Rodeo Test for ABC - Brave?

[andymax]

I'm half seriously contemplating buying a post-facelift W220 S55.
I'm wary because ABC suspension issues are generally expensive in particular.
I have seen no bills for any ABC related work. The car has done close to 100,000 miles.
With this mileage would I have to replace the suspension components as a matter of course?

I have heard of the Rodeo test which (from what I've read) is the only realistic way test the suspension.
However with the cost of fixing it being mostly expensive, don't you have to be very brave to use this test?
I can't expect the current owner would want to do it as he's selling the car and wont want the chance of a big bill.
I would be surprised if the Rodeo test was used in a pre-purchase inspection because of the risk of breaking something.
Perhaps this test is realistically only used when you have repaired the suspension.
When else would you want to use it?

 

[SL63Mark]

My rule with ABC is, if it ain't broke, leave well alone. There are those who would strongly advise a fluid flush and change every few years. I would agree, this certainly fixed my rear sinking issue. I had very few issues with my ABC over 10 years of ownership on my 2004 SL55. If something big lets go, (like the pump) you will know all about it, and you can fix it then. Otherwise leave well alone. Perhaps budget for the pump, they are about £1,000 fitted and yours may be due for replacement. Mine failed at 70,000 miles.

I would definitely not let ABC put you off, it is a superb system. There is a reason MB have stuck with it.

I have never heard of anyone using the rodeo test to test a car pre-purchase. You don't need to do this. If the ABC is throwing error messages (or leaking), you will know something is wrong with it. On the R230 you can raise and lower the car using the ABC raise button, I always try that, pre-purchase, and it it works without errors, that usually means the systems is working fine. I also did it on the R231s I inspected, one sales guy had no idea why the car was going up in the air.

PS, are you absolutely sure the S55 has ABC ? I thought the S class had air suspension. Could be wrong

 

[andymax]

My rule with ABC is, if it ain't broke, leave well alone. There are those who would strongly advise a fluid flush and change every few years. I would agree, this certainly fixed my rear sinking issue. I had very few issues with my ABC over 10 years of ownership on my 2004 SL55. If something big lets go, (like the pump) you will know all about it, and you can fix it then. Otherwise leave well alone. Perhaps budget for the pump, they are about £1,000 fitted and yours may be due for replacement. Mine failed at 70,000 miles.

I would definitely not let ABC put you off, it is a superb system. There is a reason MB have stuck with it.

I have never heard of anyone using the rodeo test to test a car pre-purchase. You don't need to do this. If the ABC is throwing error messages (or leaking), you will know something is wrong with it. On the R230 you can raise and lower the car using the ABC raise button, I always try that, pre-purchase, and it it works without errors, that usually means the systems is working fine. I also did it on the R231s I inspected, one sales guy had no idea why the car was going up in the air.

PS, are you absolutely sure the S55 has ABC ? I thought the S class had air suspension. Could be wrong

This one certainly does and I thing it was standard for post-facelift W220 S55.
I've heard stories of ~£2000 a corner + £1000 for the pump. For a car costing less than £10000 now you'd need to keep a fair wedge back just in case.

 

[SL63Mark]

This one certainly does and I thing it was standard for post-facelift W220 S55.
I've heard stories of ~£2000 a corner + £1000 for the pump. For a car costing less than £10000 now you'd need to keep a fair wedge back just in case.

Ah, struts are only £2k a corner if you buy them from MB. For misting all you need to do is to clean them off and top up the fluid occasionally. Ball joints can be injected with resin. Also, struts are now available for ~£300 each IIRC. They are £2k if you purchase them from MB, who of course are happy to sell them to you.

You need to find a good local Mercedes Independent Specialist. Do not go near MB.

 

[W1ghty]

This one certainly does and I thing it was standard for post-facelift W220 S55.
I've heard stories of ~£2000 a corner + £1000 for the pump. For a car costing less than £10000 now you'd need to keep a fair wedge back just in case.

I think prices have come down on the corners , I’ve seen quotes from the likes of aliexpress for £400 each

 

[SL63Mark]

CraigLXVIII recently quoted ~£300 IIRC. Probably gone up due to inflation.

 

[andymax]

I think prices have come down on the corners , I’ve seen quotes from the likes of aliexpress for £400 each

I've also been told, at all costs, avoid cheap? chinese copies.

 

[SL63Mark]

I've also been told, at all costs, avoid cheap? chinese copies.

You don't need to replace them. If they are leaking you can just wipe them off for the MOT and top up the reservoir. They only leak tiny amounts. I never needed to top mine up in 10 years. One just needed a wipe off come MOT time.

Of course if you want belt and braces and to maintain the car as new, then yes, go ahead and replace the lot for £10k. To be honest, if I had that sort of money, I'd be looking at a much newer low miles S63 biTurbo.

Its a phenomenal engine, and sounds as good if not better than the 55, and has buckets more torque.

 

[W1ghty]

I've also been told, at all costs, avoid cheap? chinese copies.

I have heard (on another forum) some very good reports of them , but as you say , it’s all choice .