ABC suspension
Discussion
From reading various buying guides that the ABC suspension system is prone to all sorts of expensive failures.
Is this internet forum syndrome where only those with problems use technical forums or should cars so equipped really be avoided at all costs ?
What say you PH'ers, it is one of the few doubts I have about buying an SL 55 AMG!
Ben
Is this internet forum syndrome where only those with problems use technical forums or should cars so equipped really be avoided at all costs ?
What say you PH'ers, it is one of the few doubts I have about buying an SL 55 AMG!
Ben
I'm not an expert but my guess is that it's probably a real problem.
I recently bought an SL55, one of the first models (actually Jeremy Clarkson's car) on a 52 plate with 92k miles on the clock.
It had the rear suspension units replaced at 35k miles costing around 2k (contribution of 1k from Merc). The fronts were replaced at 65k miles.
The dual pump (power steering and ABC pump) was replaced at around 80k miles costing around 1k.
Other common failures from what I can gather are:
The charge cooler water pump (very common, just done mine, previous owner didn't even know it had failed) but the car goes into safety mode (no kompressor) for a short period if driven hard due to intake temps too high and ECU shutting down kompressor.
Rubber seal across rear window/boot can leak.
Fuel tank baffles rattling - common failure - mine was replaced at arouind 60k miles, Merc paid.
Electrical connection under seats commonly fails - easy fix Merc paid.
Apart from that it's a fantastic drive, even at 94k miles it drives like a new car and sounds glorious!
I recently bought an SL55, one of the first models (actually Jeremy Clarkson's car) on a 52 plate with 92k miles on the clock.
It had the rear suspension units replaced at 35k miles costing around 2k (contribution of 1k from Merc). The fronts were replaced at 65k miles.
The dual pump (power steering and ABC pump) was replaced at around 80k miles costing around 1k.
Other common failures from what I can gather are:
The charge cooler water pump (very common, just done mine, previous owner didn't even know it had failed) but the car goes into safety mode (no kompressor) for a short period if driven hard due to intake temps too high and ECU shutting down kompressor.
Rubber seal across rear window/boot can leak.
Fuel tank baffles rattling - common failure - mine was replaced at arouind 60k miles, Merc paid.
Electrical connection under seats commonly fails - easy fix Merc paid.
Apart from that it's a fantastic drive, even at 94k miles it drives like a new car and sounds glorious!
We had a warrenty from a direct type company, the ABC failed and required the rear suspension replaced think it was nearly £5k but we didn't pay.
I would ask to take a car to a MB dealer or independent and get them to read the error codes for signs of trouble.
PS I loved my SL55AMG but they are trouble
I would ask to take a car to a MB dealer or independent and get them to read the error codes for signs of trouble.
PS I loved my SL55AMG but they are trouble
I was at my main dealers the other day getting the SLK serviced. His recommendation- steer clear of the SL55 as it can cost 1800 per corner to fix (obviously MB prices!) and said he would always go for the SL500 as performance was not much less ( his words!) and that you would not have the worry of larger bills for the suspension
My SL has had the following done before my time
New tank due to baffle coming loose - there is a DIY fix on the net
New ABC/PS Pump - about £1000 but can be considered a wear and tear item TBH.
New ABC block - most likely as a result of the ABC/PS pump failure - again due to the block being a little delicate internally you need to budget for this as well as the pump - £1000
Since Ive had it the rear window rear seal has been done properly rather than the untidy mess there before and is DIY
The lower balljoints on the front struts were rebuilt for £200 for both rather than Mercs offer to replace in total for over £2.5k - again DIYable
All brakes replaced - easy job and not the finger missing myth the net says.
TBH its not a cheap car to own but it was never cheap to buy so go into ownership with an open mind and you wont be disappointed as epic convertible cars!
BTW - change the gearbox oil and filter before 100k miles - it helps the box and makes the changes very slick - again a DIY job.
New tank due to baffle coming loose - there is a DIY fix on the net
New ABC/PS Pump - about £1000 but can be considered a wear and tear item TBH.
New ABC block - most likely as a result of the ABC/PS pump failure - again due to the block being a little delicate internally you need to budget for this as well as the pump - £1000
Since Ive had it the rear window rear seal has been done properly rather than the untidy mess there before and is DIY
The lower balljoints on the front struts were rebuilt for £200 for both rather than Mercs offer to replace in total for over £2.5k - again DIYable
All brakes replaced - easy job and not the finger missing myth the net says.
TBH its not a cheap car to own but it was never cheap to buy so go into ownership with an open mind and you wont be disappointed as epic convertible cars!
BTW - change the gearbox oil and filter before 100k miles - it helps the box and makes the changes very slick - again a DIY job.
slk 32 said:
I was at my main dealers the other day getting the SLK serviced. His recommendation- steer clear of the SL55 as it can cost 1800 per corner to fix (obviously MB prices!) and said he would always go for the SL500 as performance was not much less ( his words!) and that you would not have the worry of larger bills for the suspension
Probably worth speaking to a different dealer who knows the cars. I think the 500s nearly all (all?) have ABC only the 350 does not and the performance is much less!S800VXR said:
My SL has had the following done before my time
New tank due to baffle coming loose - there is a DIY fix on the net
New ABC/PS Pump - about £1000 but can be considered a wear and tear item TBH.
New ABC block - most likely as a result of the ABC/PS pump failure - again due to the block being a little delicate internally you need to budget for this as well as the pump - £1000
Since Ive had it the rear window rear seal has been done properly rather than the untidy mess there before and is DIY
The lower balljoints on the front struts were rebuilt for £200 for both rather than Mercs offer to replace in total for over £2.5k - again DIYable
All brakes replaced - easy job and not the finger missing myth the net says.
TBH its not a cheap car to own but it was never cheap to buy so go into ownership with an open mind and you wont be disappointed as epic convertible cars!
BTW - change the gearbox oil and filter before 100k miles - it helps the box and makes the changes very slick - again a DIY job.
Thank you for this post, I am under no illusion that it will be a cheap car to run, but the jobs you describe above are well within my capability so I am sure it will all turn out fine New tank due to baffle coming loose - there is a DIY fix on the net
New ABC/PS Pump - about £1000 but can be considered a wear and tear item TBH.
New ABC block - most likely as a result of the ABC/PS pump failure - again due to the block being a little delicate internally you need to budget for this as well as the pump - £1000
Since Ive had it the rear window rear seal has been done properly rather than the untidy mess there before and is DIY
The lower balljoints on the front struts were rebuilt for £200 for both rather than Mercs offer to replace in total for over £2.5k - again DIYable
All brakes replaced - easy job and not the finger missing myth the net says.
TBH its not a cheap car to own but it was never cheap to buy so go into ownership with an open mind and you wont be disappointed as epic convertible cars!
BTW - change the gearbox oil and filter before 100k miles - it helps the box and makes the changes very slick - again a DIY job.
Just need to find a decent one in budget now
Ben
S800VXR said:
My SL has had the following done before my time
The lower balljoints on the front struts were rebuilt for £200 for both rather than Mercs offer to replace in total for over £2.5k - again DIYable
That's been done on mine too.The lower balljoints on the front struts were rebuilt for £200 for both rather than Mercs offer to replace in total for over £2.5k - again DIYable
S800VXR said:
BTW - change the gearbox oil and filter before 100k miles - it helps the box and makes the changes very slick - again a DIY job.
Does that come into the service schedule do you know? I think some jobs are listed at over 100k miles over 150k etc.BigBen said:
Thank you for this post, I am under no illusion that it will be a cheap car to run, but the jobs you describe above are well within my capability so I am sure it will all turn out fine
Just need to find a decent one in budget now
Ben
Another thing to consider is the SBC pump for the fly-by-wire brakes. There are some horror stories of brake failure on the net, but having delved quite deeply into it apparently the system constantly checks pressure etc and gives you a decent warning of failure. There are reports of sudden catastrophic failure though, but other people say they're exagerating.Just need to find a decent one in budget now
Ben
The pump apparently counts every push of the brake pedal and will need replacing when it reaches its limit (I heard a figure of 2 million mentioned on the net).
There were recalls in 2004/05 but appently that was to check the operation of the pump not replace it. I've heard that merc dealers will replace it FOC when it fails if the vehicle is under 10 years old, but don't know how true that is.
Do you guys know anything about it?
BigBen said:
Thank you for this post, I am under no illusion that it will be a cheap car to run, but the jobs you describe above are well within my capability so I am sure it will all turn out fine
Just need to find a decent one in budget now
Ben
You can have mine for a price.... Just need to find a decent one in budget now
Ben
PM if interested. 
I want an SL55 as do no miles so can accept the increased cost and risk.
A low mile cared for car will give a lot less trouble but it's more to buy. My SL55 is fully serviced but I still took it to my indie for them to check and do everything regardless, granted its not my daily driver but in 12m and 5000 miles only a mirror glass has failed.
I use a CL500 2006 as a daily driver with abc and sbc - no bills o far but it's early days, again low miles and fully over checked inc drain holes, seals and all liquids - if it costs my a few k over the next 2 years it's worth it as it was buttons to buy and a lovely way to commute.
I'm selling in a few months, pic below
I use a CL500 2006 as a daily driver with abc and sbc - no bills o far but it's early days, again low miles and fully over checked inc drain holes, seals and all liquids - if it costs my a few k over the next 2 years it's worth it as it was buttons to buy and a lovely way to commute.
I'm selling in a few months, pic below
Edited by DSLiverpool on Thursday 26th April 09:00
Mikey_W said:
Merc will replace the SBC unit once it reaches the end of its life FOC. Well 99% of the time anyway! I wouldn't worry about that when buying an SL55. Suspension and tank baffles are the main issue... Wonderful motor cars though..
That is good to know.Doing a bit more research the ABC stuff does not look beyond the wit of man to repair but needs a Star Diagnostics system. Therefore the answer is obvious, get a Star Diagnostics system. This makes sense as my side project is fitting a modern AMG engine into my old SL, Star Diagnostics will be very useful for getting that all going / seeing where I have gone wrong.
Sorted. Car dealers within 100 miles of Cambridge here I come!
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