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Mercedes-Benz CLK and CLS

Mercedes-Benz CLK and CLS Coilovers

The CLK and CLS share a low roofline and frameless windows, with two doors or four. Underneath, they take different kits. For Mercedes-Benz CLK coilovers, the engine and body style decide the kit. On the CLS, it is Airmatic and drive type. We carry twenty-five kits in all.

Not sure if your car has Airmatic air suspension? Read us the VIN: 1-800-460-9106.

Blue Mercedes-Benz CLK550 coupe lowered on coilovers by a museum reflecting pool at dusk

Animated illustration. It shows where coilovers sit on a car, not your exact kit. Depending on the car and the kit, coilovers can lean forward or back or stand straight up, and some cars use a separate spring and shock in the rear. Your ride height depends on the kit and how it is set up.

What decides the coilover kit on these coupes

Depending on the car, one of these three things decides which kit fits.

Engine

KW has separate CLK kits for 6 and 8 cylinders.

Body style

Bilstein makes separate CLK kits for coupe and cabriolet.

Airmatic

On the CLS, two BC kits and both Ksport kits mention Airmatic in the name. The other BC kits do not, so read us the VIN.

BC Racing coilovers for the CLS only

Five BC kits, all for the CLS

BC Racing coilovers for the Mercedes-Benz CLS come in three series: BR, DS and RM. Every BC kit here is for the CLS. BC makes no CLK kit. Free shipping on BC Racing kits in the continental US.

See all BC Racing coilovers Go to the CLS kits

BC series for the CLS

These are the BC series we sell for the CLS.

On a BR coilover, compression and rebound share a 30-click adjuster.

It has the BR adjuster, plus a digressive piston.

This is an upside-down single-tube shock for MacPherson struts. It comes on the CLS63 kit.

Bilstein, KW and Ksport kits

Three more brands make kits for these cars. Call 1-800-460-9106 to compare.

Bilstein

Bilstein has twelve CLK kits, split by model and body, for cars without self-leveling.

KW has four CLK kits, for 6 or 8 cylinder engines, each covering coupe and convertible.

Ksport

Ksport has two CLK kits and two CLS kits.

Three example cars and the kits that fit

2007 CLK350 coupe

Look at the coupe and 6-cylinder kits.

Kits to look at: KW CLK (W209) 6cyl. Coupe + Convertible, Bilstein CLK350 (C209) B14, Without Self-Leveling Suspension, "Wheel Spacers May Be Required", Ksport CLK RWD (C209) excludes AIRMATIC (made for cars up to 2006: call us)

2001 CLK430 cabriolet

Look at the cabriolet kits.

Kits to look at: KW CLK (W208) 8cyl., Bilstein CLK 430 Cabriolet/Convertible (A208), Bilstein CLK 320/CLK430 Convertible (A208)

2015 CLS550 4MATIC with Airmatic

BC's Airmatic kit is the one that fits.

Kit to look at: BC CLS550 Airmatic AWD (Swift Front Only), C218

Every CLK and CLS kit we carry

The CLS comes first, then each CLK generation.

Notes in BC kit names: "Swift Front Only" means the optional Swift spring upgrade is offered for the front springs only on that kit.

CLS four-door coupe

Code: C219, C218

Good to know: Airmatic and drive type decide the CLS kit. BC has a 2012 to 2018 RWD kit "Excl. Airmatic" (not for air suspension), an AWD kit, a CLS550 Airmatic AWD kit, a 2019 to 2021 RWD kit and a 2012 to 2013 CLS63 AMG RWD kit. That last kit comes in BR, DS or RM, and the others come in BR or DS. Ksport has kits for the C219 (excluding AIRMATIC and 4MATIC) and the C218 (excluding AIRMATIC).

Second-generation CLK, coupe and cabriolet

Code: W209, C209, A209

Good to know: KW has separate kits for 6-cylinder and 8-cylinder cars (including AMG, but not the Black Series), each covering coupe and convertible. Bilstein makes a kit for each model and body, for cars without self-leveling, and several coupe kits say "Wheel Spacers May Be Required". Ksport's C209 kit excludes AIRMATIC. BC has no kit.

First-generation CLK, coupe and cabriolet

Code: W208, C208, A208

Good to know: KW has separate kits for 6-cylinder and 8-cylinder cars, each covering coupe and convertible. Bilstein has kits for the CLK 320 and CLK 430, coupe and cabriolet, without self-leveling. Ksport has one C208 kit. BC has no kit.

The CLS and both CLK generations compared

Model	Years	What changes the kit	BC Racing series
CLS	2004 to 2021	Airmatic; RWD or AWD	BR, DS, RM
CLK (W209)	2001 to 2009	Engine (KW); model and body (Bilstein)	No BC kit
CLK (W208)	1996 to 2003	Engine (KW); model and body (Bilstein)	No BC kit

Before you buy: what CLK and CLS owners run into

These are the problems CLK and CLS owners report most often, from owner forums, recalls and service bulletins, and what each one means for your coilover suspension.

Worn front control arm bushings

CLK (W209), 2003 to 2009

W209 owners on MBWorld report front control arm bushings that leak fluid, a ride that gets worse over time, and rumbling from the front. The usual advice is to replace the whole arms rather than press in bushings. Worn front bushings cancel out what new coilovers do, and the car will still feel loose.

Before you install: Inspect the front arm bushings for fluid and cracks before the install, replace worn arms in pairs, and align the car afterward.

Airmatic strut failures push owners to coilovers

CLS (C219), 2006 to 2011, with Airmatic

One CLS owner reports an Airmatic strut failure with a Car too low warning and a sagging corner. Another, planning a conversion, is told the Airmatic rear lower arm has no spring mounts, and gets no answer on clearing the Visit Workshop warning. The kit has to match the rear arm on your car.

Before you install: Confirm Airmatic from the VIN, check what rear arm the kit name calls for, and plan how the Airmatic warning will be handled before the install.

CLK history

The CLK debut in January 1997

Mercedes-Benz records that "the CLK (model series 208) made its debut in January 1997".

208

The coupeMercedes-Benz adds that buyers took to the 208-series coupé.

Common questions on Airmatic, body style and AMG

Does my CLS have Airmatic, and does it matter?

It matters. BC lists a CLS550 Airmatic AWD kit and an RWD kit that excludes Airmatic, and both Ksport kits exclude AIRMATIC. Read us the VIN if you are not sure.

Do Mercedes-Benz CLK coilovers change for the coupe and cabriolet?

For Bilstein, yes: each CLK kit is made for either the coupe or the cabriolet/convertible. KW's CLK kits cover both bodies and are split by engine instead.

What does "Wheel Spacers May Be Required" mean on some Bilstein CLK kits?

Bilstein puts it in the name of several W209 coupe kits, and it means your wheels may need spacers with that kit. Call us and we will check your wheels before you order.

Is there a kit for the CLK55 or CLK63 AMG?

Bilstein's CLK500 kit also fits the 2003 to 2006 CLK55 AMG, and its CLK550 kit also fits the 2007 to 2008 CLK63 AMG. KW's 8-cylinder W209 kit includes AMG but excludes the Black Series.

Which BC series fit these cars?

BC sells BR, DS and RM, all on CLS kits. The CLS63 kit comes in all three, and the other BC CLS kits in BR or DS. BC makes nothing for the CLK.

Is there a warranty on the BC CLS kits?

BC Racing North America currently lists a two-year limited warranty on full kit orders, subject to its warranty terms. The other three brands publish separate terms.

Related guides and Mercedes pages

Coilover Kits by CarEvery car we have a page for. Does Your Car Have Adaptive Dampers? Keep Them, Cancel Them or Replace ThemKeep, cancel or replace the electronic dampers on your CLK. AWD, RWD or FWD: Why Drivetrain Changes the Coilover Kit You OrderWhy the drivetrain changes which kit fits your CLK. Comfort and Stance on a Daily Driver: Setting Up Coilovers for BothA comfortable drop on a CLK you drive every day. How to Set Ride Height on CoiloversMeasure and set the drop on your CLK. After You Lower It: Alignment Timing, Driver-Assist Calibration and Headlight AimAlignment, driver-assist and headlight checks once the CLK is lower. Mercedes-Benz E-ClassIncludes the E-Class coupe. SLK, SL and AMG GTMercedes roadsters and convertibles. How to install coiloversWhat the install involves. The BC Racing rangeEvery BC kit we sell.

Call us and we will name the right kit for your CLK or CLS

Weekdays, 9 AM to 5 PM Eastern.

Call 1-800-460-9106