CL55 AMG, CL65 AMG, CL63 AMG (C215, C216) 2000 - 2014 (Two Generations)

Lowering the CL55

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jan 27, 2003 | 08:29 PM
  #1  
BLKCL55's Avatar
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: The Jungles of British Columbia
2005 G55
Question Lowering the CL55

Has anyone lowered their CL, electronically or otherwise? I read somewhere that European specs on the CL55 has the car sitting lower.

Cheers
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2003 | 10:20 PM
  #2  
awiner's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 22
From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
This is true. In Europe the CL is a tad lower. There are a few manuf. that make lowering devices. Some mechanical and some electronic. If you do a search on the forum you will find various messages about them. The electronic modules are pretty expensive however offer the most adjustability. The mechanical options are pretty inexpensive however don't offer as much. pros and cons of both.
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2003 | 04:35 AM
  #3  
AndrewEclipse's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 1
It Varies
When you say pretty expensive, do you have a ballpark figure?
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2003 | 11:56 AM
  #4  
awiner's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 22
From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
Originally posted by AndrewEclipse
When you say pretty expensive, do you have a ballpark figure?
The part runs approx $2000.00 uninstalled.
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2003 | 01:06 PM
  #5  
AndrewEclipse's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 1
It Varies
Originally posted by awiner
The part runs approx $2000.00 uninstalled.

Thats actually not as bad as I thought it would be. I'm guessing installation would be very costly. Which companies do this? And has anyone on the board actually done it? I wonder if there are any cons besides the price. I would be interested in doing this just because I have realized that changing the rims to 20's will compromise the ride much more than "choosing" when to compromise the ride a little bit when electronically lowering the car.
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2003 | 01:27 PM
  #6  
awiner's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 22
From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
Kleemann makes an electronic varient.
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2003 | 01:30 PM
  #7  
Paul Le Corre's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
From: troyes, france
ML 320 CDI
Brabus produce a sport chassis which can lower you car, keeping near the same comfort.
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2003 | 02:22 PM
  #8  
AndrewEclipse's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 1
It Varies
I just talked to Kleeman (Colorado) and was told that their ABC Interruptor Module costs 2079.00. It lowers the car initially 1 inch and according to the installer can lower the car another 15 millimeters. So overall, its a 1 1/2 inch drop. Installation should cost somewhere around 150.00. Is a 1 1/2 inch drop worth that?


Also was told that the supercharger upgrade will be available by the end of March.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 28, 2003 | 02:43 PM
  #9  
BLKCL55's Avatar
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: The Jungles of British Columbia
2005 G55
1 1/2" may be a bit much, but I do know that lowering the car will improve the handling. I live in the mountains with all sorts of twisty and curvy roads... So I would greatly benefit from this. My concerns are: Does this Module interfere with the cars inboard systems, such as the ABC and the car's Leveling system.
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2003 | 02:58 PM
  #10  
awiner's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 22
From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
Originally posted by BLKCL55
1 1/2" may be a bit much, but I do know that lowering the car will improve the handling. I live in the mountains with all sorts of twisty and curvy roads... So I would greatly benefit from this. My concerns are: Does this Module interfere with the cars inboard systems, such as the ABC and the car's Leveling system.
No... Everything will still work as OEM, however at the lowest ABC setting, the vehicle will be 1 to 1.5 inchesd lower due to the Kleemann module.
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2003 | 03:18 PM
  #11  
AndrewEclipse's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 1
It Varies
Originally posted by awiner
No... Everything will still work as OEM, however at the lowest ABC setting, the vehicle will be 1 to 1.5 inchesd lower due to the Kleemann module.


I wish I could see the car lowered that level. I think it would look really nice aesthetically speaking.
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2003 | 03:25 PM
  #12  
BLKCL55's Avatar
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: The Jungles of British Columbia
2005 G55
Here's a pic from the kleemann site.




Kleemann
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2003 | 03:39 PM
  #13  
jl88's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 894
Likes: 1
Lowering airmatic/abc cars has been discussed before on the S class boards.

The consensus is that the kleemann & lorinser lowering modules are UNPROVEN and EXPENSIVE. I have YET to meet any objective person that has lowered their car with those methods.

RBTech and The Wheel Supply lowering method offers the most flexibility. I lowered my S class by 1.5" in the front and 1" in the rear.

The picture below is another car lowered by TWS; more aggressive



And then you have this guy, lowered also by TWS; this car is dropped to the damn ground.



The cost? $400-500 out to the door for TWS Lowering Kit or the RB Tech method
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2003 | 03:58 PM
  #14  
Mach430's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 35,855
Likes: 3
From: Southern CA
Originally posted by AndrewEclipse
I just talked to Kleeman (Colorado) and was told that their ABC Interruptor Module costs 2079.00. It lowers the car initially 1 inch and according to the installer can lower the car another 15 millimeters. So overall, its a 1 1/2 inch drop. Installation should cost somewhere around 150.00. Is a 1 1/2 inch drop worth that?


Also was told that the supercharger upgrade will be available by the end of March.
Andrew,

Yes, install is about 1.5-2 hours of labor, in which we also explain to you how to adjust the height if you desire. Whenever you're ready for it, let me know!

JL88,
Where did we decide that the Kleemann & Lorinser lowering modules are unproven? We have installed both on cars, and both were lowered as specified. Of the two, I prefer Kleemann. Yes, it is more expensive, but this is because it properly lowers the car by telling the computer what to do, and allows the height to be adjusted without changing parts. The other methods trick the computer into thinking it is riding too high, and thus it adjusts.

Thanks,
Ben
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2003 | 05:00 PM
  #15  
jl88's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 894
Likes: 1
Unproven, as in, unproven to ME.

I have not met anyone in person that has lowered their car via kleemann or lorinser, nor have I met anyone on message boards.

There is no "proper" way to lower airmatic cars heh. Instead of replacing parts, you add an interrupt module. They are BOTH AFTERMARKET.

In the end, its the consumer's opinion: $400 versus $2000 for the same results.
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2003 | 05:43 PM
  #16  
Mach430's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 35,855
Likes: 3
From: Southern CA
Except neither the results nor the method is the same. Both being aftermarket does not mean they are equal. If you'd like, I will try to remember to invite you to the shop next time we install the Kleemann lowering module, so you can see it firsthand.

Did you make it out to the Kleemann meet a few months ago at the Irvine Spectrum? The new w211 E50K was there with the lowering module (as well as countless other goodies ).

My invitation stands, let me know if you'd like to come down.

Thanks,
Ben
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2003 | 12:53 AM
  #17  
jl88's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 894
Likes: 1
What do you mean the results are NOT the same?

The result is the car is LOWERED, fully adjustable, while MAINTAINING OEM functions. What other results do you need?

You, Evosport, and your R&D team should look into designing your OWN lowering part. You would make more money per part and per installation. Instead, you're somehow convinced that just because it COSTS $2,000, therefore it must be superior.

Even Lorinser doesn't have the ***** to sell their lowering module for more than $1k. And remember, they're the ones selling their supercharger for $20k

/boggle
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2003 | 04:10 AM
  #18  
Mach430's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 35,855
Likes: 3
From: Southern CA
Explain how you can adjust the non-Kleemann ones (besides the car's automatic settings) without changing parts. Electronically being able to adjust the height is much easier than going back to a shop to change components.
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2003 | 04:22 AM
  #19  
jl88's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 894
Likes: 1
C'mon Ben, you and evosport are a good shop, but PLEASE don't talk about competing products unless you have experience:

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=28691

"Thats what i like about the RB Tech adjustable height it takes about 2 minutes and a screw driver to turn the car from a Lo-Lo to an SUV. "

To adjust the height for the TWS Lowering Kit, all you need to do is add washers.

So, I ask you again, $2000 or $400 for the same effect?

You know, for us NORMAL people, we don't get free shop hours and parts at cost. I work hard for my money and yes, $1600 does mean something. One word: VALUE.
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2003 | 10:51 AM
  #20  
victoryroad's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: Boston
2003 CL55
Interesting exchange, but what I want is a software modification to the ABC that does not change the handling characteristics materially, does not void the warranty, lowers the car about an 3/4 of an inch (an inch and a half would be too much for me) and does not cost $2,000. If development costs for the aftermarket companies are too high, compelling them to charge $2000 for the software modification, then their market will be much smaller than if they could sell it for say $500 with some assurance that it will not change the handling characteristics. If that is asking too much, then I will stay with stock ABC. If MB can program the Euro spec version with a lower ride height, why can't aftermarket companies just duplicate MB's mod?
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2003 | 02:57 PM
  #21  
AndrewEclipse's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 1
It Varies
From what I understood, it doesn't affect the handling in a way that would make it any different from the stock configuration. (Other than it being a little better since its lower)

I was not aware that this voids the warranty?? Is that true?
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2003 | 03:22 PM
  #22  
awiner's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 22
From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
Originally posted by AndrewEclipse


I was not aware that this voids the warranty?? Is that true?
I'm sure it would cause problems if there was a warranty issue that had to do with the suspension.
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2003 | 06:14 PM
  #23  
BLKCL55's Avatar
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: The Jungles of British Columbia
2005 G55
Originally posted by victoryroad
If MB can program the Euro spec version with a lower ride height, why can't aftermarket companies just duplicate MB's mod?
I wonder if the MB dealer itself can get the euro spec software? Could be worth looking into...

Reply
Old Jan 29, 2003 | 09:08 PM
  #24  
m258's Avatar
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
2001 CL500
Kleemann

I've had the Kleemann module for my 2001 CL500 sitting on my desk for months. However, I should have it installed next week sometime and will let you all know how it comes along.
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2003 | 11:21 PM
  #25  
BLKCL55's Avatar
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: The Jungles of British Columbia
2005 G55
m258,

Would love to hear what you have to say about Kleemann module. I'm sure we all would. Thanks.

Reply


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:56 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE