chino702

whats the best way to lower my benz???

MJ50

if u have airmatic, then either SDS from local dealer or ELM from RENNtech, BRABUS, Carlsson, etc...

chino702

thanks for that. looked into lowering modules, but heard of a washer method? any opinions?

MJ50

from what i know, it's the least recommended route....

IngenereAMG

I lowered my SL55 using the STAR Diagnostic system from MB.

Brilliant system! A bit complicated to learn, but is capable of going into and through the entire car.

D-5

I lowerd my E55 with the washer method. Not a single problem but I would recommend lowering the car using the STAR Diagnostic system from a Mercedes Benz dealer if you just want to lower your car a bit. However if you are planning to put on big wheels size 20" or bigger then you should consider the washer method to dramatically reduce the gaps between the tires and wheel fenders.

Patentmat

I second this, I did exactly this over a year ago and am very happy with it.

chino702

thanks guys for all the information on best route to lower my benz. already have 20's on it. just want a sick lowered look. think i may go with washer method... today !!! question? what size washers did you use? where did you go for the washers? how much did it lower your 04 cl? and does it still ride nice? thanks

DMW2

My buddy had a 03 CL55, and he got some lowering links instead of washers. It was a longer bracket that holds the sensor. So bascially you put the longer new one in the front and bend the bracket in the rear. This fools the car into going REALLY low.

He never had any problem with them either. And I drove the car, it was still really smooth. (the w215 CL is just a smooth car all around I guess). I believe he paid 400 or so from a company he found online.

If you want I can ask him for their contact info.

FWIW I have a lowering module on mine (its a CLS but you get the point.)

OPALW208

w/ the washers or link method, your ride quality will be effected quite dramatically.....almost to the point where you feel like you are riding on a car w/ cut springs (depending on how low you slam it.)

w/ the star method, it's all good until your dealer updates your software, or reflashes your ECU.

the best, and MOST RECOMMENDED way would be to install a Electronic Lowering Module. I like the Renntech one the best, as you can opt for the optional wired I-pod looking remote control =)

D-5

No matter which lowering method you use, washer or lowering module, the lower the car the harsher the ride.

jicl55

have 20s lowered on washers.... If you have the cash get the module without a doubt..... we couldn't lower the CL55 with Star because the CL55s are known not to take the lowered programing. It works much better for Es, SLs, but not the CL for some reason. Now I do have rubbing in the back (285/30/20s). Had the fenders rolled, but it still rubs, but not too bad and you still have full control of the up and down ABC buttons.... actually, will probably try to lower the front just a tad more... so far no issues.... ride quality? I really did not notice any difference, but I always keep it in sport mode anyway..... still extremely smooth and it just sits so much better.... you could do it yourself, but I took mine in to a shop to get it done.

duc&tlrsammy

X2 . How is the module going to make it ride any better compared to the other methods?

chino702

idiot question... HELP ! i got the 'how to' on how to lower benz with washer method. had wheels taken off, but couldnt figure out where nut for sensor is? ANBD does anybody have any visual aids ??? thanks again everybody...

chino702

silly question??? got ' how to ' on how to lower benz. still very confused? took wheels off to find sensors. does anybody have any visual aids?

Army_AMG

anyone having tire wear issues. had mine lowered and the new tires wore out in 4 months (all on the inner side of front and rear tires). took it back to the shop and they said since i had the ABC system and the car was lowered that there was no way to adjust the tires to wear evenly. is this true? thanks for any replies.

Patentmat

Welcome to the forum Army - mine is lowered with the washer method and yes mine wore unevenly as well, but for me it only the fronts and was over the course of a year and not four months. (maybe you drive three times as much as me?). I ended up switching to Nitto Neo Gen tires, which are specifically made for lowered cars so they do not wear as fast on the inside edge. They actually worked out really well for me. The sizes in 20s are sort of limited with the Nittos so there may be other tires by other companies that do the same thing.

Other than that, perhaps someone knows more about camber kits as that would be the only way I could imagine you would be able to fix the camber.

John V.

Adjustable Air Ride Lowering Links are fully adjustable so you set the vehicle to whatever height you like. For the CL and every other vehicle except the E & CLS there is no unbolting and the wheels don't have to come off. Simply pop off the stock Links and pop the fully adjustable 1's on. Really that easy!!!!

sound 8

What about the fact that the Benz lower's itself up to 30mm when travelling
over 60mph?

Patentmat

Mine still lowers further at speed. This is partially what makes the brief rubbing that can occur on just the right freeway undulations. To counter this, you can raise the car actively with the button on the dash, which almost removes any brief rubbing completely, although very large freeway bumps can still cause it. I have no way to know if what I am experiencing is caused by the car being lowered or my wide tires, or even the combination of the two. So far this has not seemed to have caused any problems, about 18 months in from the time I made the mods.

awiner

Only way to avoid that is by using a Electronic Lowering Module.

brokenstunter

Do a search on the CL500 forum for lowering. I did mine for less then $80.00 and its fully adjustable manually without even removing the wheels.
Ill get some pics on here asap

sound 8

Surely if the car lowers itself in a proper way when doing over 60mph,
it must be vanity to want to lower it when it's at standstill.

brokenstunter

It sure is!

sound 8

Point taken!!