Lowering a CL500.....Best way / options

[magpie]

I want to lower my w215 CL500 however after doing a search on here it appears there is more than one way to do it. So the question is which is the best way and is there anyone on here who can supply the relevant parts / labour?

Cheers

 

[BlackC55]

Lowering module is the only way IMO.

 

[magpie]

How much is one of those compared to using the Star system or adjustable links?
Cheers

 

[Mactech]

How much is one of those compared to using the Star system or adjustable links?
Cheers

All three methods alter the ride height perceived by the Airmatic control unit.
The star system has a limited range as you can only set a baseline height within certain limits and is normally used to ‘balance’ the four corner heights. You do need to find someone that is totally conversant with the system and willing to set the heights up accurately.

Lowering modules have to be wired into the electrical system and I have yet to see a ‘plug and play’ one. They have the advantage of still allowing all the settings to be dialled up in the car and some allow even stiffer settings than the Airmatic sport. Retail at around £1k and will require specialist fitting if you aren’t an auto electrician.

Adjustable links do the same job mechanically. The Airmatic settings are all still available but you have put an ‘offset’ into the height range of your choice. These typically cost about £250 and can be fitted (and removed!) by anyone with a little mechanical knowledge in about half and hour.

If the car is lowered by a sensible amount there should be no issues with ride comfort, geometry or tyre wear. The more extreme you go the more likely you are to run into these problems.
I like ‘lowth’, I don’t do ‘slammed’

 

[alanuk400]

LOWERING LINKS ? - MBWorld.org Forums
Using washers to drop the car. - MBWorld.org Forums

Alan

 

[Mactech]

LOWERING LINKS ? - MBWorld.org Forums
Using washers to drop the car. - MBWorld.org Forums

Alan

Thanks for that. I hadn't read all that stuff from over the pond, but they do seem to have drawn similar conclusions to those I had drawn quite independetly.
The washer method is something I hadn't come across before, but if you have a car on which the sensor or sensor link brackets bolt on, then I could see that it could work.
All the cars I have worked on have the brackets as part of the suspenion arm or the sensor mounts in the wrong oriantation to make it feasable. But I couldn't fault it for value!

 

[alanuk400]

I would have been a bit wary of using the washers, but it seems that some have had them fitted for a couple of years with no problems.

Lowering a S-Class wouldn't be my cup of tea, but a CL might not look too bad.

Alan

 

[cl55 amg]

Would using STAR not be the easiest method? and would a indi garage be able to offer that service?

 

[Mactech]

Would using STAR not be the easiest method? and would a indi garage be able to offer that service?

Only if you find the right operator prepared and skilled enough to do it. Of the two that I tried one didn't want to do it and the other said it would take too long to get it to my satisfaction!
In theory it is the easiest method, but you may have to do some homework.

 

[Silver CL55]

Please keep me in the loop about this....i might be interested also.
Would any of these methods harm a teir 1 MB warranty?
Colin.

 

[Silver CL55]

Carlsson C215 C216 CL500 CL55 Suspension Lowering Kit on eBay (end time 29-Jul-09 22:01:16 BST)

 

[magpie]

Getting these fitted on Saturday, will update with pictures etc once done!

mercedes cl adjustable air suspension lowering links on eBay (end time 21-Aug-09 13:03:24 BST)

 

[spanner]

£150 for a few ball ends and a bit of bent stud? I'm in the wrong game!