It's a gap problem
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From: the LBC in SoCal
'12 CLS63, CLK63 BS (sold), '04 Maz Cpe (gone), '07 ML (gone), 08 SLK55 AMG (hers)
It's a gap problem
What's the best way to get rid of about 1.5 inches of that fender/tire gap? And, in doing so will it harm anything or cause lack of performance or rubbing of any kind. My car is really only a street ride. So heavy tracking is not a concern, (for now). Thx to all in advance.
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From: Naperville, IL/Chicago
2008 CLK63 Black Series 2012 C63 Black Series 2014 SLS Black Series
If asthetics are your only concern you can just remove the factory thread stops on the coul-over ride height and drop the factory suspension close to an inch, but the propper set-up is a set of lowering springs paired with the ride height adjustments.
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CLK63 Black Series
With the factory springs in place it allows only for a slight change in ride height............ it's not going to be an inch though. If you lower it an inch or more, the springs should be a little stiffer as well to cope with the shorter suspension travel. I changed my springs to after market ones, which are not only shorter but also about 10% stiffer. Personally I wouldn't lower it 1.5", unless you like that "slammed" look. Not only will it change the handling characteristics for the worse, but it will almost be impossible to drive the car on the street without scraping everywhere. At the end it depends whether you prefer handling over looks or vice versa..............My car is lower than stock, performs very well and is still driveable on the street.
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From: Naperville, IL/Chicago
2008 CLK63 Black Series 2012 C63 Black Series 2014 SLS Black Series
With the factory springs in place it allows only for a slight change in ride height............ it's not going to be an inch though. If you lower it an inch or more, the springs should be a little stiffer as well to cope with the shorter suspension travel. I changed my springs to after market ones, which are not only shorter but also about 10% stiffer. Personally I wouldn't lower it 1.5", unless you like that "slammed" look. Not only will it change the handling characteristics for the worse, but it will almost be impossible to drive the car on the street without scraping everywhere. At the end it depends whether you prefer handling over looks or vice versa..............My car is lower than stock, performs very well and is still driveable on the street.
Last edited by jrcart; Apr 28, 2010 at 03:16 PM.
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CLK63 Black Series
I think your and my car have pretty much the same ride height, just different settings and alignment. I remember your car being lower for the photo shoot, but if I remember correctly Evosport brought it back up to the proper ride height after the shoot was done. Trust me, if you lower the car more than 1.5" all around, you'll hit the bump stops, especially on the track. Not a particularly confident feeling behind the wheel at triple digit speeds. The only reason your front wheels clear is because your car is lowered. The rear is no problem since the BS has already no fender lips from the factory. With the stock wheels you'll never have an issue, except that you'll need some spacers, otherwise the wheels look lost under those fenders.
BTW, .850" is less than an inch, just like I mentioned
BTW, .850" is less than an inch, just like I mentioned
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Naperville, IL/Chicago
2008 CLK63 Black Series 2012 C63 Black Series 2014 SLS Black Series
I think your and my car have pretty much the same ride height, just different settings and alignment. I remember your car being lower for the photo shoot, but if I remember correctly Evosport brought it back up to the proper ride height after the shoot was done. Trust me, if you lower the car more than 1.5" all around, you'll hit the bump stops, especially on the track. Not a particularly confident feeling behind the wheel at triple digit speeds. The only reason your front wheels clear is because your car is lowered. The rear is no problem since the BS has already no fender lips from the factory. With the stock wheels you'll never have an issue, except that you'll need some spacers, otherwise the wheels look lost under those fenders.
BTW, .850" is less than an inch, just like I mentioned
BTW, .850" is less than an inch, just like I mentioned
BTW, .850" is close to an inch just like I mentioned in my first post
I hear what you are saying about the bump stops and such and agree 100%, I'm not sure how much lower my entire suspension package is over stock but I know with the slightly taller tire I lost over 1.5" of rear fender gap, over my stock suspension and wheel/tire set-up.
Last edited by jrcart; Apr 28, 2010 at 04:47 PM.
