sound 8

It seems without a doubt the older or high mileage car you have the more
ABC problems you will get. I have had new and 10 year old SL's and a
S class 10 years old. My first 2003 SL55 had new pipes , 2 rams and a pump.
My SL65 had intercooler pump, ABC pump 1 Ram. My second SL65 had new
pipes and a new pump, and a leaking boot. My S class had all new pipes,
2 pumps, 1 under G/Tee, and both rear rams. My 2009 SL63 had nothing,,
not 1 problem, my new 2013 SL63 nothing as you would expect, and now
my current 2010 SL 63.. new rear battery that's it.
So if you have anything over 5 years old you can expect ABC problems
are coming. It is nice driving a newish car, and the boot/trunk don't leak
S8

Ingenere

If my MB experience was anything near yours, I would never buy another!

BlownV8

Pretty typical for older.cars with over 70k miles. If you haven't had these issues, you likely have under 60k miles. Yeah, as much as I loved my 600, I would never own another ABC equipped Mercedes out of warranty.

sound 8

Funnily enough my cars have all been lowish miles, I think it is lack of use
that kills the old girls off.

BlownV8

Also, the V12 engines produce much more heat than the v8's.. I'm pretty confident the V12 cars have higher ABC maintenance costs over the v8 models.

BobLibSL55

Same here. I've got an 04 55 with just under 18,000 miles and the left front drops low enough to give the "Car too low" warning if it sits for more than 2 days. It's been like this for 2 years now and two years ago the MB dealership said it was dirty fluid and flushed the system. Last fall they said it was a line leaking to the accumulator and replaced it. Still drops. Talked to them last week and they said "thats just how those older ABC systems are. As long as you can raise it when you drive it, you'll be ok."

BlownV8

Your valve block is dirty and letting hydraulic fluid past the valves that are not closing all the way.