Lowering Kits from AdvancedPerformance GOOD OR BAD? Your experiences please ...
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 119
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From: Ocala, Florida
2006 CLS 55 AMG
Lowering Kits from AdvancedPerformance GOOD OR BAD? Your experiences please ...
Advanced Performance is right down the road from me and they make a three piece lowering kit that will lower my baby 1". Not a big deal, but the lower the better in my view. Trying to get info from anyone who bought and installed the kits.
The reason I'm creating a thread is, I called and spoke to them. Trying to find out if there was a video on how they work and how to install them. Guy on phone said no, that the instructions come with the package. So, I said how bout if I come by and get a look see how they work? He says fine that's OK and we can even install them for you. Mentioned some slight discount, and he said we can do an alignment at the same time. I said in my head "alignment?" but I thanked him and got all the particulars to put in my WAZE gps app.
I thought these lowering kits were reversible. That is, put em on and if you don't care for them you can just put the OEM links back on. Why would there be a need (if there is a need perhaps he just wanted to sell
me an alignment) to align my CLS55 AMG?
The suspension geometry of course would be slightly altered, but not much more than the already programmed lifting and lowering that takes place with speed and the lift button on the console. One inch is not out of that range, it just starts that range of automatic adjustments one inch lower than usual. Perhaps that is the reason...
Anyway, would be nice to learn from someone with hands on experience... Anyone out there done it?
Thanks Popeye
The reason I'm creating a thread is, I called and spoke to them. Trying to find out if there was a video on how they work and how to install them. Guy on phone said no, that the instructions come with the package. So, I said how bout if I come by and get a look see how they work? He says fine that's OK and we can even install them for you. Mentioned some slight discount, and he said we can do an alignment at the same time. I said in my head "alignment?" but I thanked him and got all the particulars to put in my WAZE gps app.
I thought these lowering kits were reversible. That is, put em on and if you don't care for them you can just put the OEM links back on. Why would there be a need (if there is a need perhaps he just wanted to sell
me an alignment) to align my CLS55 AMG?
The suspension geometry of course would be slightly altered, but not much more than the already programmed lifting and lowering that takes place with speed and the lift button on the console. One inch is not out of that range, it just starts that range of automatic adjustments one inch lower than usual. Perhaps that is the reason...
Anyway, would be nice to learn from someone with hands on experience... Anyone out there done it?
Thanks Popeye
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 119
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From: Ocala, Florida
2006 CLS 55 AMG
That is what I am talking about. It looks like threaded rod with a locking nut and some kind of fitting on each end. Apparently two go on the front left and right and the third one is located near the differential...
Why is an alignment needed? I'd like to have my 2006 CLS55 AMG lower, but it is worrisome that it is necessary to alter the factory alignment. What is it about those links that makes that necessary.
I always heard that it was reversible ... Please educate me
and Thanks Popeye
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 580
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From: SoFlo
W212 E250 BT 4M
What you refer to when you are saying factory alignment ? You never had an alignment done since you purchased the car ?
Lowering gives you more negative camber and toe out. It will cause uneven tire wear .
Lowering gives you more negative camber and toe out. It will cause uneven tire wear .
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 119
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From: Ocala, Florida
2006 CLS 55 AMG
OK, now I understand why the alignment...Thanks
Thanks again...Popeye
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 288
Likes: 2
From: FL
CLS55
If you are only looking for 1", find someone to lower your CLS through STAR. Its a laptop program that they hookup to your car and adjust the vehicles ride height. All of the vehicle height settings will still work normally but you will be about 1" lower.
I had mine done for $100 through a local shop, then another $100 for an alignement
I had mine done for $100 through a local shop, then another $100 for an alignement
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Ocala, Florida
2006 CLS 55 AMG
Now your talking Finance Mike..
If you are only looking for 1", find someone to lower your CLS through STAR. Its a laptop program that they hookup to your car and adjust the vehicles ride height. All of the vehicle height settings will still work normally but you will be about 1" lower.
I had mine done for $100 through a local shop, then another $100 for an alignement
I had mine done for $100 through a local shop, then another $100 for an alignement
I see you are in Florida, are you anywhere near Ocala. I have no clue about any shop here in horse country that would have a Star system...
Any suggestions on a shop up this way?
Thanks Popeye
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 414
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From: La Jolla
'92 300E, '06 E55
Appreciate the education. To be honest I don't know if this particular car has had an alignment. I bought it used in December 14, and it was so pristine it looked like it never had a wrench on it. Thanks for the information I couldn't conceive why that would be needed since these links merely fool the leveling and height sensors. But I guess it does get into the geometry of the wheels...
Thanks again...Popeye
Thanks again...Popeye
These cars are meant to be driven around at the standard ride height and that's the height you set the car to when you perform an alignment, the lifted ride height settings are mainly meant for low speed driving so the car will go out of spec when in those modes but it's not much of a concern. We've put Airmatic and ABC cars on our alignment rack and put them through the various ride height modes to show owners how much they affect their alignment settings, some people like to drive around with the car lifted and then wonder why their tires wear so quickly.
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 456
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From: Ocala, FL
'08 CL63
For actual "work" on the car, I've always taken mine down to C2 Design in Tampa. Chris & his team can do anything you want/need/desire, although Tampa is a bit of a haul just to lower the car a bit.. you should incorporate ECU, pulley & headers.
It will make it a different car.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Tampa FL
.
I'll plug AP in Tampa, great people and service! They have worked on all of my cars; ranging from fixing flats, retruing/rebuilding wheels, suspension, tire in/uninstall, etc and never had an issue.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 119
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From: Ocala, Florida
2006 CLS 55 AMG
Thanks mate, ECC declines my request
Not much going on in Ocala. There's an indy shop, "European Car Clinic", on SS Blvd, 2 blocks off the square. They did basic service, etc. on my E55 without issue; I would imagine they have a STAR system.
For actual "work" on the car, I've always taken mine down to C2 Design in Tampa. Chris & his team can do anything you want/need/desire, although Tampa is a bit of a haul just to lower the car a bit.. you should incorporate ECU, pulley & headers. It will make it a different car.
For actual "work" on the car, I've always taken mine down to C2 Design in Tampa. Chris & his team can do anything you want/need/desire, although Tampa is a bit of a haul just to lower the car a bit.. you should incorporate ECU, pulley & headers.
It will make it a different car.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 580
Likes: 17
From: SoFlo
W212 E250 BT 4M
For $1200 you can get an ELM ( electronic lowering module ) which is much better
ProgRama has a sale right now $599 - http://www.programainc.com/product_d...aspx?sf=LCMR01
Also Renntech and Carlsson make reliable ELMs with good reputation.
ProgRama has a sale right now $599 - http://www.programainc.com/product_d...aspx?sf=LCMR01
Also Renntech and Carlsson make reliable ELMs with good reputation.
