Ride height limiting on the Programa lowering module V2 (ELM)
 

Looking at the Programa unit since it's on sale for $599.

http://programainc.com/mercedes-benz...22210099r.html

It comes with the remote; for those of you who have this on your SL AMG, does this unit allow you to go back to "factory settings" above a certain mph? For example, I really only want this thing for looks, and I only see these "looks" when I'm actually not driving it and it's parked. The little things that annoy us right? :smash:.

So above 5 mph, I want this thing to go back to the factory height settings and do it's regular driving thing as you go higher in speed on the highway, etc. Is this what you guys have/do?

599 isn't bad for new. Do you have to splice the wires on this version?

Yes, it does exactly what you are looking for. In fact, it has two speed settings. The first raises the car back to 1/2 factory height and the second back to full factory height. The speed at which you set these is fully adjustable. For example. Say you dropped the car 1.2 inches. The first setting will raise the car back 1/2 or .6 inches. The second setting goes back to normal ride height above the speed you set. As the vehicle slows to below the speed setting, the car drops down again.

My car is set at 1.4 down in front and 1.2 down in back. At 10 mph or so, it goes up by .7 and .6 respectively. At 20 or so, it goes to normal ride height.

The perfect place for the remote:


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...323d36be19.png

Well that's cool, I wasn't expecting the dual functions. Does the remote replace the pots on the inside of the cover?

Yes. I never used to phone system.

Even cheaper here:
http://loweringmodule.com/index.php/...e-wremote.html

anyone actually tried it?
http://loweringmodule.com/programa-v...e-with-remote/

YES! that is the module I have used for 3 or 4 years. Me plus maybe a couple dozen R230 guys and another 100 or so W211 guys swear by it.

thank you for the reply. this is good news. I just placed my order, cheers.

Cool! let us know how you like it. I think it is the most versatile cost effective lowering solution.

By the way, if you did not know, the Renntech unit that sells for three times as much is simply a programa with Renntech's name on it.

Programa seems to have removed the buy icon from it's page. Last price I remember seeing was 449 or 499 or something. Makes me wonder if they even make them anymore

Send them a email. Got a quick reply from them. They are back order for 3weeks. They actually open up the web site and let me order it. So now is just the waiting games.

Just installed the Programa tonight. I love it. Easiest lowering job I've ever done! Question though, will this put a lot of extra wear on the ABC system?

no. the abc system is continuously opening/closing valves when driving. The height being lower will not put any additional stress on the system. As far as tire wear/handling/ride quality is concerned I would setup your module to return to stock ride height when you are driving (you can set it so that stock ride height will resume at a speed you set)

Yeah I have it set to lower all the way, 2". Then come up 1" at 3mph and full height at 6mph. Really just wanted it low when I parked it.

you guys are lucky. The go back to reg height option is not available for the R-Class. I did drive the R-Class for the whole summer with the front dropped at 1.25" and the back at 2". didn't encounter any problem at all.

I'm guessing the R class cars are airmatic instead of the hydraulic ABC system used by the SL.

Finally took the car out today and it's not reading speed. Anyone else have this issue? Everything else works correctly. Shows 0mph and doesn't raise at specified speeds.

Mine did the same on the sl65, I tried swapping the can wires around as instructed by their tech support, it didn't help.
So I was just manually reverting to stock while driving/etc.

But I got rid of my entire ABC system before figuring out what caused it to not see speed, and will be selling my programa v2 as I'll be on coil overs very soon.

Thanks for the info. I will try swapping CAN wires. Thats the only connection that would provide speed. If that doesnt work its gotta be a programming issue in the unit.

I just noticed last month that I have this same issue with the programa Module in my 2003 SL55.

I don't drive it in the rain, so I have not looked into this further yet.

Chris

I see now a v4 module is available: http://loweringmodule.com/programa-v...e-with-remote/

How does the lowering module affect the stock height adjustment button by the shifter? Lets say I set the lowering module to lower the car 2" all around and then i press the oem suspension height button (1 or 2 red lights).

Thanks!

your factory button will still work as usual.
Your car has a sensor at each corner that measures the height of the car ; this module modifies the signal for each corner sensor to change the height (while your car does not know the module is there and trusts the signal it is getting).

the real question is ... has programa fixed the modules inability to use the speed adjustable height feature? ... the link you posted does not mention is so my guess is ...no (but I would love to find out that they have)

Cheers,
Chris

To clarify, if lowered 2" using the module. The low/medium/high factory height button will be 2" lower for all settings? Similar to how the lowering links work.

THe module does electronically exactluy the same thing as the links do mechanically (fool the 4 ride height sensors)
So, the factory button willl CHANGE your ride height exactly the same amount per button depression as usual . It (your car) has no idea that you have inserted the module. So yes you can lower your car 2" and the button will have the same effect as it does now.
But ... 2" ? really? I would be worried about the compromised tire life and handling ....

Best of luck,
Chris