SL/R230: Coilovers
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 62
Likes: 10
From: England
R230 SL500 W211 E220
Coilovers
Hi all i'm seriously considering swapping the abc out for coilovers on my sl500 r230. I can get the coilovers from BC Racing here in the uk but anti roll bars i can't seem to find here only in the States. I know the 350 has spring's & anti roll bars. The ones from the States are apparently stronger but would a 350 rear be ok because i can't think there would be any weight difference on the back of either car.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 744
Likes: 73
From: PNW Wa State
R230, C5 Corvette Convertible, Audi Allroad, Lexus RX350, AE86 Hachi Roku
Sure you could use an SL350 rear sway bar.
You also might want to do some research on W211 E55
Also search R230 black series
The difficulty for fronts is the body mounts, nothing that cant be fabbed
Good Luck
You also might want to do some research on W211 E55
Also search R230 black series
The difficulty for fronts is the body mounts, nothing that cant be fabbed
Good Luck
Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 168
Likes: 21
From: Mississauga, CA
Sl500
Hi all i'm seriously considering swapping the abc out for coilovers on my sl500 r230. I can get the coilovers from BC Racing here in the uk but anti roll bars i can't seem to find here only in the States. I know the 350 has spring's & anti roll bars. The ones from the States are apparently stronger but would a 350 rear be ok because i can't think there would be any weight difference on the back of either car.
Last year when my ABC experience some minor glitches I looked at some conversions just in case.
The conclusion that I arrived at was that properly setup coilovers with anti roll bars may actually cost more than a major repair on the ABC. There is no of the shelf substitute. If your plan is to go racing than yes, sure slam your car down and have fun. Otherwise you are talking black series or custom made parts. $$$
I spent couple of hundred on new accumulators, flush the system and it performs just like new. Ride quality is amazing,not to mention the convince of ride height adjustment. The key here is to be proactive. Service the system before it fails.
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 107
Likes: 5
From: New Orleans, La.
2009 gmc sierra 1500, 2005 C55 AMG, 2007 SL55 AMG.
There is a company in Florida called VVK. I have ordered and I am waiting to get there swaybar kit. I will post pictures when the kit arrives. I will be doing the conversion myself but I believe I am in 2300 for swaybars and coilovers.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,087
Likes: 59
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
Colin,
Last year when my ABC experience some minor glitches I looked at some conversions just in case.
The conclusion that I arrived at was that properly setup coilovers with anti roll bars may actually cost more than a major repair on the ABC. There is no of the shelf substitute. If your plan is to go racing than yes, sure slam your car down and have fun. Otherwise you are talking black series or custom made parts. $$$
I spent couple of hundred on new accumulators, flush the system and it performs just like new. Ride quality is amazing,not to mention the convince of ride height adjustment. The key here is to be proactive. Service the system before it fails.
Last year when my ABC experience some minor glitches I looked at some conversions just in case.
The conclusion that I arrived at was that properly setup coilovers with anti roll bars may actually cost more than a major repair on the ABC. There is no of the shelf substitute. If your plan is to go racing than yes, sure slam your car down and have fun. Otherwise you are talking black series or custom made parts. $$$
I spent couple of hundred on new accumulators, flush the system and it performs just like new. Ride quality is amazing,not to mention the convince of ride height adjustment. The key here is to be proactive. Service the system before it fails.
The ABC is definitely a work of science and a superior system than most conventional setups (especially at that time when ABC was first introduced on the R230/W215/W220). Just comparing it to a vehicle with airmatic semi-active air suspension even, the ABC just pulls the car through the corners much more smoothly (versus the airmatic still has a sort of weighty feeling, though still impressive in my book). I had an 04 E320 with the airmatic so the real-life difference with ABC is noticeable (and so is the upkeep
). The ride height is awesome for those nasty high up sidewalk curves or treacherous driveways (especially, again, since it goes higher than airmatic does).Personally, I'd have to drive a car with a VVK setup or similar to make the plunge into investing and removing the entire ABC system or not.
Last edited by gaazmon; Jan 1, 2020 at 10:00 PM.
Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 168
Likes: 21
From: Mississauga, CA
Sl500
What’s the expected ride hight? If memory serves me right it was 1/2 to 3/4 inch lower than normal setting on ABC. Is this still the case?
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 107
Likes: 5
From: New Orleans, La.
2009 gmc sierra 1500, 2005 C55 AMG, 2007 SL55 AMG.
