OK guys, sorry for the delay, but i finally took some pics.....

First, are the pics of the module itself:

 

Now some with the car.....note they are in no particular order, so you will see all types of ride heights....

The face up one shows the passenger side raised and the driver side dumped

 

more

 

yet more

 

even more

 

almost done

 

So many pics.... so many different heights... which one are you going to keep? I vote for the ones where it is dumped.

Interesting location for the RT module. I like the accesibility of the RT unit. The Kleemann unit mounts to the back of the OEM suspension computer.

 

I usually keep it about 3/4 dumped with just a slight rake. Then, I just use the airmatic settings to adjust for potholes, etc.

the access is key. I love being able to just reach accross and do what i want instead of taking that panel off.

We will most likely be moving the module into the arm rest (under the cup holders), we'll see.

 

Nice drop...

I would make lights a but darker and you need to get 19 or 20 inch wheels, to complete everything...

 

the 19 or 20" will NEVER happen. I will be getting some lighter 18s at some point. Handling is WAAAY too important to me, so larger rims are an absolute NO-NO.

the lights show brighter in these pics, due to flash reflection. Much darker and I'd get pulled, so well see if I do it.

I still need more grunt under the hood to really be complete.

Sway bars are on the way!!!!!

 

dammmmmmmmn.... i vote for the lowest setting too.

 

Jangy, that is the **** man, freakin AWESOME!

 

Jangy,

Looks good bro!

Lowest setting is what I prefer too. Your Rims looked stock w/not much color change at all...

 

As Nate Dogg would say "dump dump dump"

 

Yeah, the rims didn't come out at all the way I wanted, but the cost was low and i needed to refinish 2 anyway. The color is growing on me a bit, so we'll see. They should hold me off until i get new rims.

 

Looks fantastic. How does she ride now? Do you loose any ride comfort when lowered?

 

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.

 

Jangy, real nice. I would have to pick the lowest drop!

 

"The 19 or 20" will NEVER happen. I will be getting some lighter 18s at some point. Handling is WAAAY too important to me, so larger rims are an absolute NO-NO."


Jangy,
Please explain why 19" or 20" will affect the handling in a negative way. I was under the impression that a larger wider rims with wider tire would improve handling. I have an SL600 with 18" 8.5" / 9.5"wheels and I am hoping to get 19" 8.5" / 10" for better handling. Am I making a mistake? Please let me know your thoughts.

france2112

 

Jangy,

Do you want my BLACK rims? Put them on and see how you like them. I am on a quest for new RIMS.

 

Agree. Also, it appears that I have to press harder on the brakes to stop! Or may be I am driving much faster now since the car is lowered and handle better. Riding in Sport II you can definitely feel the road much more than before!

 

jangy, sick lookin ride and I love the drop! give us more profile shots though. too bad the weather has been sh*tty all day!

 

Here is the deal with handling.

Larger diameter rims will weigh more since they are , well larger. Wider rims will also weigh more. All of this assumes you are just looking at size. I am sure that plenty of 19 rims weigh less than the 18" ones I have, but that is a fallacy to follow, since I can get 18" rims that are even lighter. Ultimately, the smaller the rim, the less the weight.

Next is overall diameter. Typically, most people end up going a 1 plus or even 2 plus. the point being, that the overall diameter of the tire that you put on there will change the handling AND the gearing. Obviously, smaller diameter will give you lower center of mass, inertia, AND "quicker" gearing. As a general rule of thumb, smaller diameters give you quicker turn in and throttle response, while larger diameters give you straightline stability and top end.

Now, the reality. Obviously, wider rims can provide more tire to the ground, so they can somewhat offset the added weight. That is why I will go wider. My plan is 9.5 in front and 10.5 in rear.
Tire selection is also critical. Wider tires are great, since they give more patch. But, profile is also almost as important. A very low profile tire will e "stiffer" and act as less of a damper on transitions (i.e. bumps).So, conceptually, the smallest diameter rim running the lowest profile tire will handle the best.

Things to consider when going to an extreme (like me).

The rim need to be big enough to clear the braking system. I was planning to get 15" discs all around, but it would pretty much force me to move up to 19" rims, so I am sticking with the stock size for now.
Looks. A car with tiny rims and almost no tire profile will look funny, even if it does handle as if on rails.

Hope that helps. Let me know if it makes sense. The wider idea is good. I just disagree with the taller. I don't think i have ever heard of anyone claim that bigger diameter rims are better for handling, but maybe somebody will step up here and say it.

 

Dude, your rims are the stock sizes. I've moved on.

275/35s on 18X9s for the front
295/30s on 18X9.5 for the rear

I can't go back to 245 and 265s.....

 

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