SL55 AMG ABC to coilovers

[Candellara]

village24 said:

Yeah its not bad bang for buck. But at the same time its a GT car thats over ten years old. Spending around 25k and just to pluck a few cars but you're looking at f types,

Interesting that you mention F Type. I had a 2013 V8S for a year before the 55. Although it'd always make you chuckle with the exhaust in dynamic mode - in was a bit ummm ....sterile IMO. Like most modern cars i guess.

Hustling the SL55 is far more of an event and really holds your attention much more than the F Type did. The SL55 was simply more scary. It felt as if you really were piloting something rather than just driving it. Probably due to the age of the 55 and it's chassis dynamics & power delivery.

I'd have a 55 over an F Type V8. The F Type cost me far more the 55 has - just in terms of depreciation

[village24]

Appreciate both comments guys, in no way do I think those cars are rivals to the sl55. I'm just saying they're the car that are about for similar money.

I agree these cars are more of an event to drive and I cant remember the last time I saw one on the road in the flesh which is another reason why I'd like to own one. I like going against the grain. They do still look modern which is another reason why I love them.

For me I know how involved I ended up getting with the m3 and I was always tickering with it in the garage changing different bushes. But as you have said, ill carry on the research and for the next 4 weeks at least I'll just build on my knowledge to buy the best I can buy

[Baldguy]

Bit of a thread revival - After many big ABC Suspension bills on my 2003 SL55 with 74k miles and good history, I'm going for a full coilover kit from BC Racing along with new Anti roll bars, drop links, new engine mounts and a few other bits....it comes in a complete kit and i'm getting it fitted professionally.

Both front and rear subframes need to be dropped to remove current ABC pipes and also to fit the new anti-roll bars, all of the ABC lines, blocks, struts, level sensors will be removed and the ABC option will be turned off using Star

The power steering pump also gets changed for a single unit and the tandem pump and reservoir is removed.

So.... from February I'll have the following up for grabs to anyone who might be interested....

2 x front ABC struts with 1k miles on them - OEM sourced
2 x rear ABC struts
Front and rear main valve blocks with Accumulators - Rear valve block has 500 miles on it
2 further smaller valve blocks - the front one behind the headlight that sits above the main one only has 500 miles on it and is OEM sourced
Tandem ABC/Power steering pump - 1k miles on this and OEM sourced

The 2 front ABC struts, Tandem pump, rear valve block, front small valve block costs me around 4k from Mercedes and have between 500 and 1000 miles on them all.

I'm done with the ABC system as its still not right and plays around with sagging etc and its getting no more money invested in that system

All these parts will be sold and someone will get one hell of a bargain

Please do let me know if your interested in anything!

[skullandbiscuits]

I'll be interested to see how your conversion journey goes.

[ArmaghMan]

Me too.
Interested to see what you think of it once done.

As an aside they seem to have increased in price significantly over the last 18 months.

[village24]

Baldguy said:

Bit of a thread revival - After many big ABC Suspension bills on my 2003 SL55 with 74k miles and good history, I'm going for a full coilover kit from BC Racing along with new Anti roll bars, drop links, new engine mounts and a few other bits....it comes in a complete kit and i'm getting it fitted professionally.

Both front and rear subframes need to be dropped to remove current ABC pipes and also to fit the new anti-roll bars, all of the ABC lines, blocks, struts, level sensors will be removed and the ABC option will be turned off using Star

The power steering pump also gets changed for a single unit and the tandem pump and reservoir is removed.

So.... from February I'll have the following up for grabs to anyone who might be interested....

2 x front ABC struts with 1k miles on them - OEM sourced
2 x rear ABC struts
Front and rear main valve blocks with Accumulators - Rear valve block has 500 miles on it
2 further smaller valve blocks - the front one behind the headlight that sits above the main one only has 500 miles on it and is OEM sourced
Tandem ABC/Power steering pump - 1k miles on this and OEM sourced

The 2 front ABC struts, Tandem pump, rear valve block, front small valve block costs me around 4k from Mercedes and have between 500 and 1000 miles on them all.

I'm done with the ABC system as its still not right and plays around with sagging etc and its getting no more money invested in that system

All these parts will be sold and someone will get one hell of a bargain

Please do let me know if your interested in anything!

Is this a direct fit kit for the SL55 or is it using some parts from the SL350 like previous conversions.

[Baldguy]

Hi Village,

Its a full kit with custom sway bars, drop links, new engine mounts etc etc and the BC Coilover kit - I've done allot of homework on this and as the cars staying with me for the foreseeable future, its money well spent to me
I also understand the SL55 purists will hate this but each to their own, This car has had a HUGE amount of money spent on it and allot of that into the VERY unreliable ABC Suspension (my thoughts). So its time to go.

Cheers!

[RobertQ]

Hi Baldguy

Any feedback on the coilover conversion and how it went? I'm also debating this with my newly acquired SL55,

Thanks!

[Exoticlover]

village24 said:

A little bit of an introduction.

Earlier this year I sold my e46 M3 after 2.5 years of ownership. Just as I was starting to look at other cars to move onto lockdown occured and since I've just been Browning.
Ali

Maybe the idea of coltovers is not a bad one.

[ArmaghMan]

RobertQ said:

Hi Baldguy

Any feedback on the coilover conversion and how it went? I'm also debating this with my newly acquired SL55,

Thanks!

Just a note.
The Internet is awash with horror stories but a good indie will be able to deal with for sensible money <£2000 and leave you with a system that's as good as new.