DRTYLNDY

Hey all.
I am looking for a right front ABC strut for my 2003 S55. The dealer quoted me $1650 for the part and about $550 labor to install for a $2200 total. I have read that there are aftermarket struts out there, any one here have any expierences? Or does anyone know where I can buy a OEM at a better price and have a Indi install it instead.
Thanks, Johan

sound 8

I had a leaking strut, it cost just over a grand to fix. The trouble with fitting
an after market one is I am sure the suspension has to be re programmed,
I presume only MB or a MB specialist can do this.

DRTYLNDY

Where did you get the new strut?

Oxygen

My pricing is a bit outdated, but here is for a general idea:

FRONT: A2203202438 HYDROPNEUMAT[487ABC] 112000 90000 $900.00
REAR: A2203205013 HYDROPNEUMAT[487ABC] 105000 84000 $840.00

Oxygen

Oooops sorry that's the AIRmatic not the ABC, here is the ABC struts:

Front Left: A2203201538 HYDROPNEUMAT 164000 132000 $1,320.00
Front Right: A2203201638 HYDROPNEUMAT 164000 132000 $1,320.00

Rear Left: A2203201738 HYDROPNEUMAT 156000 125000 $1,250.00
Rear Right: A2203201838 HYDROPNEUMAT 156000 125000 $1,250.00

Jesus those are expensive....

sound 8

The whole job was done by Mercedes.

Sunir

Do you have contact info for a place to buy suspension parts; they are really expensive, I have ABC suspension on my SL55 and recently had to get a strut replaced...I paid $1600 for the part!!! don't want to have to do that again...

Air Marshall Eldritch

I can get the fronts for about $1200.

Sunir

Can you tell me whom to buy from...I'd like to be prepared when time comes if needed. I just paid a lot on a recent service...please help

Oxygen

Yeah, my contact is the local Mercedes parts department.

Oxygen

On PARTS.COM for $1138.50 -> http://www.parts.com/oemcatalog/inde...id=67&siteid=2

DRTYLNDY

Thanks guys! I am going to check with the local Indy to see if the will install the strut for me if I supply the part.
Thanks again.
Johan

Oxygen

Local indy? Those are the last people that you want working on system such as ABC. Without the proper knowledge, experience and specialty tools they will do much more damage than good.

DRTYLNDY

Thanks for your concern Oxygen but the owner is actually the old shop forman for Mercedes who went out on his own. He also hired the best mechanics from the same dealership. So it is the best of both worlds I guess. They do charge the same per hour but I trust them more than the dealer since I have now got them in a few lies. Trust means a lot to me.
Johan

DRTYLNDY

Hey Oxygen, have you ever used www.parts.com yourself? I just want to know if the parts they sell are OEM or not.
Thanks, Johan

Quadcammer

I use parts.com all the time. They are OEM mercedes parts in an oem mb box.

Parts.com is basically just an intermediary between you and MB of Naperville. The parts and the invoice come from the MB dealer, who just happens to sell wholesale through parts.com.

I've been 100% satisfied with their service and the parts arrive quickly. Shipping is expensive as hell, but I've gotten parts next day.

Very good experience and awesome prices, imho.

DRTYLNDY

Thanks for the info Oliverk. I did notice the shipping was very high. They charge 15%. Oh well the price is still better with shipping.

Sunir

I just did a check on a recent part (LR strut for my SL55) ...I could have saved $500 going through parts.com ...for next time I'm going to get the p/n's and cross check and buy from the best source.

Quadcammer

Thats absolutely the best way to do it. I've never found prices lower than parts.com for OEM parts.

its shocking how much money you can save on some things.

billybenz

depending on where it is leaking from they make a repair kit that lists for around $95.00 dollars and it takes two hours to replace it. it has to be leaking from the top if it is it should only cost a couple of hundred bucks and this repair kit is made by mercedes.

Sunir

Unfortunately it was leaking form the bottom of the LR ABC strut :-(

Oxygen

The kit is for Airmatic struts, not to be confused with a completely different ABC system.

KUNMB

Put C/M/S button in C at most time, will extend ABC's life?

Oxygen

Hmm that's for your transmission mode dude

KUNMB

I think C/M/S effects both transmission and ABC, am I wrong?