suspension and tires are in sync. They both will give up at the same time basically.

Just went to Texas World Speedway on Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3. Handled nicely, but I was chewing rubber off of them like crazy (Still pulling off pieces of rubber from around the car). Outran two Ferrari's on racing slick's; but to be honest, I don't think they knew how to drive, one of them spun into a wall.

I have run with BS Potenza RE-01Rs and like the performance on the track better and getting a set on for my track tires.

But I need a better setup to stop nose-diving during hard braking on the track and to keep the car more even on the curves to keep up with those quick little Miata's / Lotus' that want to pass me.

Anyone have experience with their shock / spring setups????

**F111F** · 11-15-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by B4TM4N

Thanks guys. What do you guys think is better in terms of coilovers:

Bilstein PSS9's vs. KW Variant 3?

Also, as for tires...McFaisal, the ones you mentioned are all UHP aren't they? I'm lookin' at R-comps only and I still have to keep price in mind. Even the Potenzas are only semi-slick I believe. Am I wrong? I'm lookin' at the next set to be 235/40/17.

Bridgestone Potenza RE01R
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3
Continental SportContact 2s
Dunlop Direzza Series

Correct, the R Rating is >100. Sounds like you are looking at R < 100. Potenza is ~140. GS-D3 = 280!?!?! I don't know about the others.

Give the guys at Tire Rack a call. I have found them to be most helpful. They seem to have some Kumho slicks that are not too expensive. The Yoko's are very expensive.

10-12-2007	#1 (permalink)
B4TM4N Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario Vehicle: 2006 SLK 280 Other Toys: C300 RWD 6MT Posts: 153 Country: Thanks: 36 Thanked 34 Times in 10 Posts	Suspension/Handling advice... Hi guys!! So I've been going to the track quite a bit this year and I'm wondering what you guys think and any opinions you have on what I should do next in terms of handling. All I currently have are Eibach Pro-Kit springs and a set of R-Compounds. I started with 225/50/16 Toyo Proxes RA1 and now I'm on 235/40/17 Hankook Ventus (RSS?) Z211. I am thinking of Coils of some sort but I dunno what my options are. I know Bilstein and KW V3 coils exist. I dunno if I have any other (more affordable) options out there. Thinking of sways + struts but I dunno what options I have. ALL ADVICE WELCOME!! THANKS!! -Kelvin __________________ 2006 SLK 280 6MT *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

10-13-2007	#2 (permalink)
alroumi Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait Vehicle: 2006 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 2007 Ebony Jaguar XKR Coupe' and 06 Black Cayenne S Posts: 6,275 Country: Thanks: 291 Thanked 231 Times in 145 Posts	Eibach and H&R are the cheapest springs and are quiet good from some while, If you are going to progress for something very dedicated go for the Carlsson/Bilstien Coiloversystem whilst at it you should compare with the Brabus coilovers and the offerings from MKB and Kleemann. __________________ 06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG 06 Porsche Cayenne S 07 Jaguar XKR Coupe' I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

11-09-2007	#6 (permalink)
B4TM4N Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario Vehicle: 2006 SLK 280 Other Toys: C300 RWD 6MT Posts: 153 Country: Thanks: 36 Thanked 34 Times in 10 Posts	Thanks guys. What do you guys think is better in terms of coilovers: Bilstein PSS9's vs. KW Variant 3? Also, as for tires...McFaisal, the ones you mentioned are all UHP aren't they? I'm lookin' at R-comps only and I still have to keep price in mind. Even the Potenzas are only semi-slick I believe. Am I wrong? I'm lookin' at the next set to be 235/40/17. Bridgestone Potenza RE01R Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 Continental SportContact 2s Dunlop Direzza Series __________________ 2006 SLK 280 6MT *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

11-10-2007	#7 (permalink)
Ynot Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Colorado Vehicle: 06' MBZ SLK Posts: 2,795 Country: Thanks: 135 Thanked 35 Times in 30 Posts	I don't know anything about Bilstein but the KW's are adjustable to your track needs and I've only heard good things about it. Continental SportContact 2s are bad on the track, it's what I'm currently tracking with, they melt on a hot day and will make you slide around on the track, fun but not the fastest way around a road course. I thought I was the only person but found out on the bimmer forums that it's common for Conti's to melt on a very hot track. __________________ 06' SLK 350, Iridium/Ash all pkgs. 6-spd, 19" DCR. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

11-12-2007	#9 (permalink)
B4TM4N Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario Vehicle: 2006 SLK 280 Other Toys: C300 RWD 6MT Posts: 153 Country: Thanks: 36 Thanked 34 Times in 10 Posts	Thx guys. I think I've decided to go with KW V3. Anyone know any sources for best pricing?? I have a source that said about $2400 CAD to include shipping as well. Is that high/low? __________________ 2006 SLK 280 6MT *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

10-15-2007	#3 (permalink)
MCFaisal SLK World Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: lexington Vehicle: 2001 Stock SLK230 silver Posts: 95 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have an R170 - but, I do have H&R Springs and Bilstein shocks. The mistake I did was get the setup before I actually tried to autocross my car. I was used to fun oversteer on the streets but the shocks and springs radically changed the characteristics of the vehicle - its all major understeer now. So it took some time getting used to but I don't think my times would have gone down to much had I not purchased the setup. I would suggest getting completely used to your cars existing handling traits (at least 10 events) then buy shocks, then springs and so on. If you have an SLK55AMG then I wouldn't worry about getting to much for the suspension as the car is excellent stock.

10-15-2007	#4 (permalink)
MCFaisal SLK World Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: lexington Vehicle: 2001 Stock SLK230 silver Posts: 95 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I see you have a 280 - get the real deal man, I would go for a full bilstein coilover kit BUT get rid of those tires man! Hankooks?!? no....stick with the following: Bridgestone Potenza RE01R Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 Continental SportContact 2s Dunlop Direzza Series Your not in an import man in fast and the furious, toyo's and hankooks are typical import tires. Mercedes reccomends either dunlop, pirelli or continental and after extensive research I see why. The way the tires break at the limit is designed with the cars in mind so the cars suspension and tires are in sync. They both will give up at the same time basically.

10-16-2007	#5 (permalink)
Baron7700 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennyslvania Vehicle: 2006 Slk 350 Other Toys: Lots of ATV's Posts: 1,599 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Michelin Pilot Sports. If you have the springs already, i would maybe spend the money on headers or something to make the car a little more muscley. I think your current suspension set up can handle the cars speed quite well right now. OR upgrade your brakes, to maybe something like the 350's brake system (which is just the brembo 335mm kit i believe), or even the AMG brakes (but you would need bigger rims for clearance, where as the 350 brakes work on 17's.) Just my 2 cents.

11-10-2007	#8 (permalink)
Addicted2Speed Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 225 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 17 Times in 5 Posts	If you are interested, I am selling complete SLK55 AMG suspension w/ 6k miles. I'll let it go for 600$, shoot me a PM if you want.

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