SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: 2005 SL 55 ABC
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 365
From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
You have ABC, ABC2 moved the pulsation damper to the pump, eliminated the strut position sensors, and changed the valve blocks slightly. Most significant for DIY is ABC2 valve block are not rebuildable. Some will say that ABC2 is more reliable, but I'm not 100% convinced of that. I'm sure that more people are reporting problems on ABC, but the production was probably 3x ABC2 and the cars are on average 5-6 years older.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 71
Likes: 15
Sl600
Wow, your feedback all,is credible and very troubling. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences.
I’m coming out of 20+ ownership of various new Porsche 911s, with their various fatal engine flaws,always making me be uncomfortable that trouble was around the corner. The picture painted here is that Mercedes may not have engineered or tested the system well, or selected sub par degradable parts.
it seems that all,premium brands with hydraulic or air suspensions suffer breakdowns. over time
I’m coming out of 20+ ownership of various new Porsche 911s, with their various fatal engine flaws,always making me be uncomfortable that trouble was around the corner. The picture painted here is that Mercedes may not have engineered or tested the system well, or selected sub par degradable parts.
it seems that all,premium brands with hydraulic or air suspensions suffer breakdowns. over time
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 73
Likes: 12
SL55
The main issue I see is hydraulic hoses are maintenance items. They operate under vibration and high pressure and shouldn't be expected to last life of the vehicle. I don't know if the original engineers though much about lines after 15+ years or not. Coming from a design engineer perspective I am not sure what else could have been done other than lowering the system pressure. Easier to replace lines would have meant adding connection points which are potential leak points. Personally I am surprised none of the aftermarket guy's have come up with a multi-part replacement line. I suppose the market is just too small.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,481
Likes: 310
95 SL600
The main issue I see is hydraulic hoses are maintenance items. They operate under vibration and high pressure and shouldn't be expected to last life of the vehicle. I don't know if the original engineers though much about lines after 15+ years or not. Coming from a design engineer perspective I am not sure what else could have been done other than lowering the system pressure. Easier to replace lines would have meant adding connection points which are potential leak points. Personally I am surprised none of the aftermarket guy's have come up with a multi-part replacement line. I suppose the market is just too small.
