silver500

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

jjay911

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

silver500

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.

lynns

I have a 2000 SL500 Sport @ 22K miles w/ 18" AMG staggered wheels that have new Michelin Pilot Sport PS2's. The car rides great and appears very stable yet reponsive. It's a joy at >80 MPH.

Tell us about your wheel size and tires?

What is high speed? How fast?

silver500

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.

silver500

JJ

I love your 328 GTS and have always want to get one. Are they costly to maintain? Any major problem to look out for?

Thanks

jjay911

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

jjay911

I thinkt the springs and the tires and the shocks and install on the benz was 2500 and 1700 of that was tires. so Do the Math. JJ

Lincoln

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.

lynns

This is a valid and common question because of the AMG Sport name on the package. It makes sense to me that the suspension would be a Sport suspension BUT the suspension and steering calibrations are unchanged by the AMG Sport Package. Here is what that package consisted of.

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.

SL BRABUS

lowered by BRABUS....... love it.....

silver500

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.

Lincoln

I just had my Bilstiens installed 2 weeks ago (haven't driven more then 100 miles yet) and I love them...car rides great now and these shocks really control this heavy car. Make sure to check and replace any "bad" shock or strut mounts. My car has 88K miles and needed both rear shock mounts and one of the front strut mounts...they are not particularly expensive and the labor is easy while you are doing the other work. Also, look at the spring pads, they are cheap and could result in you being able to lower the car another 5-10mm if the factory used the taller pads...these a few dollars each.

BTW: $150 is an incredible price to do shocks and springs on this car.

lynns

Please document the whole process by providing p/n's and pricing, etc. and any cliches that take place. Please take before and after pictures and post to this string.

silver500

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.

RobsCountach

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

lynns

Adaptive Damping Suspension System (ADS)
Level Control System (LCS)

RobsCountach

Doesn't answer my question...

lynns

I don't know that I understand your question. If I read this entire post all of the discussions pertain to SL500's. I don't see anyone talking about changing the suspension on a SL600. Now what is your question? Please rephrase.

RobsCountach

Hello,
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

lynns

An SL500 could have been ordered with ADS as an expensive option but I have not seen one as yet. If you wanted ADS and Level Control you would probably go with a SL600 as you did.

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.

jjay911

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

sanyata

Hey Silver500... would really luv to see some pics, info, etc.