hey all ive been on the forums for months but never knew that this garage section was here...now ive got a w123 1981 sedan mercedes and i understand it has already got hydraulics but i was just wondering how much it would cost to 'enhance' them a little nothing major just so i can manually put them up and down from inside the cabin i think it would be a cool mod

I'm guessing it would have airshocks rather then hydraulics (considering hydraulics are illegal in AUS)

I'm also assuming that your car has auto-levelling? (ie, if you add weight to the car, it pumps the rear back up to compensate for it?)

It should be possible to modify these to allow manual up/down, but you would need to check if you only have airshocks in the rear, or the front as well.

A decent airsuspension place should be able to help modify them

call an air suspension place
probably be around 2000-2500 for a kit.. plus instal

nah im sorry dragon@work but i checked it up they are definitely hydraulics, all w123 mercedes sedans came standard with it it was the coupes and wagons that had the self levelling system, they probably made hydraulics illegal long after 1981 when this car was brought to australia...now ive seen one hydraulics suspension place around my area so does anyone work in this field or know how much it would cost to get it customised

I know a decent amount about airbags/hydraulics (I've got $6.5k worth of airbag setup in my car atm) but i cant give you much more info untill i know what kind of setup you have.

There are a few different types of hydraulic setups different manufacturers have used. Some are just hydraulic shocks, where as others are full hydraulic auto levelling kits.

Best thing to do is take a look under your car, and maybe take some pics of the shocks/struts you currently have, and then see if you can find some info on them on the net.

Most places will probably try and get you to purchase aftermarket products, so keep that in mind. If your system cant be modded, then your only option will be after market.

In terms of aftermarket systems, hydraulics is obviously illegal, and most airbag kits are also illegal. There are only a few airbag kits that can be engineered, so make sure you choose wisely. (No point spending $5k on a setup only to get defected and have to take it out)

thanks for your help dragon@work, i guess there is no point in trying to 'enhance' my 'draulics if it is illegal so i guess ill save some money for an airbags set up..
just quickly though you mentioned you have a 6and a half grand airbags set up and i notice a lot of people here have set ups ranging from 2000 to 10000 what is the difference between the entry level set ups and the higher end gear and what does it allow you to do with your car...i dont know much but i always thought that it was only the hydraulic suspensions setups that could do the real bouncing and everything airbags could...and that airbags could only raise and lower each and every wheel however you wanted...thanks again

Bouncing like you see in movies/film clips can only really be achieved with hydraulics, airbags can do a bit of a bounce (with fast/large valves) but its not quite the same as hydraulics.

Basically the main difference between airbag components is quailty, then its a matter of accessories.

eg, basic setup = control panel, 1 tank, 1 compressor, valves, wiring, lines, airbags might cost $2.5-3.5k
Installation can cost upto $1500, engineering another $500, then its a matter of accessories.

A more expensive system (using mine as an example) is listed below.

2 tanks
4 compressors
1/2 lines + valves
Wireless remote control
Dakota digital auto-levelling kit + wireless remote
4 x airbags

A setup using these things might cost $6-10k, depending if you have connections, are installing it yourself...etc, but it will be a nice reliable system.

As i mentioned before, plan your system before getting one. My original system was all i was going to get, now i have changed my mind and going for 2 tanks, 4 compressors (originally had 1 tank, 2 compressors) and auto-levelling kit. I have to re-do most of my setup now, and have probably paid an extra $500-1000 for parts which are now redundant (current tank, wiring, control panel)

Take a look at www.tubularsuspensionsystems.com or www.airide.com.au for some prices/examples

wow thanks for the advice i think it would and will be an exciting modification to my car...richie

we use to have one of these mercs and to comfirm they were hydrolic , but with auto level system etc....

Read the new unique cars and then start talking the guy who owns the green lwrdr he is my good mate so if you have any real seriose questions pm me and i'll ask him.