Ml 250 lowering of suspension

[Kevin blowes]

I’ve recently bought a 2013 Ml 250 and would like to lower the suspension. Would a set of lowering links do the job or would I have to replace the springs with shorter ones. Thanks

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome

You’ve bought an SUV and wish to lower it... wouldn’t a E-Class 4 matric have been a better place to start? Already low (compared to an ML)

 

[LostKiwi]

With air you have s spring that is sized to allow a full range of movement at its normal operating pressure for normal driving conditions.
By fitting lowering links you're reducing the available movement upwards from rest and extending the available movement downwards i.e. moving the rest position of the suspension away from the design.
With air this is accomplished by reducing pressure thus making a softer spring when what you need is a stiffer spring to prevent the suspension bottoming through less available movement.
By lowering you'll also mess up camber and alignment (particularly at the rear).

As above, you bought a 2 ton SUV. It's never going to look or behave like a track car and lowering it will make it like a soggy marshmallow on smooth roads and harsh and uncomfortable on rough ones.

 

[Kevin blowes]

Hello and welcome

You’ve bought an SUV and wish to lower it... wouldn’t a E-Class 4 matric have been a better place to start? Already low (compared to an ML)

No.

 

[Kevin blowes]

So is that a yes or no to my question?

 

[Kevin blowes]

With air you have s spring that is sized to allow a full range of movement at its normal operating pressure for normal driving conditions.
By fitting lowering links you're reducing the available movement upwards from rest and extending the available movement downwards i.e. moving the rest position of the suspension away from the design.
With air this is accomplished by reducing pressure thus making a softer spring when what you need is a stiffer spring to prevent the suspension bottoming through less available movement.
By lowering you'll also mess up camber and alignment (particularly at the rear).

As above, you bought a 2 ton SUV. It's never going to look or behave like a track car and lowering it will make it like a soggy marshmallow on smooth roads and harsh and uncomfortable on rough ones.

 

[Kevin blowes]

So. Getting back to my question.
A simple yes or no would suffice

 

[LostKiwi]

Yes it will lower it but it will mess it up.

 

[Kevin blowes]

Yes it will lower it but it will mess it up.

Thanks

 

[V6Matty]

Question would be how much do you want to lower by?

 

[Kevin blowes]

Question would be how much do you want to lower by?

About 20-30mm. I'm not looking for a low rider!

 

[LostKiwi]

20-30mm should be ok. Just be aware that on larger bumps you may bottom the suspension more than normal and that the ride will soften.

 

[V6Matty]

About 20-30mm. I'm not looking for a low rider!

There is around 15mm that can be set via STAR but as you want to go lower I would use lowering links and then increase the height by just a little to avoid bottoming ou, that should get you around 20mm drop your looking for.
@AMGeed used lowering links in both his 211 & 212 so might be able to offer a little more advise, although different vehicles the principal should transfer over

 

[alexanderfoti]

Yes, it can be done with both star and lowering links as V6Matty mentions! Lowering links need calibration on star after being fitted as well.

 

[Kevin blowes]

That’s great thanks

 

[EmilysDad]

How can STAR lower a car on springs?

The 'sport' setting on my ML's AIRMATIC apparently lowers the car by about 20mm ..... I could see that STAR could lower it's 'comfort' setting

 

[V6Matty]

How can STAR lower a car on springs?

The 'sport' setting on my ML's AIRMATIC apparently lowers the car by about 20mm ..... I could see that STAR could lower it's 'comfort' setting

Doh, I’d assumed they were all airmatic which was stupid of me, I know they aren’t so might discard my messages, unless you have airmatic that is lol

 

[Kevin blowes]

It does but only whilst driving. I think Star and recalibrate the camber etc is what I’ll go for

 

[EmilysDad]

I’ve recently bought a 2013 Ml 250 and would like to lower the suspension. Would a set of lowering links do the job or would I have to replace the springs with shorter ones. Thanks

Does your car have steel springs or airbags? You've confused me