Lowering and Xenons
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City
05 E500
Lowering and Xenons
I have an 05 E500 and just lowered it using the "washer" method in the front. I have not done anything with the rear as of yet. I took the car for a drive just after dark and noticed my xenons now have a clear dark line out in the distance. Apparently xenons are so directly focused that lowering the front of the car angled the front down which by default dropped the outer reach of the headlights. If I leave it like this I will clearly be "overdriving my headlights" where by the time an object comes in to view, I will not be able to stop in time.
I have 4 choices. 1. return it to stock. 2. lower the rear of the car, although the car appears balanced right now. 3. drive with the brights on. 4. adjust / re-aim the headlights which to me is not desireable.
Has anyone else had this problem and how did you fix it? Does anyone know who can "star diagnostics" lower the car in the Oklahoma City / or occasionally Dallas area? Thanks.
I have 4 choices. 1. return it to stock. 2. lower the rear of the car, although the car appears balanced right now. 3. drive with the brights on. 4. adjust / re-aim the headlights which to me is not desireable.
Has anyone else had this problem and how did you fix it? Does anyone know who can "star diagnostics" lower the car in the Oklahoma City / or occasionally Dallas area? Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 41
Tesla Model S P100D
Originally Posted by schoonie3
I have an 05 E500 and just lowered it using the "washer" method in the front. I have not done anything with the rear as of yet. I took the car for a drive just after dark and noticed my xenons now have a clear dark line out in the distance. Apparently xenons are so directly focused that lowering the front of the car angled the front down which by default dropped the outer reach of the headlights. If I leave it like this I will clearly be "overdriving my headlights" where by the time an object comes in to view, I will not be able to stop in time.
I have 4 choices. 1. return it to stock. 2. lower the rear of the car, although the car appears balanced right now. 3. drive with the brights on. 4. adjust / re-aim the headlights which to me is not desireable.
Has anyone else had this problem and how did you fix it? Does anyone know who can "star diagnostics" lower the car in the Oklahoma City / or occasionally Dallas area? Thanks.
I have 4 choices. 1. return it to stock. 2. lower the rear of the car, although the car appears balanced right now. 3. drive with the brights on. 4. adjust / re-aim the headlights which to me is not desireable.
Has anyone else had this problem and how did you fix it? Does anyone know who can "star diagnostics" lower the car in the Oklahoma City / or occasionally Dallas area? Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
i dunno, is there something i'm missing with my choice, #4? do you have
these 'castle' adj knob on top of the light housing? i guess i'm not under-
standing why this option is not desireable
these 'castle' adj knob on top of the light housing? i guess i'm not under-
standing why this option is not desireable
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
Originally Posted by schoonie3
I have an 05 E500 and just lowered it using the "washer" method in the front. I have not done anything with the rear as of yet. I took the car for a drive just after dark and noticed my xenons now have a clear dark line out in the distance. Apparently xenons are so directly focused that lowering the front of the car angled the front down which by default dropped the outer reach of the headlights. If I leave it like this I will clearly be "overdriving my headlights" where by the time an object comes in to view, I will not be able to stop in time.
I have 4 choices. 1. return it to stock. 2. lower the rear of the car, although the car appears balanced right now. 3. drive with the brights on. 4. adjust / re-aim the headlights which to me is not desireable.
Has anyone else had this problem and how did you fix it? Does anyone know who can "star diagnostics" lower the car in the Oklahoma City / or occasionally Dallas area? Thanks.
I have 4 choices. 1. return it to stock. 2. lower the rear of the car, although the car appears balanced right now. 3. drive with the brights on. 4. adjust / re-aim the headlights which to me is not desireable.
Has anyone else had this problem and how did you fix it? Does anyone know who can "star diagnostics" lower the car in the Oklahoma City / or occasionally Dallas area? Thanks.
When You Lower the Car One MUST realign the headlights
Last edited by MARK CUMMINS; Jun 3, 2006 at 01:38 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 490
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX
sold - w211 e320, f250, rx7 race car
I've never heard of aligning the headlights after lowering if you do an even drop front and rear, if you lower just the front you'd need to have them done though. Mine was lowered via Star even distance front and back and the headlights are fine. The suspension does need to be aligned after lowering though to preserve tire wear. Contact screen name "Sunman" who is in Houston and can lower via Star, occassionally he comes to Dallas. He can also hook you up with many other mod's.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 811
Likes: 5
From: Bay Area
08' S550, 04' E320 4matic, 03' Acura TL-S 6 speed, 1968 Vespa P150
Originally Posted by mbuskuhl
I've never heard of aligning the headlights after lowering if you do an even drop front and rear, if you lower just the front you'd need to have them done though. Mine was lowered via Star even distance front and back and the headlights are fine. The suspension does need to be aligned after lowering though to preserve tire wear. Contact screen name "Sunman" who is in Houston and can lower via Star, occassionally he comes to Dallas. He can also hook you up with many other mod's.
Can this lowering method be used on an e320 w/o the air suspension?
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City
05 E500
It is my understanding that if you don't have airmatic, then you have springs. You can lower by buying new springs (eibach or H&R are great) or if memeory serves I saw in a post about changing the shims around the stock springs. Do a search for lowering springs...
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