rmarshall5

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

Centexhokie

I have the soft close doors, but not ABC. The soft close doors are definitely a good item in my opinion. Once you get used to them it just feels like closing other car doors is crude. I personally never drove a car with ABC so I can't speak to its usefulness, but it can tell you that without it the regular system keeps the car pretty flat in the corners. I've taken a couple of brisk drives in the Texas hill country and the car without it was well composed in triple digits. Someone else will have to compare it with and without.

Enjoy the build.

Wolfman

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..

jpeardm

+1 on the ABC
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.

California John

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.

BigHat

Get them both. The ABC is great and the soft close option isn't that expensive and it's nice to have.

persian54

I wish I had gotten ABC, but no local dealers had any in stock in Diamond white :/

and I need to make sure the lease check cleared before the end of the year. O well, next time.

BigHat

I came from an M3 vert (E93) and test drove an SL w/o ABC. I was very happy with the way the car handled. As the salesman was adamant that I'd like it I opted to include ABC in my order.

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.

"The Don"

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!!!

Wolfman

Not sure what you are smoking but this is BS.

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

rmarshall5

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

California John

This car sounds like a real beauty! You got the good stuff. Let us know your experiences...please

Centexhokie

Enjoy the ride.

Wolfman

Congrats! Nice configuration. Take some pics

rmarshall5

Here you go.

jbattan

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.