SL/R230: How LOW can the SL go?
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Joined: Nov 2006
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How LOW can the SL go?
Hi. I just saw the new 2008 SL in the showroom today. Wow... What a beautiful car 
I'd Love to buy one but one thing worries me... the front looks pretty LOW. Now I know some people in this Forum actually lower their cars even more, I don't know how or why. But if you saw the car I saw today you'd soon realize it can't be lowered much. In fact, if you lowered it another inch or two it would be Underground 
I guess the "Lowered" car people live in a place with very smooth roads but I live in New York City, where there are lots of potholes and uneven streets. This may seem like an odd question, but instead of getting the car lowered, can the front (shocks, springs or struts etc.) be raised an inch or two? (Perhaps by a mechanic or by pressing some kind of "suspension" button)
Ok, so maybe I worry too much about small things, but has anyone here ever had front end problems (scratching, scraping, hitting the curb, concrete parking lot blocks, speed bumps etc.) due to the SL's low front? Thanks.
I'd Love to buy one but one thing worries me... the front looks pretty LOW. Now I know some people in this Forum actually lower their cars even more, I don't know how or why. But if you saw the car I saw today you'd soon realize it can't be lowered much. In fact, if you lowered it another inch or two it would be Underground I guess the "Lowered" car people live in a place with very smooth roads but I live in New York City, where there are lots of potholes and uneven streets. This may seem like an odd question, but instead of getting the car lowered, can the front (shocks, springs or struts etc.) be raised an inch or two? (Perhaps by a mechanic or by pressing some kind of "suspension" button)
Ok, so maybe I worry too much about small things, but has anyone here ever had front end problems (scratching, scraping, hitting the curb, concrete parking lot blocks, speed bumps etc.) due to the SL's low front? Thanks.
Last edited by Dans_SL; Sep 1, 2007 at 03:02 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Los Angeles, CA
SL/M6
Mine was slammed...but was too unconfortable to drive...now its at the "two finger height" (still low) and has 20's with 255 front and 305 rear and with 40 psi drives like sh*t over bumps....if I lower the PSI it becomes smoother but I have more chance of bending the rim. For steep driveways, parking lots etc etc I just push the suspension button twice and the car raises a few inches....this work whether lowered or stock on all R230 SL's.
What PSI should I be running guys?
What PSI should I be running guys?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 379
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From: Southcoast England
CL500 216
You have to remember not to park with the front over a high kerb. some folk lower theirs by 3cm, cant see the point in that, sure you could set the ride height to 1 but what is the point.
The tire pressures are inside the fuel filler lid
The tire pressures are inside the fuel filler lid
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Los Angeles, CA
SL/M6
20 inch X 11inch wide wheels will use different tire pressure the the narrow stock stuff.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Houston
2004 SL600
285-35zr18? Narrow? Speak for yourself buddy...
Just traded my '03 CKL320 cab for an '04 SL600 and can't quit grinning. The torque has distorted my face.
Just traded my '03 CKL320 cab for an '04 SL600 and can't quit grinning. The torque has distorted my face.
Last edited by Luce; Sep 1, 2007 at 11:11 PM.
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From: New York, NY
06 SL55
Hi. I just saw the new 2008 SL in the showroom today. Wow... What a beautiful car I'd Love to buy one but one thing worries me... the front looks pretty LOW. Now I know some people in this Forum actually lower their cars even more, I don't know how or why. But if you saw the car I saw today you'd soon realize it can't be lowered much. In fact, if you lowered it another inch or two it would be Underground
I guess the "Lowered" car people live in a place with very smooth roads but I live in New York City, where there are lots of potholes and uneven streets. This may seem like an odd question, but instead of getting the car lowered, can the front (shocks, springs or struts etc.) be raised an inch or two? (Perhaps by a mechanic or by pressing some kind of "suspension" button)
Ok, so maybe I worry too much about small things, but has anyone here ever had front end problems (scratching, scraping, hitting the curb, concrete parking lot blocks, speed bumps etc.) due to the SL's low front? Thanks.
I'd Love to buy one but one thing worries me... the front looks pretty LOW. Now I know some people in this Forum actually lower their cars even more, I don't know how or why. But if you saw the car I saw today you'd soon realize it can't be lowered much. In fact, if you lowered it another inch or two it would be Underground I guess the "Lowered" car people live in a place with very smooth roads but I live in New York City, where there are lots of potholes and uneven streets. This may seem like an odd question, but instead of getting the car lowered, can the front (shocks, springs or struts etc.) be raised an inch or two? (Perhaps by a mechanic or by pressing some kind of "suspension" button)
Ok, so maybe I worry too much about small things, but has anyone here ever had front end problems (scratching, scraping, hitting the curb, concrete parking lot blocks, speed bumps etc.) due to the SL's low front? Thanks.
I have a lowered SL55 (cause I like the look) and I live in Manhattan and you will be fine even if you decide to lower it more like I did. Sooo get the SL!!
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They all come with a push button lift feature, like an inch only, before you drive like that ask MB if its safe, i use it only while parking and worried front may scrape curb.
Car is also designed to change height dynamically on the fly depending on several factors like speed etc, so got to be aware of this when considering permanant height adjustment.
My opinion, try it as is when you buy it, chances are you'll be satisfied.
Car is also designed to change height dynamically on the fly depending on several factors like speed etc, so got to be aware of this when considering permanant height adjustment.
My opinion, try it as is when you buy it, chances are you'll be satisfied.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Los Angeles, CA
SL/M6
Way too narrow for me "buddy"...I personally wouldnt drive a SL without a 305 in the rear after owning it with stock and then upgrading...feels like a different car. Maybe your comparing it to your CLK.
Last edited by CY; Sep 2, 2007 at 08:21 AM.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 49
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From: Maryland
2006 SL55 Blk/Char Parktronic Keyless Go Xenon Lights Vent Seats; 2007 SL 550 (sold); 2001 CLK 430
Hi. I just saw the new 2008 SL in the showroom today. Wow... What a beautiful car I'd Love to buy one but one thing worries me... the front looks pretty LOW. Now I know some people in this Forum actually lower their cars even more, I don't know how or why. But if you saw the car I saw today you'd soon realize it can't be lowered much. In fact, if you lowered it another inch or two it would be Underground
I guess the "Lowered" car people live in a place with very smooth roads but I live in New York City, where there are lots of potholes and uneven streets. This may seem like an odd question, but instead of getting the car lowered, can the front (shocks, springs or struts etc.) be raised an inch or two? (Perhaps by a mechanic or by pressing some kind of "suspension" button)
Ok, so maybe I worry too much about small things, but has anyone here ever had front end problems (scratching, scraping, hitting the curb, concrete parking lot blocks, speed bumps etc.) due to the SL's low front? Thanks.
I'd Love to buy one but one thing worries me... the front looks pretty LOW. Now I know some people in this Forum actually lower their cars even more, I don't know how or why. But if you saw the car I saw today you'd soon realize it can't be lowered much. In fact, if you lowered it another inch or two it would be Underground I guess the "Lowered" car people live in a place with very smooth roads but I live in New York City, where there are lots of potholes and uneven streets. This may seem like an odd question, but instead of getting the car lowered, can the front (shocks, springs or struts etc.) be raised an inch or two? (Perhaps by a mechanic or by pressing some kind of "suspension" button)
Ok, so maybe I worry too much about small things, but has anyone here ever had front end problems (scratching, scraping, hitting the curb, concrete parking lot blocks, speed bumps etc.) due to the SL's low front? Thanks.
With that said, I actually do believe the cars look even more beautiful lowered (to me, its the area around the tire....that is so perfect....no gap). I still have that gap even after pushing the suspension button.
Either way...get the car to experience pure driving perfection.
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From: Southcoast England
CL500 216
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From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
Hi. I just saw the new 2008 SL in the showroom today. Wow... What a beautiful car I'd Love to buy one but one thing worries me... the front looks pretty LOW. Now I know some people in this Forum actually lower their cars even more, I don't know how or why. But if you saw the car I saw today you'd soon realize it can't be lowered much. In fact, if you lowered it another inch or two it would be Underground
I guess the "Lowered" car people live in a place with very smooth roads but I live in New York City, where there are lots of potholes and uneven streets. This may seem like an odd question, but instead of getting the car lowered, can the front (shocks, springs or struts etc.) be raised an inch or two? (Perhaps by a mechanic or by pressing some kind of "suspension" button)
Ok, so maybe I worry too much about small things, but has anyone here ever had front end problems (scratching, scraping, hitting the curb, concrete parking lot blocks, speed bumps etc.) due to the SL's low front? Thanks.
I'd Love to buy one but one thing worries me... the front looks pretty LOW. Now I know some people in this Forum actually lower their cars even more, I don't know how or why. But if you saw the car I saw today you'd soon realize it can't be lowered much. In fact, if you lowered it another inch or two it would be Underground I guess the "Lowered" car people live in a place with very smooth roads but I live in New York City, where there are lots of potholes and uneven streets. This may seem like an odd question, but instead of getting the car lowered, can the front (shocks, springs or struts etc.) be raised an inch or two? (Perhaps by a mechanic or by pressing some kind of "suspension" button)
Ok, so maybe I worry too much about small things, but has anyone here ever had front end problems (scratching, scraping, hitting the curb, concrete parking lot blocks, speed bumps etc.) due to the SL's low front? Thanks.
We carry links that replace the stock links in the air suspension, that will alter the ride height. Most people want the car lower, but I am sure that it would work to raise the car as well.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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04 e55
The SL's suspension is an electronically controlled air suspension, called ABC (Active Body Control). Aside from helping the car stay flat during cornering, it can be raised or lowered via a button on the console.
We carry links that replace the stock links in the air suspension, that will alter the ride height. Most people want the car lower, but I am sure that it would work to raise the car as well.
We carry links that replace the stock links in the air suspension, that will alter the ride height. Most people want the car lower, but I am sure that it would work to raise the car as well.
