SL/R230 Is this ride height normal?

Jul 28, 2008 | 10:59 PM

MB260E

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Member

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 103

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From: SF Bay Area

'87 260E, '00 C230, 01 S500

Is this ride height normal?

Hey guys,

I'm starting to look at the R230 class since I think they are the CLASSIEST cars ever built, and I think I've found a nice candidate. However one thing bothers me right away, the ride height seems abnormal and I've heard that airmatic is a PITA to fix. Can anyone tell me if this is a major issue?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/car/769603800.html

Thanks!

-Nathan

Jul 28, 2008 | 11:04 PM

djamer

Super Member

Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 828

Likes: 1

From: Northern VA

SL 500

my only guess is that the owner of the car pressed the 'ABC' button to raise the car from it's normal height. Normal sitting position is no where near that.

just my 2 cents..

Jul 29, 2008 | 08:48 AM

EX-BEEMER

Super Member

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 576

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From: Midwest

'08 SL550 Sport, '11 BMW 550ix M sport

Definatly too high... I'd ask for a photo with the ride height switch set to low.

Jul 29, 2008 | 09:30 AM

metalica_23

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 299

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From: Boston, MA

'06 SL600

I'm with everyone else. You definitely want to check it out, but 95% sure it's just a setting. My car looks like that when I have it on the highest setting.

Jul 29, 2008 | 10:17 AM

velvet fog

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Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 927

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From: Covington wa

05 SL500, 02 BMW Z3 (Mrs. VF), 05 FJR1300, 91 ZX-11

The car definitely looks high. Here's mine with the ABC set to normal.

Jul 29, 2008 | 11:27 AM

IngenereAMG

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 3,703

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From: Arizona

SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar

It is probably on the highest setting.

Here is a link to our Merc page. http://www.veloceperformance.com/mercedes.htm
Towards the bottom is my lowered SL55.

The car in the add looks like a 4X4! I forgot how high they can go.

Jul 29, 2008 | 07:20 PM

MB260E

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Member

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 103

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From: SF Bay Area

'87 260E, '00 C230, 01 S500

Beautiful car velvet! Thanks for the help, I will ask the dealer to send me new pics with the car in different settings.

-Nathan

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Jul 30, 2008 | 10:35 AM

velvet fog

Super Member

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 927

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From: Covington wa

05 SL500, 02 BMW Z3 (Mrs. VF), 05 FJR1300, 91 ZX-11

More like a 1 to 1 1/2 inch gap with the car in the normal position with the stock tires. The rim diameter should not make a difference as the 17 inch tires have a higher profile to maintain the same rolling diameter.

Jul 30, 2008 | 11:17 AM

#10

rodin66

Junior Member

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 62

Likes: 1

E550 Cab

Quote:

Originally Posted by velvet fog

More like a 1 to 1 1/2 inch gap with the car in the normal position with the stock tires. The rim diameter should not make a difference as the 1
7 inch tires have a higher profile to maintain the same rolling diameter.

Sorry I was thinking about fully extended ride height -- Where I could slip 4 fingers between top of tire and wheel arch

Last edited by rodin66; Jul 30, 2008 at 11:20 AM.