SL/R129: Lowering an SL
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 460
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2006 SL65 ///AMG - GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: 2005 E55; 2002 ML55; 2001 CLK55; 1992 BMW 850i; 1991 M5
Lowering an SL
Hello all. I have an '01 CLK55 and I am presently looking at a 99 SL600. I have noticed that the factory ride height out front is pretty tall... at least a 2 inch gap between the top of the tire and the bottom of the fender. It would look so much better snugged down an inch or so. On my CLK, there are rubber 'spacers' between the springs and the spring perches that come in varying sizes from 5mm to 23mm. My CLK had the biggest ones available when I picked it up (23s) and I quickly had my factory mechanic swap them out for the thinnest ones (5s). It dropped the ride height noticably, but tastefully without resorting to aftermarket springs. Do R129 SL suspensions use similar 'spring pads' that can be swapped out?
Thanks to all for your help!
PDC
Thanks to all for your help!
PDC
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Yes, the R129 uses spring shims. My CLK started out with #2 shims and was pretty high, so I swapped out the springs for H&R and now it's pretty low. I think going to #4 all around with my H&R springs would be more of what I was looking for.
It depends on what your car ships with.whether changing the shims out will provide you with sufficient drop.
-s-
It depends on what your car ships with.whether changing the shims out will provide you with sufficient drop.
-s-
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
I forgot to add... I think all US-spec SL600s have ADS, which means there won't be standard springs nor spring shims.
-s-
-s-
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
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well my 600 is hydrolic, i know there are companies out there that make modules that you can use to lower the ride hieght without replacing shims or what nots.
I've always been curious about it, but I take it not many here actually utilize it.
I've always been curious about it, but I take it not many here actually utilize it.
Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 233
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From: Adelaide, Australia. Formerly Bristol, UK.
1998 SL 600 ///AMG. 1997 SL 320. 1999 SLK 230K. 2001 BMW R850.
My SL 600 also has the ADS, I find in normal lowered position I ground the front end going over the slightest curb's. I wouldn't consider lowering it any further, I wouldn't have a front end left!?!
