Vito Sport X Brabus - Lowering???

[Solar]

Hi.

I have a lovely black Vito Sport X Brabus.
Love everything about it... But there has been one thing that has bugged me since buying it... It rides so high and there is such a huge gap in the arches. I have decided that i really want to do something about it, so have found some 19" wheels that look great and will replace the 18" one's that are on it at the moment. But then my next step is to lower it. But my question is by how much...?
Eibach have a spring kit that drops it by 35mm and Tarox has one at a similar price which drops it by 40mm.

Has anyone out there had any experience of lowering their vito and if so, what would you recommend?

Thanks guys!

 

[gIzzE]

If you are dropping 35mm then you better put a suitable damper on as well.
The Vitos dampers have a fair bit of travel on them.

19" wheels will not fill the arch any more as the tyre circumference will be exactly the same.

 

[Solar]

If you are dropping 35mm then you better put a suitable damper on as well.
The Vitos dampers have a fair bit of travel on them.

19" wheels will not fill the arch any more as the tyre circumference will be exactly the same.

Good advice about the dampers - thanks! Any recommendation of brand i should look at?

Yes i know that by changing the size of the wheels it will not fill the arch more. I just decided to go slightly larger as the 18's look a little small in my opinion....

 

[Giantvanman]

Hope you have taken account of the weight rating of the new wheels……..

And will the lowered set up be able to handle the GVW of the van?

 

[Solar]

Hope you have taken account of the weight rating of the new wheels……..

And will the lowered set up be able to handle the GVW of the van?

Yes the weight rating of the new wheels is fine.

Good question about the lowered set up being able to handle the GVW of the van. It isn't really used for carrying heavy weights, but it would still be good to ensure that it can handle it if needed..... So maybe i should ask this question: Has anyone else out there lowered their Vito (2003 - present model) and if so, what setup did you use and why...?

 

[zenman63]

I have lowered 4 of my Vitos with no problems at all, dampers are fine.
It depends what you want, I have used Spax and on on my Viano I have eibach.
19" will look so much better and fit 245/45/19 tyres and it will be a stock Viano size.
I did run with 255/40/19 and again no problems at all.
What do you use the Vito for?

 

[zenman63]

This is my 120 with spax and 19" alloys.

 

[zenman63]

This is my 115 again with spax but with 18" alloys

 

[Solar]

I have lowered 4 of my Vitos with no problems at all, dampers are fine.
It depends what you want, I have used Spax and on on my Viano I have eibach.
19" will look so much better and fit 245/45/19 tyres and it will be a stock Viano size.
I did run with 255/40/19 and again no problems at all.
What do you use the Vito for?

Nice pic of your van! Looks good!

I think 19's will make a big difference. Since i bought it i've always thought that the 18's are just a bit too small....
I use the Vito like a car more than a van. We put some rear seats in it so occasionally carry passengers. Some times it is useful for transporting things, but it's very rare that she ever gets used for anything really heavy....

How much did the Spax lower your Vito in the pic by?

 

[zenman63]

This is my Viano with genuine 20" GL alloys and Eibach front springs.
Rear is air suspension and 50mm drop.

 

[zenman63]

There all much the same and we find if you measure up from the mercedes star in the wheel to the arch you have 400mm with stock short genuine Viano springs.
and 380mm give or take with spax and Eibach.
Have a look at what yours is now and come back with it.

 

[Solar]

There all much the same and we find if you measure up from the mercedes star in the wheel to the arch you have 400mm with stock short genuine Viano springs.
and 380mm give or take with spax and Eibach.
Have a look at what yours is now and come back with it.

Just went out armed with my measuring tape.....
The front is currently 400mm, just like you said. However, the rear is 440mm and rides higher.......

 

[zenman63]

Ok there you go it has short stock springs on the front.
So you will only see 20-30 mm max on the front.
The rear drops nice and if you go H&R just to add another then Olie at PCS on here will sell them to you, again a quality spring.

 

[Solar]

Ok there you go it has short stock springs on the front.
So you will only see 20-30 mm max on the front.
The rear drops nice and if you go H&R just to add another then Olie at PCS on here will sell them to you, again a quality spring.

Thanks for the help! I'll give Olie a call in the morning and see if he can help. They're only 45 mins from me so could work out really well.....

 

[Flying start]

Interesting I'll be keeping a eye on this topic. Let us know how you get on and what you end up going with..

 

[MB James]

Could we get an update? Did you lower it and has it improved the ride (rolling and/or absorb the bumps any better)? I'd be interested to know as I use my Viano for Chauffeuring and its not the comfiest for passengers.

 

[BTB 500]

Could we get an update?

Unlikely, looking at the OP's stats

Last Activity: 30-05-2014 03:41 PM

 

[parksie14]

Well after saying I would keep mine stock, after 4 months & 5500 miles I now know that I really do need the van lowered, today I've ordered a 40mm Spax lowering kit, will report back when fitted.I wanted to order the H&R springs from a forum member but to my shock for whatever reason you need over 100 posts to qualify for a mighty 10% discount WTF.

Surely a sale is a sale, & at my present rate of posting I'd say 3 yrs down the line I may well qualify

 

[MB James]

Thanks Parksie14. Interested to hear the results.

 

[C36fan]

I use 18"and stock springs and shocks and is absolutely fine!