Welwynnick

Perhaps not toooo unsurprisingly, I also used to own an Audi S8 (can't remember which year) which had great handling and was fun in the snow. My current S600 with ML63 wheels (20x10) all round handles better though, and is much more nimble than stock. With lots of rubber on the ground, it really capitalizes on the benefits of ABC, because it makes great use of those tires.

I also happen to own Toyota Soarer UZZ32 chassis #501. This is no longer a runner due to a failed suspension pump, but I had some great times in that car. It was simply sensational in its time.

My hope was that I could recreate my fond memories of the Soarer by experimenting with wheels and tires on the S600. The Soarer had UNBELIEVABLE grip when fitted with Supra Turbo wheels - absolutely physics-defying stuff. It stuck to the road so well it felt like it could drive along a wall.

I also used to own a Jaguar XJ12 and a BMW 750iL, which were lovely in their respective ways. The Jag had a fantastic interior, and the BMW was incredibly refined. I also scared myself to death driving my brother's TVR Tuscan S on one memorable occasion.

The S600 is not as good as any of those cars at what they each do best, but it comes astonishingly close. That's what I meant by talent.

Nick

Jack_88

I gotcha, Nick. My A8 was a 2011, which is a better handling car than the 2005 my brother has. I never drove a D2.

DrDoe

Update on Strutmasters.
I really want to have the Strutmasters to work so I kept trying to find the bad control arm bushing and I finally found it. The bad one was on the passenger side and it was on the spring arm.
Replaced both bushing, installed new tires and bought the car in for alignments.
Handling is better through the U shape stretch. I would say it performs about the same as the airmatic S430.
As for the tires, I'm glad that I listened to Nick on wider tires for the front. Went through heavy rain with low to zero visibility and they felt glued to the road. Thank you Nick.

scottejupiter

Glad it worked out Dr. Doe.

jpohl402

I just did this conversion also!
Install went fine. ABC light still on dash, even with module (par for the course, says so in installation manual.)
Ride height is good, I am told. Ride isn't too bumpy, or anything like that - you don't "feel" the road too much.

However - my car was an ABC car, not the standard hydraulic. Apparently the hydraulic cars had/have a sway bar separate, in the suspension. On the ABC cars, the sway bar is built into the ABC system. I was unaware of this/never thought about it. Therefore, my car, with this Strutmasters kit & ABC delete, now has NO sway bar! According to the installer, I won't be taking any more high speed corners/turns, as the suspension feels "floaty." Not that I did anyway (it's an S-class after all), but I wonder exactly JUST how "floaty" the front end feels?!
Does anyone know/have any first hand experience with it??? Certainly something to consider with this kit.

I'm out of town for a few more weeks, left this car with a mechanic for the install. So I have not & cannot drive the car myself yet!

Welwynnick

Is that what your mechanic told you? I sincerely hope not.

The standard suspension is Airmatic, which is pneumatic, and it does have sway bars.

ABC suspension is hydraulic, and doesn't have sway bars.

Without sway bars, your new suspension will probably roll more than Airmatic.

Nick

jpohl402

Thanks for your reply.
What part particularly are you referring to here?!

PrimalLunch

digging the conversion - did it myself, less hate towards a much improved car

llcoolbenz

Congratulations!!!! I posted earlier regarding my Strutmaster conversion on my yellow 2002 CL500. Well since then, I sold that car and bought a 2003 CL55 with a perfect ABC suspension. Upon finding out about the Yellow Speed adjustable coilovers......I completely removed the ABC suspension including pump, and did the conversion myself. Unbelievable difference between this and the strutmaster. Night and day. I love it!!!! Great choice. Great handling. Adjustable height, preload and damping. Can’t beat the price. The best upgrade thus far.

S430AMG

I'm about to convert my Step Fathers S550 4 Matic from Air to Coils as he just experienced a shock failure. He went with Strutmaster set up. Curious what the other set up is above and the cost though.

I will most likely take the same route if my W220 experience any airmatic issues.

Will keep you guys posted how that goes.

PrimalLunch

I've read every post, in every thread, here and elsewhere - many thanks to all who share their experiences - did my homework, and respect all opinions, and given the choice, air is nice, so is reliability, and survive-ability. Having a lovely car, that can't get up off it's belly, for lack of a blow hard system, is a shame. I want to drive it, not re-buy it every time something goes lopsided.

llcoolbenz

This is the Yellow Speed Racing conversion. Strutmaster will work. But is not adjustable. The Yellow Speed is fully adjustable.

tusabes

yellow speed is adjustable and much better quality and lower price.

PrimalLunch

YSR coil-over conversion
2004 S500 W211

llcoolbenz

In process....


In process....

tusabes

beautiful. ! Never seen a w215 Widebody

S430AMG

Not sure about that, I just looked up Yellowspeed and they go for $1300 and it doesn't come with Dash light delete.

Strutmaster kit is $899 for our cars and comes with light delete. Also, it has lifetime warranty.

llcoolbenz

For my 2001 CL500 that I had owned, I purchased the strutmaster without the delete for $1400. I was able to send in my original abc struts for $100 a piece at the time. They are nonadjustable and left my front end very bouncy and too high in the rear. I recently purchased the Yellowspeed for my 2003 CL55 and am beyond pleased with their quality and price. And of course, the ability to fully adjust preload, height and damping. I paid $1100 for them. I was able to sell my AMG original struts for $500 on eBay. I could care less about a lifetime warranty if you are limited regarding the adjustability and performance. So for all around performance and adaptive adjustments to your liking.........Yellowspeed hands down. (Based on my personal experience with both)

tusabes

yellow speed can be found for around $900 that's why strut masters lowered their prices . Besides strutnasters is junk in comparison just look at the two kits

AlexMercedes

Also I believe you can get rid of the ABC warning by simply removing the abc fuse rather than paying for some module

S430AMG

I can't really find it anywhere other than their website and it's listed at $1300 for W220

tusabes

$979
http://www.yellowspeedeurope.com/yellow-speed-racing-dynamic-pro-sport-coilovers-mercedes-s-class-w220-99-75.html

the Europe site is cheaper

stu11

Sounds really good. And did you convert the tandem pump to a pump off of a non-ABC car? If so, I assume you needed new lines to the p/s rack and a new reservoir? Any details you can give are much appreciated. I've got a 2001 S500, changed to strutmasters, but the p/s pump was having problems and serpentine busted and car over heated.

llcoolbenz

stu11

Did the hydraulic lines from the non-ABC car match up, or probably new versions of those lines? Also, did the mounting holes and pulley match up for the standard p/s pump?