dgryniuk

Hello All,

I recently ordered some new rims (Monet/Moven Impressionisms/MB6 ---20" 8.5 and 20" 9.5) Brabus VI look alikes and will be lowering my 2003 E500 via STAR diagnostics. I received a quote from a dealer in Arlington VA for $465 to lower it and another $95 to realign my car...adjust camber settings etc.

The total is $560 to complete the work and they said it would take a half day at least as it is a long process per wheel/side of car.

I remember reading in the forum that someone paid $150 for this same service...at least the lowering piece.

Does anyone else have any recent experience with this service and what price you paid?

Thanks
Darren

MARK CUMMINS

WOW...for a 30min job?.... $200.00 is the Norm for Lowering PLUS Alignment....IF The Dealer will do it....

dgryniuk

Yea...I actually called another local MB dealer and they said it would cost around $340 but could be more depending on how long it takes. I don't really understand what is involved, but the last dealer ($340) also said it takes some time to set all the wheels correctly. If this is a bunch of bull..please let me know. Thanks Darren

Benz-O-Rama

I paid 220.00 I think. And that INCLUDED the alignment. You're being overcharged.

mpx220

Yeah, I only paid $250 with the alignment as well.

Abboushi

I got mine done for Gratis Free and 75 for alignment..

georgedaman

Hi Darren
If the dealer just goes by minimum legal curb height ,it should be between 150-200 and the car doesn't necessary need aligment.(thats about an inch drop )
If he is trying to override the STAR values ,it is definately more time and money plus the aligment necesssary..
But you got to make sure which one you getting..

dgryniuk

Thanks for all of the info everyone! I have decided to go with the adjustable air ride links @ http://www.adjustableairride.com/

I'll let everyone know how the install goes (doing it this weekend).

Thanks
Darren

georgedaman

Thats what i'm using.Great product.Have fun at the back.!!!

dgryniuk

Do you have any pointers on the back? Sounds like I'll need it.

georgedaman

I sent you a PM Darren

Abboushi

or you couldve went the S-class links wich lower the car 1" there about 100.00/set pot some pics after u get them

dgryniuk

I finally finshed the install of the adjustable airride links tonight...WOW! what a difference it makes...my car is slammed and has the new 20's on it. Pictures to come tomorrow. Going to get it aligned tomorrow morning and I'll be all set.

Darren

dgryniuk

The dealer is just wrapping up my alignments today and they said that the camber is positive 4 and that my tires are going to get chewed up pretty fast as a result. They said they wanted me to put the original links back on and then they can set it to the E55 stance which is apparently not as low as I have it set. I think I only dropped it about an inch or two...not really sure how to tell the exact difference from normal, but I was wondering if anyone who has used the adjustable airride links has had the same camber adjustment problems?

Benz-O-Rama

I don't have the same links as you, but have links none the less. I replace my tires every 5K miles or so. It's not that they run out of tread, it's that they get so damn loud from uneven wear, that I can't stand it anymore. Plus, I'm running a staggered setup with directional tires so I can't even rotate them.

If you can live with it, run same size wheels and tires on all 4 corners and rotate every couple of 1000's miles or so and it will help with even wear.

dgryniuk

Thanks for the info....have you heard of anyone using the KMAC kits from Australia?

http://www.k-mac.com.au/

Apparently they have a front and rear camber kit that replaces the lower / inner control arm bushes. Wonder if this would provide longer wear on our tires?

Darren

dgryniuk

Here it is ....after lowering it...I had to raise it slightly as it was a bit too slammed in the back. Loving it now. See attached pic.

dgryniuk

Here's a pic of it slammed in the back before raised it up a bit...

tashakes

There is an alignment bolt kit you can get from the dealer that allows for additional adjustment. I dont have the part number, but they cost around $20-$30 and might do the trick. It did for me.

speedybenz

If you run the Speedybenz camber arms in the rear and use the front MB bolt kit and set the front toe to be only slightly toe-in then you can reduce a bunch of front tire wear. With the rear camber arms you can set the camber back to stock spec's and the rear toe is adjustable on all the Mercedes models stock.

Check: www.Speedybnz.com

Jeff

6hift

how low can you get with the via star lowering method?

Benz-O-Rama

Every car is different, from what I've been told. But 1" to 1.5" is the norm.