DukeBoy27

I called a reputable local tuner shop here in the Dallas area about lowering my R class. Surprisingly, the guy refused to do it. He cited a case in California where a S class with air suspension was lowered and then involved in a serious accident when the S lowered itself more at higher speed... then somehow the wheels teared into the body?

I told him the 2012 R only has air in the rear and does not lower itself, but he does not even want to touch it.

I have not tried calling other shops yet but am curious if anyone else has encountered the same. Based on what I read on the forum, lowering does not appear to be complicated on these cars...

What I have in mind is about 1 to 1.5 lower in for the front and slightly less in the back. Have not thought about STAR (factory programming?) or linkage yet... what is difference, pro/con etc. of each? Would appreciate as well if folks an elaborate.

xxGenericSNxx

Many folks here have successfully lowered their R. I did STAR lowering on the rear ~1-1.5" and no issues on the freeway or going into the raised position.

Obviously you'll need new lowering springs for the front.

Rear, like you mentioned you can either do STAR or links. Advantages to STAR is that it'll be the cheapest and easiest to do (just some computer programming by an experienced tech). Links require an actual hardware change and costs a little more but will net the same result.

Personally if I were you, I'd do STAR since it's cheap, easy, and has no real downsides compared to links. Also, you won't run into any potential warranty issues down the road since it's all factory hardware back there with a few values changed (provided the dealer is good with it/ you've got a good relationship so if problems were to surface it can be kept quiet).

R. Reyes

Some R's do have a self lowering capability, but that was a very, very rare option. Park Place does it all the time. Yes, the Dallas premiere dealership.

xxGenericSNxx

The R Class with the air suspension option doesn't actually self lower. It just has the ability to change the stiffness and raise for low speed maneurvers (under 20mph).

Astrok

My 2006 R500 airmatic does what you said but the owners manuel says that at steady speeds over 63 it lowers an additional .5 inches to improve mpg. I have no way of knowning if it reallydoes!

vwfreak

For some reason my R350 front was sitting higher in the front then the rear. I installed H&R sports springs up front myself, and now it sits level on all four corners.

7seater

Am I the only one who doesn't have Air on my R only comes with struts and springs on all 4 corners and I haven't been able to find a set of aftermarket suspension or even a set of springs for my application

Jon

Aca112003

There is no problem lowering the R350 I mines lowered on 22 I also have springs for sale for front for $150

Aca112003

R350