jcpca356

If ABC breaks down, can one replace the suspension with common coilovers?

Sunir

great quesion...I'd like to know about this also...not for *if* ABC fails more like *when* it fails lol

Marcus Frost

My initial response would be no, and this is because the ABC system is closely tied into the ECU and without the components present it could cause all sorts of problems with warning lights and any number of other things. All SLs, to my knowledge, are offered with ABC so I would not assume that it could simply be reconfigured using SDS.

-m

jmf003

VRP Tuning had a project in the works for this very thing but it's been mothballed. Thread here: https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...uspension.html

Obviously ABC deactivation would be essential to the project, as Marcus pointed out.

Since the time Victor announced the project he and Vadim parted ways and now have separate tuning companies. Not sure if this project was led by Victor's side of the business or Vadim's. I'll PM both of them to let them know about this thread and see if either has new information to contribute.

jmf003

Got a quick reply back from Vadim. He has done a custom coilover installation for a client. Says the ride was stiff compared to ABC but the client loved it. PM him for more details, Vadim @ FD.

nick 55

The Black Series does not have ABC, and when you do a "quick test" via the Star Diagnosis, there are current fault codes in control units that have "this fault code can be ignored in Black Series models" after the DTC. I think it is completely doable, however the only power steering pumps for V12s that do not have ABC are from a Maybach or SL65BS. Something tells me those pumps are uber expensive. I have wondered if coilovers would be a viable option when there is a catastrophic failure of the system, or if a fully adjustable suspension is desired. Maserati does it on their cars.

Nick

jcpca356

If ABC fails, I would definitely go with the coilovers if available. In fact, if the price is reasonable, I might wanna go that route now!

Marcus Frost

Totally forgot about the Black Series... that makes things much more feasible.

Personally, I like the adjust ability of my ABC system... plus the fact that I have warranty until 100k means I have no worries about what it would cost to replace my ABC components

-m

nick 55

Now if only you could find a good tech....wait, you do have a good one. FYI, the BS coilovers are KW Variant3s. Now we need to see if they will develop an application for normal R230s.

Nick

jcpca356

if someone develops a normal suspension alternative to airmatic mb suspensions, i think they can make a fortune. the whole forum seems to complain about them and i think it's a major hindrance for people to get into mb's in the first place

jmf003

I didn't know that.

I went to the KW website, saw they offered coilovers for the W211 E Class, and left them a message encouraging them to do the same for us R230 owners.

Contact form here: http://www.kw-suspension.com/en/70_C...t_us/index.php

Geo3

Bump!