F1BHP

My opinion would be your 4k is well spent as the ABC when working is the best suspension around and for a heavy sports car is well worth that kind of money. The problem comes if you then still keep having problems but only time will tell.

EXECMALIBU

I have a 2006 SL65 that has had everything in the ABC suspension system replaced while still under the extended MB USA factory warranty.

When (not if) I need ABC repairs I had planned on Arnott rebuilt struts that are guaranteed for life. When the ABC pump fails I guess that I will bend over and buy a new MB tandem pump. Or maybe try a rebuilt?

My car is almost 100% original except for the factory SLR wheels and trunk spoiler. Not selling the car and I am not sure if having the problematic ABC system replaced with an aftermarket suspension is going to help or kill the R230s already deflated value???

Bottom line is that Coilovers are great! Virtually every race car has used them for over 60 years. But I am not sure the SL65 would benefit from SL350 Springs?

I doubt HR has done enough R&D testing to fine tune their springs and shocks to work perfectly with the weight of both a V8 and a V12? Are the shocks adjustable?? Dash mounted Electrically adjustable shocks would be great!!! That I would probably buy into?

The MB Chassis type 113 (230-280SL) used a compensating shock attached to the rear diff. They all failed back in the days when the cars were driven. They have all been replaced with just a compensating spring and that is not a problem for resale.

F1BHP

Race cars use coilovers in most cases because electronic ABC style active suspension is not allowed otherwise they would definitely be going down that route.

m-svt-amg

Im surprised no one has mentioned ridetech as an option

Z_de_Suisse

Congrats to you JadAwada ! I'm happy for you that you tried the conversion and you're happy about it.

Just to be clear, the Bilstein catalog does mention the SL55 in the description of the product, but also specifies that these suspensions are only for non ABC cars.

There is also no reference given for the early versions of the SL55 from 2002 & 2003 except for B1 suspensions.

The Bilstein references are as follow:

MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R230)

B1

10/01 - 01/12
225 -450 kW

Front:

HA: ohne Kugellager; nicht: AMG Black Series

B4
280, 300, 350, 500, 55 AMG, 55 AMG Kompressor, 600, 63AMG, 65 AMG

03/04 - 01/12
170 -450 kW

Front:

24-217552 Rear: 24-196925
Standardfahrwerk; ohne ABC; Baumuster: ex. AMG Black Series

B6 sport
280, 300, 350, 500, 55 AMG, 55 AMG Kompressor, 600, 63AMG, 65 AMG

03/04 - 01/12
170 -450 kW

Front: 24-209755 Rear: 24-209779

Standardfahrwerk; ohne ABC; Baumuster: ex. AMG Black Series

Smalone01

Has anybody been able to find the front and rear sway bars? I have been able to piece together everything else except for those parts. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

JadAwada

I wasn't able to find them online while looking for the parts pricing. But did you call the stealership and ask them if its available?

02cl55amg

x2. I wish I would have thought of this last year. I spent atleast $2k on abc fixes last year alone and that was having a mechanic/friend of mine do the work. I wonder if anyone has done to a CL yet? And what parts are needed?

BlownV8

There have been CL conversions done without roll bars. I'm not sure there is a CL available from the factory without ABC. The ones who have done the conversions say it is very stable without the roll bars.

SLFox

Anybody in the UK doing this conversion...?

I may sound dumb but can someone do a dummies guide to exactly what is needed. Would be great help!

Z_de_Suisse

I'm not sure ABC is something for dummies ... in particular, you will be missing the programming dimension if you do not have the Star diagnostic.

SLFox

That could be done at a later date right? To get rid of error messages.

Z_de_Suisse

You need to disable the ABC or the messages around ABC malfunction otherwise it will permanently report an error.

mertd93

Does anyone know the steps in star das to change the abc suspension to steel?

Smalone01

Yeah, they are not available for the SL350 in the US. I did ask them about the SL65 BS, They were around $850 each

F1BHP

$850 for black series coil overs. I think you might have that wrong.

Z_de_Suisse

I think they were talking sway bars

Smalone01

I was a little wrong..
Front sway bar p/n 230 320 21 11 Retail $950
Rear sway bar p/n 230 320 22 11 Retail $705

Obviously the SL65 BS parts are not the way to go! I will have to find some used SL350 sway bars from somewhere.

Smalone01

Yeah, I was talking about the sway bars.

F1BHP

Got you, that sound correct.

SLFox

Am i correct in saying that, you could do with just changing the struts with coilover and adding anti roll/sway bar at a later stage?

Thinking of having some custom made struts and springs.

mertd93

Anyone??

Z_de_Suisse

It is not foreseen by Mercedes to change an ABC can into a normal car with classical suspensions and sway bars. There is no standard procedure for that which is why the trick is to hide the error message or reprogram the unit.

Geo3

This is all the info I can locate currently on the conversion parts, numbers, etc. to carry out the conversion.

All are available through the Mercedes-Benz dealer network or may be purchased, out of Florida, in a kit (see in PDF).

Hopefully, someone can add more; possibly a step-by-step DIY with photos and/or video?

FlyinFINN

Why is it that the sway bar must be replaced? Is it a mounting issue? Haven't found an explanation anywhere.