SL/R129: Anyone lowered their SL?
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Palo Alto, Ca
96 S320, 00 SL500, 06 S430
Anyone lowered their SL?
Hello All
I have a 2000 SL500 (39000 miles) and the car lean from side to side when I change lanes at high speed. Not a very secure feeling.
Is that a commom experience with the original suspension set up?
I am looking to improve the handling but does not want a really harsh ride. Just wondering what kind of set up you guys have out there.
I am thinking Blistein HD shocks and Eibach Pro Kit Spring. Any experience on these products or other recommendation?
Cheers
I have a 2000 SL500 (39000 miles) and the car lean from side to side when I change lanes at high speed. Not a very secure feeling.
Is that a commom experience with the original suspension set up?
I am looking to improve the handling but does not want a really harsh ride. Just wondering what kind of set up you guys have out there.
I am thinking Blistein HD shocks and Eibach Pro Kit Spring. Any experience on these products or other recommendation?
Cheers
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 924
Likes: 3
From: Socal
1991 300sl 5 speed manual
you are going to love this
I put Bilsteen sports and lowered my car by 1 inch with Vogtland Springs.
Then I put 20 inch dcr 3 piece wheels and the car handles high speed better than my ferrari. In fact I feel very safe taking turns past 140mph. It is very smooth. I dont bottom out or rub anywhere and the ride is not harsh at all. JJ
Then I put 20 inch dcr 3 piece wheels and the car handles high speed better than my ferrari. In fact I feel very safe taking turns past 140mph. It is very smooth. I dont bottom out or rub anywhere and the ride is not harsh at all. JJ
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Palo Alto, Ca
96 S320, 00 SL500, 06 S430
thanks JJ
I went to Blistein.com and did the product search for my SL, it only gives me Blistein HD and the sport model was not available. Don't know why!
Where did you get your Vogtland Springs and how much do they cost? Do you know how they compare to the Eibach? The Eibach springs cost $300 shipped.
I went to Blistein.com and did the product search for my SL, it only gives me Blistein HD and the sport model was not available. Don't know why!
Where did you get your Vogtland Springs and how much do they cost? Do you know how they compare to the Eibach? The Eibach springs cost $300 shipped.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 391
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From: So California
2000 SL500
I have a 2000 SL500 Sport @ 22K miles.
I have a 2000 SL500 (39000 miles) and the car lean from side to side when I change lanes at high speed. Not a very secure feeling.
Is that a commom experience with the original suspension set up?
I am looking to improve the handling but do not want a really harsh ride. Just wondering what kind of set up you guys have out there.
Is that a commom experience with the original suspension set up?
I am looking to improve the handling but do not want a really harsh ride. Just wondering what kind of set up you guys have out there.
Tell us about your wheel size and tires?
What is high speed? How fast?
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Palo Alto, Ca
96 S320, 00 SL500, 06 S430
I have the non-sport package Sl500, but did change the wheels to original AMG staggered wheels, 245 at the front and 275 at the back with new Yoko ES100. Does your Sport package come with a different suspension from the factory over the non-sport model?
The grip on the road is good. No complaint on the straight away and easy everyday driving, but say doing 70 Mph at the highway on and off ramp, that can be a little scary! Not to mention sudden lane change.
I guess the SL is more of a GT car than sport car. But still love it.
The grip on the road is good. No complaint on the straight away and easy everyday driving, but say doing 70 Mph at the highway on and off ramp, that can be a little scary! Not to mention sudden lane change.
I guess the SL is more of a GT car than sport car. But still love it.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 924
Likes: 3
From: Socal
1991 300sl 5 speed manual
Not at all costley
I would say 3500 for a major 30 k service. and about 950 dollars worth of fluids changing every year and a half depending on the miles you put on it. I purchased mine with 4855 miles 6 months ago and have about 6600 on her now. I did the major plus an Air conditioner service plus installed a Hiperflow catalitic converter(because the stock ones catch fire alot) and the total bill was 6900. Then I spent another 3500 having the car detailed. It took 3 weeks. JJ
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Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth, Tx
97 SL500
Mine is stock 97 non-sport with 19" AMG replicas, I really really really need new shocks...yet it handles pretty darn good. I'm used to driving very good handling cars (M3, M5, etc) and this car compares well on the road. I got my Bilsteins this week but haven't had them put on yet...I can't wait. When the shocks go on we are going to check which spring pads I have since it appears my car has the two taller sizes (of 4 available in 5mm increments) which means I can probably get 5-10mm of drop and still keep it correctly level.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 391
Likes: 6
From: So California
2000 SL500
SL1 Sport Package
245 at the front and 275 at the back with new Yoko ES100. Does your Sport package come with a different suspension from the factory over the non-sport model?
The grip on the road is good. No complaint on the straight away and easy everyday driving, but say doing 70 Mph at the highway on and off ramp, that can be a little scary! Not to mention sudden lane change.
I guess the SL is more of a GT car than sport car. But still love it.
The grip on the road is good. No complaint on the straight away and easy everyday driving, but say doing 70 Mph at the highway on and off ramp, that can be a little scary! Not to mention sudden lane change.
I guess the SL is more of a GT car than sport car. But still love it.
SL1 Sport Package ($4,995)
AMG designed sculpted lower body aerodynamic enhancements, to include:
Front apron with mesh air intake
Contoured rear apron
Sculpted side skirts with Sport Emblems (emblems on year 2000 only)
Halogen projector-beam front foglamps
8.5Jx18" front and 9.5Jx18" rear, staggered-width AMG 5 spoke monoblock alloy wheels.
245/40ZR18 front and 275/35ZR18 rear, mine has low profile Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 high-performance tires.
love it.....
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 71
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From: Palo Alto, Ca
96 S320, 00 SL500, 06 S430
I have finally decided on Blistein HD and Eibach Pro Kit and will have them install tomorrow. The whole set only cost me $750 and a good friend of mine who owned a shop will install them for me for $150. Can't wait.
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 217
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From: Fort Worth, Tx
97 SL500
BTW: $150 is an incredible price to do shocks and springs on this car.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 391
Likes: 6
From: So California
2000 SL500
Please post before/after pictures
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 71
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From: Palo Alto, Ca
96 S320, 00 SL500, 06 S430
I love the handling now. I can take corners, change lanes without much leaning. The bad handling I decribed in the beginning of this post was caused by bad and leaking shocks (one of the front shocks was leaking oil, and the rest were worn out. I was very suprised since the shocks only have less than 40,000 miles on them and the car was serviced regularly at a MB dealer.) The car is lowered and the ride is not too bumpy. Much better handling car. For those who does not like to have their car lowered, I would still recommend to have the shocks changed. They make a big difference. I will post some pics after I wash my car this weekend.
The front shocks and springs are very easy to replace (I don't have the ADS), took less than 30 minutes if you have the right tools. (mainly spring compressor). All it took was a few nuts and bolts, You don't even need to take out the brake, or ABS...
As for the rear, you have to take out all the carpet panels in the trunk to get to them. But due to the tight space, you will need someone with the right equipment to do them. I did not stay long enough to see my mechanic friend replaced them. Sorry, cannot offer any insight.
Anyhow, with the new shocks and springs, I also have the spring pad replaced with one dot (the pads come in 3 different thickness, 1 dot being the thinnest and 3 dot being the thickness) all around. Original config was 3 dots pad in the rear and 2 dots pad in the front.
I should have done 2 dots in the rear and 1 dot in the front to give the car a slightly upward line (front lower), but went to 1 dot all around becuase I did not know better when I ordered the pads. I wondered if I can really tell the difference.
The front shocks and springs are very easy to replace (I don't have the ADS), took less than 30 minutes if you have the right tools. (mainly spring compressor). All it took was a few nuts and bolts, You don't even need to take out the brake, or ABS...
As for the rear, you have to take out all the carpet panels in the trunk to get to them. But due to the tight space, you will need someone with the right equipment to do them. I did not stay long enough to see my mechanic friend replaced them. Sorry, cannot offer any insight.
Anyhow, with the new shocks and springs, I also have the spring pad replaced with one dot (the pads come in 3 different thickness, 1 dot being the thinnest and 3 dot being the thickness) all around. Original config was 3 dots pad in the rear and 2 dots pad in the front.
I should have done 2 dots in the rear and 1 dot in the front to give the car a slightly upward line (front lower), but went to 1 dot all around becuase I did not know better when I ordered the pads. I wondered if I can really tell the difference.
Last edited by silver500; Oct 26, 2006 at 02:17 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Central VA (USA)
1999 SL500 Sport
Why doesn't the EDSC or ALS prohibit this ???
Surprised we can lower ours cars considering the "Electronic Damping Suspension Control" and the "Auto Leveling System" ?
Wouldn't these electronic control devices prohibit altering ?
What's done with those controls ?
Regards,
Robert
98 SL600
Wouldn't these electronic control devices prohibit altering ?
What's done with those controls ?
Regards,
Robert
98 SL600
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 391
Likes: 6
From: So California
2000 SL500
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Central VA (USA)
1999 SL500 Sport
Guess its my error. I just assumed the SL500 and SL600 came with identical suspensions. Apparently, they do not after looking up the SL500 Features...
Sorry
However, both do come with a "light bar" according to www.edmunds.com as a standard feature ? Not to Hi-Jack the thread, but any idea what that is ? I'm assuming its not the roll bar unless they've got an odd name for it !
Thanks,
Robert
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 391
Likes: 6
From: So California
2000 SL500
As for a "light bar" I am not quite sure what that refers to. It may mean the light bar right below your center A/C thumb wheels.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 924
Likes: 3
From: Socal
1991 300sl 5 speed manual
Just letting everyone know.. I have an extra set of rims for the car if interested.. JJ
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=280049728223
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=280049728223
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
