Hi Everyone,

Before I ask the question I will confirm that I searched the threads to look at which options are best for a upgrade for the suspension (shocks and lowering springs) but most of the posts are over 10 years old and as a result a lot of parts and options are no longer available.

Does anyone have a 2022 recommendation for a suspension upgrade on 2001 SL500?

Thanks in advance!

 

Oe shocks, H&R or Eibach lowering springs, #1 front shim #3 rear buffer

 

And this is what it will look like

 

It looks amazing! You've definitely persuaded me to lower it as well.

Did you use OE shocks as well?

 

Go the extra $$$ and put Bilstein B6 shocks, corners flat.

 

As close to OEM as possible, Bilstein B4

 

I am about to order the shocks and springs and on your advice I'm going to get the B6. But for Springs I'm having a hard time, since the Eibach is not as easy to find (nothing in North America) and the H&Rs only show a fitment until the 1996 models.

I can't see why the H&Rs would not work since the springs should be the same from 1990-2001 unless I'm wrong.

Any advice?

 

The springs are the same I have no idea why they state 1996. #1 shim in front #3 shim in rear I would also get a pair of rear camber bars too as your camber will max out at about 1.5º not totally an issue but bars will get to factory spec I like a little more camber myself.

 

Or you could go full heim joint like I did, but then I have a thing for RENNtech mods. More of a weakness really.



If you are going to go struts/shocks and springs, you might as well rebuild the front end (A-arms, tie rods, that kind of stuff) and the rear (carrier bearing, links, sway bar bushings, etc.)

Oh, and if you lower the car that much there is a teensy slight small possibility that the front bumper might rip off the car if you are in the habit of braille parking the car. ADS optioned cars just toggle the rocker UP and kick back for about 30 seconds while the car lifts.

 

Just for reference, I had a really bad experience with BC's on my E55 Wagon. The front dampers went bad progressively, twice, in less than a year. What I mean by that is that the damping kept progressively getting softer, requiring me to crank up the damping until it eventually was maxed out and then the front end got bouncy again. A replacement set they mailed me were unsafe to drive on within 2 weeks of arrival after starting out at like 5 clicks from full stiff to control the car, and going soft in short order.

BC was also an incredible pain in the *** to deal with from a warranty standpoint over here in Europe. They refused warranty replacement without me mailing the originals back to them because there was no visible damage or leak from the outside of the damper, so I had to pay for replacements out of pocket. They also are located in the UK, which is no longer a part of the EU, so I had to pay a 35% tax on those replacements in order to import them to Germany, where I live. Those taxes could be avoided if they shipped via DHL, as I am an American and technically exempt, but only DHL has provision to avoid the fees available. The replacements they sent then failed in the same manner in less than 2 weeks, and they again refused replacement, and also refused reimbursement for taxes incurred should they actually agree to warranty them after mailing them back.

I was not about to pay for yet another pair of likely faulty dampers out of pocket, plus no-refundable taxes, so I made the decision to move on from them as a brand.

Currently working on a full custom setup based on Ohlins dampers. Fronts are good, but rear has been a little more problematic difficult due to lack of space. My engineer also ran into an issue with a lack of decent help after his second got recalled to active military duty due to the Ukraine war and is in the heat of the Nürburgring season where the majority of his business comes form. Hoping to have it completely sorted soon.

 

I did the same set up and it looks great but the passenger side wheel hits and bends the fender when i make right hand turns into drive ways?!?!?!

 

I recently updated with new stock springs, H&R's and correct shims/spacers and am having an issue with clearance. When i make right turns into driveways with a slight slope the passenger wheel hits the fender and bends it up.
Has anyone else had this happen? Did my mechanic miss a spacer or something when installing?

 

The spacer is clearly visible by looking into the wheel well.

Count the notches and verify that the right one was used, but it sure sounds like you need a pair of thicker front spacers.

 

Not sure what you mean by "notches".

 

Not a good sign.

You know, notches in the shims. As in, #1 front shim #3 rear buffer.

Sounds like you need maybe a 2 notch spacer for the front springs.

The spacer is located at the top of the spring and the notches are visible by looking. A single notch is denoted by two protrusions, a double by three, etc.

 

Thank you for the information, much appreciated. My fear was the shop used the old shims/buffers even though I provided them the new roper ones. Now at least can verify.

 

Dows this mean they did use the spacer I provided them, #1?

 

Not good.

There doesn't appear to be a spacer present.

How many notches do you see in this picture?


See the notches?

 

4

 

3. 4 tabs means 3 notches.

 

I think you should be counting 'tabs' - not notches. How many 'notches' for one tab?

I've seen them called a number of things - tabs, protrusions, burls. First time I've heard of 'notches' between the 'tabs.'

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

You count the voids.

Think of a slice of cheese with a bite taken out.

Either way, the OP's springs have no shims.

 

I'd love to drop my SL but the roads here in Colorado suck. I'd be trying to avoid potholes. I did drop my 06' Mustang GT several years back and did major replacement front to back including bigger sway bars.