SL/R230: lowering the SL500
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Hong Kong
2013 G63, 2015 S500, 2016 C63 coupe
lowering the SL500
I would like to lower the SL, but not sure on the way to do it.
Is the lowering done via springs or a lowering module ie electronic?
The car has the sports button which allows for stiffer suspension, so does the lowering module work via this button as well?
What does the Brabus lowering kit consist of?
Is the lowering done via springs or a lowering module ie electronic?
The car has the sports button which allows for stiffer suspension, so does the lowering module work via this button as well?
What does the Brabus lowering kit consist of?
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
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There are no shocks/springs, since you are using an air suspension setup.
There are two ways to lower airmatic/ABC cars:
1) electronic
2) Physical
1) There are 2 paths you can take. One way is to lower via the Stardiagnostic machine. This is probably the most "OEM" way to do it, however, you face 2 problems: a) access to a star diagnostic machine and most dealerships won't do it for you and b) you can only achieve a modest drop. The other way to lower is use an electronic module. This is what Brabus/Lorinser/Renntech use. However, the costs range between $1k to $2k
2) You can trick the ABC/Airmatic sensor into changing its height. This is the cheapest way to do it, and produces the same result as lowering via electronic module. I am partial to this method since i've had both my airmatic/abc cars lowered using this method, with no problem. The cost will range between $450-750 depending your relationship with your aftermarket shop. Some guys on the e class (w211) forums figured out how to do it themselves and costs a few bucks heh`
Lowering the car still retains all functions and allows you to change height while driving. My car is low, but I can still raise it to go up driveways, etc.
There are two ways to lower airmatic/ABC cars:
1) electronic
2) Physical
1) There are 2 paths you can take. One way is to lower via the Stardiagnostic machine. This is probably the most "OEM" way to do it, however, you face 2 problems: a) access to a star diagnostic machine and most dealerships won't do it for you and b) you can only achieve a modest drop. The other way to lower is use an electronic module. This is what Brabus/Lorinser/Renntech use. However, the costs range between $1k to $2k
2) You can trick the ABC/Airmatic sensor into changing its height. This is the cheapest way to do it, and produces the same result as lowering via electronic module. I am partial to this method since i've had both my airmatic/abc cars lowered using this method, with no problem. The cost will range between $450-750 depending your relationship with your aftermarket shop. Some guys on the e class (w211) forums figured out how to do it themselves and costs a few bucks heh`
Lowering the car still retains all functions and allows you to change height while driving. My car is low, but I can still raise it to go up driveways, etc.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 337
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From: Hong Kong
2013 G63, 2015 S500, 2016 C63 coupe
thank you for the quick yet detailed reply
the air suspension setup is the sports button thingy right?
the brabus, lorinser renntech module adds an extra button within the car to raise and lower it?
which one would you recommend?
The car is my fathers car, Im just trying to make it look nicer for him at my expense :P
the air suspension setup is the sports button thingy right?
the brabus, lorinser renntech module adds an extra button within the car to raise and lower it?
which one would you recommend?
The car is my fathers car, Im just trying to make it look nicer for him at my expense :P
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The whole suspension is an air suspension. The modules do not add an extra button; you can still raise/lower the car via the OEM buttons. To the left of the lever to raise/lower the convertible top, you should see a button with an outline of a car with an arrow going up through the middle. This button allows you to raise the car.
Since this is not your car, I would go with the cheapest choice, which is lowering by changing the links. Only a few shops know how to do this, but it's effective and cheap.
Where are you located?
Since this is not your car, I would go with the cheapest choice, which is lowering by changing the links. Only a few shops know how to do this, but it's effective and cheap.
Where are you located?
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From: Carefree az usa
2020 S560,14 ml350, 03 sl55, silver, pano, slr cams, evo headers, lsd, 2019 s63 cab.
for god sake, r230 sl's do not have airmatic suspensions! they are hydraulic and work with sensors on each corner location. if they are like the cl500 you can lower by changing the sensor arm pivots. check out cl500 threads for info with a search.
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theboogers: I'm not sure who you're referring to but no one in this thread said it was airmatic. All the R230's but the SL350 have ABC and I think the SL350 has it as an option, other then that it's steel.
jl88 is absolutley right in everything he's saying in this thread.
jl88 is absolutley right in everything he's saying in this thread.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,130
Likes: 36
From: Carefree az usa
2020 S560,14 ml350, 03 sl55, silver, pano, slr cams, evo headers, lsd, 2019 s63 cab.
sorry you ae correct. i wasn't paying attention and only saw the part about airmatic. abc was covered under amgcars forum- cl55- davepl's $0.85 cl lowering system. thanks
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Originally posted by theboogers
sorry you ae correct. i wasn't paying attention and only saw the part about airmatic. abc was covered under amgcars forum- cl55- davepl's $0.85 cl lowering system. thanks
sorry you ae correct. i wasn't paying attention and only saw the part about airmatic. abc was covered under amgcars forum- cl55- davepl's $0.85 cl lowering system. thanks
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 337
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From: Hong Kong
2013 G63, 2015 S500, 2016 C63 coupe
Originally posted by jl88
Since this is not your car, I would go with the cheapest choice, which is lowering by changing the links. Only a few shops know how to do this, but it's effective and cheap.
Where are you located?
Since this is not your car, I would go with the cheapest choice, which is lowering by changing the links. Only a few shops know how to do this, but it's effective and cheap.
Where are you located?
But thanks a lot for all the input guys. Appreciated.
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Originally posted by theboogers
sorry you ae correct. i wasn't paying attention and only saw the part about airmatic. abc was covered under amgcars forum- cl55- davepl's $0.85 cl lowering system. thanks
sorry you ae correct. i wasn't paying attention and only saw the part about airmatic. abc was covered under amgcars forum- cl55- davepl's $0.85 cl lowering system. thanks
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