California John

That is the message that appeared on my display a couple of evenings ago when I started up my 2013 SL550. Faulty suspension, if that's what I now have, is potentially scary. I inched forward and there was a "thunk" and the error message disappeared. I haven't seen it since and have an appointment tomorrow with the local dealer.

Although the car does not feel dangerous or "bottomed out" and leaning, the front end does feel overly sensitive at low speeds. I will post what the dealer discovers. The car has 16,000 miles.

AMG 17GT

Ohhh. Here we go again. Another reason not to have ABC correct?

First I've seen of the new generation ABC malfunction. I don't care what anybody says about whether this generation is improved or not, anytime you have hydraulic fluid and pumps around in a hot and dirty environment you're going to have failures.

With that being said the shocks are supposed to be more durable and not leak as much. It will be very interesting to see what happens at the dealer so please do keep us updated.

Patric

Looks like I'm still on the fence if I should order this or not. I need to find an ABC car in dealer stock for a test drive to see if the ride justifies the 4K over the stock suspension which I have already driven.

Newzchspy

Sounds like a familiar ABC issue. If still under warranty, get ye to a dealer ASAP. Unusual to see it this early with your mileage, but anything can happen.

California John

The car is well within warranty. Haven't heard from the dealer yet. The ABC rides flat and smooth. There is no wallowing - corners very well...flat and smooth. No pitch, dive.

AMG 17GT

I'm thinking along the EXACT same lines. But those runflat continentals that come with the stock suspension are crap in terms of ride and only make things worse. What I'd really like to see is a stock suspension car riding on the Michelin super sports.

The second problem is the 19 wheels do not fit the wheel well at all and there's really no way to lower the car without ruining the ride. And if you start running 20s cosmetically they look better but I had an old RSL with 20s and it jarred me everyday with ABC.

Of course the final solution would just be to get the 63 car with standard ABC

Patric

I have not driven an SL63 with standard ABC but I'm going to guess as how they are an AMG they would ride more firmly than an SL550 with ABC. It seems there are more CPO SL63s around than SL550s with ABC. I suppose I could test drive one of them but already have an E63 S and so not really looking for another AMG.

Wolfman

To me getting ABC is/was an absolute no-brainer.

Ride quality and the capabilities of the suspension are simply on a different level.

I already stated that I had both cars (springs/ABC) stock height & lowered, with run flats (or as they call it, extended mobility) or Michelin Pilot Super Sports and there is simply no comparison.

It was the best option to add. That said, some people think that the B&O audio is super important, so opinions vary.

Unless when choosing 4matic, I would add ABC/MBC to any model possible.

Re. the reliability of ABC, I know that there have been issues in the past. I don't think this one will be a big deal for California John.

But I somewhat find the whole ABC discussion a bit out of proportion.
A complex suspension system will fail easier than a set of springs. No question. This is the same with the Airmatic suspension on the S-Class.

But the new SL doesn't only have a newer gen. ABC, the car is also a whole lot lighter than the older SL, especially the V12TT models.

If it fails, it is clearly an expensive failure; but it also happens a lot to older cars that were sold at a fraction of it's new car value.
To me, this is a big problem with luxury cars in general. Even small repairs without warranty will eat a big hole into your budget.
Just try to replace the brakes on a SL65 or motor mounts or coils on a V12. Those are easily in the same price territory.

That said, I had cars with ABC for 15 years. I have one ABC pump failure on our SL600 (out of warranty) that was covered by MB as a courtesy (materials).

I have spent more money on tires that lasted less than a year

California John

Well reasoned. I agree in total. No brainer for purchase

AMG 17GT

No ABC on e63. My CL 63 is very comfortable in C mode.

Oh and one other fantastic morsel of information. CPO cars from Mercedes do not cover their own ABC struts or components so beware.

Steinhart

I drove a 2014 SL63, very stiff ride, speed bumps were a jolt in the spine

My 2014 SL 550 with ABC is amazingly smooth, love the ride

btw I have B&O stereo, the regular stereo is better IMO

California John

I have my car back now - all fixed. You can see from the photo of the repair order what was replaced. The service manager wrote up my words in the wrong order however. I started the car and saw the error message. Then, in trying to slowly take off I heard a loud thud. At any rate, it is fixed - but as they say, it did take some work to chase down exactly what it was and some driving to feel it properly.

AMG 17GT

Thx for follow up. In 2014 I believe they changed design of pulsation damper to a new part. This is been the cause of many headaches including vibration and noise at idle. I had updated part replaced as well.

Hopefully that's it for your hydraulic worries john.