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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
From: San Jose
CL65 AMG , white S550 Sport w/ white Giovanna 22s, wild custom chopper
ABC is really nice, over the Airmatic if you are looking for great handling. However, if you plan to keep the car for a long time, ABC can be a nightmare when it fails. My CL55 has ABC, great system when it works - but you're looking at thousands of dollars when it fails and you aren't under warranty. Examples are tandem pump going out, $2k+, system contamination caused by failed pumps coming apart and sending debris through the lines and damaging valves or struts becomes very expensive, over $10k worth of repair to replace the entire system - which has been the case for many ABC owners.
If you plan to keep the car for a long time, it's worth considering not going the ABC route. Also the ABC system failures are not directly tied to hard driving. I've heard of cars close to 50k miles without being abused having these failures.
If you plan to keep the car for a long time, it's worth considering not going the ABC route. Also the ABC system failures are not directly tied to hard driving. I've heard of cars close to 50k miles without being abused having these failures.
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Newbie
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 9
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thanks guys! this board rocks.
i think this car is a long-term keeper so i'll avoid the ABC. i do plan on getting an extended warranty.
i like the AMG for the visual effect, but i'm not under any delusions that the car will handle like a sports car.
i think this car is a long-term keeper so i'll avoid the ABC. i do plan on getting an extended warranty.
i like the AMG for the visual effect, but i'm not under any delusions that the car will handle like a sports car.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 517
Likes: 2
From: AZ
'10 MB S550, '11 RR HSE LUX
I think ABC is much better in the current revision than 9 years ago (both feature- and reliability-wise); I haven't heard any reliability complaints on 2008-2009 W221s equipped with it (bear in mind that S600/S65s come with it standard). If you're buying the extended warranty, you shouldn't worry about it at all.
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
From: San Jose
CL65 AMG , white S550 Sport w/ white Giovanna 22s, wild custom chopper
That is definitely true. I will ask the local shop foreman on his experience with the new system and see if it is indeed better... Now as far as aftermarket warranties that you'd be looking at after your factory expires often will not cover it, depending on the mileage, for example Western General. They specifically exclude this system because of being burned by many policy holders which had the problems.
I think ABC is much better in the current revision than 9 years ago (both feature- and reliability-wise); I haven't heard any reliability complaints on 2008-2009 W221s equipped with it (bear in mind that S600/S65s come with it standard). If you're buying the extended warranty, you shouldn't worry about it at all.
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Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 517
Likes: 2
From: AZ
'10 MB S550, '11 RR HSE LUX
Yeah, I think the only extended warranty worth getting is the MB one. I'm still unclear on whether I am going to go down that path myself, but if one is certain that they're going to keep the car past the original warranty -- it's a pretty logical move.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
From: San Jose
CL65 AMG , white S550 Sport w/ white Giovanna 22s, wild custom chopper
I found GE & Western General to be good, they took care of everything that broke on my S600 coupe (I think like 15k worth of repairs) and the CL55 as well. Extended warranties are as good as your service advisor's willingness to go the extra mile that is required when they work with adjusters from the warranty companies. In a good economy, it was hard to find service advisers that wanted to deal with it because people were more willing to pay for the repairs out of pocket, now it's a bit easier.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,008
Likes: 58
From: Poconos, Pennsylvania
Protecting the Earth from the Scum of the Universe
I found GE & Western General to be good, they took care of everything that broke on my S600 coupe (I think like 15k worth of repairs) and the CL55 as well. Extended warranties are as good as your service advisor's willingness to go the extra mile that is required when they work with adjusters from the warranty companies. In a good economy, it was hard to find service advisers that wanted to deal with it because people were more willing to pay for the repairs out of pocket, now it's a bit easier.
I'm very happy with my SA, always gives my car to the top mechanic, even for oil change.
Btw, I purchased 7y. extended warranty from MB.
So the answer to OP:
ABC suspension,
Distronic Plus,
MB's extended warranty,
and...V12TT (just kidding)
Last edited by Red Marko; Jan 22, 2010 at 07:58 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 1
From: CA
2010 CL65
Agree, ABC and DistPlus (Driver Assist stuff not the cruise ctrl itself) are must-haves for improved driving precision and safety; also, spec perf tires, not the worthless no-season tires std on many S550s (big braking distance diffs affect active safety)
Run the nos. for self but properly value own time; peace of mind; lack of mtce costs; and increased safety of fresh, newer airbag systems/seatbelts/sensors/braking&stability systems, etc: I suspect for many who drive <15K mis/yr, $0-down leasing a new, '10 S550 (spec'd to one's tastes) for 2 yrs and repeating every 2 yrs is best value, not a used car, no matter conventional wisdom
Have used this approach for past ~10yrs in leasing new S550s for my mother (who doesn't drive much and hates to see me "waste" money on cars
)...but I feel much better when she's driving safest car I can offer; she doesn't waste time visiting dealer for glitches/maintenance, etc (recent S-Classes are truly bulletproof in reliability and lack of glitches, despite so much new tech
)...have full lemon law protection in event of the rare lemon...and keep cash invested outside a depreciating, obsoleting tech device (and have lease-gap insurance on S550)
Run the nos. for self but properly value own time; peace of mind; lack of mtce costs; and increased safety of fresh, newer airbag systems/seatbelts/sensors/braking&stability systems, etc: I suspect for many who drive <15K mis/yr, $0-down leasing a new, '10 S550 (spec'd to one's tastes) for 2 yrs and repeating every 2 yrs is best value, not a used car, no matter conventional wisdom
Have used this approach for past ~10yrs in leasing new S550s for my mother (who doesn't drive much and hates to see me "waste" money on cars
)...but I feel much better when she's driving safest car I can offer; she doesn't waste time visiting dealer for glitches/maintenance, etc (recent S-Classes are truly bulletproof in reliability and lack of glitches, despite so much new tech)...have full lemon law protection in event of the rare lemon...and keep cash invested outside a depreciating, obsoleting tech device (and have lease-gap insurance on S550)
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
From: San Jose
CL65 AMG , white S550 Sport w/ white Giovanna 22s, wild custom chopper
How much was the 7yr extended warranty?
One thing folks have to watch out for that this isn't an option when buying cars from auction - must be dealer certified to be qualified for the MB warranty. Any way around this?
One thing folks have to watch out for that this isn't an option when buying cars from auction - must be dealer certified to be qualified for the MB warranty. Any way around this?
You are quite correct. A good working relationship with your Service Adviser (SA) is absolutely essential. It's not cheap, overtipping a must, but it pays (pun intended) in the long run big time.
I'm very happy with my SA, always gives my car to the top mechanic, even for oil change.
Btw, I purchased 7y. extended warranty from MB.
So the answer to OP:
ABC suspension,
Distronic Plus,
MB's extended warranty,
and...V12TT (just kidding)
I'm very happy with my SA, always gives my car to the top mechanic, even for oil change.
Btw, I purchased 7y. extended warranty from MB.
So the answer to OP:
ABC suspension,
Distronic Plus,
MB's extended warranty,
and...V12TT (just kidding)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,008
Likes: 58
From: Poconos, Pennsylvania
Protecting the Earth from the Scum of the Universe
Paid - $4,000.
No brainer, in my opinion.
Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 174
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, Tx
2008 S550 designo
I'm guessing by 7 years, you are talking about the standard 4 year plus the 3 years available extended through MB? I bought mine CPO (4 + 1 standard) and added 2 years (7 years total) for just under $3000. The price started at $3995, but it is negotiable. I think you have more leverage at time of purchase than trying after.
Even with the W221 being significantly more reliable than the W220, I still thought it wise to go this route. The sheer amount of electronics, plus Airmatic, makes it worthwhile to me. I had to replace the Airmatic pump in my S500 at 55,000 miles.
Even with the W221 being significantly more reliable than the W220, I still thought it wise to go this route. The sheer amount of electronics, plus Airmatic, makes it worthwhile to me. I had to replace the Airmatic pump in my S500 at 55,000 miles.
