Hi all,

Although I'm a regular visitor to this forum, I still have not introduced myself. Since I have a question, it looks like a perfect time to do so. My name is Gabriel Hartings, I live in the Netherlands and besides a toyota IQ i also own a 2001 SLK32AMG, which I have tuned a little in order to be able to adjust to the Autobahn in Germany (it's about 40km from the German border). I installed a 178mm cranckshaft pulley, pulley savers kit, air-oil separator from Needswings and a performance intake from Hpautowerks, software update incl. Vmax removal (topspeed about 280 kmh), Bilstein B8 shock absorbers.

I've read some threads on the forum about the removal of the resonator. What is meant exactly with this resonator ? Is that something inside the middle exhaust silencer or is the complete middle exhaust removed and replaced by a direct tube ?

As here in Holland/Germany the Eibach prokit springs are not really suitable for the 32AMG/srt6 (springs are to soft in combination with the relatively high weight of the front axle and therefore only released for the remaining R170 slk-types) I wondered why this is apparently not the case in the USA ?
What do you think of the AMG shockabsorbers B66030030/04 in combination with koni/bilsteinB6/B8 ?

On the other hand I learned from this forum to just cut off 1/2- 3/4 or 1 coil from the original 32AMG/srt6 springs, that is new for me but also a cheap and efficient alternative, thanks !
I will probably do that coming spring.
and sorry for my poor English grammar....

Greetings

 

Just so you know the springs are different from the SLK and the SRT models. I believe the SRT6 springs are stiffer and they are the ones we are known to shorten. Steve knows more about the stocker slk springs so I will let him chime in on what is available.

Removing the Resonator is removing the 20-25lbs of middle silencer housing and replacing with straight pipe. It frees up some weight and make a nice little growl a bit meaner. cheers

 

Welcome Gabriel!

Are the stock springs "Linear"? If not, I wouldn't recommend cutting the springs.

 

Ok thanks for your answer about the resonator.
I was only referring to the slk32amg and SRT6 springs

 

The stock slk32amg/srt6 springs are non-progressive (linear) springs, the Eibach prokit however are not.

 

Gabriel,

Welcome to the forum!

The Coupe's spring rates are 451 lb./in. in the front and 480 lb./in. in th rear. As was mentioned above, these are the springs that members cut to lower the ride height. I am not sure what the spring rates are on the SLK32AMG, but I was under the impression that they were less than the SRT6. If so, I would be careful about cutting them as doing so could cause you to bottom out your suspension during "spirited" driving.

As for the resonator removal, do a search as a few people have found that removing the muffler and leaving the resonator gives a better, throaty sound to the vehicle, but without the drone. The drone has been known to occur on some cars that have removed the resonator, and left the stock muffler in place. I can't speak from first hand experience b/c I still have the factory exhaust, but I am sure some of the other members will chime in on it.

Again, welcome! This is a great site with lots of info.

Cheers,
KrzyFast

 

ahh another 32 brother!! welcome!! the springs from the srt-6 are in appearance identical to the slk32 springs. i have had both side by side and the only thing i can find different is the slk32 are badged eibach and have a m/b part # no markings at all on the srt-6 springs. doubt they are different. everything else in the suspension is identical minus the rear axles to diff mounts.
the resonater sits right behind you on the drivers side. its only function is to quiet the car down. on my 32 the res was removed and the secondary cats also removed and a x pipe installed. the slightest of drone at 2000 rpm and a wonderful sound at full throttle. do it!!

 

Welcome to the forum.

Tell us your impressions of the Bilstein Shocks.

 

Hi 32 Krazy,

I'm glad to hear that you agree with my findings about the similarity of the oem slk32amg springs with the stock srt6 (3.2 litre with compressor engine). Here in Europe there is besides the expensive (€ 1.600 = appr. $ 2000,-) Bilstein B16 or the coil over variety from KW, only one cheaper possible way to lower the slk32amg and that is with the so called Nürburgring Fahrwerk, this set, which is not obtainable anymore (MB partnr. B66030030/04) contains the following springs: A1703210104 and A1703240104 and different shocks (what kind is unknown?!). However the springs can still be bought separately and are commonly used in combination with the bilstein B6 (lowering max 3cm) and or Bilstein B8 (lowering more than 3cm). These springs lower the car appr. just 2,5 cm (1 inch) and can be used with original springs, but the B6 bilsteins are better.
At first I planned to assemble the suspension with the HR 29769 springs in combination with the B8, but this was no success, far to low, engine is to heavy for the front springs, so I reversed the original springs and am now thinking of lowering the car by cutting the springs by 3/4 coil or 1/2 col in the front and 3/4 coil in the back.
But first I have to know for sure if this is possible. Since I read in this forum, that srt6 springs can be cut in order to lower the car, i'm interested in doing the same with the SLK32AMG. I also asked Rob Schoen from Needswings if he is aware of any differences between the srt6 and 32 springs and am looking forward to his answer.

 

i only know of 1 member on here with the nurburgring suspension and thats ckovach with his slk32. i would love to get my hands on a set of springs if you know were any are located.
why not try #1 pads in the front and rear with koni adj shocks? this would lower the car approx 8mm from stock and give you adjustability for ride comfort and recoil with the konis.
i have b&g springs on mine with konis and the springs are the only progressive set i found. lowers the car but zero rubbing and the konis allow me to stiffen it for racing or soften it for regular cruising

 

Hi,

the nürburgring springs can be ordered here:
AMG originele verlaginsset R170 SLK [B66030030/04] - 355.00EUR : Superstyling shop!, Voor tuning en styling van u Mercedes

they must be completed by new springs, bilstein, koni's what ever you want

 

I know the possibilities of these pads etc. but the springs are the problem in combination with the weight of the engine, that must be made stiffer. In Holland/Germany we are used to ride on the Autobahn, no max. speed and lots of corners etc. and let's face it if we compare the roadholding with e.g. a Porsche there is a lot be improved on the slk.

 

apples to oranges! this car will never handle like a porsche. it wasnt meant to be. it will however hold its own on the high speed roads and still be safe.
the lowered springs on my 32 would bounce like a ball without the proper shocks. springs keep the suspension up and shocks control the rebound.
velociabstract has done most every combo known on his car and he road course races.(very well i may add!) read his threads to see what he has felt and done to his. it may be of help.
because of the virtually zero aftermarket support you are stuck with whats available. porsche has unlimited support for almost all of their cars.

 

Orange is the Dutch national team color. You better make sure Gabriel does not feel insulted by "apples to oranges". :-) I was in Amsterdam last summer when they beat Brazil in the World Cup -- talk about seeing orange.

 

No I'm not insulted at all, in fact I agree fully with 32Krazy, both cars cannot be compared. I was glad to to be informed that the original srt6 springs are most likely the same as those from the slk32amg. I'm going to cut the front and the back, resp. 1/2 and 3/4inch so my Bilstein B8 will be able to perform better.
Thanks for all the input

 

do you have a spring compressor tool? without the tool this is a diffucult and very time consuming thing to do. the 2 lower control arm bolts must be removed to get the spring out and they are a b^*tch to get back in!! with the tool 30 mins. each side. i would suggest you start with small cuts maybe 1/4 coil and let the car settle for a week of driving. once you cut you cant go back!

you will also need to cut the bump stops on the shocks so they can compress without hitting the stops

 

Hi 32Krazy,

Last week I have cut my springs, front 3/8 coil and smallest springpad (1dot), back 5/8 coil and original (2dot) springpad, the ride is stiffer but still very comfortable, cornering is much improved and that was my goal. There was no need to cut the bumpstops, as the Bilstein B8 are especially designed for lowering over 3cm, so the lowering also resulted in better performance of the shocks.
I took it for a ride on the German Autobahn, cruising at 200kmh is easy, thanks for the input. And...yes I bought a MB spring compressor and am glad I did that.
Next step is to remove the resonator, probably coming spring.

greetings

[IMG]file:///Users/gabrihartings/Pictures/iPhoto%20Library/Originals/2011/23%20feb%202011/IMG_1658.JPG[/IMG]

 

im glad to see everything worked out for you. my 32 however was totaled about 1 month ago. im searching for another but finding the right color combo with low miles is a daunting task. this could take almost a yr before the right car comes along

 

Hi,
At first I didnot understand the word: totaled, but after looking it up in Wikipedia:

Totaled (shorthand for total loss) is a term used in the insurance industry. In the US, when a vehicle is damaged and the cost of repairs and the salvage value combined would exceed the current value of the vehicle, the insurance company may declare it totaled. Generally, the insurance provider will only pay out the lesser cost of buying a replacement vehicle, instead of paying to repair the old one to its previous state.

I know exactly what it is now and also know how you must feel at this moment. I wish you all the best and hope the insurance will come with a relatively good offer, so that you will be able to locate and buy another SLK32AMG on your terms.

greetings

 

thanx for the kind words gabriel. the insurance paid me in full for the car actually more than i pad for the car ! my search is on but the timing may not be right . spring is coming and the prices have gone up considerably since i bought my 32. im patient and as long as the great folks here let me live vicariously thru them until i find another, i will be in a 32 again!!