SL/R129: Self levelling ride not level?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2
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From: Sydney Australia
1999 SL500 R129
Self levelling ride not level?
Do any of you R129 owners have a problem with the self levelling ride not quite being level?
My left side is about 15mm higher than the right side, and it's like that at all the different ride height settings. Do any of you guys have the same issue, or is my SL500 a freak?
My MB maindealer says that fine tuning the ride heights isn't possible.
My left side is about 15mm higher than the right side, and it's like that at all the different ride height settings. Do any of you guys have the same issue, or is my SL500 a freak?
My MB maindealer says that fine tuning the ride heights isn't possible.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 75
From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
I,ve had a 1999 SL 500 since Dec / 02. Do not have that problem. Good luck with it.
However, your question brings up a related question of my own.
We are first time MB owners and have been following the technical stuff a bit for about a year.
In all the reading I've done in the past year or so, I thought it was only the new R230's that had "ABC" systems. The SL 600 in 1999 (according to the owners manuall) also had some sort of suspension / ride control system (an extra button).
In 1999 did the SL 500 come with it as optional on say an AMG Sport package?
Or does my plain old 1999 SL 500 have some sort of dip and roll control via some system that evolved into the current ABC system?
The 1999 SL 500 is quite stabel in almost any driving condition. Is that just shocks and springs ... or is there a system working away that other makes of cars do not have?
Can anyone explain this?
However, your question brings up a related question of my own.
We are first time MB owners and have been following the technical stuff a bit for about a year.
In all the reading I've done in the past year or so, I thought it was only the new R230's that had "ABC" systems. The SL 600 in 1999 (according to the owners manuall) also had some sort of suspension / ride control system (an extra button).
In 1999 did the SL 500 come with it as optional on say an AMG Sport package?
Or does my plain old 1999 SL 500 have some sort of dip and roll control via some system that evolved into the current ABC system?
The 1999 SL 500 is quite stabel in almost any driving condition. Is that just shocks and springs ... or is there a system working away that other makes of cars do not have?
Can anyone explain this?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Sydney Australia
1999 SL500 R129
Thanks for the response.
Actually, I've done a little research, and I believe that North American SL500s may not have had this ride height feature, which I have learned is called Adaptive Damping System (I think it might only have been an SL600 feature in your market).
It's controlled by this switch:
As far as I know, the ADS is not as smart as the ABC system in the new-shape models. I think the old system merely gives you the choice of three ride height/stiffness combinations (and the car defaults to the stiffest setting over a certain speed).
I think the ABC system takes the concept quite a bit further, to also stiffen the front/rear (or even a corner) of the suspension to compensate for braking and cornering, and it's also smart enough to do this in anticipation, based on how aggressive you are with the wheel and pedals....in addition to what the old system did.
Actually, I've done a little research, and I believe that North American SL500s may not have had this ride height feature, which I have learned is called Adaptive Damping System (I think it might only have been an SL600 feature in your market).
It's controlled by this switch:
As far as I know, the ADS is not as smart as the ABC system in the new-shape models. I think the old system merely gives you the choice of three ride height/stiffness combinations (and the car defaults to the stiffest setting over a certain speed).
I think the ABC system takes the concept quite a bit further, to also stiffen the front/rear (or even a corner) of the suspension to compensate for braking and cornering, and it's also smart enough to do this in anticipation, based on how aggressive you are with the wheel and pedals....in addition to what the old system did.
Last edited by Aussie SL; Aug 19, 2003 at 09:15 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 10
SL 500, CL 500
Hi Aussie SL,
I have the exact same thing happening on my 1999 SL 500 with th ADS.
It is 14-17mm higher on the left front at all the ride heights!
Have you gotten any where with this??
Or does anyone have any ideas?
I have the exact same thing happening on my 1999 SL 500 with th ADS.
It is 14-17mm higher on the left front at all the ride heights!
Have you gotten any where with this??
Or does anyone have any ideas?
