SL/R231: New SL550
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 10
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sl550
New SL550
My name is Darts and I'm looking to build my first SL. What I need is some feedback on two items. The first item is the option of soft-close doors. Are they worth it? Do you wish you had it on your car? The second option is the Active Body Control (ABC). If you have it, do you like it? Wish you had it? Let me know.
Thanks,
Darts
Thanks,
Darts
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 192
Likes: 1
From: Central Texas
2022 AMG SL63
My name is Darts and I'm looking to build my first SL. What I need is some feedback on two items. The first item is the option of soft-close doors. Are they worth it? Do you wish you had it on your car? The second option is the Active Body Control (ABC). If you have it, do you like it? Wish you had it? Let me know.
Thanks,
Darts
Thanks,
Darts
Enjoy the build.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,579
Likes: 3,690
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Had the same SL with springs and ABC, also with and without soft close doors...
ABC: It's crazy to see so few SL's with ABC, yet it's the most important option you can get for the car. Used ABC for 13 years and springs are crude and inferior to ABC. Soft, yet not body roll. It continuously monitors the G-force and stabilizes each spring. Different car. What else is nice: car lowers itself while driving and you can raise the for steep driveways, etc.
My opinion: Spend the money...
Soft close doors: I expect those on a sedan. No door slamming. Elegant. Nice option. On the SL, they are nice with one drawback; it takes much longer to lock the car.
First, the door get pulled in, then the windows raise for a 1/4". Only when done can you lock the car. It doesn't take than long, but subjectively you stand longer by the car waiting for it to do it's thing.
I like it though, but clearly not as needed as in a sedan..
ABC: It's crazy to see so few SL's with ABC, yet it's the most important option you can get for the car. Used ABC for 13 years and springs are crude and inferior to ABC. Soft, yet not body roll. It continuously monitors the G-force and stabilizes each spring. Different car. What else is nice: car lowers itself while driving and you can raise the for steep driveways, etc.
My opinion: Spend the money...
Soft close doors: I expect those on a sedan. No door slamming. Elegant. Nice option. On the SL, they are nice with one drawback; it takes much longer to lock the car.
First, the door get pulled in, then the windows raise for a 1/4". Only when done can you lock the car. It doesn't take than long, but subjectively you stand longer by the car waiting for it to do it's thing.
I like it though, but clearly not as needed as in a sedan..
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: MA
13 SL550, 14 E63 Wagon, 15 S550, 11 M3, 08 F430 Spider, 12 ML350
Had the same SL with springs and ABC, also with and without soft close doors...
ABC: It's crazy to see so few SL's with ABC, yet it's the most important option you can get for the car. Used ABC for 13 years and springs are crude and inferior to ABC. Soft, yet not body roll. It continuously monitors the G-force and stabilizes each spring. Different car. What else is nice: car lowers itself while driving and you can raise the for steep driveways, etc.
My opinion: Spend the money...
Soft close doors: I expect those on a sedan. No door slamming. Elegant. Nice option. On the SL, they are nice with one drawback; it takes much longer to lock the car.
First, the door get pulled in, then the windows raise for a 1/4". Only when done can you lock the car. It doesn't take than long, but subjectively you stand longer by the car waiting for it to do it's thing.
I like it though, but clearly not as needed as in a sedan..
ABC: It's crazy to see so few SL's with ABC, yet it's the most important option you can get for the car. Used ABC for 13 years and springs are crude and inferior to ABC. Soft, yet not body roll. It continuously monitors the G-force and stabilizes each spring. Different car. What else is nice: car lowers itself while driving and you can raise the for steep driveways, etc.
My opinion: Spend the money...
Soft close doors: I expect those on a sedan. No door slamming. Elegant. Nice option. On the SL, they are nice with one drawback; it takes much longer to lock the car.
First, the door get pulled in, then the windows raise for a 1/4". Only when done can you lock the car. It doesn't take than long, but subjectively you stand longer by the car waiting for it to do it's thing.
I like it though, but clearly not as needed as in a sedan..
I got the doors because my wife tends to slam car doors, drives me nuts, with these she's learned to let them just latch and walk away.
I'm glad I got both options.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 416
From: Irvine, California
2022 AMG SL63
I have both the soft close doors and ABC. I agree 100% with Wolfman. ABC is fantastic. For 10 years I raced open wheel cars in SCCA, and really appreciate a car that corners flat. Plus as he said, the car lowers itself quite a bit when you're driving - especially the faster you go. It dynamically responds to the conditions that the car faces and gives a much better drive. However in all honesty, although I have driven a 2013 SL 550 without ABC, it was only for a test drive. So I can't really be sure the difference between them is great...but I can tell you that ABC is terrific. And I do use the function of raising the car up when I need to go in or out of a steep driveway or come to a significant dip at an intersection. It saves scraping on the bottom.
The soft close doors are an inexpensive option. Definitely go for it.
The soft close doors are an inexpensive option. Definitely go for it.
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 270
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From: Arlington VA
'24 CLE 53
Congrats on the car. Still beats 99% of the cars on the road when it comes to enjoyment. I say that as mine sits blissfully in the garage as we "enjoy" balmy 10 degree temps here in DC.
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Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: NY
2013 SL 550
ABC is great, but you will have tons of problems with it. The pump will die, the line, the struts will leak, etc. Even with a lease, I know it's all covered, but you will be in the shop a lot. Definitely, DO NOT get ABC if you are purchasing the vehicle as repairs are quite expensive. I know these are expensive cars and we who purchase or lease them, have the money to do so, but still, 12K on ABC repairs is not fun, I'd rather buy another 12K watch!!!
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,579
Likes: 3,690
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
ABC is great, but you will have tons of problems with it. The pump will die, the line, the struts will leak, etc. Even with a lease, I know it's all covered, but you will be in the shop a lot. Definitely, DO NOT get ABC if you are purchasing the vehicle as repairs are quite expensive. I know these are expensive cars and we who purchase or lease them, have the money to do so, but still, 12K on ABC repairs is not fun, I'd rather buy another 12K watch!!!
You will not have tons of problems with ABC nor will the car will be in the shop a lot. For one I haven't heard of a single R231 with ABC issues and the issues on the older R230 typically creep in after 6-9 years. ABC repairs can clearly be expensive but certainly not $12k.
I had a pump failure and had the pump, line and fluid replaced. Repair was $4500 of which MB covered $2k even though the car was already out of warranty. Ignition coils and spark plugs for our SL600 were more expensive than that
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
sl550
Thanks for all the advise. I purchased a new SL550 with the following items:
Iridium Silver
Black Napa Leather
Illuminated Door Sills
Black Ash Wood Trim
Wood/Leather Steering Wheel
Sport Wheel Package
Magic Sky Control
Active Body Control (ABC)
Soft Close Doors
Grey Headliner
Driver Assistance Package
Wheel Locking Bolts
Once I get a few miles on it I'll let you know what I think.
Darts
Iridium Silver
Black Napa Leather
Illuminated Door Sills
Black Ash Wood Trim
Wood/Leather Steering Wheel
Sport Wheel Package
Magic Sky Control
Active Body Control (ABC)
Soft Close Doors
Grey Headliner
Driver Assistance Package
Wheel Locking Bolts
Once I get a few miles on it I'll let you know what I think.
Darts
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 763
Likes: 166
From: Oregon USA
2023 Mercedes EQS 580 SUV, 2023 Bentley Bentayga, 2023 Genesis GV60
Why is there no option for a heated steering wheel on the 2014 SL550? I have it on my GL550 and S63 and it seems like a no-brainer on a convertible.
