SL/R230: Replace ABC with "standard" shocks?
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07GT500 Griggs ST
Replace ABC with "standard" shocks?
Does anyone produce a racing suspension kit for the R230 that gets rid of ABC entirely? My friend has a dodgy pump and has been eying my koni coil-overs and thinks that a full set would a) cost less than replacing the pump, b) weigh less and c) (maybe) handle as good as, if not better than, sport mode.
Anyone done such a thing and have feedback / recommendations?
Thx.
Jamie
Anyone done such a thing and have feedback / recommendations?
Thx.
Jamie
Last edited by jamesb; May 25, 2010 at 02:16 PM.
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S65
He wants to replace a suspension system that MB spent millions on developing and testing in order to go with conventional springs/shocks and struts? Because he doesn't want to properly fix his ABC?
~sad~
I'm sure it's doable. But he'll lose the smoothness of the ABC ride (obviously), and the car will probably end up riding like a Chevy. Not picking on Chevy in particular, it was the first manufacturer that came to mind.
~sad~
I'm sure it's doable. But he'll lose the smoothness of the ABC ride (obviously), and the car will probably end up riding like a Chevy. Not picking on Chevy in particular, it was the first manufacturer that came to mind.
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07GT500 Griggs ST
Like the SL65 Black? No ABC. Best Nürburgring times.
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From: Ann Arbor
'03 SL55
As far as I know, no one makes a coil suspension kit for R230s.
There was a project that produced a custom coil suspension for an R230. It cost more than replacing a defective ABC pump and handled better but rode worse. Related thread here: https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...-sl65-amg.html
Supposedly remanufactured ABC units are now available. Related thread here: https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...an-2010-a.html
Hope that helps.
There was a project that produced a custom coil suspension for an R230. It cost more than replacing a defective ABC pump and handled better but rode worse. Related thread here: https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...-sl65-amg.html
Supposedly remanufactured ABC units are now available. Related thread here: https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...an-2010-a.html
Hope that helps.
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S65
And your friend is Mario Andretti? The Stig, perhaps? Of course, it's up to him and what he considers an acceptable balance between ride quality and handling.
Furthermore, you're comparing an R230 to an SL65? Apples to oranges.
Furthermore, you're comparing an R230 to an SL65? Apples to oranges.
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07GT500 Griggs ST
Doing some more research, however, I imagine that the car wont have clearance for things like roll bars that it would need to make up for the lack of computer-controlled damping.
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SL55, C350 & ML320
Sathinas
If you research the suspension it's been a problem for many owners and for the 2003 owners a nightmare.
Just because MB designed it doesn't mean it's perfect and at $1,500 a strut and hydraulic lines that require a engine movement to replace you really have to wonder.
jamesb
There was a small US Based company working on making replacement struts ifyou google it might come up.
Best of luck
If you research the suspension it's been a problem for many owners and for the 2003 owners a nightmare.
Just because MB designed it doesn't mean it's perfect and at $1,500 a strut and hydraulic lines that require a engine movement to replace you really have to wonder.
jamesb
There was a small US Based company working on making replacement struts ifyou google it might come up.
Best of luck
