TWS (The Wheel Supply) Lowering Kit
06-23-2002, 08:03 PM
#1
TWS (The Wheel Supply) Lowering Kit
I finally got it done. And I love the results.
I will list the pros and con's as objectively as possible (hah but i'll try anyways).
RB Tech lowers the car by changing out the whole assembly with a different aftermarket manufactured part.
It works fine, however, Sander at The Wheel Supply and Pete, the most godly tech in East LA have found flaws with RB Tech's part. First, it changes the whole assembly with an aftermarket manufactured part. They determined it was better off to use the OEM assembly. Secondly, the manufactured part is not close to OEM spec. It is actually off by a few degree's.
They determined there is another way to lower the S class without changing the whole assembly. You just need to change/adjust the link between the assembly.
Below is the picture of the part:
The Left is the OEM link. The middle is the modified link, which Pete used to modify from the OEM to get the lowering effect. The right part is The Wheel Supply's manufactured link, made from aircraft grade aluminum from a CNC Machine. Just by changing out the link and modifying the height of the bolt, you can easily adjust the height of the car.
Below are pictures of where the part goes. It attaches right behind the wheel. No need to disassemble the car. It took Pete 20 minutes to lower the car.
And the results? Look below...
I opted for a modest drop. ~1.5" in the front, a bit less than 1" in the rear. No error codes, no weird noises, no problems, nothing. Complete OEM feel and look.
And the cost of the part? This is the best part. HALF of what RB Tech charges, and ONE TENTH of Kleemann's lowering module. Add in labor, and you're looking at $400 out the door. Sander felt bad for charging me all that labor because Pete was done before we even realized.
RB Tech's part changes out the whole assembly. It gives them a reason to charge more. However, most respected shops will know how to lower the car with RB Tech's part.
TWS Lowering Kit produces the same effect, but for much less. The main problem is that there are no markings. The height of the link/bolt produces the amount of drop. So it does require someone with experience with the part/install to get the right height. Installation of the part is not difficult and requires no major tools. You can opt for a modest drop, or a complete dump onto the ground. RB Tech's part also faces the same knowledge barrier.
Kleemann, well.. in THEORY it sounds good, but anyone have any first hand experience?
Lorinser, any first hand experience?
This is only part 1. More to come this week...
I will list the pros and con's as objectively as possible (hah but i'll try anyways).
RB Tech lowers the car by changing out the whole assembly with a different aftermarket manufactured part.
It works fine, however, Sander at The Wheel Supply and Pete, the most godly tech in East LA have found flaws with RB Tech's part. First, it changes the whole assembly with an aftermarket manufactured part. They determined it was better off to use the OEM assembly. Secondly, the manufactured part is not close to OEM spec. It is actually off by a few degree's.
They determined there is another way to lower the S class without changing the whole assembly. You just need to change/adjust the link between the assembly.
Below is the picture of the part:
The Left is the OEM link. The middle is the modified link, which Pete used to modify from the OEM to get the lowering effect. The right part is The Wheel Supply's manufactured link, made from aircraft grade aluminum from a CNC Machine. Just by changing out the link and modifying the height of the bolt, you can easily adjust the height of the car.
Below are pictures of where the part goes. It attaches right behind the wheel. No need to disassemble the car. It took Pete 20 minutes to lower the car.
And the results? Look below...
I opted for a modest drop. ~1.5" in the front, a bit less than 1" in the rear. No error codes, no weird noises, no problems, nothing. Complete OEM feel and look.
And the cost of the part? This is the best part. HALF of what RB Tech charges, and ONE TENTH of Kleemann's lowering module. Add in labor, and you're looking at $400 out the door. Sander felt bad for charging me all that labor because Pete was done before we even realized.
RB Tech's part changes out the whole assembly. It gives them a reason to charge more. However, most respected shops will know how to lower the car with RB Tech's part.
TWS Lowering Kit produces the same effect, but for much less. The main problem is that there are no markings. The height of the link/bolt produces the amount of drop. So it does require someone with experience with the part/install to get the right height. Installation of the part is not difficult and requires no major tools. You can opt for a modest drop, or a complete dump onto the ground. RB Tech's part also faces the same knowledge barrier.
Kleemann, well.. in THEORY it sounds good, but anyone have any first hand experience?
Lorinser, any first hand experience?
This is only part 1. More to come this week...
Last edited by jl88; 06-23-2002 at 08:05 PM.
06-25-2002, 03:14 PM
#5
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S500
How easy is to go back to the stock height ...
I assume another advantage is that you can roll back to the original look and feel fairly easily.
what size wheels do you have? Also, any recommendations on amount of drop with 20" wheels?
what size wheels do you have? Also, any recommendations on amount of drop with 20" wheels?
06-26-2002, 04:45 AM
#6
If you want the stock height, all you have to do is replace the link with the OEM part and you're done.
I'm running 255/40/19 all around right now, which is a bit higher than stock.
You can lower the car as much as you want. Airmatic allows you to raise the car when you're on driveways/ramps/speed bumps.
I choose a modest drop because I really hate the hassle of a dropped-to-the-*******g-ground car.
I'm running 255/40/19 all around right now, which is a bit higher than stock.
You can lower the car as much as you want. Airmatic allows you to raise the car when you're on driveways/ramps/speed bumps.
I choose a modest drop because I really hate the hassle of a dropped-to-the-*******g-ground car.
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12-05-2002, 08:04 AM
#9
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Re: TWS (The Wheel Supply) Lowering Kit
Originally posted by jl88
Kleemann, well.. in THEORY it sounds good, but anyone have any first hand experience? [/B]
Kleemann, well.. in THEORY it sounds good, but anyone have any first hand experience? [/B]
Our KLEEMANN E50K is equiped with our Electronic Body Lowering Module. it was a 20 minute installation, it is adjustable (by the installer), it will retain the cars original "puddle crossing mode" for driveway curbs, speed bumps, etc. every function of the original system works flawless, and there are no hard parts to replace. If you can properly read a schematic, it's very easy to install- all you need is a solderig iron, solder, some shrink tube and some wire strippers. This is the right way to do it IMHO. besides, what's another $2K on a $90,000.00+ car?
12-05-2002, 01:39 PM
#10
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Mercedes S500 Sport
I just got my S500 and my friend's S430 lowered using the RB Tech system. I am very pleased with the end result. The guy who did our cars is a MB Master Tech at Autobahn Motors and he recommends using RB to lower S/CL class. He's done about 50 of them and hasn't had any problems whatsoever. He said there are a lot of problems with the electronic module with the main issue being uneven lowering on driver and passenger sides by as much as 0.5 inch difference. He said individual lowering at each corner is impossible with the ECU.
I like the RB Tech systems use of new parts rather than the Wheel supply's use of the the original parts primarily because the new parts are designed to accomodate the stress of the new suspension geometry. If the original parts are used, it might not be up to the task and may wear out prematurely. In addition, my S500 has ABC and the RB Tech system design does not interfere or alter ABC
The markings on the RB Tech's system is a plus because it allows for even lowering on both sides. The tech allowed the driver side to be 1/8 inch higher than the passenger side. So when a driver is in the car, it is evenly lowered on both sides. Installation was $250. My rim size are 20x9 with 245/40R20 and 20x10 275/35R20 Michelin Pilot Sport on Lorinser LM-5
The first 3 pics/links are of my car before it is lowered
http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pic...s9051011PM.jpg
http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pic...s9054021PM.jpg
http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pic...s3052025AM.jpg
The second set of 3 is after my car was lowered
I like the RB Tech systems use of new parts rather than the Wheel supply's use of the the original parts primarily because the new parts are designed to accomodate the stress of the new suspension geometry. If the original parts are used, it might not be up to the task and may wear out prematurely. In addition, my S500 has ABC and the RB Tech system design does not interfere or alter ABC
The markings on the RB Tech's system is a plus because it allows for even lowering on both sides. The tech allowed the driver side to be 1/8 inch higher than the passenger side. So when a driver is in the car, it is evenly lowered on both sides. Installation was $250. My rim size are 20x9 with 245/40R20 and 20x10 275/35R20 Michelin Pilot Sport on Lorinser LM-5
The first 3 pics/links are of my car before it is lowered
http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pic...s9051011PM.jpg
http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pic...s9054021PM.jpg
http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pic...s3052025AM.jpg
The second set of 3 is after my car was lowered
12-05-2002, 02:13 PM
#15
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Mercedes S500 Sport
Definitely, jl88. Either Wheel supply or RB tech would be more cost effective and exact than an 1K+ ECU. The issue here is that you don't want to mess with the S class computer system. Everything is mechanical and isn't subjective to voiding the entire warranty which is a possiblity if the ECU is tampered with.
12-06-2002, 02:07 AM
#17
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MB S430, E46 328Ci
Ansonn... your car is amazing...!!
Can you guys give me a website that i can order some of those lowering kits for our S430?
about time you get a bmw into your fleet of cars...!! bet that 4.6 is great
Can you guys give me a website that i can order some of those lowering kits for our S430?
about time you get a bmw into your fleet of cars...!! bet that 4.6 is great
12-16-2002, 05:48 AM
#18
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03 CL55 AMG
Yeah, that is one nice and clean lorinser S class I've ever seen. I like the No gap setting on the car. Recently, performanceproducts.com sell that lowering kit for about less than $400 i think. if you live around CA, go and visit TWS, they are a bunch of great guys who will help you to lower the car with a decent price, don't forget to shop around. I used the RBtech lowering kit for almost a year now. everything is fine.
