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After working with the VVK guys for the past few months, seeing how they work, and their absolute passion for quality - I have decided to invest. As you may have seen here, I really love what they are doing and I think they have an incredible product, so I am glad to be on the board of the company and helping them push forward on the next projects!
Updates: A couple of days ago I took my SL55 on a test run at VVK and the car handled to absolute perfection. We went out for a run at full soft damper and the feeling was nearly stock - very smooth, and took potholes and bumps like a champ. I would compare the ride to a newer 3-series BMW. We then switched it to full stiff and it totally changed - it was like driving an actual sports car! The amazing change in ride feel as we kept trying different damper settings was just unbelievable - I'm hooked!
Also, added functionality, they have included adjustability in the sway bars. They are 20% thicker than the SL350 (which is a lighter car) and you now will have 3-way adjustment in the front and 2-way adjustment in the rear!
Best of all - the kit is complete and they're taking orders now!
You can now visit www.vvk-usa.com for orders. Those who were in the group buy can use promo code for the -$500 discount: MBGB2016
The guys really appreciate all your support and patience, and they look forward to serving you and helping you finally fix your ABC woes - making your SL better than ever before possible!
Last edited by FlyinFINN; Jan 29, 2016 at 02:40 PM.
Great news! I see they list the SL600/65. Do you know if they've checked fitment on those models? Thanks!
-Leland
Originally Posted by FlyinFINN
Hello Everyone!
After working with the VVK guys for the past few months, seeing how they work, and their absolute passion for quality - I have decided to invest. As you may have seen here, I really love what they are doing and I think they have an incredible product, so I am glad to be on the board of the company and helping them push forward on the next projects!
Updates: A couple of days ago I took my SL55 on a test run at VVK and the car handled to absolute perfection. We went out for a run at full soft damper and the feeling was nearly stock - very smooth, and took potholes and bumps like a champ. I would compare the ride to a newer 3-series BMW. We then switched it to full stiff and it totally changed - it was like driving an actual sports car! The amazing change in ride feel as we kept trying different damper settings was just unbelievable - I'm hooked!
Also, added functionality, they have included adjustability in the sway bars. They are 20% thicker than the SL350 (which is a lighter car) and you now will have 3-way adjustment in the front and 2-way adjustment in the rear!
Best of all - the kit is complete and they're taking orders now!
The guys really appreciate all your support and patience, and they look forward to serving you and helping you finally fix your ABC woes - making your SL better than ever before possible!
Great news! I see they list the SL600/65. Do you know if they've checked fitment on those models? Thanks!
-Leland
Fitment on a SL600 was performed during design - they will offer free sway bars to first person who can offer their SL65 for a couple days fitment testing. Location is West Palm Beach, Florida.
After working with the VVK guys for the past few months, seeing how they work, and their absolute passion for quality - I have decided to invest. As you may have seen here, I really love what they are doing and I think they have an incredible product, so I am glad to be on the board of the company and helping them push forward on the next projects!
Updates: A couple of days ago I took my SL55 on a test run at VVK and the car handled to absolute perfection. We went out for a run at full soft damper and the feeling was nearly stock - very smooth, and took potholes and bumps like a champ. I would compare the ride to a newer 3-series BMW. We then switched it to full stiff and it totally changed - it was like driving an actual sports car! The amazing change in ride feel as we kept trying different damper settings was just unbelievable - I'm hooked!
Also, added functionality, they have included adjustability in the sway bars. They are 20% thicker than the SL350 (which is a lighter car) and you now will have 3-way adjustment in the front and 2-way adjustment in the rear!
Best of all - the kit is complete and they're taking orders now!
The guys really appreciate all your support and patience, and they look forward to serving you and helping you finally fix your ABC woes - making your SL better than ever before possible!
What style do you have install on your sl55 : street or sport ?
What style do you have install on your sl55 : street or sport ?
Right now I have the street kit on my car. At full damper I think it is plenty stiff for most aggressive driving. We took it out to some terrible roads (potholes, bumps, etc.) and it was still plenty drivable at that setting - and I have low profile tires on 19" wheels.
How many kits have been purchased in WPB? Can I call VVK and have a look at the parts FF, or go through you?
So far I believe I am the only one who has been sold in Florida. They didn't start selling until just a few days ago so I'm sure you understand. Currently the car is getting unrelated work done to it (spark plugs, battery, wires, valve cover gaskets, etc.) in Sunrise. I could personally meet you there for a test drive if you want!
If you have any technical questions, feel free to call Sean at SLR @ 561-542-2810
Originally Posted by cnterline
What's the total weight savings ? ,
Originally Posted by F1BHP
I was thinking the same, what is the total weight of the components in the picture?
Here are some estimates:
Stock Struts: 24.3lbs x 4 = 97.2lbs
Valve Block/Hoses/Oil ≈ 25lbs+ total
VVK Coilovers ≈ 10lbs. x 4 ≈ 40lbs.
VVK Sway Bars F/R ≈ 7lbs. x 2 ≈ 14lbs.
Total Weight Saving ≈ 70lbs.+
There's also more weight savings on the power steering pump, but it wasn't added here. New pump is about half that of the stock double pump.
-----
Edit: For some reason the link in the original post isn't working. The site is here: www.vvk-usa.com
Last edited by FlyinFINN; Jan 29, 2016 at 02:25 PM.
After working with the VVK guys for the past few months, seeing how they work, and their absolute passion for quality - I have decided to invest. As you may have seen here, I really love what they are doing and I think they have an incredible product, so I am glad to be on the board of the company and helping them push forward on the next projects!
Updates: A couple of days ago I took my SL55 on a test run at VVK and the car handled to absolute perfection. We went out for a run at full soft damper and the feeling was nearly stock - very smooth, and took potholes and bumps like a champ. I would compare the ride to a newer 3-series BMW. We then switched it to full stiff and it totally changed - it was like driving an actual sports car! The amazing change in ride feel as we kept trying different damper settings was just unbelievable - I'm hooked!
Also, added functionality, they have included adjustability in the sway bars. They are 20% thicker than the SL350 (which is a lighter car) and you now will have 3-way adjustment in the front and 2-way adjustment in the rear!
Best of all - the kit is complete and they're taking orders now!
You can now visit www.vvk-usa.com for orders. Those who were in the group buy can use promo code for the -$500 discount: MBGB2016
The guys really appreciate all your support and patience, and they look forward to serving you and helping you finally fix your ABC woes - making your SL better than ever before possible!
How is the ABC light on the dashboard going to be fix ?
Also are the kits available for shipment now or they still need to be fabricated?
How is the ABC light on the dashboard going to be fix ?
Also are the kits available for shipment now or they still need to be fabricated?
Kits are assembled per order, they recommend a 2-week lead time before shipping out. Currently they have enough parts on hand to build around 40 kits I believe.
Edit (addition): VVK is having a STAR programmer come to attempt the erase of the ABC code on my car. If it is shown possible (as people have said) they will release the info on how to tell your local Mercedes tech to perform this task. If it is shown not possible, they will at no additional charge include a light fix module that wires in near your ECU. Keep noted that the light, whether on or off, does not affect your car in any way and it is purely aesthetic.
Originally Posted by m-svt-amg
As someone who just invested more than 4000 in an abc rebuild with warrantied partd, i cant justify the conversion...
But if this option were available this time last year i probably would have gone this route.
It's definitely a costly situation when your ABC goes and there were no real solutions that gave you a better alternative until now.
ABC unfortunately does not give you a real choice between sporty and comfort ride, no real height adjustability, it's heavy, and it will continue to break over and over. The feel of these coilovers in comparison to when my ABC was working properly, is just night and day. I can make the ride more comfortable (softer), or more sporty (stiffer), in seconds at the twist of a knob.
Last edited by FlyinFINN; Jan 30, 2016 at 10:35 PM.
Would it be possible to keep the abc sport vs comfort switch and ride height adjustability in cab?
The only reason i sought to rebuild abc rather than replace with coilovers was the ability to raise and lower the car while driving. Makes speedbumps in my parking lot possible, i wouldnt be able to own the car otherwise.
Would it be possible to keep the abc sport vs comfort switch and ride height adjustability in cab?
The only reason i sought to rebuild abc rather than replace with coilovers was the ability to raise and lower the car while driving. Makes speedbumps in my parking lot possible, i wouldnt be able to own the car otherwise.
VVK did speed bump testing with the suspension already and you can take speed bumps at 5mph-15mph with zero issues - and that was with my car at a much lower than stock height and very big speedbumps.
To adjust the damper you will simply pop your hood/trunk and change it via the knob there, just a few clicks and your ride comfort changes drastically. Normally you just keep it in the setting you like best, and leave it, but this kit allows you to fine tune it 30-ways to your liking.
Sorry no info, he did it with a computer. Looks like a fantastic job. I should have waited.
Thank you! I have passed your positive comments to the VVK guys!
Originally Posted by kustom2k1
FF, I can have a 20 plus year MB master tech get into the system. I can pass along his info if interested. He is in Boca.
Good to speak with you on the phone! We'll try to meet up next week if possible!
Everyone on the forum can use the discount code until the 15th. After which the price will go back up to normal pricing - thanks to all orders so far, you're going to love it!
Removing ABC from the system on, for instance, a early R230 SL500 is done with STAR/DAS Developer
When going in to ME28 F3 stand -> Explizite Kodierung on the car (not in SIM)
All models w209, w220 and so on are listed and all drop Down menus, also R230 is with dashes - - - -
Under R230 the following options are available (EU3EU4 ULEV and JAPAN)
NOTE: here only the EU3EU4 options are shown
NOTE NOTE.. If you don't know what youre doing, leave it to someone that does !
Use this coding for NO ABC and WITH DISTRONIC
R230_M113_E50_EU3EU4_NAG_ART_250_km/h_KickPWG_PKK_MRM_1131531279_1131532779_1131533079
Use this coding for NO ABC and NO DISTRONIC
R230_M113_E50_EU3EU4_NAG_VGB_250_km/h_KickPWG_PKK_MRM_1131531279_1131532779_1131533079
Use this coding for WITH ABC and WITH DISTRONIC
R230_M113_E50_EU3EU4_NAG_ART_ABC_250_km/h_KickPWG_PKK_MRM_1131531279_1131532779_1131533079
Use this coding for WITH ABC and NO DISTRONIC
R230_M113_E50_EU3EU4_NAG_VGB_ABC_250_km/h_KickPWG_PKK_MRM_1131531279_1131532779_1131533079
Removing ABC from the system on, for instance, a early R230 SL500 is done with STAR/DAS Developer
When going in to ME28 F3 stand -> Explizite Kodierung on the car (not in SIM)
All models w209, w220 and so on are listed and all drop Down menus, also R230 is with dashes - - - -
Under R230 the following options are available (EU3EU4 ULEV and JAPAN)
NOTE: here only the EU3EU4 options are shown
NOTE NOTE.. If you don't know what youre doing, leave it to someone that does !
Use this coding for NO ABC and WITH DISTRONIC
R230_M113_E50_EU3EU4_NAG_ART_250_km/h_KickPWG_PKK_MRM_1131531279_1131532779_1131533079
Use this coding for NO ABC and NO DISTRONIC
R230_M113_E50_EU3EU4_NAG_VGB_250_km/h_KickPWG_PKK_MRM_1131531279_1131532779_1131533079
Use this coding for WITH ABC and WITH DISTRONIC
R230_M113_E50_EU3EU4_NAG_ART_ABC_250_km/h_KickPWG_PKK_MRM_1131531279_1131532779_1131533079
Use this coding for WITH ABC and NO DISTRONIC
R230_M113_E50_EU3EU4_NAG_VGB_ABC_250_km/h_KickPWG_PKK_MRM_1131531279_1131532779_1131533079
Good luck...
Wow! That is fantastic information - thank you very much for that! I will confirm if this works in the coming week!
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