Had my car in the dealership today, I asked If they lowered cars via star diagnose, he said they do not, he went on to say do not waste your money on module, or even star diagnose. He said to just use the washer method. He said it was real easy. My question is has anyone done this and how do you do it?

 

I just pm-ed you.

 

Yes, washer method for the win all the way, I did it. It's not about being cheap, its about how it works and how its done. The washer method is completely reversible.

 

so is the Star Diagnose method, and it's within factory specs too

 

I thought the max lowering possible through washers is 8mm since stocks are 13mm and the smallest are 5mm

Whereas with StarD you can lower upto 40mm from what i've heard

I could be wrong though

 

My 6mm of washers = (about) 20mm drop.

 

Yup, but with the washer method, the process is reversible in 5 minutes on your driveway.

And I'm going to get some links to allow for a 1.25" drop (not sure how many mm that is).

 

I used the spacer lowering kit from Altered Atmosphere in MD. These are machined spacers that lower the car precisely avoiding the potential for washer unevenness. The car was lowered about an inch. It is very easy and I've driven a year on them with no problems. Their web site is www.alteredatmosphere.com.

 

While the washer method does work, I would make sure it is done completely correct. I am in the car business and have seen two cars in the service bay at local MBZ centers where they were lowered via washer but the bolts were not locked correctly or tightened correctly and they came out. The entire Airmatic system failed and the car fell to the the ground. The MBZ dealer rep was there and determined it was not covered via warranty.

This is not to say that a failure via a lowering module or the star system would not be covered by warranty but the probability of failure from these systems is basically zero.

 

Anyone have the Star Diag method done by Steve_BenzNL? How low is this method as opposed to Carlsson, Brabus etc.? I heard the Star diag gives you approx. 3/4" drop but don't know about the other methods. And is 3/4" drop pretty noticeable? Would this give you a tuck or 'flush' look with 19s or 20s or does it need to be lower to get it tucked? I know stock I have roughly two fingers of gap between tire and well. How much of a gap do you guys have with what module and what size wheels? And what is the difference between buying a $1000+ module as opposed to going with the less expensive Star diag?

 

Star diag does not void your warranty if for some odd reason your aftermarket module fails and your local dealer is not friendly to mods. And it is alot cheaper than 1000+ for the aftermarket module.

I had star diag done on my E500 and was running 19's and there was a 1 finger gap. Dean said we could go lower but I thought was plenty. I have yet to do the E55 as I am deciding if i should wait until i upgrade wheels or just do it now. Washer method or Star Diag are both great and the prices can't be beat.

 

I haven't installed my new washers yet but how come a 6mm washer (which should be 7mm lower since stocks are 13mm) possibly lower your vehicle by 20mm?

P.S. I could be wrong since I'm no expert with suspension!

 

Here is another method (TWS lowering brackets).

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=43817

I lowered my front end by changing the links (If you follow the link, the link is black, and is attached to the TWS lowering bracket).

You can buy fixed or adjustable links if you want to play with your ride height.

I lowered my rear end by moving the sensor.

I've been on this setup for almost 3.5 years now w/o any problems.

 

Here is a pic of my car with the Star D drop. Front I would say, is about a one finger drop if that and the rear sits flush with the tire...



Here is another angle when I had my wheels...

 

I was only able to get 1/2" drop with the Star Diagnose method. Steve said that every car has different potential for drop using the computer method. He would have to hook up the computer to your car before he can tell you how much drop he can give you.

 

Easy answer.
The ride height is determined by a sensor arm and its angle.
6mm induces enough change in the sensor arm angle to drop the car 20mm (about).
The washers dont lower the mechanical parts of the suspension. The washers trick the sensor into reducing the volume of air in the airmatic suspension and therefore lowering the car.

 

Thanx for clarifying things.. My bad!! I got the shims mixed up with washers.. I don't have the airmatic system so what I was advised to do was to use a smaller shim setup (physically smaller so the car rides a little lower). I just realized the washers are a whole different approach which "trick" the airmatic system into lowering itself. Pretty smart huh?

 

I used to be against the washer method but bought a spacer kit from AAM and installed it in 20 min and BAM my 55 was slammed. it was a qaulity kit and would recommend it to anyone. comes w/ excellent directions.
www.alteredatmosphere.com

 

I can't find it on the web-site.
Can you post the web-page address, please?
How much?

 

Stock sensors on the front suspension have no washers =0mm, and they fit directly under the aluminum suspension arm. When you fit 6mm worth of washers in between the sensor and the arm (any more and you will not have enough thread left to put the top nut back on), you get a 3.2x multiplier effect through the leverage of the electronic sensor. That translates into 18-20mm drop or 0.8".
It works. The rear is more complex. Do a search, there is a very long thread here which begins with "Lower your E55 for 80c..."

This will start another lengthy and pointless debate, I can just feel it...

 

just call them $299.00 (the owner i guess has a e55 and made this kit its machined to exact measerments) its better than using washers from hardware store!

 

The rear isn't complex at all. Just slide and adjust the single sensor near the differential. Be careful though, I screwed up and the adjustment arm accidentally caught the rear differential causing the slider to snap. I would recommend car ramps instead of jack stands when you do it.

In the front, the washers themselves do nothing. It's just a method of permanently fixing the the sensor's new position. Airmatic suspensions come with adjustable sensor's. You just have to find the best way to fix them in any position you want. Washers apparently worked the best, so that's how we did them. Make sure the nut is tight when you put it back on. If you want to be like me and be extra cautious, check the nut every couple month to make sure its tight. Or if you plan to fix it at that height, use LocTite.