MJ50

interesting thread... subscribed...

infantry

I'm trying to figure out the auto level headlight thing too. Anyone found out how to on STAR?

Thinking about going to some nice coils

GT-ER

What happens if I don't do anything with STAR? Do I just get an error message and my headlights won't move up and down? Do the headlights at least stay up? Locating some one with star is my biggest issue...the dealer won't touch me car with coilovers.

Faast

You already have coilovers in yours

Forrest Gump 9

Do E320/E350 have auto level headlight? It's not rocket science, Just reverse engineer from another car. Worse case scenario, use the ebay headlights.

GT-ER

Not yet, I'm waiting to find out a way to deactivate the airmatic without going to the dealer.

Zmydust

Bingo!

KLR CLS

How did I miss this thread? KW Coils FTW! Anybody in the US try this?

justinwrock

Awesome!


A friend and I are going to convert his E55 in the next month to coilovers.


We have an SDS, so lets see what happens!

infantry

Goodluck man, keep us posted!

e500slr

Any updates?

novae500

i spoke to a team lead tech at the last tuning session here. He said if your airmatic goes, you can do the coilovers that are on the e350. Just will have code issues until it gets troubleshooted.

emoving

I cant wait till someone does this here in the states so we have actual proof it can be done.

e500slr

So it can be done but it's only a coding issue not a mechanical one. STAR should take care of that, what about the handling improvements? How much weight will the KW Coilovers save? I'd imagine with the pump and all four corners it's alot. To be honest I'd rather sacrifice a little comfort for better handling, less weight and less Airmatic troubles.

GT-ER

Trust me, I'm dying to do this. I've been trying to get my Star to work so that I can begin this project but I've been having issues with it so I have yet to even purchase the suspension components. Hopefully I'll get everything sorted out soon enough.

chiromikey

if star is the only thing holding you up, you can borrow mine!

KLR CLS

This is totally the next thing I need to sort out after the differential. My SDS is on the way thanks to shardul.

OK55

Not entirely convinced the coilover is lighter but the reliability (hopefully!) should be better. Would also be nice to drive without feeling one pothole away from suspension collapse...
Brgds

e500slr

How can it not be lighter, in fact I'm expecting a MASSIVE reduction. The pump, the four corners and the rest of the stuff weigh ALOT. It's a much more complex system. I know they'll be lighter, the question is by how much.

e500slr

Besides I'm kind of wondering why this car is so heavy, I mean one guy here said the panels were aluminum so they weighed not much, everything else also seems to be "normal" something has got to be weighing it down.

GT-ER

The ENTIRE airmatic system adds crazy amounts of weight. I doubt it can ALL be eliminated by going with coilovers but the amount being removed by just removing the pumps and swapping the shocks/coils should be considerable. Remember, the air bellows aren't just rubber balloons...they have hardware inside of them along with the electronic shocks. Coilovers are pretty light in comparison.

emoving

The coilovers HAVE to be lighter!

e500slr

Yes they are but the question is how much. To think they're heavier is frankly delusional. I hope the Airmatics weigh a ton each lol so the coilover shave an amazing amount of weight for little price. Remember you could still sell the Airmatic pump and "shocks" to make up the money for the coil-overs so it's not exactly the most costly mod but offer so much advantages. Comfort is overrated anyway ;P. Suspension is considered unsprung weight right? Or is it in between like neither?

OK55

Would be absolutely delighted if the coilover conversion were to end up lighter than our airmatics. I've not said the coilover NECESSARILY must be heavier. Everything will depend on the efficiency of the particular coilover design - configuration, materials etc. It could be heavier, it could be roughly the same or it could indeed be lighter. I really couldn't say which without a detailed look at the coilover design in question. Does anyone have the full details yet? Any attendant changes re linkages et al?
Brgds

GT-ER

simplicity ( lack of parts ) is what will make it lighter. I've worked a lot with coilovers and they tend to be pretty light as it is.