SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Coilover conversion Final Review! It's a must
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 164
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SL55 AMG
Coilover conversion Final Review! It's a must
With all the problems I expected to have, I expected that this conversion will make me regret making it one day.
Now that the car is converted since 2 months, drove it for more than 1500 KM.
The car doesn't feel much stiffer than the hydraulic for those who are afraid.
But guess what.. The SL55 with the coilovers is more responsive, a drifting car, a joy to drive, a car that makes perfect sideways. The active body interferes in the car's stability, however coilovers let you play the way you want. And noticed much better handling.
On a scale of 1 to 5.. I'll tell anyone that this conversion is an upgrade that you will need to enjoy your ride.
For all those who are still afraid, the SL350 suspension for me wasn't a downgrade, it provided me what I needed, and for 2 months not a single problem. No hoses to blow lol!!!
Now that the car is converted since 2 months, drove it for more than 1500 KM.
The car doesn't feel much stiffer than the hydraulic for those who are afraid.
But guess what.. The SL55 with the coilovers is more responsive, a drifting car, a joy to drive, a car that makes perfect sideways. The active body interferes in the car's stability, however coilovers let you play the way you want. And noticed much better handling.
On a scale of 1 to 5.. I'll tell anyone that this conversion is an upgrade that you will need to enjoy your ride.
For all those who are still afraid, the SL350 suspension for me wasn't a downgrade, it provided me what I needed, and for 2 months not a single problem. No hoses to blow lol!!!
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 36
Likes: 4
From: San Jose Bay Area in California
2016 Mercedes Benz GL550
With all the problems I expected to have, I expected that this conversion will make me regret making it one day.
Now that the car is converted since 2 months, drove it for more than 1500 KM.
The car doesn't feel much stiffer than the hydraulic for those who are afraid.
But guess what.. The SL55 with the coilovers is more responsive, a drifting car, a joy to drive, a car that makes perfect sideways. The active body interferes in the car's stability, however coilovers let you play the way you want. And noticed much better handling.
On a scale of 1 to 5.. I'll tell anyone that this conversion is an upgrade that you will need to enjoy your ride.
For all those who are still afraid, the SL350 suspension for me wasn't a downgrade, it provided me what I needed, and for 2 months not a single problem. No hoses to blow lol!!!
Now that the car is converted since 2 months, drove it for more than 1500 KM.
The car doesn't feel much stiffer than the hydraulic for those who are afraid.
But guess what.. The SL55 with the coilovers is more responsive, a drifting car, a joy to drive, a car that makes perfect sideways. The active body interferes in the car's stability, however coilovers let you play the way you want. And noticed much better handling.
On a scale of 1 to 5.. I'll tell anyone that this conversion is an upgrade that you will need to enjoy your ride.
For all those who are still afraid, the SL350 suspension for me wasn't a downgrade, it provided me what I needed, and for 2 months not a single problem. No hoses to blow lol!!!
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: MBworld
bone stock E55 AMG
While what you are stating sounds great and all, can you post some pictures of your SL55 with the coilovers? I heard from my AMG Tech that after he made a conversion for another SL55 a couple of month ago that SL55 seems to be riding much higher and looks like a 4x4 Monster Truck. Did this happen to you also? I am sure a lot of us here on the Forum would love to see some pictures.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 22,052
Likes: 972
From: MBworld
bone stock E55 AMG
With all the problems I expected to have, I expected that this conversion will make me regret making it one day.
Now that the car is converted since 2 months, drove it for more than 1500 KM.
The car doesn't feel much stiffer than the hydraulic for those who are afraid.
But guess what.. The SL55 with the coilovers is more responsive, a drifting car, a joy to drive, a car that makes perfect sideways. The active body interferes in the car's stability, however coilovers let you play the way you want. And noticed much better handling.
On a scale of 1 to 5.. I'll tell anyone that this conversion is an upgrade that you will need to enjoy your ride.
For all those who are still afraid, the SL350 suspension for me wasn't a downgrade, it provided me what I needed, and for 2 months not a single problem. No hoses to blow lol!!!
Now that the car is converted since 2 months, drove it for more than 1500 KM.
The car doesn't feel much stiffer than the hydraulic for those who are afraid.
But guess what.. The SL55 with the coilovers is more responsive, a drifting car, a joy to drive, a car that makes perfect sideways. The active body interferes in the car's stability, however coilovers let you play the way you want. And noticed much better handling.
On a scale of 1 to 5.. I'll tell anyone that this conversion is an upgrade that you will need to enjoy your ride.
For all those who are still afraid, the SL350 suspension for me wasn't a downgrade, it provided me what I needed, and for 2 months not a single problem. No hoses to blow lol!!!
which coilovers did u get?
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 181
Likes: 15
From: Canada
SL55 AMG, Range Rover Evoque
Here's a list of all Mercedes-Benz R230 parts required for conversion (all available through dealer network).
JadAwada used SL350 H&R coils instead, but SL350 coils will also work.
In the PDF, check out the full kit supplier, out of Florida.
JadAwada used SL350 H&R coils instead, but SL350 coils will also work.
In the PDF, check out the full kit supplier, out of Florida.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 164
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SL55 AMG
The parts I used came off an SL350, but all the R230 non ABC suspension is the same, except the black series. SL350, and SL500 had this same coilovers.
The H&R springs are for the SL350 R230, and they are perfect. been used for 2 months and no problems at all with everything
The H&R springs are for the SL350 R230, and they are perfect. been used for 2 months and no problems at all with everything
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 955
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From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
I don't get the desire to move away from ABC. Can it be expensive to fix? Yea if you're dealing with a dealer. If you're a DIY I'm not so sure.
The SL350 conversion kit is $2,500 + $1,500 install = $4,000
The ABC system
Struts- $500 each X 4 = $2,000
Pump- $800
Rebuilt valve blocks- less than $20 each for parts
Accumulators- approx. $150each X4 = $600
Hoses- can be rebuilt inexpensively by any local hydraulic line supplier
Pentosin 5L- $80 each x2 (more than enough for whole system)- $160
The struts don't go bad that often, and come with lifetime warranty from arnott. If you had to replace EVERYTHING you're looking at a fairly similar number to that $4,000. Granted you couldn't get everything in the ABC system replaced for $0 labor, but it is unlikely every single thing will go wrong. Plus, given how superior a suspension system it is I don't get why you'd move to the SL350 which is going to offer both a worse ride & poorer handling overall. I get how it would be more predictable b/c it is a static suspension (unless you are going with progressive rate springs) and why it would make it better for drifting, but if drifting is your thing this really is a poor choice of car for that even with the static suspension.
Add on top of that the fact that the SL350 shocks too will have to be replaced over time and I'm not sure how you're leaps and bounds ahead changing over to an inferior suspension.
Is there something I'm missing? I mean on the R231 it is an expensive (I think $4k) option to UPGRADE to ABC.
The SL350 conversion kit is $2,500 + $1,500 install = $4,000
The ABC system
Struts- $500 each X 4 = $2,000
Pump- $800
Rebuilt valve blocks- less than $20 each for parts
Accumulators- approx. $150each X4 = $600
Hoses- can be rebuilt inexpensively by any local hydraulic line supplier
Pentosin 5L- $80 each x2 (more than enough for whole system)- $160
The struts don't go bad that often, and come with lifetime warranty from arnott. If you had to replace EVERYTHING you're looking at a fairly similar number to that $4,000. Granted you couldn't get everything in the ABC system replaced for $0 labor, but it is unlikely every single thing will go wrong. Plus, given how superior a suspension system it is I don't get why you'd move to the SL350 which is going to offer both a worse ride & poorer handling overall. I get how it would be more predictable b/c it is a static suspension (unless you are going with progressive rate springs) and why it would make it better for drifting, but if drifting is your thing this really is a poor choice of car for that even with the static suspension.
Add on top of that the fact that the SL350 shocks too will have to be replaced over time and I'm not sure how you're leaps and bounds ahead changing over to an inferior suspension.
Is there something I'm missing? I mean on the R231 it is an expensive (I think $4k) option to UPGRADE to ABC.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 955
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From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
Another note on the drifting- the ABC active suspension is by design supposed to PREVENT yaw movement from happening when it is working its calculations at 10 times a second.
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SL55 AMG
I did the conversion for only 800$ + The original parts.
The ABC problem was never with the struts. My problem was with 5 hoses that made my nights, more like a nightmare. Within a year, I had 5 hoses that leaked oil, and they didn't leak a little oil. It always started with a blue light ABC, Drive carefully. Then the red light came on, and it ended with STOP! CAR TOO LOW.
BTW, each bilstein strut cost is 200$, the 4 new struts are for 800$.. thats much better than paying 500$ for a used ABC strut which might go a month later.
NOTE: If you have your ABC System well maintained I'm not saying you have to convert it. BUT! If you bought a car like mine where the ABC wasn't well maintained, a conversion is the best solution
The ABC problem was never with the struts. My problem was with 5 hoses that made my nights, more like a nightmare. Within a year, I had 5 hoses that leaked oil, and they didn't leak a little oil. It always started with a blue light ABC, Drive carefully. Then the red light came on, and it ended with STOP! CAR TOO LOW.
BTW, each bilstein strut cost is 200$, the 4 new struts are for 800$.. thats much better than paying 500$ for a used ABC strut which might go a month later.
NOTE: If you have your ABC System well maintained I'm not saying you have to convert it. BUT! If you bought a car like mine where the ABC wasn't well maintained, a conversion is the best solution
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 955
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From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
where did you get all parts for $800? The $500/strut for ABC come with a lifetime warranty.
Bilsteins are good units and supposedly maintain 95% of their original dampening power after 100k, so I suppose those wouldn't need changed as often, but if you went with another brand/type they would.
I'd guess your hose failure has more to do with weather conditions your SL was kept in rather than the maintenance. Dried out/leaking hoses usually are more associated with that.
I'd agree that someone that doesn't know how to maintain the ABC system is better off going the maintenance-free route, but it really isn't that hard a thing to do if you are a regular on the boards.
Bilsteins are good units and supposedly maintain 95% of their original dampening power after 100k, so I suppose those wouldn't need changed as often, but if you went with another brand/type they would.
I'd guess your hose failure has more to do with weather conditions your SL was kept in rather than the maintenance. Dried out/leaking hoses usually are more associated with that.
I'd agree that someone that doesn't know how to maintain the ABC system is better off going the maintenance-free route, but it really isn't that hard a thing to do if you are a regular on the boards.
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Joined: Jul 2013
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SL55 AMG
@bigbird, I did install the SL350 coilovers with H&R lowering springs, the car is great, but I'm currently thinking of putting the stock springs because the car is too low and the roads in lebanon really suck, too many bumps.
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Joined: Jul 2013
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SL55 AMG
I got an offer from a parts shop to give him the ABC parts + 800$, and he installs the SL350 coilovers, with sway bars and everything needed. So it was a deal, no other options given in the deal, but I can tell its so good.
