SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Looking at '07 SL55 AMG - ABC Questions
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2019 Tahoe RST - Looking at SL55 AMG
Looking at '07 SL55 AMG - ABC Questions
Hi all - new to the forum and have been reading up a lot on the ABC system and it's downfalls. My dad is looking at a used 2007 SL55 AMG with just under ~50K miles with what appears to be a pretty solid maintenance history since new. With that said, I have been doing some research on potential issues that may come up and obviously the ABC system is the number one hitting item. I was reading an older post on this forum that stated the '07 and above SL55's have a redesigned ABC system that may or may not have addressed all the pre- '07 issues. Any validity to this information or is this still a risk for failure? Is there a way to bypass this system entirely and go with a more mechanical system?
As an additional follow up, is there anything else you would consider to be a major watch out on these cars?
Appreciate any input and thank you in advance!
As an additional follow up, is there anything else you would consider to be a major watch out on these cars?
Appreciate any input and thank you in advance!
Senior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 280
Likes: 37
From: Lincolnshire, IL
2005 SL55 AMG
It is true that ‘07+ had more robust ABC systems. However, componentry is still similar. I’ve read that the accumulators and pulsation dampeners have a 10-15 year lifespan, simply because they all contain rubber diaphragms. If you have documentation of consistent ABC system fluid and filter changes, you should be good. Since there’s no specific recommended maintenance interval, however, such documentation may be hard to come by (unless you purchase my overmaintained SL55, but not for sale). Regardless, I always recommend a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) at a specialist to go through the systems and hook it up to a Star diagnostic system. Money well spent.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 541
Likes: 93
From: Northern VA
SL 600
ABC isn't that hard to repair/replace if it goes bad. 13 year old cars you can bet those hoses will need replacing soon, what you want to find out is the main high pressure hose that goes from the pump to the valve block, i'm not entirely sure when they started doing a direct feed but the earlier years, that main line snakes under the trans tunnel and that one likes to burst first and that's what we call a car killer, it is a lot of work to replace. On my 2009 SL600, that main line doesn't snake under the tunnel, it's a straight shot and should only take minutes to replace, not days. I don't have a definite answer, we need someone with a 2007 to put their car on a lift and find out how that main line is routed.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,308
Likes: 62
From: Bethesda, MD
2000 SL500
ABC isn't that hard to repair/replace if it goes bad. 13 year old cars you can bet those hoses will need replacing soon, what you want to find out is the main high pressure hose that goes from the pump to the valve block, i'm not entirely sure when they started doing a direct feed but the earlier years, that main line snakes under the trans tunnel and that one likes to burst first and that's what we call a car killer, it is a lot of work to replace. On my 2009 SL600, that main line doesn't snake under the tunnel, it's a straight shot and should only take minutes to replace, not days. I don't have a definite answer, we need someone with a 2007 to put their car on a lift and find out how that main line is routed.
second this. I feel they are more prone to failure on the 07+ I have an 07 and previous owner had it fail and left them stranded on road. Very expensive repair as well.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Orbiting the planet
This place is a joke.
The ABC system is great, when it's under warranty! It will be failing at some point during your ownership. You will spend thousands to continually repair it until the whole system has been replaced. Then, it will fail again in 10-15 years. There is no practical way to bypass the system and maintain factory ride height and quality.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 341
From: NJ
2009 SL63 AMG
Hi all - new to the forum and have been reading up a lot on the ABC system and it's downfalls. My dad is looking at a used 2007 SL55 AMG with just under ~50K miles with what appears to be a pretty solid maintenance history since new. With that said, I have been doing some research on potential issues that may come up and obviously the ABC system is the number one hitting item. I was reading an older post on this forum that stated the '07 and above SL55's have a redesigned ABC system that may or may not have addressed all the pre- '07 issues. Any validity to this information or is this still a risk for failure? Is there a way to bypass this system entirely and go with a more mechanical system?
As an additional follow up, is there anything else you would consider to be a major watch out on these cars?
Appreciate any input and thank you in advance!
As an additional follow up, is there anything else you would consider to be a major watch out on these cars?
Appreciate any input and thank you in advance!
In terms of bypassing the system, the only kit I would consider today is the VVK one: https://vvk-usa.myshopify.com/produc...32907412635781
In the future, if VVK ever sold their sway bars separately, then Ceika becomes a viable alternative for coil-overs.
The more critical item to watch out for, however, is the Battery Control Module (BCM). Can cause a fire without much, if any, warning.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 160
From: SoCal
2024 c300 , 2006 E55, 2005 e320, 2007 gl450, 2025 glc300, 2025 e450
I’m actually selling my whole abc system in about a week once my coilovers are in, it all works fine and I’ll let it go cheap for it all
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2008
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Porsche guy who drives SL63 w/ perf pkg AND perf suspension
I have had 3 cars with abc and never touched one of them. I would do inspection and preventative maintenance and not worry about it. Anything on a car can break at any time. Theres a hundred other things to worry about than abc.
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Joined: Apr 2009
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'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
The key to the ABC system is the fluid... if you buy an ‘07 car and the fluid and filter haven’t been changed, do that first... at this age, it probably wouldn’t hurt to change all the accumulators at the same time... after that just drive the damned thing and enjoy it, changing fluid and filter ever 3yrs/30k miles, accumulators every 10yrs/100k miles... I don’t think anyone but me keeps the cars that long... you may or may not have to ever change a valve block or sensors under this regime, especially if the car is garage kept (as I suspect your dad’s will be).
If you move forward on this, change the transmission fluid and filter at the same time. Both of these fluids were NSI (no service interval) fluids from MB. Time has shown that the NSI tag was THE source of most problems on the cars. Transmission and hydraulic fluid simply doesn’t last forever and MB should have known better. Some say they did know better but they needed some reason for you to need a new car at some point. Change these fluids and these cars might last over half a million miles, like some 500E cars out there. Also hydraulic suspension leveling with accumulators... zero problems. Just change fluid and accumulators. Failure to do so will cause pressure spikes in the system, which is when lines and shocks blow, all kinds of mischief occurs. I’ve had zero problems with mine in over 11 years, over 100k miles.
GL
maw
If you move forward on this, change the transmission fluid and filter at the same time. Both of these fluids were NSI (no service interval) fluids from MB. Time has shown that the NSI tag was THE source of most problems on the cars. Transmission and hydraulic fluid simply doesn’t last forever and MB should have known better. Some say they did know better but they needed some reason for you to need a new car at some point. Change these fluids and these cars might last over half a million miles, like some 500E cars out there. Also hydraulic suspension leveling with accumulators... zero problems. Just change fluid and accumulators. Failure to do so will cause pressure spikes in the system, which is when lines and shocks blow, all kinds of mischief occurs. I’ve had zero problems with mine in over 11 years, over 100k miles.
GL
maw
Last edited by maw1124; Oct 22, 2020 at 03:11 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 280
Likes: 37
From: Lincolnshire, IL
2005 SL55 AMG
For those of us who fastidiously maintain our ABC systems, would you agree that simply exercising the up and down of the suspension periodically might help move along particulates that may get stuck in the valve block seals, which would otherwise enable fluid to pass through, leading to sagging?
