BensonC

the car being a SL350(R230, Asia model), came with factory AMG package, wheel, suspension(non-ABC) and muffer. Looking to lowering it just for look, any suggestion? The only available option I found is the H&R sport spring, anyone have experience of it compare to OEM AMG one? Thx!

blueSL

You may not get much help here because this is a mainly US forum aside from people like me who keep bugging them and wont go away. The SL350 uses conventional suspension but the good news is that it might be easier to lower as a result. Be careful not to overdo it, you need to maintain the ground clearance.

carlosfernandez

Hey bluesl I din't know that the 350 comes with standar suspension thanks for the info. BTW you are not bugging us.

blueSL

ABC uses a cleverly designed suspension strut which changes its spring rate and damper characteristics using hydraulics, on the fly, based on what the car is doing. Lowering the car means changing what is a carefully designed system, although the ability to set the ride height is built in - the car lowers itself at speed and you can manually raise it in two stages.

With the SL350, the suspension structs are more conventional spring/damper struts and lowering the car is accomplished by more conventional component exchange.

carlosfernandez

interesting

Scotsman

And a snip at £2540! Don't throw it around much but can't spot a difference when it's switched off. Have you Blue?

blueSL

You cant switch it off! It's a permanent system on the SL500+ and compared to how the older SL handle, it's a revelation. The ABC switch changes the parameters from "comfort" to "sport" and I agree there's not that much difference unless you are driving the car hard.

I lost the ABC once when it dumped its hydraulic fluid over the road, believe me, if the ABC quits, you know all about it. It's like driving on a trampoline.

carlosfernandez

Does the warranty cover that repair?

blueSL

Yes, it happened twice. The second time, the fluid was over my garage floor so I got them to pick the car up and truck it in.

tiggerfink

When that happens is the car drivable? I have two members in my MB club are afraid to purchase the SL500 and SL600 because of being afraid of the hydraulic system.

blueSL

The first time I took it in, they wouldn't let me take it away because it was unsafe and I had to find my own way home. That was why I made them come and pick the car up the second time.

The car was pretty much undriveable, bouncing around all over the place. There's no doubt the SL depends very heavily on its various hydraulic systems - suspension, brakes, steering, roof.

Scotsman

Oops, my mistake Blue, that's what I meant.

carlosfernandez

Does they tell you why the fluid flow out??

blueSL

Leaks in the unions joining sections of pipework together. The first attempt to tighten them failed, the second time they replaced a section of the pipework.

Overclocked412

And just f-everyones-i, the SL350 is available with ABC. Saw a few for sale with it as a feature, while looking at a australian mercedes site.

fanattik_PT

My dad ordered a SL350, and he chose to equip it with the optional ABC suspension (standard on SL500, SL600 and AMG versions). After driving a SL55 AMG, he was marvelled with it. I just hope that there are no fluid leaks, as mentioned in this Post.