Does anyone know if the 99SL500 has those ride height shims between the springs and spring perches? My car sits at SUV height and I'd like to drop it without making the ride any stiffer. I heard one can change the shims to do that. Thanks
Hal

It should have them but you have to figure which ones are on the car to know how much (if any) you can lower it (their are 4 sizes for the front and 3 for the rear in 5mm increments, I might have it backwards??). Since the labor to change these is the same as changing the springs you should probably just buy a set of the Eibach springs and put those on. I had my spring pads changed when I got my Bilsteins put on but I should have done the Eibachs at that time. I got 10mm lower on mine which is not enough.

i think they are called **** or somthing similar to that. definitely a car part thats hard to forget. but they are a bit hard to swap out.

Mark

Thanks. I'll check into changing the springs. Shouldn't I also change shocks? I am concerned about wrecking the ride, which I think is already fairly stiff.

The Eibachs ride pretty close to stock from what I hear, the H&Rs do not (if they are still available). I do think you should do shocks at the same time since the labor overlaps somewhat but get the OE shocks NOT the Bilstein HDs if you want to save the ride quality. I love the way mine rides and handles with the Bilsteins and the 19" wheels/tires over what I had with the OE shocks and 16" wheels (I know your 99 has 17" or 18" depending on whether it's a Sport or not).

yes, do the shocks at the same time.

bilistine make good shocks, they make HD (sporty) or the OEM. if you think that the OEM are stiff enough, then go with them.

Mark

FYI, the car has the factory AMG 18s (later 5 spoke models) but is not the Sport model SL. Thanks for all the help. I look forward to the changes and will post before and after photos for ya.

Hal