MBWorld.org Forums

SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: Is this ride height normal?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jul 28, 2008 | 10:59 PM
Share
  #1  
MB260E's Avatar
MB260E
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
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
Reply
0
Old Jul 28, 2008 | 11:04 PM
Share
  #2  
djamer's Avatar
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..
Reply
0
Old Jul 29, 2008 | 08:48 AM
Share
  #3  
EX-BEEMER's Avatar
EX-BEEMER
Super Member
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
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.
Reply
0
Old Jul 29, 2008 | 09:30 AM
Share
  #4  
metalica_23's Avatar
metalica_23
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 299
Likes: 1
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.
Reply
0
Old Jul 29, 2008 | 10:17 AM
Share
  #5  
velvet fog's Avatar
velvet fog
Super Member
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
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.

Reply
0
Old Jul 29, 2008 | 11:27 AM
Share
  #6  
IngenereAMG's Avatar
IngenereAMG
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,703
Likes: 5
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.
Reply
0
Old Jul 29, 2008 | 07:20 PM
Share
  #7  
MB260E's Avatar
MB260E
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
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
Reply
0

Trending Topics

Old Jul 30, 2008 | 10:19 AM
Share
  #8  
rodin66's Avatar
rodin66
Junior Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 62
Likes: 1
E550 Cab
Originally Posted by MB260E
Beautiful car velvet! Thanks for the help, I will ask the dealer to send me new pics with the car in different settings.

-Nathan
I think about 3inch gap between 18" 35 profile tires and metal on Normal setting
Reply
0
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 30, 2008 | 10:35 AM
Share
  #9  
velvet fog's Avatar
velvet fog
Super Member
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
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.
Reply
0
Old Jul 30, 2008 | 11:17 AM
Share
  #10  
rodin66's Avatar
rodin66
Junior Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 62
Likes: 1
E550 Cab
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.
Reply
0
Old Jul 30, 2008 | 12:02 PM
Share
  #11  
velvet fog's Avatar
velvet fog
Super Member
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
From: Covington wa
05 SL500, 02 BMW Z3 (Mrs. VF), 05 FJR1300, 91 ZX-11
Yep. I get 2 fingers at normal and more than 4 at high.
Reply
0
Old Jul 30, 2008 | 12:40 PM
Share
  #12  
metalica_23's Avatar
metalica_23
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 299
Likes: 1
From: Boston, MA
'06 SL600
More importantly let's all meet at Rodin's bar tonight! I never get served beers that way...
Reply
0
Tags
Back to Subforum
SL-Class (R230)
View Next Unread
Ring and Pinion Swap

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes, average.
Show Printable Version
Email this Page

Advanced Search

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:58 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE