Originally Posted by
Airscape
They used a grab bag originally as far as I can tell. Everyone has something different up there. I think 2 and 3 are the most common sizes for the front but who knows how they went about choosing. If you are using stock size springs even the thinnest pads will not give you a lowered look but would be better than the 5s. Id go 1 dot all around with stock, non cut springs.
FP, I think this is correct, and agrees with what I found while researching lowering. Remember, changing these out results in 1/2 of the difference at the wheels. So, if you install 20 mm thinner pads (you can't) it would result in a 10 mm (7/16") smaller fender gap. Not too much. They were originally produced this way waaaaay back in MB lore to offset worn/weak springs, and even out a car's ride