SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: GOODBYE ABC, SL55 ABC TO COILOVERS FINALLY!
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 23
From: U.K.
sl600
My opinion would be your 4k is well spent as the ABC when working is the best suspension around and for a heavy sports car is well worth that kind of money. The problem comes if you then still keep having problems but only time will tell.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 314
Likes: 1
From: Malibu, Ca
SL65, 427 COBRA (CSX-3127)73 911S, 246GTS (DINO SPYDER), CORNICHE,1962 PORSCHE TWIN GRILLE ROADSTER+
Expensive Cars are EXPENSIVE to repair... ABC works great when it works!
I have a 2006 SL65 that has had everything in the ABC suspension system replaced while still under the extended MB USA factory warranty.
When (not if) I need ABC repairs I had planned on Arnott rebuilt struts that are guaranteed for life. When the ABC pump fails I guess that I will bend over and buy a new MB tandem pump. Or maybe try a rebuilt?
My car is almost 100% original except for the factory SLR wheels and trunk spoiler. Not selling the car and I am not sure if having the problematic ABC system replaced with an aftermarket suspension is going to help or kill the R230s already deflated value???
Bottom line is that Coilovers are great! Virtually every race car has used them for over 60 years. But I am not sure the SL65 would benefit from SL350 Springs?
I doubt HR has done enough R&D testing to fine tune their springs and shocks to work perfectly with the weight of both a V8 and a V12? Are the shocks adjustable?? Dash mounted Electrically adjustable shocks would be great!!! That I would probably buy into?
The MB Chassis type 113 (230-280SL) used a compensating shock attached to the rear diff. They all failed back in the days when the cars were driven. They have all been replaced with just a compensating spring and that is not a problem for resale.
When (not if) I need ABC repairs I had planned on Arnott rebuilt struts that are guaranteed for life. When the ABC pump fails I guess that I will bend over and buy a new MB tandem pump. Or maybe try a rebuilt?
My car is almost 100% original except for the factory SLR wheels and trunk spoiler. Not selling the car and I am not sure if having the problematic ABC system replaced with an aftermarket suspension is going to help or kill the R230s already deflated value???
Bottom line is that Coilovers are great! Virtually every race car has used them for over 60 years. But I am not sure the SL65 would benefit from SL350 Springs?
I doubt HR has done enough R&D testing to fine tune their springs and shocks to work perfectly with the weight of both a V8 and a V12? Are the shocks adjustable?? Dash mounted Electrically adjustable shocks would be great!!! That I would probably buy into?
The MB Chassis type 113 (230-280SL) used a compensating shock attached to the rear diff. They all failed back in the days when the cars were driven. They have all been replaced with just a compensating spring and that is not a problem for resale.
Last edited by EXECMALIBU; Feb 14, 2015 at 04:47 PM.
Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 125
Likes: 1
W211 E63 AMG / W124 E500 / Lancia Delta Integrale Evo2 / Lotus Elise 111s MK1
Congrats to you JadAwada ! I'm happy for you that you tried the conversion and you're happy about it.
Just to be clear, the Bilstein catalog does mention the SL55 in the description of the product, but also specifies that these suspensions are only for non ABC cars.
There is also no reference given for the early versions of the SL55 from 2002 & 2003 except for B1 suspensions.
The Bilstein references are as follow:
B1
500, 55 AMG, 55 AMG Kompressor, 600, 65 AMG
HA: ohne Kugellager; nicht: AMG Black Series
There is also no reference given for the early versions of the SL55 from 2002 & 2003 except for B1 suspensions.
The Bilstein references are as follow:
MERCEDES-BENZ SL (R230)
B1
500, 55 AMG, 55 AMG Kompressor, 600, 65 AMG
10/01 - 01/12
225 -450 kW
225 -450 kW
Front:
12-228775 Rear: 12-228768
ohne ABC
VA: mit Kugellager
ohne ABC
VA: mit Kugellager
HA: ohne Kugellager; nicht: AMG Black Series
B4
280, 300, 350, 500, 55 AMG, 55 AMG Kompressor, 600, 63AMG, 65 AMG
280, 300, 350, 500, 55 AMG, 55 AMG Kompressor, 600, 63AMG, 65 AMG
03/04 - 01/12
170 -450 kW
170 -450 kW
Front:
24-217552 Rear: 24-196925
Standardfahrwerk; ohne ABC; Baumuster: ex. AMG Black Series
Standardfahrwerk; ohne ABC; Baumuster: ex. AMG Black Series
B6 sport
280, 300, 350, 500, 55 AMG, 55 AMG Kompressor, 600, 63AMG, 65 AMG
280, 300, 350, 500, 55 AMG, 55 AMG Kompressor, 600, 63AMG, 65 AMG
03/04 - 01/12
170 -450 kW
170 -450 kW
Front: 24-209755 Rear: 24-209779
Standardfahrwerk; ohne ABC; Baumuster: ex. AMG Black Series
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 95
Likes: 1
E55 Wagon, E550 Conv
Has anybody been able to find the front and rear sway bars? I have been able to piece together everything else except for those parts. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Last edited by Smalone01; Mar 6, 2015 at 08:22 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 164
Likes: 3
SL55 AMG
I wasn't able to find them online while looking for the parts pricing. But did you call the stealership and ask them if its available?
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 741
Likes: 6
From: SIN CITY
CL65
x2. I wish I would have thought of this last year. I spent atleast $2k on abc fixes last year alone and that was having a mechanic/friend of mine do the work. I wonder if anyone has done to a CL yet? And what parts are needed?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
There have been CL conversions done without roll bars. I'm not sure there is a CL available from the factory without ABC. The ones who have done the conversions say it is very stable without the roll bars.
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 125
Likes: 1
W211 E63 AMG / W124 E500 / Lancia Delta Integrale Evo2 / Lotus Elise 111s MK1
I'm not sure ABC is something for dummies ... in particular, you will be missing the programming dimension if you do not have the Star diagnostic.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 26
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From: London UK
320cd sport & SL55
Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 125
Likes: 1
W211 E63 AMG / W124 E500 / Lancia Delta Integrale Evo2 / Lotus Elise 111s MK1
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 95
Likes: 1
E55 Wagon, E550 Conv
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 95
Likes: 1
E55 Wagon, E550 Conv
I was a little wrong..
Front sway bar p/n 230 320 21 11 Retail $950
Rear sway bar p/n 230 320 22 11 Retail $705
Obviously the SL65 BS parts are not the way to go! I will have to find some used SL350 sway bars from somewhere.
Front sway bar p/n 230 320 21 11 Retail $950
Rear sway bar p/n 230 320 22 11 Retail $705
Obviously the SL65 BS parts are not the way to go! I will have to find some used SL350 sway bars from somewhere.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: London UK
320cd sport & SL55
Am i correct in saying that, you could do with just changing the struts with coilover and adding anti roll/sway bar at a later stage?
Thinking of having some custom made struts and springs.
Thinking of having some custom made struts and springs.
Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 125
Likes: 1
W211 E63 AMG / W124 E500 / Lancia Delta Integrale Evo2 / Lotus Elise 111s MK1
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 181
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From: Canada
SL55 AMG, Range Rover Evoque
This is all the info I can locate currently on the conversion parts, numbers, etc. to carry out the conversion.
All are available through the Mercedes-Benz dealer network or may be purchased, out of Florida, in a kit (see in PDF).
Hopefully, someone can add more; possibly a step-by-step DIY with photos and/or video?
All are available through the Mercedes-Benz dealer network or may be purchased, out of Florida, in a kit (see in PDF).
Hopefully, someone can add more; possibly a step-by-step DIY with photos and/or video?
