RENNTECH Lowering module installed - pics
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
Originally Posted by france2112
Jangy,
Makes sense I suppose. My overall diameter is almost identical with 18" vs 19" based on a tire calculator so my speedometer and gearing should be the same. I have 255 x 40 x 18 in front and 285 x 35 x 18 in rear. If I go to 255 x 35 x 19 in front and 295 x 30 x 19 in rear the diameter is virtually the same. I have the AMG sport package on my 2005 SL600 and my rims are 1 piece cast 18". I don't know how much they weight but I assume in the high 20's or low 30's pounds. I want lighter wheels but they are so damn expensive (I know I shouldn't ***** since I have an SL600). I saw some wheel by Niche (Model: Venice) that are 1 piece cast that look like 3 piece wheels and weight about 31# in front and 32# in rear. I was planning on getting them since the weight is about the same and the rear diameter and tire will be wider. Do you really think the weight or the change to 19" will make that much difference? I ask sincerely. Thanks for the reply.
france2112
Makes sense I suppose. My overall diameter is almost identical with 18" vs 19" based on a tire calculator so my speedometer and gearing should be the same. I have 255 x 40 x 18 in front and 285 x 35 x 18 in rear. If I go to 255 x 35 x 19 in front and 295 x 30 x 19 in rear the diameter is virtually the same. I have the AMG sport package on my 2005 SL600 and my rims are 1 piece cast 18". I don't know how much they weight but I assume in the high 20's or low 30's pounds. I want lighter wheels but they are so damn expensive (I know I shouldn't ***** since I have an SL600). I saw some wheel by Niche (Model: Venice) that are 1 piece cast that look like 3 piece wheels and weight about 31# in front and 32# in rear. I was planning on getting them since the weight is about the same and the rear diameter and tire will be wider. Do you really think the weight or the change to 19" will make that much difference? I ask sincerely. Thanks for the reply.
france2112
I like what you are doing, except the idea of staying with a cast rim. you can save some massive weight with lighter rims and it will make the handling AND acceleration WAAAY better. As a compromise, consider 19" rims, but go forged??
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
Originally Posted by Jrocket
Towels,you need towels....ASAP!
By the way, yes his rims are the stocks powdercoated black. looks like a nice job.
Anyone know where I can get colored center caps? Mine were left silver, since they were plastic.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
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From: In a box
W211 E55
Originally Posted by jangy
Here is the deal with handling.
Larger diameter rims will weigh more since they are , well larger. Wider rims will also weigh more....
Larger diameter rims will weigh more since they are , well larger. Wider rims will also weigh more....
One must also take into consideration that even for identical weights, a 19-inch rim will be 'slower' to accelerate/decelerate than the comparable 18-incher.
With the mass of the hub further away from the point of rotation, it has a greater moment of inertia. This degrades handling, acceleration, and braking.
I've seen 22's add almost 20 feet to braking distances on an SUV.
W
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
Originally Posted by ChicagoX
Good summary.
One must also take into consideration that even for identical weights, a 19-inch rim will be 'slower' to accelerate/decelerate than the comparable 18-incher.
With the mass of the hub further away from the point of rotation, it has a greater moment of inertia. This degrades handling, acceleration, and braking.
I've seen 22's add almost 20 feet to braking distances on an SUV.
W
One must also take into consideration that even for identical weights, a 19-inch rim will be 'slower' to accelerate/decelerate than the comparable 18-incher.
With the mass of the hub further away from the point of rotation, it has a greater moment of inertia. This degrades handling, acceleration, and braking.
I've seen 22's add almost 20 feet to braking distances on an SUV.
W
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: orlando,fl.
2005 e55
Originally Posted by jangy
It definitely gets stiffer as you go down, but it also becomes more responsive, since th center of gravity is coming down and the camber is more neg.
For true handling, I lower it about half max, with just a bit of rake. Then, I put the airmatic in Sport II and it is a real difference. Turn ins are much quicker, rear even flies out if you jerk it which never happenned with stock setup.
Keep in mind that I am running almost stock diameter with the tires and stayed with 18" rims, so mine is "softer" than most lowered Es.
Only downside is that it really shows the need for sway bars, which are next, along with an LSD.
For true handling, I lower it about half max, with just a bit of rake. Then, I put the airmatic in Sport II and it is a real difference. Turn ins are much quicker, rear even flies out if you jerk it which never happenned with stock setup.
Keep in mind that I am running almost stock diameter with the tires and stayed with 18" rims, so mine is "softer" than most lowered Es.
Only downside is that it really shows the need for sway bars, which are next, along with an LSD.
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Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
Originally Posted by rbc55
i was also interested in sway bars and lsd but haven't found anyone that makes the sway bars yet.do you have a source?
They have all of the equipment to bend the metal in all the right places and ways. just for the record, yes that means that the bars are heat bent and not done cold, which is a cheaper NO NO.
I started a thread earlier as a feeler for interest, and some responded. They will be the ones that will get the chance to get a great deal (along with me).
Remind me if I do not post on it in the next month or so, and i will try to post lots of pics. For now, I OWN everything, since the idea was mine AND I have paid to buy MB sway bars to use as templates. The more I invest in this, the less i will be willing to give to the tuner that I started out with. They were actually supposed to foot the bill and get the project rolling, but I ran out of patience and they haven't shown me enough good will (i.e FREE STUFF!!)
Either way, I will be sure to add some clause for MBWorld folks to get a slamming deal, even if I do sell the rights away.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Sugar Land, TX
BMW E39
Man Jangy, I absolutely love the look. Keep those stock rims. Your car looks really mean.
And lowest is too low for me. I would say have 1/2" gap between the wheel and the top of the wheel well.
And lowest is too low for me. I would say have 1/2" gap between the wheel and the top of the wheel well.
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
Originally Posted by norb
Can you post some pic of the whole car? The close ups are nice but I want to get a feel for how it looks over all. BTW, that is a sick car!
Administrator
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From: THE Orange County, California
2024 C8 Z06- 2025 BMW CS- 2022 Porsche 992 GTS
Originally Posted by jangy
I will pull it out of my skinny drive today to snap some good pics.
Actually your dirty rims look cool.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: South Florida
2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG S
I respectfully disagree
"One must also take into consideration that even for identical weights, a 19-inch rim will be 'slower' to accelerate/decelerate than the comparable 18-incher."
ChicagoX,
I agree if we are talking about an 18" vs 19" rim with the same size tires but if you go to a lower profile tire and keep the overall diameter exactly the same and the weight is the same then a 19" tire will not be slower to accelerate/decelerate then an 18" rim. They should be identical. I am sort of a scientist and I think I'm right.
ChicagoX,
I agree if we are talking about an 18" vs 19" rim with the same size tires but if you go to a lower profile tire and keep the overall diameter exactly the same and the weight is the same then a 19" tire will not be slower to accelerate/decelerate then an 18" rim. They should be identical. I am sort of a scientist and I think I'm right.
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
Originally Posted by france2112
"One must also take into consideration that even for identical weights, a 19-inch rim will be 'slower' to accelerate/decelerate than the comparable 18-incher."
ChicagoX,
I agree if we are talking about an 18" vs 19" rim with the same size tires but if you go to a lower profile tire and keep the overall diameter exactly the same and the weight is the same then a 19" tire will not be slower to accelerate/decelerate then an 18" rim. They should be identical. I am sort of a scientist and I think I'm right.
ChicagoX,
I agree if we are talking about an 18" vs 19" rim with the same size tires but if you go to a lower profile tire and keep the overall diameter exactly the same and the weight is the same then a 19" tire will not be slower to accelerate/decelerate then an 18" rim. They should be identical. I am sort of a scientist and I think I'm right.
What kind of scientist? Me too. LOL. I'm a biochemist, though.
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From: Scottsdale, Arizona
2020 S63 Coupe, 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha, 2018 McLaren 720S, 2022 Porsche 911 TurboS, 2022 Tesla Model X
jangy,
Your favorite height looks very close to my settings, using the same module on a CLS55. I have almost exactly two inches between the outer edge of the wheels' (reverse) lip and the highest portion of the fender, both in the front and back.
Getting to this point required 50mm in the front (i.e. max drop) and 40mm in the rear. With 50mm rear drop the car looked dumped, and too ghetto for my wife.
I like how you set up the module for quick adjustment. Very clever!
Your favorite height looks very close to my settings, using the same module on a CLS55. I have almost exactly two inches between the outer edge of the wheels' (reverse) lip and the highest portion of the fender, both in the front and back.
Getting to this point required 50mm in the front (i.e. max drop) and 40mm in the rear. With 50mm rear drop the car looked dumped, and too ghetto for my wife.
I like how you set up the module for quick adjustment. Very clever!
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 763
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From: South Florida
2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG S
Jangy,
I actually do understand (got a B in physics- a low B that is). Makes sense but I believe the diference is almost indistinguishable unless you are on a track and really going at it when comparing 18" vs 19". No big deal just what I think. Anyway, I'm an anesthesiologist (I pass gas for a living).
I actually do understand (got a B in physics- a low B that is). Makes sense but I believe the diference is almost indistinguishable unless you are on a track and really going at it when comparing 18" vs 19". No big deal just what I think. Anyway, I'm an anesthesiologist (I pass gas for a living).
Former Vendor of MBWorld
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From: In a box
W211 E55
Originally Posted by france2112
(I pass gas for a living).
Nice!
FWIW, going from a 17" wheel/tire combo to a 19" with identical rollouts (3 lb heavier per corner) cost .25 seconds in the quarter mile on a 3600lb sedan.
Not a life-changing amount, but 2 car lengths are 2 car lengths.
On the street, one would notice it the most on turn-in and during braking.
W
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
Originally Posted by france2112
Jangy,
I actually do understand (got a B in physics- a low B that is). Makes sense but I believe the diference is almost indistinguishable unless you are on a track and really going at it when comparing 18" vs 19". No big deal just what I think. Anyway, I'm an anesthesiologist (I pass gas for a living).
I actually do understand (got a B in physics- a low B that is). Makes sense but I believe the diference is almost indistinguishable unless you are on a track and really going at it when comparing 18" vs 19". No big deal just what I think. Anyway, I'm an anesthesiologist (I pass gas for a living).
Dude, you are no lowly scientist...you are a doctor!! Scientists (like me) make the tools, but you guys use em. WOW!
Just do me a favor and consider forged rims, other than that you have the blessing for the 19s. I'd even go so far as to say that a nice set of 19s WILL handle better than your OEM 18s.
