4me

I am contemplating buying a 2003 cl500 with 115000 miles. The car is very clean. Owner just had to do a new shifter. Cost him $1,200. Says thats why he is selling it. Too expensive for him to keep up. Say nothing is wrong now. While inspecting the car I made some odd observations. I noticed that while in park and after idling for 10 minutes the car will lower and raise on it own a few times. Owner says it has always done that. He has owned it for a little over a year. Is that normal?
I also noticed that the car was warm when I got there, like it had been run earlier (cold start or code light issues?). Only mention it because it was in the garage and suppose to not have insurance right now so went on a limited test drive.
Rode excellent. I think I'm in love. Want to go back and check again. Plan to tell him that I noticed the car had been warmed up last time. I want to see it cold. What could he be trying to hide and what do I look for? Should I just walk away. Did I mention it's only $7,000!

vmystikilv

id buy it. Great year for a great price. I'd budget 7000 for the car and 2000 to covert the suspension to regular coils and you will have a solid everyday car. I have the ABC suspension and I fix and maintain it. You can decide if its worth the headache or not.




BTW, my shifter went out on my W220 S class. 20 bucks worth of parts and 1 hour later it was fine. Try to stay away from the dealers with these cars.

4me

Thank, I pick it up tomorrow...
Any help on who or where to buy the suspension parts? I have used Arnott Parts in the past but the don't list any conversion for the 2003 CL500.

vmystikilv

I don't know if im allowed to say.... just do a quick google and its super easy to find. That was my initial plan. I bought the car with a working ABC with all intentions on getting rid of it after purchase anyways. A drive home, and drive here, a drive there. I actually quite like it. I have had a few simple failures that I managed to fix on my own at a fraction of the price. all in all I think I spent 500 total on the ABC suspension. But, I still have the 2000 set aside just to convert the car when or if its time comes... For the price you are getting it, its a great deal for the newer model. If you really want to try and save the ABC and make it last, make sure to do a fluid and filter flush immediately. Its like a engine and transmission. You have to maintain it for it to work a long time. I think most problems come from people not flushing it like they should and when something little goes wrong they don't fix which causes major problem.

lloyds

Srutmasters do the conversion here is the link http://www.strutmasters.com/Mercedes...t-p/mb14fm.htm
good luck

mmirshahi

Get the VIN number and have the dealer print out the service records for you. You'll only be able to see the repairs done to the car when it was serviced at an actual benz dealership but it will give you a good idea of issues its had the last 10 years.

if you love the car that much, pay $100 at the dealer and they can do a 24 point inspection for you. They can check the system and pull codes etc...

$7,000 is not bad but be ready to shell out money when it has problems. The cost of ownership is not cheap. See if you can purchase an extended warranty for it. Call a few places and get quotes. MAKE SURE THEY COVER THE ABC SYSTEM.

4me

So glad I asked... The fluid was brown and on its way to black. New filter and fresh fluid made a difference so far! I swear it rides better, could I really be that lucky? I am afraid the malfunction light will come on again. I really would like to find an inexpensive tool that can read the codes and reset when needed.

vmystikilv

Pics Pics Pics Pics!!!!!!




P.S. I see you decided to keep the ABC system. Me too. Just make sure to keep that $2000 on standby. When it goes bad we both will be ready. Happy motoring and check the fluid again in about 3 weeks to make sure its still clean...Depending on where you went they might have not pulled out all the fluid and you need to do a complete flush...

4me

Day 1




1

vmystikilv

Hey, we got the same color, lol. That car is super sweet, and a great price. Enjoy it and I really like the wheels. Those are the nicer factory one's. Again, keep that $2,000 on standby so when its time to toss that suspension you will be ok. Awesome ride

4me

Thanks... Keeping my fingers crossed so far so good. No lights. No malfunctions.

4me

ABC struts FOR SALE...
Pump went after a month with new clean fluid. Changed over to SM conversion. No regrets!

fireman685

Can you post up some pics of it after the conversion? How do you feel the ride compares to ABC?

biker349

arnott buys abc struts for i believe $100 each. give them a call.

TheSaint

Any error warnings after you did this convertion?