Himmelcl55amg

There are some old threads I have read. Just looking to hear from any more recent.

Werkstatt310

Don't do it. Fix the ABC system.

calgary

Um Himmels willen - Don't replace the ABC system - I agree with Werkstattt, fix it.

Himmelcl55amg

Can you give me some good reason other than it will not ride as smoothly as the ABC but it will however be reliable and safe. Lastly it will be a one time fix verses a yearly repair

Welwynnick

Mercedes, to their shame, considered ABC to be maintenance free, which was an unfortunate mistake.

If you inspect all the flexible hoses every year, replacing those that seep, and change the oil and filter every other year, you should be good.

It's a complicated system alright, but it allows you to drive a car with soft suspension that doesn't roll in corners. Its suspension utopia, here and now.

Nick

lkchris

To do do reduces your resale value to zero.

WikedV12

Everyone always says that replacing the ABC system with a coil over system will cause the value of your car to drop to zero. I don't know about that. These cars are already almost at zero and the main reason I always hear that is because everyone is afraid of having to replace the ABC system. People avoid buying the cars because of the ABC system. If I was shopping for a CL and the ABC system had already been replaced, I don't think it would cause me to run away. In my case, my CL65 runs great. I don't drive it much because I know I need to work on the ABC system and since I've not had time, I just don't drive it. I almost wish my car had coil overs so I didn't have to worry about it.

Skipjack28

I replaced my suspension with those shocks you're talking about from Strutmasters it cost me $200 per wheel to have my old shocks removed and the new ones put on in addition to that the shocks were $2,200 and that's $800 I spent to have them removed and replaced you're looking at $3,000
I thought great now my car is fixed I've got these new shocks and everything should be fine but lo and behold what did I find out when I had four people in the car and a tank full of gas the shocks would bottom out in addition to that because the car does not have sway bars because it has hydraulic Rams it is unstable when it hits a pothole or a bump
I then had to return the shocks for a shipping cost that was over $100 and then pay my mechanic $200 again to put my old shocks back on so now it cost me $900 just to put my old shocks back on
End result I had to put the old shocks back on so I ended up spending almost $2,000 just to put my old shocks back on a lot of headache a lot of money and the car drove horrible bad idea
additionally I still had to repair the bad shock and have that replaced for another $1,400 but that's what I should have done in the first place spent a lot of money to learn a lesson don't try that again
oh and by the way anybody looking for one of these cars is looking for it because of the suspension

Welwynnick

I second that that.

If Mercs didn't have ABC I'd be driving a different large German car instead.

Nick

Himmelcl55amg

Well thanks for all the advice. I decided to repair the ABC system. I will keep you all informed. I concluded that it would not be right without it.

WikedV12

Well, I can tell you that I liked the CL65 from the very first time I saw it in 2005 and I've wanted one ever since then. However, what I desired was the incredible twin turbo V12 and the look of the amazing design. Never once did I say, wow....I want this car because of it's suspension.....not even once. Now, I admit, the car does have a nice ride. But my ZR1 also has a nice ride. The car has adjustable suspension and can go from super stiff to very comfortable....and I've never had an issue with it.

What I always hear everyone say on this and other forums any time anyone ever asks about buying a CL is "make sure the ABC suspension is in good shape or it will cost you". I just wonder if these cars values would have dropped so far if they had originally came with coil overs and roll bars.
Anyways, I do enjoy my car....but not because of the suspension. The suspension is the one area of my car that always has me concerned....