SL55 AMG ABC to coilovers
Discussion
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.
Now I like this era of car from 2000-2010, the SL really does take my fancy. The problem from what I've read surrounds itself around the ABC suspension.
I've found threads but they're old and pictures don't work on those threads. If im looking to buy an SL just what is required to change the cars suspension over to coilovers. I've read it requires SL350 parts but just what is required.
On a side note, from current owners is the ABC is still problematic or are there now better specialist and better repairs on place that stop the issues occuring.
Cheers for reading and hopefully replying.
Ali
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.
Now I like this era of car from 2000-2010, the SL really does take my fancy. The problem from what I've read surrounds itself around the ABC suspension.
I've found threads but they're old and pictures don't work on those threads. If im looking to buy an SL just what is required to change the cars suspension over to coilovers. I've read it requires SL350 parts but just what is required.
On a side note, from current owners is the ABC is still problematic or are there now better specialist and better repairs on place that stop the issues occuring.
Cheers for reading and hopefully replying.
Ali
Hi, thanks for the information.
My only concern was multiple repairs being required on the ABC suspension, ive had a look and they're still looking at 1k per corner for when the issue arises I appreciate that hopefully with majority of the cars now being 10+ years they will have been addressed.
My preference would be to leave the SL standard as much as possible and only make performance modifications to extract a bit more power.
Do you happen to know if the SLs has any recalls for the seals around the rear windows and roof to address the leaks?
Thanks
Alib
My only concern was multiple repairs being required on the ABC suspension, ive had a look and they're still looking at 1k per corner for when the issue arises I appreciate that hopefully with majority of the cars now being 10+ years they will have been addressed.
My preference would be to leave the SL standard as much as possible and only make performance modifications to extract a bit more power.
Do you happen to know if the SLs has any recalls for the seals around the rear windows and roof to address the leaks?
Thanks
Alib
Thanks for the reply guys. My main aim is to buy the best example I can for the budget I have in mind. The attraction with earlier cars is the cheaper tax but understand most issues also lie with the earlier models.
At the end of the day the sl will be a weekend car for myself, coming from an e46 I expect it won't handle as well but it will be used for a good blast at weekends so that was my other reason for looking into the coilover conversion but I'm still struggling to see just how much of the sl320 parts are required.
Thanks again guys you have given me much food for thought
At the end of the day the sl will be a weekend car for myself, coming from an e46 I expect it won't handle as well but it will be used for a good blast at weekends so that was my other reason for looking into the coilover conversion but I'm still struggling to see just how much of the sl320 parts are required.
Thanks again guys you have given me much food for thought
That interior is not nice at all.
Tbh lads, you've given me a great insight for problems to look out for and slightly put me off purchasing too. The electrical gremlins on what is a 80k+ car are worrying me now, especially surrounding jet washing and the roof seals leaking. The fact the car won't be daily driven too and the boot battery requiring constant charging are all minor bits that are adding up.
The above car linked is a lot more than I want to spend. Even down to the suspension woes I have, coming from the e46 I think this car might be the wrong car I'm after, I won't use it for GT driving more of weekend hooning.
My budget is up to and around 20k, but spending anything near 25k and I'd rather be spending a bit more and buying a 996 turbo which I've wanted for a long time.
As always I appreciate the insight and what started with suspension issues has now helped me re-evaluate whether this car will actually be the right choice for myself next.
Cheers
Ali
Tbh lads, you've given me a great insight for problems to look out for and slightly put me off purchasing too. The electrical gremlins on what is a 80k+ car are worrying me now, especially surrounding jet washing and the roof seals leaking. The fact the car won't be daily driven too and the boot battery requiring constant charging are all minor bits that are adding up.
The above car linked is a lot more than I want to spend. Even down to the suspension woes I have, coming from the e46 I think this car might be the wrong car I'm after, I won't use it for GT driving more of weekend hooning.
My budget is up to and around 20k, but spending anything near 25k and I'd rather be spending a bit more and buying a 996 turbo which I've wanted for a long time.
As always I appreciate the insight and what started with suspension issues has now helped me re-evaluate whether this car will actually be the right choice for myself next.
Cheers
Ali
No not at all.
I said if I was spending 25k+ I'd rather be spending a bit more and buying a 996 turbo. The SL55 is a stop gap for myself, im not sure about you guys, but driving normal cars day to day isn't fun, I need something exciting to use.
The car linked was 25k, given the electrical issues everyone has pointed out and knowing how the weather is in the North, the potentially car could only be driven in selected months. Coming from experience when my e46 was parked up it does more harm than good for cars.
I really like the sl55, I like the looks and the power it comes with. As said before these cars made prior to 2010 have a very different feel and drive and while I can I want to own a few from this era before electric cars take over.
I said if I was spending 25k+ I'd rather be spending a bit more and buying a 996 turbo. The SL55 is a stop gap for myself, im not sure about you guys, but driving normal cars day to day isn't fun, I need something exciting to use.
The car linked was 25k, given the electrical issues everyone has pointed out and knowing how the weather is in the North, the potentially car could only be driven in selected months. Coming from experience when my e46 was parked up it does more harm than good for cars.
I really like the sl55, I like the looks and the power it comes with. As said before these cars made prior to 2010 have a very different feel and drive and while I can I want to own a few from this era before electric cars take over.
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 f13 m6, f types, maserati MC, early GTRs.
By no means are those cars similar comparison im just saying technology and power has come a long way, and those are similarly priced.
The running costs dont bother me, it really does come down to reliability and I know these cars are old, but everything I have read and every other forum I've been on just points to the same issues everyone has raised in this thread.
I'm going to continue searching for the right one to pop up for myself, id definitely like to own one, just like ill scratch the bmw v10 itch too. The search goes on and ill hopefully be able to post back maybe in a few months time with what I've purchased
By no means are those cars similar comparison im just saying technology and power has come a long way, and those are similarly priced.
The running costs dont bother me, it really does come down to reliability and I know these cars are old, but everything I have read and every other forum I've been on just points to the same issues everyone has raised in this thread.
I'm going to continue searching for the right one to pop up for myself, id definitely like to own one, just like ill scratch the bmw v10 itch too. The search goes on and ill hopefully be able to post back maybe in a few months time with what I've purchased
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
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 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. 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!
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