SL/R230: Lowering
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From: Tallahassee, Florida
2006 SL600, 2001 S500, 1996 SL320
Lowering
Is it possible to lower the SL thru the regular mercedes service equipment or do you have to use one of these aftermarket companies?
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From: SoCal
C63S coupe, X5M
Here are a few ways:
Stardiag Lowering - Cheap, around 200 depending on who you know, some dealers will do it for free from what i've heard. The drop isn't much, around 1 inch. I've heard it's hard to make the lowering stick.
Lowering with Links - Also cheap, around 300, this basically fools the sensors into thinking the car is higher then it actually is. I've heard mixed reviews about this one, some say it's great and have used them for years, others have had major problems and uneven lowering.
Renntech ELM - The most expensive way, it costs around 1000 + install. I've never heard anything negative about using this method, it works great and gives you lots of options for different ride heights that can be adjusted on the fly.
Stardiag Lowering - Cheap, around 200 depending on who you know, some dealers will do it for free from what i've heard. The drop isn't much, around 1 inch. I've heard it's hard to make the lowering stick.
Lowering with Links - Also cheap, around 300, this basically fools the sensors into thinking the car is higher then it actually is. I've heard mixed reviews about this one, some say it's great and have used them for years, others have had major problems and uneven lowering.
Renntech ELM - The most expensive way, it costs around 1000 + install. I've never heard anything negative about using this method, it works great and gives you lots of options for different ride heights that can be adjusted on the fly.
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Go with the links
I have used the links on 2 of my own Mercedes, and quite a few customers and friends vehicles, and never had any problem. I know of people that used the $1000 + modules on newer CL Coupes, S Class, and some CLS that were not too happy with the results or products.
Thread Starter
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From: Tallahassee, Florida
2006 SL600, 2001 S500, 1996 SL320
Renntech
I definately would not trust Renntech, soley from my own experiences with that company. They would definately have an excuse as to why it did not work properly.
Thread Starter
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From: Tallahassee, Florida
2006 SL600, 2001 S500, 1996 SL320
Dealer
I emailed my dealer this afternoon, should get a response tomorrow morning, I will let you know what they say they can do.
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From my understanding from talking with a few dealers as well as people who had the dealer lower there cars using the machine it doesnt stay lowered. You will be lucky if you can drop it an inch and even luckier if it stays lowered. This is from what I have heard as I was thinking of going this route as well.
As for the links just like Murtaza stated theres mixed reviews but never heard about getting the right height problem as an alignment shop can help you with that and dont need to worry about it if your only planning on dropping it a bit and not messing with it after that.
As for the modules they also have mixed reviews from people to people as I heard problems with these as well.
Let me know if you get it to work through Mercedes and if so let me know how much it drops as I was thinking of getting links but would perfer this method if it works out.
Thread Starter
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From: Tallahassee, Florida
2006 SL600, 2001 S500, 1996 SL320
Per the DEALER
The dealer response to my email is:
"I'm told you can lower it but in a short time it goes back to factory settings on it's own."
"I'm told you can lower it but in a short time it goes back to factory settings on it's own."
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From: Wichita
2005 SL600, 2011 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite
I thought Renntech was working on staightening out your problems. Were they successful?
https://mbworld.org/forums/showpost....4&postcount=73
Last edited by JackStraw; May 31, 2007 at 10:22 AM.
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Yeah thats what I thought. I guess the next alternative would be the links for me. I know there are a few other companies that make the lowering module like Eibach and I believe H&R has one as well that is around $500 to $600 but its a cut and splice application which I really dont want to do and also from my understanding the highway speed lowering is not inactive.
By the way does anyone know whats the lowest we can go before we start to encounter camber wear on our tires? 1" to 1.5"? Mercedes or any alignment shop should be able to correct these right??
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SL55, 996TT, Viper 700R, H2
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From: Stockholm, Sweden
SL 600 640bhp/1000Nm
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From: Pittsburgh,pa
2010 Range Rover S/C 2010 Land Rover LR4 HSE Lux Plus 2007 BMW R1200GS
www.adjustableairride.com
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From: East Coast Baby!
SL55
Holdup
Here are a few ways:
Lowering with Links - Also cheap, around 300, this basically fools the sensors into thinking the car is higher then it actually is. I've heard mixed reviews about this one, some say it's great and have used them for years, others have had major problems and uneven lowering.
.
Lowering with Links - Also cheap, around 300, this basically fools the sensors into thinking the car is higher then it actually is. I've heard mixed reviews about this one, some say it's great and have used them for years, others have had major problems and uneven lowering.
.
I'm here to tell you that I've no problems what so ever with Adjustable Air Rides Lowering links... They are quality made, easy to install, and are completely adjustable... You can lower the car right to the ground... It gives you more of a range.
What's wrong with the Lowering Modules... IS YOU HAVE TO CUT INTO YOUR WIRING HARNESS!!... There are other signals that go through those wires, and the car will never be the same unless you replace the whole harness... Plus you can't go as low with a Module.
The links are completely reversible in a half hour. What's more they can help you actually make the car more even... Mercedes took my car 4 times, and never could get it exactly level... They got it better, but the Right Rear was always a little higher.. I just gave the left rear 1 turn longer, and the right rear one turn shorter, and presto... the car sits Perfect! Plus they are not $300... They are $229!
I'm *REALLY* happy with mine... John AAR is a really nice always willing to help.
Best,
RoydRage
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 69
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From: Florida
2015 McLaren 650s, 2016 Porsche GT4
I have an Eibach Pro-tronic module for sale. It works flawlessly and there's not a scratch on it. Took me about 45 minutes to install with the easy to follow instructions. There are only 13 wires to hook up, very simple procedure. The unit costs $1100.00 new and I am selling mine for $400! That's a deal my friends 
. Let me know if anyone is interested.....
. Let me know if anyone is interested.....
