Medders3245
Member
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2013
- Messages
- 56
- Location
- Wakefield , West Yorkshire
- Car
- 2011 Audi A5 TDI Sline (170) cab
Sometimes .....you can see the end before it's begun. Having read and digested the legion of threads re ABC prior to buying my R230 SL350 ( obviously with the ABC option ) my instinct told me to leave alone. However the heart ruled and in I dived.
Wonderful technology and quite a surreal forgiving feeling on the multitude of badly cambered roundabouts throughout our badly maintained road network.
Then of course after 5 months of ownership the red ABC - Drive carefully! light comes on. Locked the car , alarm set , roof up roof down and on and on and it cleared! Then of course on again. Hopeful for an electrical glitch but not to be. ' ABC - visit workshop' ( In blue) then illuminates so to German auto care in Wakefield and STAR indicated The ABC/Power steering pump.( tested the sensor first of course)
I looked at the pump from beneath and could clearly see fluid dripping from the pump. Oddly enough over the past week or two I've heard a new dull ticking noise coming from the nearside engine bay position which can be indicative of the pump failing.
To get to the point ... as I was getting my ribs ready for the blow.... York Mercedes priced a new pump at £510 plus VAT. GAC charge £45 per hour labour ( 4 hours ) plus new fluids & levelling sequences reset is going to be around the thick end of £900.
I've seen reconditioned ABC pumps for sale for £400 + on ebay and at a London outfit. Merc said , quote ," Various parts prices have come down ".
( Parts assistant). - Well , that's another story... the great global parts scam.
So.... not good but it could have been a lot worse... each of the 4 struts ( appears) fine ( I've said it now) and the car hasn't displayed any lowering or listing - fore and aft or starboard to port. So these systems do give you a bit of warning. Hopefully....just keep your eyes and ears open.
In normal driving conditions ( Mine's done 68K ) It would seem 5 to 8 years is the likely lifespan of one of these pumps and when you look closely at various
'For sale ' adverts some SLs' adverts quickly make mention of the fact they've had a new ABC / PS pump etc etc. I note there are one or two US sources who provide recon struts at a lot less than £1000 per corner. Has any one any personal experience/knowledge about those sources. I know there is already info on here about those sources but I'd be glad to hear from anyone who has something to add. Thanks
Dave M
Wonderful technology and quite a surreal forgiving feeling on the multitude of badly cambered roundabouts throughout our badly maintained road network.
Then of course after 5 months of ownership the red ABC - Drive carefully! light comes on. Locked the car , alarm set , roof up roof down and on and on and it cleared! Then of course on again. Hopeful for an electrical glitch but not to be. ' ABC - visit workshop' ( In blue) then illuminates so to German auto care in Wakefield and STAR indicated The ABC/Power steering pump.( tested the sensor first of course)
I looked at the pump from beneath and could clearly see fluid dripping from the pump. Oddly enough over the past week or two I've heard a new dull ticking noise coming from the nearside engine bay position which can be indicative of the pump failing.
To get to the point ... as I was getting my ribs ready for the blow.... York Mercedes priced a new pump at £510 plus VAT. GAC charge £45 per hour labour ( 4 hours ) plus new fluids & levelling sequences reset is going to be around the thick end of £900.
I've seen reconditioned ABC pumps for sale for £400 + on ebay and at a London outfit. Merc said , quote ," Various parts prices have come down ".
( Parts assistant). - Well , that's another story... the great global parts scam.
So.... not good but it could have been a lot worse... each of the 4 struts ( appears) fine ( I've said it now) and the car hasn't displayed any lowering or listing - fore and aft or starboard to port. So these systems do give you a bit of warning. Hopefully....just keep your eyes and ears open.
In normal driving conditions ( Mine's done 68K ) It would seem 5 to 8 years is the likely lifespan of one of these pumps and when you look closely at various
'For sale ' adverts some SLs' adverts quickly make mention of the fact they've had a new ABC / PS pump etc etc. I note there are one or two US sources who provide recon struts at a lot less than £1000 per corner. Has any one any personal experience/knowledge about those sources. I know there is already info on here about those sources but I'd be glad to hear from anyone who has something to add. Thanks
Dave M
