Brabus Lowering Springs

Gayle280 · 08-24-2007

Dan: My local Mercedes Benz dealer can supply Brabus Springs and install them on my 06 SLK280. According to Brabus they lower equally front and back about 30mm (almost 1" 3/16"). I notice the stock front tire tire to outside fender gap is less than the rear,approx.1"1/4 versus 1" 3/4. I have a couple of questions:
1. I have the stock 205X55X16 tires on the front,but plan to upgrade to likely 225X45X17s. Will there be interference on the front? (Brabus says no by the way)
2. Will the ride be similar to the stock OEM sport suspension?
The dealer and Brabus seem to agree I don't need to change shocks,although Brabus does offer a shock upgrade.

I value your opinion and any others who may have done this mod.

**etyu** · 08-24-2007

I've read somewhere that the Brabus springs has a ride very similar to OEM.

**DansSlk** · 08-24-2007

Hey you wont have any problems with that set up at all, hopefully Ynot will post up be has them on his 350.

Clearance will be good and the ride will not be much different to OEM Sport.

I've fitted these before by the way and don't bother with the dampers not worth it.

Baron7700 · 08-24-2007

brabus = oem ride.

H&R = lil lower, lil more stiff ride.

Ynot · 08-25-2007

Brabus will lower it approx. an inch.

1. No rubbing/interference in the front, will make it look 100X's better, 17" will have an aggressive stance, barely any wheel gap, ideal IMHO. My 19"s raise it an inch, back to OEM height w/o the fugly fender gap. It'll look like this, sorry for the dark and bad pics, cheap digital camera.

2. Very very similar, you will not notice the difference. Springs are good enough, if it wears the shocks in a few years, get the whole coilover system, that's what I'm planning to do.

You will love the new look and feel.

Baron7700 · 08-25-2007

your windsheild looks like its tinted in that picture!!!

i was considering lowering the car with 18's.

Ynot · 08-25-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baron7700

your windsheild looks like its tinted in that picture!!!

i was considering lowering the car with 18's.

No it's not, I wouldn't do that, my side windows are hard to see when it's dark out at 15% tint. The last pic looks like it's tinted, must be the angle that the pic was taken.

Gayle280 · 08-25-2007

Thanks Dan and everyone! Never hurts to check with those with direct experience. I do have one more quesstion; will I need to have realingment done? and I think I read somewhere that the camber may not be able to meet factory spec with the lowered setup? That seems odd when I think about it since I imagine the OEM sport package is much the same drop?

Ynot · 08-25-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle280

Thanks Dan and everyone! Never hurts to check with those with direct experience. I do have one more quesstion; will I need to have realingment done? and I think I read somewhere that the camber may not be able to meet factory spec with the lowered setup? That seems odd when I think about it since I imagine the OEM sport package is much the same drop?

Get an alignment a week or two later, let the springs settle first, I got one, there isn't much to adjust and the mechanic charged me only $40.

MarkR171 · 08-26-2007

I have the Eibach lowering springs on my car (same amount of lowering as Brabus, maybe same springs as I hear Eibach makes the Brabus springs)

Here are some pics with the stock 16" wheels. It looks great but I do have a set of 18s coming 9/4/07. The ride quality is pretty much identical but I do hear the suspension over slow bumps.

...and when I finally got my plates in

**DansSlk** · 08-26-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle280

Thanks Dan and everyone! Never hurts to check with those with direct experience. I do have one more quesstion; will I need to have realingment done? and I think I read somewhere that the camber may not be able to meet factory spec with the lowered setup? That seems odd when I think about it since I imagine the OEM sport package is much the same drop?

I agree with Ynot, its not so much about the end result i.e the lower stance that causes it but you have to dismantle stuff to get the springs out and that can have an effect on the alignment.

Gayle280 · 08-26-2007

Thanks everyone for the help, and the Pics Ynot! The Pic's of your 280 look great Mark! Sure makes a difference to the look. Gives me the a real idea what a 280 looks like. Curious though what you mean by hearing the suspension over slow bumps, Creaking? Squeaking?
How about those darned parking kerbs if you mistakingly ride over the front of them with the lowered setup, wonder if you end up hitting the underside of the front bumper?

Ynot · 08-26-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle280

Thanks everyone for the help, and the Pics Ynot! The Pic's of your 280 look great Mark! Sure makes a difference to the look. Gives me the a real idea what a 280 looks like. Curious though what you mean by hearing the suspension over slow bumps, Creaking? Squeaking?
How about those darned parking kerbs if you mistakingly ride over the front of them with the lowered setup, wonder if you end up hitting the underside of the front bumper?

No noise, creaking or squeaking of any kind but sometimes when I do go over a bump and or dip at speed, my front bumper scrape the ground. Just did it for the first time last week.

MarkR171 · 08-26-2007

Very slight suspension movement sound when going over a speed bump when it's absolutely quiet. Otherwise, you won't ever notice it. Maybe it will go away when the gap is increased again when my 18" wheels and tires go on.

I scraped my bumper for the first time today, coming out of a parking garage with a VERY VERY steap exit. There was no avoiding it and unfortunately it's very noticable if you're about 10 feet in front of the car looking straight at it.

Made me think about the brabus or piecha front lips to cover it up instead of paying for repainting.

Baron7700 · 08-27-2007

Mark you relize that the eibach springs ARE the brabus springs? We just cant them in the continental 48 states, obviously you can tho! Hmmm... im sure they are cheaper then brabus, maybe you could hook us mainland people up with the prices and an idea on shipping!

Baron7700 · 08-27-2007

Mark do you have a body kit on your car? It doesnt look stock, and its def not amg, i say this cuz your front is slightly diff, your sides are to low (sides springs) and your rear looks alot diff to me. Am I wrong?

MarkR171 · 08-27-2007

No kit.

No sports package, not an AMG. Just the base body work.

Gayle280 · 08-27-2007

Bumper damage,yes I worry about that. I've been checking some of the parking kerbs in my area,they range from 5" to almost 6" high in some cases. My present stock lower bumper height(W/O) Driver from the ground is approx 5 3\4. Brabus Lowering 1"+ looks like when parking cant ever hit one of those,or else!!!! and then there is service at the dealers lot to worry about.......the mod pics sure look good though!

MarkR171 · 08-27-2007

I washed the car this morning, luckily I didn't scrape as hard as I thought! The white marks wiped off (it was just the cement rubbed onto the car) not the exposed plastic under the paint. There are tiny scratch marks but nothing you can notice at standing eye level a few feet away from the car.... but I now have to find another excuse to pick up a Piecha lip

**DansSlk** · 08-27-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle280

Bumper damage,yes I worry about that. I've been checking some of the parking kerbs in my area,they range from 5" to almost 6" high in some cases. My present stock lower bumper height(W/O) Driver from the ground is approx 5 34. Brabus Lowering 1"+ looks like when parking cant ever hit one of those,or else!!!! and then there is service at the dealers lot to worry about.......the mod pics sure look good though!

Service at the dealers lot? You mean being driven by dopey techs?

08-24-2007	#1 (permalink)
Gayle280 Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Henderson Nevada Vehicle: 2006 SLK280 Pewter,heating package,comfort package,satellite radio Posts: 133 Country: Thanks: 20 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Brabus Lowering Springs Dan: My local Mercedes Benz dealer can supply Brabus Springs and install them on my 06 SLK280. According to Brabus they lower equally front and back about 30mm (almost 1" 3/16"). I notice the stock front tire tire to outside fender gap is less than the rear,approx.1"1/4 versus 1" 3/4. I have a couple of questions: 1. I have the stock 205X55X16 tires on the front,but plan to upgrade to likely 225X45X17s. Will there be interference on the front? (Brabus says no by the way) 2. Will the ride be similar to the stock OEM sport suspension? The dealer and Brabus seem to agree I don't need to change shocks,although Brabus does offer a shock upgrade. I value your opinion and any others who may have done this mod.

08-24-2007	#2 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,309 Country: Thanks: 385 Thanked 283 Times in 174 Posts	I've read somewhere that the Brabus springs has a ride very similar to OEM. __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

08-24-2007	#3 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,801 Country: Thanks: 99 Thanked 236 Times in 180 Posts	Hey you wont have any problems with that set up at all, hopefully Ynot will post up be has them on his 350. Clearance will be good and the ride will not be much different to OEM Sport. I've fitted these before by the way and don't bother with the dampers not worth it. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

08-24-2007	#4 (permalink)
Baron7700 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennyslvania Vehicle: 2006 Slk 350 Other Toys: Lots of ATV's Posts: 1,601 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	brabus = oem ride. H&R = lil lower, lil more stiff ride.

08-25-2007	#5 (permalink)
Ynot Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Colorado Vehicle: 06' MBZ SLK Posts: 2,795 Country: Thanks: 135 Thanked 35 Times in 30 Posts	Brabus will lower it approx. an inch. 1. No rubbing/interference in the front, will make it look 100X's better, 17" will have an aggressive stance, barely any wheel gap, ideal IMHO. My 19"s raise it an inch, back to OEM height w/o the fugly fender gap. It'll look like this, sorry for the dark and bad pics, cheap digital camera. 2. Very very similar, you will not notice the difference. Springs are good enough, if it wears the shocks in a few years, get the whole coilover system, that's what I'm planning to do. You will love the new look and feel.

08-25-2007	#6 (permalink)
Baron7700 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennyslvania Vehicle: 2006 Slk 350 Other Toys: Lots of ATV's Posts: 1,601 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	your windsheild looks like its tinted in that picture!!! i was considering lowering the car with 18's.

08-25-2007	#8 (permalink)
Gayle280 Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Henderson Nevada Vehicle: 2006 SLK280 Pewter,heating package,comfort package,satellite radio Posts: 133 Country: Thanks: 20 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks Dan and everyone! Never hurts to check with those with direct experience. I do have one more quesstion; will I need to have realingment done? and I think I read somewhere that the camber may not be able to meet factory spec with the lowered setup? That seems odd when I think about it since I imagine the OEM sport package is much the same drop?

08-26-2007	#10 (permalink)
MarkR171 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Vehicle: '07 SLK280 Posts: 210 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have the Eibach lowering springs on my car (same amount of lowering as Brabus, maybe same springs as I hear Eibach makes the Brabus springs) Here are some pics with the stock 16" wheels. It looks great but I do have a set of 18s coming 9/4/07. The ride quality is pretty much identical but I do hear the suspension over slow bumps. ...and when I finally got my plates in

08-26-2007	#12 (permalink)
Gayle280 Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Henderson Nevada Vehicle: 2006 SLK280 Pewter,heating package,comfort package,satellite radio Posts: 133 Country: Thanks: 20 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks everyone for the help, and the Pics Ynot! The Pic's of your 280 look great Mark! Sure makes a difference to the look. Gives me the a real idea what a 280 looks like. Curious though what you mean by hearing the suspension over slow bumps, Creaking? Squeaking? How about those darned parking kerbs if you mistakingly ride over the front of them with the lowered setup, wonder if you end up hitting the underside of the front bumper?

08-26-2007	#14 (permalink)
MarkR171 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Vehicle: '07 SLK280 Posts: 210 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Very slight suspension movement sound when going over a speed bump when it's absolutely quiet. Otherwise, you won't ever notice it. Maybe it will go away when the gap is increased again when my 18" wheels and tires go on. I scraped my bumper for the first time today, coming out of a parking garage with a VERY VERY steap exit. There was no avoiding it and unfortunately it's very noticable if you're about 10 feet in front of the car looking straight at it. Made me think about the brabus or piecha front lips to cover it up instead of paying for repainting.

08-27-2007	#15 (permalink)
Baron7700 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennyslvania Vehicle: 2006 Slk 350 Other Toys: Lots of ATV's Posts: 1,601 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Mark you relize that the eibach springs ARE the brabus springs? We just cant them in the continental 48 states, obviously you can tho! Hmmm... im sure they are cheaper then brabus, maybe you could hook us mainland people up with the prices and an idea on shipping!

08-27-2007	#16 (permalink)
Baron7700 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennyslvania Vehicle: 2006 Slk 350 Other Toys: Lots of ATV's Posts: 1,601 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Mark do you have a body kit on your car? It doesnt look stock, and its def not amg, i say this cuz your front is slightly diff, your sides are to low (sides springs) and your rear looks alot diff to me. Am I wrong?

08-27-2007	#17 (permalink)
MarkR171 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Vehicle: '07 SLK280 Posts: 210 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	No kit. No sports package, not an AMG. Just the base body work.

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08-27-2007	#18 (permalink)
Gayle280 Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Henderson Nevada Vehicle: 2006 SLK280 Pewter,heating package,comfort package,satellite radio Posts: 133 Country: Thanks: 20 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Bumper damage,yes I worry about that. I've been checking some of the parking kerbs in my area,they range from 5" to almost 6" high in some cases. My present stock lower bumper height(W/O) Driver from the ground is approx 5 3\4. Brabus Lowering 1"+ looks like when parking cant ever hit one of those,or else!!!! and then there is service at the dealers lot to worry about.......the mod pics sure look good though!

08-27-2007	#19 (permalink)
MarkR171 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Vehicle: '07 SLK280 Posts: 210 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I washed the car this morning, luckily I didn't scrape as hard as I thought! The white marks wiped off (it was just the cement rubbed onto the car) not the exposed plastic under the paint. There are tiny scratch marks but nothing you can notice at standing eye level a few feet away from the car.... but I now have to find another excuse to pick up a Piecha lip

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