So I've run out of things to do , this is my last and final MOD for the 55. I installed a Brabus lowering moudle over the weekend. Install was pretty simple, took about 1 hour. I'll post the before and after pics first, then detail's on how to install it below.

It dropped about 1 1/4"

Ok before Trim Spa




And After




Before





After



Front





Rear






OK now for the install..

This applies for the Brabus module, I'm not sure how the other's are installed, but I assume they tap into the same harness so this gives you a basic idea.

First disconnect the battery, 10MM wrench for the negative plug.

Pull back front passenger side carpet, remove the foam pad and you will see this..





Use a 10MM socket to remove 3 nuts, one on top, and 2 on the bottom.
One the nuts are removed, the plate can fold back and you have access to the module. Looking at the large silver module on the right of this picture, there are 3 plugs, one large one, one medium size, and one really small (2 wire plug). Remove all of these, the largers ones use a slider type method to unplug from the module itself.





Once the plugs area all removed you can then open them up, in order to use the existing wiring without splicing, you can open the plug buy popping off the end cap. The picture below shows the end cap, its the piece with the round end at the bottom. Once this is removed you slide the wiring out of the black harness.





So now you have the wiring harness out of its plug, and you can access the wires, meaning use a small sharp tool and push the metal tab of the specific wire you need, so push the tab, and pull the wire out. Below you can see the yellow and black wire with the end tab that was pulled from the harness.




For the Brabus module your taking wires from the factory harness and putting them into this harness that plugs into the new module.




There are 3 or 4 wires that I had to actually splice, but they weren't cut, just peeled the plastic of the wire a tad to get access to the wire.
After its all done you plug it into the new module. Put all your plugs back in and your good to go. Connect the battery and then start the car, press the raise button on the suspension, let it rise, then hold for a minute, then lower it back down, and it will drop.





And thats all folks!

 

Very nice! Ride comfort still the same? Handling?

 

Great job as always. Car looks AWESOME !

I found that handling improves with lowering, at the expense of ride quality. My car sits about 0.5" lower than Kevins though. I don't mind the rougher ride but my wife does complain about it, of course she's used to her Range Rover ...

 

nice- looks much better lowered

 

Well, in defense of Mercedes, this CLS didn't look that bad at all before being lowered. For my taste that is.

 

Kevin, That looks really good! I have a couple of questions....

1) How much does that costs and where can you get it??
2) How do you control it. Raise/Lower Button or Comfort Settings?
3) Does it allow stock ride height so dealer does not see mods?

Thanks!
AJ

 

Kev - car looks great... but you'll either have to dig into the drivetrain or get another car to mod because you are unstoppable!

 

Kevin: Another excellent DIY information! With all the DIY info you have provided, I could probably start a "side" business!

 

Thanks guys!

AJ,
1. The unit is about $1500, you can buy it directly from Brabus, the are others on the market, so do some research.
2. After you install the module it will drop automatically, you can still use the raise/lower button and comfort settings.
3. Not really, but one inch isn't much so unless they were really observant or had another CLS side by side, they are not going to notice. The new Renntech module is adjustable so you can raise it back to stock.

 

lol just send me a few $$

 

Yes, ride comfort the same, and handling didn't change to much, the one reason I went with Brabus was because it was a just enough drop, any more then 1 inch and you affect the ride, this is my daily cruiser, and I have the 996 for a sporty bouncy ride

 

Any reason you didn't try the RENNtech module? Cheaper and digital. Just curious. Nice looking car.

 

Thanks Jangy, got a smokin deal on the Brabus, cost was much less then the Renntech as well. And I really didn't need the option of lowering more then the Brabus.

 

But no interest in a digital unit? I can understand if you are staying all Brabus, though. Can you get me a deal on the E55 CF lip? Hehe.

 

Wow Kevin....again you amaze! You really know your way around that car...were you a mechanic in a previous life? The info you post is priceless. So what mods haven't you done yet???

 

Did you think about installing any kleeman upgrades?

 

Thanks Stiggs, not a mechanic, but I do work on all my cars, including my race car, I can drop the engine, change a clutch, just about do anything accept rebuild a engine or tranny.

No mods left to do on the CLS, accept engine wise, and I don't plan on adding any Kleeman or other tuners upgrades. 469 HP is plenty for me around town, I just don't enjoy the issues along with modding the engine.

 

love it you are the god of self installs.......

 

Kev,

You got skills!

 

once again, i bow down to your greatness...