mike opalisky

is the 2007 suspension in what ways is it any better than the earlier years . dont understand the differences yet

tandan

Good question. I'll ask the SA at the dealership today and see what they say.

Noir230

Thanks, Tandan. I would like to know the answer as well.

carguyshu

the differences are
1) the valve blocks look different as a different company made them (there is likely no difference in reliability between the 2, just the old version is older & thus have had more failures due to age
2) the pulsation dampener instead of being in the rear of the front driver's wheel well is attached to the back of the pump. this makes replacing the accumulator for it more work, but it also means that the hose that usually goes from the pump & through the engine compartment to the pulsation dampener on the older models will not have as much stress on it
3) the computer that controls the ABC will slightly open and close the valve at the valve block when you are parked or at a stop instead of just leaving them fully shut closed.
4) throughout the years (usually mid model year) some of the hoses were upgraded slightly to more resilient ones. All the new part number hoses are completely interchangeable with the old

Other than those thing they function the exact same as the earlier years and should have slightly higher reliability. I'll say this though, a well maintained car that was garaged and didn't seem extreme heat that is older will still have a more reliable ABC than a newer one that has been subjected to florida heat and poorly maintained.

Rudeney

Well, i can tell you the hoses are no better, and the redesigned main pressure hose from the pump does nothing better. That one on my MY2011 failed with a pinhole, spraying the engine compartment with stinky green CHF-1s. Luckily, it was not too hard to replace.

carguyshu

exactly why I said 'slightly' higher reliability

Ptrigg17

I have only owned my own 07 SL 550 since early August last year so my maintenance experience is very limited. I recently replaced they pulsation dampener, my car has 45k and I have changed the ABC fluid and filter at 42K. .both were a fairly simple do it yourself job . I have however spent a lot of time reviewing old posts and any information regarding the ABC system. It appears to me that the reliability of the valve bodies on the 07 and later years seems to be much better . This is based simply on reviewing many posts not on my own actual experience . If my observation is correct this in itself would make the 07 and later years much more desirable from a maintenance standpoint. It appears as though leaky valves are a source of a lot of posts and complaints with cars dropping at all corners . That is my 2 cents. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has had problems with the valves leaking on an 07 and later MY.

Rudeney

These are very low-production cars, so even a few dozen reports of a particular problem is pretty significant. Consider the US sales by calendar year for the R230:

2001 - 4,217
2002 - 13,717
2003 - 13,318
2004 - 12,885
2005 - 10,080
2006 - 8,462
2007 - 6,126
2008 - 5,464
2009 - 4,025
2010 - 2,385
2011 - 1,449

USA accounts for just under half the sales, so overall global numbers are about double those. Still, we're talking about maybe 30K R230's with eh revise MY2007+ ABC system.

carguyshu

the reason there are less reports of 07+ not having problems is because there were far less cars made vs 03-06. The 07+ also have not aged enough. Give it 5 more years and the same problems will show up.

tandan

No need for 5 more years. Replaced ABC pump 2 months ago and I am currently replacing a coil pack at 40,000 miles.

BlownV8

Exactly. It's just time and mileage. They will all break. Nothing new and mind numbingly spectacular. Just newer with less time and mileage. MB's are very consistent. Ownership is easy because you know what to expect and you can budget accordingly. One breaks they almost all break.

tandan

As a side note. The dealership requested I have the 65 towed rather than drive it 20 miles to their shop. The tow truck driver was curious about my Viper. He went on to tell me, he had towed almost everything and named a number of high end expensive cars. He had never towed a Viper! It's an 01, I bought it in 03. I have replaced two batteries, had the turn signal fixed and replaced the wiring that rats ate through for $800. (I killed them all). The Viper has about 27,000mi on it. With that said, the 65 is my daily driver and I love the ride.

Ptrigg17

Just to reiterate my post regarding reliability. I was only referring to the revised valve blocks of the 07 and later cars. These were apparently changed and my observations are that I have not seen any postings of sagging cars MY 07 and later due to leaking valve blocks.

BlownV8

The design change will not stop the sag. Once debris starts clogging the valves and does not let them seat properly, they will have sag issues too.

carguyshu

exactly. the design change on the valve block was just a switch of manufacturer and the way they function is in no way different. You can put the new style on an old car and vice versa.

Tommyboy928

on the 2006 and newer , the O rings is different and mutch better. i have a set sitting, so i seen the difference . But i very mutch recommend teflon treat the hole system , and engine ,gear .

http://www.qmiitw.com/QMI_PowerSteering.html

is 1 prosent Hydraulic system treatment y guys need. power steering and ABC use same treatment . this also expand the o rings 1 prosent.

if y have a leaking system, take the 3 prosent hydraulic treatment, it expand the o rings 3 prosent, saved my 2004 model system ,that leaked a Q before i found out.. this was in 2009 ,, and new owner report no issue on abc or pump til this day.. saves alot of money.