W212 air suspension lowering via dealer

[The Boss]

So my 212 is due its second service next week.

i have raised the questions with them about lowering it slightly via star as it looks like it is on stilts.. they have said they will look into it, but they would need to stick within tolerances...

does anyone know what the tolerance thresholds would be when car is raised and lowered.. so i can ask for the minimum settings.. or what the minimum -minus settings one could apply

Do you think the suspension lowering needs to be done by an indy and defo not a dealer

Thanks in advance

 

[sinewave]

Whoever lowers it you definitely need to get it '4 wheel aligned' on a Hunter Laser Rig.

Don't let your MB dealer 'av a go' (unless they are subbing it out at cost) because they aint tooled up for the job.

Welcome to Align My Car

 

[bpsorrel]

For alignment I could only recommend WIM, thay are superb!

 

[SavMan]

You could always get a lowering kit from either Renntech, Kleemann or Carlsson then you won't need to get any alignment. You can also change it whenever you feel like it.

 

[The Boss]

You could always get a lowering kit from either Renntech, Kleemann or Carlsson then you won't need to get any alignment. You can also change it whenever you feel like it.

but that wil be expensive.. £1k+ ??

 

[BlackC55]

The Renntech kit is excellent.

Have a look on their website and if you want one I can price it up for you.

 

[Dieselman]

Don't let your MB dealer 'av a go' (unless they are subbing it out at cost) because they aint tooled up for the job.

Dealers may not be experienced, but do have the kit, or at least should have.

 

[mercedescl500]

You could always get a lowering kit from either Renntech, Kleemann or Carlsson then you won't need to get any alignment. You can also change it whenever you feel like it.

How would a renntech, kleemann etc modules not require re-aligning as opposed to SDS doing it ? Modules cannot correct alignment any better than another way such as links or sensor repositioning etc. Cars like w215(CL) can't have front camber adjustment unless u buy a camber kit. Maybe I'm wrong but lower is lower and if you can raise the car from inside via a button then u can't have fully correct alignment at the different ride heights. HTH

 

[developer]

Mine was lowered via STAR , by ACID at MSL, and 4 wheel aligned at a later date after I hit a large pothole.

So far, tyre wear has been normal.

 

[SavMan]

The kits I mentioned are not cheap I agree and may well be overkill for many people for me it was great value.

When I am at the drag strip rear is up +10 and nose down -10mm, return to stock level is deactivated.

For runway runs its kept -19mm lower, return to stock level is deactivated.

For shows and events it drops -40mm for full on in your face

For normal driving -16mm, return to stock above 25 mph

If I have family and in particular my mum then stock level all the way

Best of all I can change it all from my phone whenever I want.

 

[Dieselman]

What mercedescl500 is saying is that if the car is lowered, by whatever means, that will throw the alignment out as the geometry components are fixed, not active.

 

[SavMan]

The Renntech kit allows you to set each axle at 1mm increments in addition it can be programmed to return the car to stock ride height levels at any speed. If for instance you set it at 20 mph at all speeds below that you will be lowered and above you will be at stock. I have driven 15k on it with my alignment set for stock levels without any adverse wear.

 

[SavMan]

Maybe I'm wrong but lower is lower

But it's not static so it's only lower at the speeds you programme it for. Obviously if you decide to have the lower settings at all speeds then you will need alignment.

Interestingly I had the airmatic system checked while getting the car aligned last year to see if it would settle correctly after each raise.
If you set the alignment and then raise and lower the car it does not settle at the same place as last time, its not out by a lot but not the same each and every time!

 

[sinewave]

Dealers may not be experienced, but do have the kit, or at least should have.

I doubt it DM, there won't be many Main Dealers who'd be willing to invest the capital outlay of a Laser 4 wheel alignment machine.

It tends to be the specialists or aftermarket tuning firms which offer suspension upgrades that invest in these expensive bits O kit.

Demon Tweeks for example.

In the main a basic 'smoke-un-mirrors' trackin' check is all most dealers and Tyre fitters offer.

 

[Alps]

I would go the module route, totally reversable when it comes to selling, or even links star lowering takes a few attemps to get right,

 

[bolide]

£1000 to lower a car because "it looks like it is on stilts" sounds like great value for money to me*

Then you can say your car has been "stanced"*

Nick Froome



* There may be elements of sarcasm in this post

 

[Dieselman]

I doubt it DM, there won't be many Main Dealers who'd be willing to invest the capital outlay of a Laser 4 wheel alignment machine.

It tends to be the specialists or aftermarket tuning firms which offer suspension upgrades that invest in these expensive bits O kit.

So not a local tyre centre that has two new devices, or the local MB dealer that has one?

I suppose there is decent and there is Cowboyz.

 

[BlackC55]

All Mercedes dealers have a laser alignment machine made by a company called Beisbath. They have to have one to get the franchise! All techs are trained to use them too.

 

[sinewave]

All Mercedes dealers have a laser alignment machine made by a company called Beisbath. They have to have one to get the franchise! All techs are trained to use them too.

If that's the case then why does there seem to be so many threads on here and elsewhere where MB dealers have said there is no problem with certain mercs alignment despite excessive front tyre wear and said customers have had to seek out peeps like WIM etc to sort it?

 

[V12]

One bad tech can spoil the reputation of 20 good ones.
They work to a spec set by the manufacturer. As I understand it, WIM work to resolve any issues specific to vehicle/user/road conditions.