SL/R231: 2014 Coilover Conversion
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,498
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Where are you located? What you see about the R230 is probably replacement for the ABC suspension since it can be problematic, especially as it ages. In the US, there are much fewer R231 cars with the ABC suspension and I think most owners are happy with the stock suspension on the car. Why do you want to go with coilovers? Is your car a daily driver or a track car?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
2014 SL 550
Where are you located? What you see about the R230 is probably replacement for the ABC suspension since it can be problematic, especially as it ages. In the US, there are much fewer R231 cars with the ABC suspension and I think most owners are happy with the stock suspension on the car. Why do you want to go with coilovers? Is your car a daily driver or a track car?
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,498
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
How many miles do you have and when was your ABC last serviced?
I had ABC on my 2004 SL500 and it was amazing. BUT…it started having problems and I always feared the pump failing. The newer generation in the R231 is supposed to have fix’s all the problems in the R230. I strongly recommend figuring out what’s wrong with yours because no other type of suspension is going to come close to ABC.
I had ABC on my 2004 SL500 and it was amazing. BUT…it started having problems and I always feared the pump failing. The newer generation in the R231 is supposed to have fix’s all the problems in the R230. I strongly recommend figuring out what’s wrong with yours because no other type of suspension is going to come close to ABC.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
2014 SL 550
How many miles do you have and when was your ABC last serviced?
I had ABC on my 2004 SL500 and it was amazing. BUT…it started having problems and I always feared the pump failing. The newer generation in the R231 is supposed to have fix’s all the problems in the R230. I strongly recommend figuring out what’s wrong with yours because no other type of suspension is going to come close to ABC.
I had ABC on my 2004 SL500 and it was amazing. BUT…it started having problems and I always feared the pump failing. The newer generation in the R231 is supposed to have fix’s all the problems in the R230. I strongly recommend figuring out what’s wrong with yours because no other type of suspension is going to come close to ABC.
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,498
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
I can't speak to the newer generation ABC, but I used to change out the filter every 15,000-20,000 miles. I did do a flush once. Unless you have all the tools, etc. to do it, I recommend having the dealer do a flush if needed.
For the R230 cars, the ABC flush is definitely a two-person job.
For the R230 cars, the ABC flush is definitely a two-person job.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 8
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2014 SL 550
[QUOTE=JettaRed;8833362]I can't speak to the newer generation ABC, but I used to change out the filter every 15,000-20,000 miles. I did do a flush once. Unless you have all the tools, etc. to do it, I recommend having the dealer do a flush if needed.
For the R230 cars, the ABC flush is definitely a two-person job.[/QUOT
For the R230 cars, the ABC flush is definitely a two-person job.[/QUOT
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Member
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 111
Likes: 44
From: Bainsville, Ontario, Canada
SL 550 (2014) Kia Sorento (2016)
I hope you are aware that ABC was an option for the R231. If you wanted to you could convert the ABC system to a standard Mercedes coil over system by raiding the parts bin. My conversion of choice would be BC Racing coil overs and Mercedes sway bars and end links. Simple, low cost and adjustable.
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,498
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
I hope you are aware that ABC was an option for the R231. If you wanted to you could convert the ABC system to a standard Mercedes coil over system by raiding the parts bin. My conversion of choice would be BC Racing coil overs and Mercedes sway bars and end links. Simple, low cost and adjustable.
Again, this may be more straightforward with the R231 but I just don't know. But what I've read, the ABC suspension is far superior to any passive suspension system. In addition to the active leveling of the car when in turns, the ABC kept the car level during acceleration and stopping, not to mention automatically lowering the car at highway speeds. Lastly, because of the lower clearance of the SL, it was great to be able to raise the car whenever it was accidentally run up on a curb or those stupid cement parking things that liked to rip the bumper cover off when backing up.
Last edited by JettaRed; Aug 21, 2023 at 09:26 AM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
2014 SL 550
Well, I was way off track on the ABC Problem. I spent last night going over the manual for my car. Then found a post on MB world. I learned two things. First, I don't have ABC, and second, based on the miles, I'm betting I need to replace the shocks. While not cheap, they are a lot less than having an ABC problem. Thanks everyone who commented on this. This is certainly a great forum for educating me on my car.
Member
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 111
Likes: 44
From: Bainsville, Ontario, Canada
SL 550 (2014) Kia Sorento (2016)
Not sure if you were responding to my post, but I considered swapping out the ABC for StrutMaster shocks/struts and VVK sway bars on my 2004 SL500 R230. Products alone were several thousand dollars and then labor was going to add at least another thousand since front and rear subframes need to be dropped and existing ABC lines removed from the rear. In the end, I sold off the stuff I had purchased and kept the ABC going until I sold the car.
Again, this may be more straightforward with the R231 but I just don't know. But what I've read, the ABC suspension is far superior to any passive suspension system. In addition to the active leveling of the car when in turns, the ABC kept the car level during acceleration and stopping, not to mention automatically lowering the car at highway speeds. Lastly, because of the lower clearance of the SL, it was great to be able to raise the car whenever it was accidentally run up on a curb or those stupid cement parking things that liked to rip the bumper cover off when backing up.
Again, this may be more straightforward with the R231 but I just don't know. But what I've read, the ABC suspension is far superior to any passive suspension system. In addition to the active leveling of the car when in turns, the ABC kept the car level during acceleration and stopping, not to mention automatically lowering the car at highway speeds. Lastly, because of the lower clearance of the SL, it was great to be able to raise the car whenever it was accidentally run up on a curb or those stupid cement parking things that liked to rip the bumper cover off when backing up.
Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 154
Likes: 36
From: East Hampton NY
GLC300/GLC300C4
I had an 07 R230 with the ABC and now have a 13 R231 without the ABC I can certainly say the ABC rode and performed way better and I really miss it in my 2013 but like you I was constantly concerned about system failure and costs related to repairs.
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
The ABC in the R231 has been revised and has been rock-solid.
