Lowered the SL - thanks to Alx

[RattlerRattler]

Picked up a lowering module for the SL55 from Alx and he was kind enough to fit it too. - Many thanks to Alex for his care and attention in fitting the module, he'd already fitted these to his ML and CL so had great experience.

I'd looked at using Star to lower the SL, but Olly at PCS found this wasn't possible due to the later software version I'm running. So an adjustable Wilhelm lowering module was the way to go and Alex was the man to sort it whilst I drank his coffee !!! So many thanks again to Alex it was great to meet you and check out your superb CL.

It's fully adjustable, but the base setting lowers her by 20mm or so, which feels about right and I still have the standard 3 modes (this just makes the lowest setting lower) so can raise her up quickly should I need to.

Looks like I'm heading for some new wheels to maximise the lower look - it's a slippery slope for sure
Tim

 

[Jim G]

Very nice

 

[ChrisA]

Nice ride Tim, looking good

 

[Alex]

Tim,

it was great to meet you too and thanks for your patience! We had everything triple checked but the result was good - the module worked straight away after fitting.

Stunning SL55 and a pleasure to work on. Seeing it next to CL made me appreciate how much sportier it looked and better sounded than mine!

PS: Special thanks to Olly for advising where ABC module in SL is.

 

[dubsR33]

looks great mate, sorry if stupid question but is your suspension ride height done electronically then?

 

[RattlerRattler]

Well Alex you've got me thinking about forged, flow-forged, non-forged and god knows what other wheels now. I think my search engine now needs a service

BBS may be the answer though.

Will need to check the offset of my other wheels before spending on getting them refurbed though.

I think I may lower the rear a little more, I like the front as it is though. Strange how in some pics the rear looks a little high and in others not so.

In this pic it looks fine. Hmmmmmmmmm......

Thanks again
Tim

 

[RattlerRattler]

looks great mate, sorry if stupid question but is your suspension ride height done electronically then?

Yes, there are a number of selectable settings with the ABC suspension, the new module allows you to adjust further than these and in my case set a lower base setting.

Full description here from Wikipedia;

Active Body Control, or ABC, is the Mercedes-Benz brand name used to describe fully active suspension, that allows control of the vehicle body motions and therefore virtually eliminates body roll in many driving situations including cornering, accelerating, and braking.
In the ABC system, a computer detects body movement from sensors located throughout the vehicle, and controls the action of the active suspension with the use of hydraulic servomechanisms. The hydraulic pressure to the servos is supplied by a high pressure radial piston hydraulic pump. A total of 13 sensors continually monitor body movement and vehicle level and supply the ABC controller with new data every ten milliseconds. Four level sensors, one at each wheel measure the ride level of the vehicle, three accelerometers measure the vertical body acceleration, one acceleration sensor measures the longitudinal and one sensor the transverse body acceleration. At each hydraulic cylinder, a pressure sensor monitors the hydraulic pressure. As the ABC controller receives and processes data, it operates four hydraulic servos, each mounted in series on a spring strut, beside each wheel. Almost instantaneously, the servo regulated suspension generates counter forces to body lean, dive and squat during various driving maneuvers. A suspension strut, consisting of a steel coil spring and a shock absorber are connected in parallel, as well as a hydraulically controlled adjusting cylinder, are located between the vehicle body and wheel. These components adjust the cylinder in the direction of the suspension strut, and change the suspension length. This creates a force which acts on the suspension and dampening of the vehicle in the frequency range up to five hertz.
The system also incorporates height adjustable suspension, which in this case lowers the vehicle up to 11 mm (0.43 in) between the speeds of 60–160 km/h (37–99 mph) for better aerodynamics, fuel consumption, and handling.
The ABC system also allows self-levelling suspension, which raises or lowers the vehicle in response to changing load (i.e. the loading or unloading of passengers or cargo). Each vehicle equipped with ABC has an “ABC Sport” button that allows the driver to adjust the suspension range for different driving style preferences. This feature allows the driver to adjust the suspension to maintain a more level ride in more demanding driving conditions. The first complete and ready-for-production version of ABC was introduced in 1999 on the top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, the Mercedes-Benz C112 of 1991 however already featured a prototype version of ABC.

 

[JRH30]

Looks great Tim. Having mine done at Ollie's on 25th as since I fitted the 19" wheels it has really emphasised the gap.

 

[RattlerRattler]

Looks great Tim. Having mine done at Ollie's on 25th as since I fitted the 19" wheels it has really emphasised the gap.

One thing I hadn't really appreciated was that lowering the suspension has the effect of pulling the tops of the wheels in - (negative camber?) which effectively allows more clearance for wider wheels, but makes the original wheels appear narrower. Not massively, but noticeably.

Hence, by lowering, you can now have wider (or less offset) wheels which would have fouled before.

 

[Chalpkin]

One thing I hadn't really appreciated was that lowering the suspension has the effect of pulling the tops of the wheels in - (negative camber?) which effectively allows more clearance for wider wheels, but makes the original wheels appear narrower. Not massively, but noticeably.

Hence, by lowering, you can now have wider (or less offset) wheels which would have fouled before.

Watch out for inner edge tyre wear!