SL55 with ABC delete

[Buffy d]

I spotted this:

2003 53 MERCEDES-BENZ SL 55 AMG 5.4 KOMPRESSOR 2D 493 BHP | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2003 53 MERCEDES-BENZ SL 55 AMG 5.4 KOMPRESSOR 2D 493 BHP at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

It's definitely interesting, but the place selling it doesn't seem like they have much of an idea bout what's been done. I'll be honest and say I've not called to delve deeper, but when I asked what suspension had been fitted and if anti-roll bars had been added, the reply I got said: "Hi it’s just brand new OEM suspension that would be on an SL without air bags."

This has honestly left me with more questions! I'm not going to lie, I am kind of interested in the car, but I'm sceptical whether they'll be actually able to give me the kind of in-depth information that would make me want to go and see it!

 

[Jobsworth]

Well, I think you and I have touched on this one already, but the big question mark is over anti-roll bars. The SL55 with ABC doesn’t have them, because ABC handles roll control. If you take the ABC off and fit coilovers you are going to need to fit some anti-roll bars. At very least on the front, but for me it’d have to be on the rear too. I would need to have a very close look at what’s been done to that car before I’d commit. Ask @alexanderfoti.

 

[Teego]

Can't believe he has any idea of what he thinks he's talking about.
Personally, I wouldn't be interested in one of those with any modifications.

 

[Spider10]

Here's 1 with the ABC Delete aswell it just says AMG specific coil overs

Mercedes Benz R230 SL55 AMG (E55/SL63/SL65). Huge Service Record. Best Available | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Mercedes Benz R230 SL55 AMG (E55/SL63/SL65). Huge Service Record. Best Available at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Buffy d]

Here's 1 with the ABC Delete aswell it just says AMG specific coil overs

Mercedes Benz R230 SL55 AMG (E55/SL63/SL65). Huge Service Record. Best Available | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Mercedes Benz R230 SL55 AMG (E55/SL63/SL65). Huge Service Record. Best Available at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

This one seems like a better bet potentially, but that colour combo is like one of my least favourites

 

[Dickster]

I spotted this:

2003 53 MERCEDES-BENZ SL 55 AMG 5.4 KOMPRESSOR 2D 493 BHP | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2003 53 MERCEDES-BENZ SL 55 AMG 5.4 KOMPRESSOR 2D 493 BHP at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

It's definitely interesting, but the place selling it doesn't seem like they have much of an idea bout what's been done. I'll be honest and say I've not called to delve deeper, but when I asked what suspension had been fitted and if anti-roll bars had been added, the reply I got said: "Hi it’s just brand new OEM suspension that would be on an SL without air bags."

This has honestly left me with more questions! I'm not going to lie, I am kind of interested in the car, but I'm sceptical whether they'll be actually able to give me the kind of in-depth information that would make me want to go and see it!

Nice colour. You’d want to view it on a lift.

But why the concern over ABC? If maintained it’s reliable. And surely the advanced suspension (which works very well) is one of the reasons to buy an sl55.

 

[alabbasi]

Ask for a picture of the under side. Coilovers are generally pretty stiff. Unless you're going way past the legal limit, you're not going to feel like you need anti roll bars

 

[alexanderfoti]

Well, I think you and I have touched on this one already, but the big question mark is over anti-roll bars. The SL55 with ABC doesn’t have them, because ABC handles roll control. If you take the ABC off and fit coilovers you are going to need to fit some anti-roll bars. At very least on the front, but for me it’d have to be on the rear too. I would need to have a very close look at what’s been done to that car before I’d commit. Ask @alexanderfoti.

I agree. I think its a bit part of what makes an R230, an R230!!!

Not sure I would want one without ABC and its always going to be a bit of a bodge. I don't think you can fit a front ARB on the SL600 due to space constrains, maybe possible on the 55. I do think some control arms need to be swapped out for the SL350 version though.

 

[Petrol Pete]

Great timing

Alex & The Wizard talk 'old' MB's . Mainly ABC woes and unobtanium parts. | Parts, Maintenance & Servicing

forums.mbclub.co.uk

Note the bit when Alex says cars with ABC delete just 'do not feel right' and mentions the lack of ARB.

 

[alabbasi]

Nice colour. You’d want to view it on a lift.

But why the concern over ABC? If maintained it’s reliable. And surely the advanced suspension (which works very well) is one of the reasons to buy

By nature , anything that has rubber hoses and o rings all over it that runs 3000psi of pressure will require a full overhaul at some point Some of these hoses are routed in such a way that it will require complete disassembly and possibly engine removal to get to all them for rebuilding.

I sold my S55k at 175k miles because I was tired of chasing leaks. It's not cheap and it will become unreliable. For that cat, the juice was not worth the squeeze.

 

[Dickster]

By nature , anything that has rubber hoses and o rings all over it that runs 3000psi of pressure will require a full overhaul at some point Some of these hoses are routed in such a way that it will require complete disassembly and possibly engine removal to get to all them for rebuilding.

I sold my S55k at 175k miles because I was tired of chasing leaks. It's not cheap and it will become unreliable. For that cat, the juice was not worth the squeeze.

You don’t buy a car that complicated and advanced and not expect some major work at some point. However, when I fixed my ABC I read that if well maintained the whole system is good for 200-300k miles. Indeed, on another forum there’s an SL500 going strong at 200k - it’s had two pumps.

My car has 70k miles and covers 2-3k miles pa, so shouldn’t require major surgery in my lifetime - fingers crossed!

 

[Petrol Pete]

What I found odd ( F'ing crazy in fact) is Alex said MB put this system out there with no service interval , none at all , zilch. We all know the 'sealed for life never service' transmission boll0ck$ didn't end well for many a poor - very well built - transmissions in MB cars.

But in what world does anyone with even the slightest understanding of hydraulic systems running at these pressures and for even the 3 years or so of extended warranty actually believe such horse$hit ? It is (as someone who sometimes works on hydraulic systems) beyond belief.

I have said it before on here , the engineers at MB probably gave up screaming at the accountants and marketing men , hence these decisions being made.

Oh , and they add a top up reservoir with a filter in it while in design . ? If it was sealed for life why not just seal it using an expansion vessel.....?

 

[alabbasi]

You don’t buy a car that complicated and advanced and not expect some major work at some point.

No you don't. But as I said, for that car, the juice was not worth the squeeze. I still have an SL55 and CL65 in much nicer shape that I would be happy to spend the money on.

I would not count of your abc system lasting a lifetime. You wouldn't drive on tires that are old and you probably have only 45 psi going through them.