451 springs

[b1ackb1rd]

I have to replace a rear spring (again), I'm in 2 minds whether to fit;
1) progressive lowering springs, or
2) 'standard' Brabus springs.

I'm not going to drive it like an idiot, and I want a bit of comfort which the standard springs don't seem to offer.

Thoughts?

[smartboost]

I would go with standard springs. The ride on my 2002 450 CDI with standard springs is much better than standard as I am running Vredestein Quatrac tyres as follows:

rear tyres 155/60R15 32psi on 4Jx15 ET14 steel rims

and

front tyres 145/65R15 24psi on 3.5Jx15 ET20.5 steel rims.

I have Japanese K car rear wheel arches which are about 25mm narrower than standard. In the summer I regularly get 100mpg driven at 50mph with this setup.

This setup would also work perfectly on the 451, but increase the tyre pressures by 2psi as the 451 is a slightly heavier car.

[b1ackb1rd]

There's no way my driving style would stand up to skinny tyres and standard suspension.

I ran 135 fronts on a remapped 450 some years ago, comedy understeer was a hoot at times and bloody dangerous at others.

Anyway, I've bought standard Brabus rear springs

[smartboost]

My car originally came with Continental EcoContact EP 135/70R15 70T tyres. They were dangerous in the wet as they had so little grip. The same tyres but in the slightly wider 145/65R15 72T size had much better grip as the rubber was softer. It's taken Continental 20 years to address this issue with their dangerous 135 tyres, and they've finally started making them with the same rubber as the 145 is made out of. So wet braking is now B rated instead of E rated.

Mytyres are currently showing both versions, but they are way overpriced and I don't like the thick rubber rim protectors moulded into the sidewalls as they make the ride harder.

[dolphinfreindly]

@b1ackb1rd

how are the Brabus rear springs? Im looking to lower the rear of Marcie (08 451 84hp) so that the gap between the tyres front and rear is very similar. would brabus springs on the rear and standard on the front look right?