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Although I've already posted, I thought I would introduce myself and my new to me 2009 S550, Miss Daisy. Unfortunately the original owner passed away, but she was treated extremely well in her first 10 years. More options than I had hoped for (including ABC suspension), but we'll learn to live with them! She'll be living with the Avanti for the foreseeable future.
New lower control arms and new tires are first on the agenda.
Wow she looks absolutely beautiful
That pic especially in your garage taken....it looks like it just rolled off the showroom.
Congrats!
Thanks! That was our first impression when we saw it. Meticulously maintained and as close to showroom condition as any used car I have ever looked at. The wife had a smile plastered on her face as soon as she opened the door, so negotiations were limited...
Beautiful car congratulations I wouldn't lose much sleep over the ABC system. I own a r230 SL550 with ABC it is a fantastic suspension. Check out the r230 forums for information about ABC. Sl owners live in fear of ABC too. Change the fluid and filter. You will be fine.
I really wanted to avoid the ABC just on what I've heard from R230 owners. I had an R129 for many years, and it seemed infinitely less complicated than the R230's! I also wanted to avoid the 7 speed transmission, but I ended up with both. This car was just too nice to pass up.
I do plan to flush the fluid in the near future since it appears to never have been done. Luckily, no codes or signs of leaks! It has a great history with all maintenance done at Mercedes of Seattle.
Yes, R129s are less complicated. The early year SLs 2003-4 were plagued by troubled ABC systems. Later years have better pumps, redesigned struts and accumulators and better software. Your 2009 should have same or better ABC than my 2007 which has upgrades and has been trouble free for me (2 years) and prior service records showed no ABC work at dealers. You'll know if ABC is acting up by COMMAND notice or your body low on a corner or 2. Generally they will re-level on start-up. I have 7 speed trans in R230 and W221 and am very happy with it, my son's GL450 has it, all with no issues so far.
Wondering if anyone here has done the fluid flush on a W221? I had a post on it here earlier, but in case you didn't see it. My WIS data tells me the factory method is to disconnect the return line and direct to a container, which I can see could be a bit of trouble, but I don't want to buy the AGA tool for a job I will likely perform once.
Thanks for all the replies!
I plan to buy the tool, because I’m pretty sure I’ll have either this car, or another one (S63 or S65), long enough to need it more that once. And... the tool costs less than a single hour of labor at the dealer, on an hour and a half at an independent shop.
Good point. It isn't really that much money, but I want to make sure it's really necessary and that it works properly.
Perhaps I should rephrase my question: Who has used this tool and can verify that it is worth the cost?
I have only seen one YouTube video of someone using it, and I have to say that it didn't seem to fit all that well. It looked like it was bypassing the return and pumping clean fluid almost immediately. I am not saying it doesn't work, but I'd like to hear from someone who has experience with it.
Very nice car! The ABC Suspension is great, and is highly advanced and of coarse complex. When working with maintaining it, it is imperative to make sure you clean all fittings from debris, and and funnels used to add fluid. Have it flushed at least once every two years.
Hey guys, I'm another guy living south of Seattle with an 07 S600 (and a 07 CL550). Let me know if you guys are in need of any parts, I parted out a 2010 and I've got some extra parts. Also would be nice to share tools like that ABC flush tool.
11-02-2019, 12:36 AM
